Persona 3 Redux

by Sotelosc

Austin Soto was just a regular Persona fan when one day he wakes up in the velvet room and is asked to assist the characters of Persona 3 through their usual adventure. Austin knows what should happen but time travel has always been a pain and things don't go as originally written. Now it's up to him to keep things on the right track.

1. New World Plus

Persona 3 Redux

The characters and story are based off the video game Persona 3 with some minor altercation, I take no credit to any of the work done by the original writer and recommend you to have played the game before reading to save from any confusion.

Don't you hate that situation where you fall asleep and you wake up in a completely different location? Like you're in your nice comfy bed one second and then next you're sitting in a chair? Yeah, kinda weird especially with the random opera music playing in the background… opera music? I open my eyes and instead of seeing myself in my room I see myself in this blue room. In front of me is this elderly looking guy with a really long nose… wait… Igor?

Igor: Ah we seem to have gotten a guest, and one from a rather strange location. Although you seem like one of this world you are not.

Igor give off his usual creepy grin.

Igor: My name is Igor and welcome to the velvet room, a world within dream and reality, mind and matter. Usually only those who have signed a contract would be allowed to enter but you seem to be on a special circumstance.

?: What do you mean by a special circumstance?

Igor: Well even though the velvet room is connected to that of many worlds yours is one that is not and yet here you are.

Looking around I see the room being set up like that of an elevator, behind Igor I see a beautiful woman in a blue stewardess outfit and white shoulder length hair.

?: So, if you're Igor you must be Elizabeth correct?

Both Igor an Elizabeth look at me surprised.

Elizabeth: My I didn't even give an introduction and you already know who I am, most intriguing.

?: Seeing as the velvet room looks like a large elevator this must be the velvet room for Minato Arisato correct?

Igor: My, to even know the name of our contractor I must ask how do you know of such information?

If I recall correctly the people of the velvet room wont really know about things like video games or movies so I should choose my words wisely.

?: I know it's hard to believe but in my world the velvet room and the world of your contractor is read out as a fictional story in a picturesque setting called a video game.

Igor: Ah I see, well that would make your position to be that much odder having it be that neither of us should be real to the other.

?: So, I probably shouldn't ask how I got here then.

Igor: That would be correct.

I let out a loud sigh as I scratch the back of my head.

?: Yeah, I guessed as much, well it's not like complaining is going to do much though.

Elizabeth: Odd wouldn't someone be a bit more worried if put in this kind of situation?

?: Well yeah, I can't deny that I do feel uncomfortable being in this position but it's not as if panicking will do much of a difference.

Igor lets out a loud snicker.

Igor: well due to my interest in your situation I have a proposition for you

I look at Igor with a grin on my face, I feel like I already know what he's going to say. Igor waves his arm over the table and a clipboard appears with the text "The signer of this document did this in his own accord, he will look for the answers and purpose of his appearance and be free to walk the path of his choosing"

Igor: This is your contract, once signed we will be able to assist you in the best of our abilities while you move forward in finding the reason as to why you are here.

?: Will signing this allow me the power of the wild card?

Igor: Ah so I see you even know the power of the wild card. I do believe it will help you in finding the answers that you seek. I am also curious as to seeing how the wild card will work on someone who isn't of this world. I believe since you know of the wild card you must know of persona as well?

?: Yes.

Igor: Well splendid it seems that those explanations will not be necessary then, my assistant Elizabeth will be assisting you in recording all the personas you poses in her compendium.

Elizabeth: Feel free to come to me if you ever require my assistance.

Igor: Ah but before we all get ahead of ourselves you must first sign the contract. Just sign your name and we will begin.

It's odd all of this should at least give me an odd eerie feeling, but I feel calm, excited even. I pick up the pen and sign my name. Austin Soto.

Igor: Well then Mr. Soto before I take you out on your journey I must check your arcana.

Igor brings out a deck of tarot cards and spreads them out on the table, one by one each card starts to hover and disappear until only one card remains.

Igor: Hmm how odd usually it's not until the near end of a journey that one would be holder of this arcana although I guess you are ending one story to begin this one.

He turns the card around showing a card with the roman numeral of XXI.

Igor: You hold the power of the "world" arcana, rather fitting for someone entering a world in which he doesn't originally belong. As you had stated before this is the velvet room for the contractor Minato Arisato, I believe that destiny has brought you here to assist him on his journey. Maybe while you help you will also find the answers as to why you have been brought to this world. I look forward to seeing the results of your journey.

Elizabeth then hands me a key.

Elizabeth: Here is the key to the velvet room, you may use it to return here whenever you please.

I turn around to see a blue glowing door.

Igor: That door marks the beginning of your journey, I look forward to seeing you again.

Once I open the door I get engulfed by a bright light.

-?, ? ?

When I open my eyes I see myself in a green moon lit world surrounded by coffins. Of course I'd walk into Tatsumi Port Island during the dark hour DIRECTLY in front of Tartarus! I feel like walking in there right now would be the worst possible option, so I decide to walk around and get a chance to catch my bearings. After walking around for what felt like an hour I'm starting to think back on how I took persona 3's fast travel for granted. After some trial and error I found myself in front of the dorm building.

Austin: Ugh! this took way longer than it should have! Welp for now I'll just take a look inside.

Before I open the door I hear a strange rustling sound from behind me. I turn around to see 3 shadows creeping behind me.

Austin: Huh I wasn't expecting to see shadows so soon… they're a lot bigger in person.

The shadows then form to be 3 steel gigas. I take a step back.

Austin: Ah shit at least wait until I'm actually able to summon my perso…

Suddenly my head starts to throb in pain. "I am thou, thou art I." I get covered in a blue flame. "thou will bring an end to this chapter". A blue tarot card hovers in front of me with the same blue flame. "I give you my power, now call out my name". I grin with glee as I crush the card in front of my hand.

Austin: Shred them, Barbatos!

Above me appears the figure of a machine in blue and white armor carrying a large sword in its hand. Barbatos eyes glow red as it charges towards the gigas in the center instantly cutting it in two. The gigas then forms into a mist and disappears. The other 2 gigas charge towards me.

?: Watch out!

Someone yells out behind me as an arrow passes by me hitting the gigas on the left in the head. Soon after the gigas gets covered in a green wind shredding it to pieces. I look back to see a cute girl in a pink sweater jacket holding a bow in one hand and a gun in the other. Yukari Takeba

?: Good thing Fuuka managed to sense the shadows in time, I hope you're alright.

Next comes a man in a red vest wearing gloves with spiked knuckles. Akihiko Sanada. He pulls his evoker and points it to his head.

Akihiko: Polydeuces!

He yells out as he shoots his head summoning his persona. A blond hair being wearing a sky-blue jumpsuit and an armored vest, its right hand is a giant syringe. Polydeuces launches an electric attack called Zio to the other gigas in the right.

The two shadows dissipate soon after.

Akihiko: It's a good thing we made it in time.

Yukari: Yeah but what's more surprising is that he summoned his persona without the need of an evoker, what's up with that?

?: For now we should go inside.

Behind them appears a blue haired man holding a sword on his right hand and his evoker on the other. Minato Arisato, the leader of the group.

Austin: Yeah good idea.

After all the excitement we walk inside the dorm welcomed by a group of people, all of them have an evoker holstered on their side and a red SEES armband on their left arm.

?: Glad to see everyone come back in one piece.

The first to greet us in the entrance is a red-haired woman giving off a very prim and proper vibe. Mitsuru Kirijo.

?: Hello, and who may you be?

Directly behind Mitsuru is a timid looking girl with short blue hair. Fuuka Yamagishi.

?: Haha I hear from Fuuka that you're a persona user, right?

By Mitsuru is a guy with a goofy looking grin wearing a baseball cap taping his shoulder with a decently sized two-handed sword. Junpei Iori.

?: Now, now, how about we all introduce ourselves first before we start anymore excitement.

Behind all of them is an older looking man with long brown hair and round glasses. Shuji Ikutsuki.

Everyone puts down their weapons and introduces themselves.

Austin: Nice to meet you all I'm Austin Soto, thank you for your help back there.

I scratch the back of my head and give a nervous grin while I give them a respectful bow.

Yukari: Oh, don't worry about it, we're just glad to see you're ok.

Mitsuru: Now that all the introductions have been taken care of I was wondering if you could answer some questions for us?

Austin: Sure, what do you wish to ask?

I say that but I feel exhausted, I dunno if it's because it was my first time summoning my persona, but I have no energy now …my vision is starting to fade. I begin to fall over.

Akihiko and Minato catch me before I fall.

Ikutsuki: Haha it makes sense that you're tired, this must have been the first time you've summoned your persona. Let's save the questioning for tomorrow, for now let's let our new ally rest.

Austin: Y-Yeah that sounds like a good idea.

Ikutsuki: Arisato do you mind taking him to one of the guest rooms?

Arisato nods as he shows me to my room.

Austin: Haha I guess the excitement of everything that happened must have really tired me out, thanks for your help.

Arisato: Yeah, the dark hour can take some getting use to.

Austin: Yeah you can say that again. Well if you don't mind me asking do you happen to know what day of the month it is today?

Arisato looks at me confused.

Arisato: Today is the 20th of June. Why do you ask?

Austin: …Oh no reason. Thanks for taking me to my room I'm going straight to bed for now so I'll speak with you all in the morning. Goodnight.

Arisato gives me a nod and heads down to his room. I close the door and let out a loud sigh.

Austin: The 20th of June huh. If I remember correctly that would mean that the next large shadow they're facing will be the Hierophant and Lovers guardians on July 7th. I wonder how useful of a help I'll be.

In the corner of the dorm room a see a sink with a mirror above it. I walk towards the sink to wash my face and look up to my reflection in surprise.

Austin: I recall…this game takes place in 2009. So, when I transported to this world I got sent back in time and my age went back with it and made me 15 years old again.

I let out a loud sigh and head to bed. I'm also worried as to what I should say to them. Saying that I'm from another world may cause some suspicions. I don't know what effects would happen to this world if I spoil future events as well, for all I know most if not all of them can die just because I'm here let alone with me knowing what I do. My eyes are getting heavier, I can't think straight with how tired I am.

Austin: Well for now I'll just go to bed and hope I figure something out in the morning.

I close my eyes and instantly fall asleep.

-Sunday, June 21st

I wake up rather early to the knocking of the door, my body feels a little better after resting but I also wish I could have been allowed a few more minutes of sleep.

Mitsuru: Hello it's me Mitsuru, can you open the door?

Austin: One sec!

I quickly get up and get dressed before I open the door.

Mitsuru: Thank you, would you mind following me to the meeting room? Everyone is waiting.

I follow Mitsuru up to the fourth floor of the dorm building. This floor seems to only have one door leading to the meeting room. Once I enter I see everyone is already seated.

Mitsuru: So last night after Arisato walked you to your room Takeba-san told me that on her way to the location she saw you defeat one of the shadows with your own persona, is that true?

Austin: Yes, that would be true.

Mitsuru: you were able to summon your persona without the need of an evoker. How is that possible?

Austin: I summoned my persona like that.

I open my right hand and a blue tarot card surrounded in a blue flame appears. After doing so everyone looks at me in shock. Junpei jumps up out of his chair letting out a loud shout.

Junpei: Wait a second there! So, you're telling me you could summon your persona right now!? It's not even the dark hour.

I look at my card and back at everyone.

Austin: I'm not entirely sure. Let's see…

I crush the card in my hand summoning Barbatos above me. After doing so everyone else stands up in shock.

Junpei: W-What the hell!?

To be honest I'm just as surprised as them, I don't recall any of the games having characters being able to summon their personas in the human world… maybe this has something to do with me being from an alternative world? No… if that were true I'd have been able to summon persona in my world and I know for a fact that's not possible. And why Barbatos? Aren't persona usually people from past stories or past gods and stuff like that? I know I'm not the most religious person but I felt like that should have still been the basis for it… well I'll think about that later. I deactivate Barbatos and everyone else sits back down.

Austin: So, I'm guessing the summoning of persona in the real world isn't a normal thing?

Akihiko: Mitsuru and Futaba can use some of their powers in the real world to an extent, but we've never actually seen anyone able to physically summon their persona in the real world before.

Austin: They can use their powers but not summon their persona?

Akihiko: Yeah Mitsuru can use her ice on occasion and Fuuka can sense others with the potential to summon persona.

Austin: huh I see…

Junpei: Well anyway it seems like we got ourselves another "special case"

Austin: Huh what do you mean by special case?

Everyone looks at Arisato, Junpei puts his arm around him.

Junpei: Now you see this guy is able to summon more than one persona! Pretty cool huh!?

Austin: Ah if you're talking about the wild card I have that as well.

I summon the card in my hand again and 3 more cards appear floating around it. Everyone looks at me in shock again. Junpei slumps over with a face of defeat.

Junpei: Aw man that's just unfair! What's with all these guys having all these extra powers!?

Yukari: Now, now, Junpei there's no need to be that hurt about it.

Austin: I must say though just because I am the only one that can summon a persona in the real world now doesn't mean that you guys won't be able to either in the future. We don't even know how we got our powers in the first place so for all we know this is just a form that takes time to develop for others.

I think back to a time when I was playing persona 4 arena and Akihiko explained how he can summon a persona in the real world without his evoker. After saying so Junpei instantly recovers his composure regaining his goofy grin.

Junpei: See Yuka-tan it's totally possible!

Yukari: Haha yeah but even if it is possible I doubt you'll ever have the mental power to do it though.

Junpei: Hey! says you!

Mitsuru: Ahem I believe we've fallen off subject.

Junpei and Yukari sit back down in their chairs.

Mitsuru: We've tried to look at your records, but we couldn't find you in the database, why exactly is that?

Everyone stares back at me… shit I REALLY don't know how to explain this. Why can't we just go back to persona talk?

Mitsuru: I know it's hard to believe but the Kirijo group is usually rather sufficient in finding the information that it needs.

Yeah, I know the Kirijo group has always been good at getting information on people. I doubt that they could find information on people that shouldn't even belong in this world though… UGH fuck it! I'm going for it.

Austin: To be honest I don't know, the last thing I remembered was being in this dark hour standing in front of that giant tower. What even is that anyways?

Arisato: Strange tower? Would you mean Tartarus?

Austin: Tartarus? Yeah it could have been that. To be honest I have no idea what the Architect would have been thinking when building that. Has that thing always been there?

Akihiko: Tartarus only really appears during the dark hour. When the dark hour ends Tartarus returns to being our school.

Austin: Wait, this Tartarus is a school!?

Akihiko: well no… not exactly.

Mitsuru: Tartarus takes the place of our school during the dark hour but we're not exactly certain in the reasons why.

Austin: Ah, well then there isn't really any reason to ask more questions about that then. Is there anything else you want to ask me?

Mitsuru: You said that the last thing you remembered was that you were in the dark hour. Do you not remember anything from before then?

Austin: Sadly not, to be honest I think I'm rather lucky to have even found my way here where there were more persona users.

No one seems like their doubting my story for now, that's a good sign.

Yukari: You don't look troubled about it though, why is that?

Austin: Well to be honest I don't see what good panicking would do. It's not like it would help in returning those lost memories so for now I may as well just do what I can with what I got.

Yukari: Yeah that's understand, in comparison to there being a 25th hour in the day amnesia seems a lot more believable.

Yeah at least a lot more believable than this being the literal real-life version of a video game I played a lot of.

Austin: I'm sorry I wasn't much help. to be honest a lot of this still feels weird to me, like everything is very familiar yet not at all.

Akihiko: Well there's no need worrying about it for now. I'm sure you'll relearn more about yourself after some time has passed. Just take your time and I'm sure everything will come back to you.

Yeah, I wish amnesia was the biggest of my worries! I still got to figure out how the hell I even got here.

Arisato: Well anyway for now let's just welcome our newest member.

Yukari: Well we say that, but does he really want to join us? I mean I wouldn't want to force him in just because of his situation.

Mitsuru: Takeba is right, the Kirijo group would be willing to change living accommodations for your protection in case you don't feel like joining us.

Austin: Ah there's no need I'm happy to help you guys, maybe even fighting these shadows will help me remember more about my lost memories.

That and maybe help me figure out why I'm even here.

Ikutsuki: I was hoping you'd say that.

With a grin on his face, Ikutsuki picks up a suitcase and puts it on the table. He opens the suitcase showing an evoker and a SEES armband.

Ikutsuki: I know you don't exactly need the evoker, but it felt out of place if you were the only one to not have one. Welcome to the special extracurricular execution squad, SEES for short.

I grab the suitcase and to be honest I think it's physically impossible to hide the joy in my face when I grabbed it.

Austin: Thanks for having me!

Mitsuru: well for now we should also check on your education as well, do you happen to know your date of birth?

Austin: Actually, I do know that! It's September 10th, 1993

Mitsuru: So that would mean that you're 15 years old. If that's so we can't just let you stay at the dorm all the time. We'll get you enrolled in Gekkoukan High School as a first year. It'll take a couple days to enroll you and get you in the system but you should be able to get in school by Wednesday.

A cold sweat falls on my head. Honestly the Kirijo group has some scary connections. How are they even going to put a person that shouldn't exist in the system into the system!?

Austin: T-Thank you.

Akihiko then stands up in excitement.

Akihiko: Well then how about we get you accustom to the dark hour and Tartarus tonight?

Yukari: Hey isn't this a bit to sudden senpai? He did just get his powers yesterday.

Austin: I think I'll be fine with tonight.

Akihiko: Alright then! We can have Arisato take you to where we get our equipment you should let him know what weapon you are the most comfortable with.

Akihiko looks at Arisato and he nods in agreement

Austin: Well then, I'll follow your lead.

Arisato nods and we head down to the paulownia mall. Damn this place is a lot bigger then they showed it on the video game! Like I get it that when they made the game the budget wasn't the best but damn, way to under scale the place! We then make it to the police station inside the mall. In the game you would always come here to get your weapons but being here in real life I just can't help getting a bit more of an unsettling vibe here. I can't be the only one thinking that it's weird being a teenager buying weapons from a police officer at a police station. We enter to the police station to be welcomed by officer Kurosawa. If I recall, he makes a reappearance in persona 4 arena as a detective for Yasoinaba. I request for a bo staff as my weapon of choice. We head out of the station soon after.

Arisato: So why the bo staff? It doesn't even have a sharp edge?

Austin: I don't really have a reason other than it being the one I felt the most comfortable holding… well that and I think bo staffs are awesome.

Arisato: I see.

Austin: Well while we're here do you mind if we go somewhere else?

Arisato agrees to my request and we head to the back alley below the karaoke bar. Arisato's eyes widened when he realized that the place I wanted to go was the velvet room

Austin: This is the place I wanted to go next. To be honest I don't really have amnesia but it's hard to explain my situation. so, I think Elizabeth or Igor might be able to do it for me.

Arisato still a little wide eyed agrees to my request and we enter the velvet room.

Igor: Welcome to the velvet room. My I do believe it's been a long time since we've had two contract holders in the same time.

Austin: Hello Igor I was wondering if you could explain my situation to Arisato. I believe you'll do a better job at getting the point across. That and I don't think he'd have even believe me if I were to have told him on my own.

If I remember correctly the others don't really figure out about the velvet room till after the answers ark and that is well passed what happens to him so I'm sure just the fact that someone else aside from him is entering the velvet room will be a pretty big shock to him.

Igor: Very well then. As you can see our guest here is able to see the entrance to the velvet room, making him another one to have signed a contract. Although unlike you he isn't really of this world, he's a "special" case as you say.

Austin: To simplify it even more I'm from an alternate world completely different from this one.

Igor: As he says he is from a world completely disconnected from our own. Unlike the velvet room which has a connection to this world his should not.

Elizabeth: We aren't really certain on the reasons as to why or how he's here, but we do believe that he will be of some help to you and your friends.

Austin: As you can see I'm in a very odd situation, I honestly don't know how or why I'm here but at least while I'm here I'll do the best I can to help you and your friends.

Arisato seems to be in a bit of a daze, can't exactly blame him. He has already been dealing with some pretty surreal stuff.

Arisato: Alright I'll accept your support, but what's with the whole you having amnesia situation?

Austin: There are certain things that I am keeping to myself for now. I'm sorry but I personally don't think it to be the best decision to tell you and the others in this moment of time. Please understand that my reasons are for the betterment of everyone.

Arisato gives me a rather disgruntled look.

Austin: I promise when the time is right I'll tell you and the others, but for now I just can't.

Arisato lets out a loud sigh

Arisato: …alright but make sure to tell me everything when you can.

I nod to Arisato and we shake hands in agreement

Igor: Splendid! I see a strong bond to be formed between you two. Who knows maybe this bond will make the difference between life and death.

Austin: There is one thing I am curious about. Usually personas are beings from mythological archetypes but for some reason mine seem to exist more as those of fictional characters in manga and anime from my world.

Igor: Hmm well like shadows, persona are the malevolent manifestations of the inner thoughts except tamed and trained. It is possible that your inner thoughts may just have a stronger connection to that of those fictional characters over mythological archetypes.

Austin: That's… one possible reason, but then that still wouldn't explain why I can summon my persona in the real world while the others cannot, and then there's also these blue flamed tarot cards that I'm a bit curious about.

Igor: That is a mystery to us as well, it seems that since you are not originally from this world your abilities run from a slightly different method.

Hmm well that isn't much help… there's so much I don't understand. It's possible that since mythological creatures have never truly been proven of their existence in the real world the persona are shaped out from the ideal image in each person's heart. That would explain how throughout all the games there are lots of persona with the same names and stories but with a slightly different appearance. I guess with that in mind it would naturally make it difficult to tame more then one malevolent emotion in your heart. Is it possible that the wild card itself helps to train your malevolent emotions and with that allowing us to use more than one persona? Or could the wild card be bringing external emotions to form the different personas?

Austin: Well for now we'll just have to go with the information we currently have. Elizabeth, I feel that Barbatos wasn't the only persona I had awoken last night, I'm still not very skilled in sensing them so I was wondering if you could show me all the ones I have so far?

Elizabeth: With pleasure!

Elizabeth then opens her Compendium

Elizabeth: Right now you hold the power of 4 different persona. Barbatos, Allen Walker, Mori Jin, and Kaneki Ken. These are the names of the current persona that you can summon.

Austin: Interesting, I look forward in testing them out!

Elizabeth: There is one thing that I need to warn you about your persona.

Austin: What's that?

Elizabeth: It seems that your persona although powerful have some rather inconvenient setbacks that I've never seen before.

Austin: And what are those?

Elizabeth: For one thing your persona can't go any further than 15 feet away from you. Another would be that although they each have a strong defense against magic, none of them have any magic based skills.

Austin: Well… that's a bit troubling

Elizabeth: Not to worry, even with these setbacks your personas show a different set of abilities that I've never seen before. I look forward to seeing how you implement them in the battle field.

… Well that's great, it seems I won't be able to implement the skill I usually did when playing this game. it does give an interesting spin on things though… it's just going to suck when I fight against shadows with physical resistances.

Igor: Well it seems that this will be everything for today I bid you farewell for now.

Arisato and I exit the velvet room. All in all, I'm rather glad that I came here before going to Tartarus. It would have sucked not knowing any of that and having it bite me in the ass. What's worrying me even more is the expression Arisato is making right now.

Austin: Arisato, I understand that this is a lot to handle and I'm sure you have a lot to ask but for now that is all the information I can give you. I hope you can trust me when I say that in due time I will tell you everything I know. Just for now this will give the best results in helping everyone.

Arisato: I understand, you haven't shown me any reason why I shouldn't trust you. Your secret is safe with me.

I feel like I've grown closer to Arisato.

A sudden voice calls in my head. "I am thou, thou art I… thou has acquired a new bond. With the power of the fool arcana thou has open the path to a new chapter".

Both me and Arisato look at each other.

Austin: Is it just me or are those random voices we get in our heads when we start a new arcana kind of weird?

Aristo: Haha yeah it really is.

We have a mutual chuckle and head back to the dorm to prepare with the others for the dark hour.

It's nearing midnight so we all head towards the school gate, Tartarus appears in the same place as the school that they all go to. I still can't get over the scaling on how much bigger everything here is in person. Midnight hits and the dark hour begins, in that same instant the school starts to morph and grow into Tartarus. I got to say it's pretty awesome getting to see it appear in person.

Mitsuru: Alright everyone let's go. This will be your first time fighting in Tartarus, are you ready?

I tighten my grip on my bo staff and with excitement on my face I reply

Austin: I'm ready!

Soon after entering Tartarus, we get on top of green pad on the right side of the room that teleports up to the 20th floor. The way everyone fights is a lot more action packed than how it is in the game. Everyone helps to assist the other with their weaknesses following detailed commands given by Arisato. Whenever anything seemed dicey Arisato would just shuffle around personas and regain the upper hand. Everyone seems to have their own separate fighting styles perfectly suited to assist the others whenever necessary. Yukari focuses on fighting in a distance with her bow while her persona Io uses wind skills (garu) to shred the shadows and healing skills (dia) to recover the others. Junpei rushes in with his two-handed sword and uses his persona Hermes to burn shadows with fire magic (agi) and with some rather powerful kicks. Akihiko also rushes in using his experience as a boxer and with his persona Polydeuces fries the shadows with thunder attacks (zio) he also uses de-buff skills to weaken any stronger shadows. Mitsuru uses swift and precise movements with her rapier to land fatal blows on the shadows while her persona Penthesilea freezes the shadows with Ice skills (bufu) and like Yukari uses healing skills to help recover anyone that's hurt. Fuuka stays in the first floor using her persona Lucia to gain info on the shadows weaknesses as well as giving us a layout of the floor itself. After watching them fight the first few battle I started joining in by rushing for the first attack and using my persona to instantly take out any low-level shadows. Mitsuru wasn't to big a fan of my method constantly telling me to stay close to the team. In no time we make it all the way up to the 59th floor.

Austin: Haha this is easier than I thought!

I rush into the room.

Mitsuru: Watch out!

Ahead of me I see a large white knight with a purple mask riding a white horse standing in front of me, Intrepid Knight. I charge at it and summon my persona

Austin: Barbatos!

Both Barbatos and I land a blow on the Intrepid Knight, but it didn't seem like we made much damage. It quickly counters hitting me with a wind attack blowing me right back to where everyone else is.

Arisato: It seems to have a strong defense against physical attack.

Fuuka: It's also immune to wind, dark, and light magic be careful!

Arisato: Alright, Yukari heal Austin of any wounds he has sustained. Akihiko lower its defenses. Everyone else surround and hit it with magic attacks!

Yukari runs towards me and uses dia. I very awkwardly get myself back up.

Austin: Ok. Not one of my brightest moments.

Yukari: Yeah, I could tell. Junpei did the same thing the first time he went in Tartarus, nearly got himself killed doing it too.

Austin: Ah sorry about that, I'll make sure to be more cautious from now on.

Yukari: You better! I don't want to see you pulling anymore reckless moves ok?

Austin: Aye-aye captain!

After defeating the Intrepid Knight, the others check to see if I'm ok. I tell them I'm fine and we continue heading up Tartarus. I made sure to stick to my word and stay closer to the others, I can't be holding everyone back. We continue rushing up all the floors and in no time we make it to the 64th floor where a wall of pillars keeps us from being able to go any further.

Akihiko: That should be it for now, lets head back to the dorm.

Junpei: Man, you did well keeping up with us Austin-kun.

Austin: Haha thanks, I'll try to make sure not to do any more risky rushes either.

Akihiko: With a group this strong I don't see any shadow being able to stand in our way!

Mitsuru: We've all done well so far, so for now let's return home and rest.

We all agree and head back to the dorm. The second I reach my room I get hit with a wave of exhaustion. I don't think I've ever felt so tired in my life. If I'm going to be able to help these guys better I'm going to have to improve my stamina. Maybe when I get in the school I'll join the track team or something. As soon as I lay in my bed I pass out.

-Monday, June 22nd

I wake up feeling sore everywhere! I don't wanna get up. I hear a knocking on my door.

Arisato: This is Arisato can I come in?

Austin: One sec!

I get dressed and open the door. Arisato walks with a bag in hand.

Arisato: Mitsuru wanted me to give you this.

Arisato hands me the paper bag, it seems to have my school uniform.

Arisato: It's your uniform for Gekkoukan high school. Mitsuru says that she will be turning in your paperwork today and wanted me to give you a tour of the school after classes are over. Junpei says he'll be joining us as well.

Austin: Alright sounds good! I'll see you guys there.

Since the school is located at the same area as Tartarus I shouldn't have any trouble finding my way there. I got some time to kill so how about I get myself acquainted to the town a bit better. I've learned my way around the mall yesterday thanks to Arisato's help so I think I'll go check the Port Island Station this time. Without surprise Port Island Station is a lot larger than it looked in the game. It has a lot more shops and the place is a lot more crowded, the movie theater is massive too! If I remember around here is also the sketchy alleyway where the others had met Shinjiro. Shinjiro Aragaki is another persona user in this game that doesn't really last long, he dies on October 4th by one of the members of Strega. I'm hoping that maybe I can stop that from happening this time around. Well for now maybe I'll go check the place out and see if I can convince him that I know he's a persona user… Ok my curiosity has peeked I'm going there now. I head down to the back alley to see a group of misfits huddled together smoking cigarettes. Near the group of misfits I see Shinjiro just hanging out giving a brooding face towards the floor. I head down to him but before I get his attention I'm stopped by one of the misfits having a rather constipated look on his face.

Misfit: Hey you don't seem like anyone I've met from around here.

Austin: Haha yeah, I usually wouldn't come to a funky looking place like this.

I continue walking towards Shinjiro and he looks at me with a curious look on his face.

Shinjiro: So, is there something you want? You look like you want to ask me something.

Austin: You're a persona user, aren't you?

Shinjiro looks a little more shocked and walks away soon after. He signals me to follow him.

Austin: Hmm I guess I'm correct then? I may not have as good of a sensing ability as Mitsuru or Fuuka, but I'd say it's semi-decent.

Shinjiro: This is not the place to be talking about that. Let's go somewhere else.

Austin: Ah then lead the way to a better spot.

We go to the center of Port Island Station. There's a lot more people here but I doubt anyone would pay much attention to us.

Shinjiro: So, did Aki put you up to this? Why are you out from school, you don't look old enough to be graduated and too well-kept to be a drop out.

Austin: By Aki I'm guessing you mean Akihiko? Huh I never thought of him being the type to be close to sketchy looking people.

Shinjiro lets out a light chuckle.

Shinjiro: You got some guts to be calm enough to tell a sketchy looking guy that he sketchy.

Austin: Haha for some reason I think you're a lot nicer than you let yourself off to be so I didn't see any problem. Well to explain the school thing I'm not registered just yet due to some circumstances, so I won't start till Wednesday.

Shinjiro: so, what is this circumstance as to why you aren't registered?

Austin: Oh, just the usual amnesiac with no known computer records.

Shinjiro: … I don't think any of that really passes as normal.

Austin: Haha nope! Not. At. All. Well I'm guessing since you already know "Aki" then they must have already tried to recruit you before?

Shinjiro: Yeah something like that. So, as you can tell I don't want to take part in involving myself with anything related to the dark hour, so don't even try asking.

Austin: Yeah sure I wasn't planning on getting in the way with how you live your life. I just sensed a persona user and wandered in to where you were, nothing more nothing less.

Shinjiro chuckles to himself.

Shinjiro: Well then that takes care of one possible headache.

Austin: Haha well since we're in agreement and I don't have school till Wednesday what do you say we hang out till I start school?

Shinjiro: It's probably best that you don't waste your time with people like me kid.

Austin: Yes, because I totally got better things to do. Besides you seem pretty lonely as well so let's just keep each other company.

Shinjiro: Heh I dunno about the lonely part but you are right that if you can deal with fighting those monsters I don't think I will be able to scare you off any time soon.

During our conversation Shinjiro told me a few things about himself and the other senpai in SEES. Like how Akihiko and he used to be orphans and how they had a friend named Miki that died in a fire in their orphanage. He also tells me how it was Akihiko, him, and Mitsuru who started SEES. None of this is really any new information to me but it's good to have him open up to me, I wonder if I can talk him into rejoining us earlier than the game did. If I can get him to join the team earlier, it might help in saving his life.

Austin: Ah shit well I got to head out now. I have some friends waiting to show me around the school today, I'll see you tomorrow ok.

Shinjiro: Alright let's meet again here then.

It seems that I've gotten closer to Shinjiro. I hear a voice calling in my head. "I am thou, thou art I… thou has acquired a new bond. With the power of the hierophant arcana thou has open the path to a new chapter"

… To be honest I don't know how I feel in having a voice that isn't mine echo in my head every time I get close to someone. Kinda makes me feel like a crazy person… then again me going insane would be the most logical way to explain my current situation. Haha I could actually physically still be in my world stuck in my head while strapped down in a loony bin. I chuckle to myself and head out to Gekkoukan High School. I meet up with Arisato and Junpei at the school entrance.

Junpei: Hey why don't you have your uniform on?

Austin: Well I'm not exactly a student yet so I though it would be ok for today.

Junpei: Yeah that's true well hopefully it doesn't cause to much trouble, some of these teachers can be overly strict.

Arisato: Well for now let's go to the faculty office so we can see where your class is going to be at.

We soon head down to the faculty office. Inside we meet with Arisato, and Junpei's language teacher Ms. Toriumi. I remember in the game she's one of Arisato's social links that he makes while playing an online game. he doesn't really meet her in person till the very end of the game. Huh… to be honest she's pretty cute in real life, it's a bummer my age regressed it seems like she would have been the same age as me in my original body. Welp back to the point she gave me the location to my class, it's going to be in the third floor where all the other first years are. If I remember correctly high schools in japan are only 3 years unlike in American high schools where they are 4 years. Also, I wonder how much of this stuff I even remember. I had graduated college 2 years ago with an EMS licensure so my knowledge on math, and biology should be passable. Since my understanding of English still seems to be in place I should be able to pass fine there... Thinking on it now this means I'll have to deal with homework again. I let out a loud sigh. I've never been the best in doing my homework, maybe the others will be willing to have study sessions together? …Nah they're all second and third years so none of them are going to have any of the same homework. It's moments like this where I wish I could have a beer right now… shit. It was at that moment I realized, I'm once again under the legal drinking age.

Arisato: Hey are you okay there?

I look up to see a very concerned looking Junpei and Arisato. I guess my faced showed how obviously bummed out I was.

Austin: Huh? Oh, yeah, I'm fine. Haha my lazy side is just coming out after realizing that I'm going to have to deal with homework.

Junpei: Haha oh yeah now that's a terrible revelation to have. for a second, I thought you were going to be one of those constantly depressed amnesiacs, but you seem to be pretty relaxed about it.

Austin: Well like I said before there's no point complaining about it so I'll just have to make do with what I got.

Junpei: Well then if you ever want to kill some time instead of worrying about homework just let me know!

Austin: Haha something tells me you'll be slacking off anyways so I'll take you up on that offer.

I seem to have formed a new friendship with Junpei… a voice rings in my head "I am thou, thou art I… thou has acquired a new bond. With the power of the Magician arcana thou has open the path to a new chapter"

… yup still feel like a crazy person every time I hear it.

Junpei: Well then now that we've showed you around how about we go grab some grub, Arisatos treat.

Junpei puts his arm around Arisato who gives out a loud sigh and agrees on the request.

Junpei: Well alright then let's go!

Junpei starts marching ahead. We go to the Wild Duck Burger at Iwatodai Station. I think this may be the first time I've seen a fast food joint this massive! We eat our food and then head back towards the dorm.

Fuuka: Welcome back. How did you like the school tour?

Austin: It was nice, kinda not looking forward to all the school work though.

Yukari lets out a loud sigh.

Yukari: Tell me about it, these teachers have a bad habit of giving you an annoying amount of homework.

I slouch down with a look of defeat.

Austin: Well shit, that's a downer.

Mitsuru: Your education is very important so as tedious as it may be you must make sure to keep your grades up.

Austin: Haha I didn't say I wasn't going to do it, there's just nothing saying that I can't complain about it.

Akihiko: Haha you are quite the brave one Austin, saying stuff like that in front of our student body president.

Austin: Oh yeah Akihiko I meet your friend Shinjiro earlier today, he's a pretty cool guy.

Akihiko: Ah it's shocking that he held a conversation with someone.

Austin: Haha nah I think it was more him humoring me since his intimidating demeanor didn't scare me off.

Akihiko breaks out laughing.

Akihiko: You're really quite the fearless one. I've been trying to get him to rejoin us again with no luck maybe you can try to persuade him?

Austin: Sorry but I already told him that I wasn't gonna force him to join something he doesn't want to be part of. Although you are more than free to continue persisting him, in my point of view it seems like he's close to breaking to your pressure.

Akihiko lets out a proud looking grin.

Akihiko: well then I'll do just that.

I head back to my room soon after. If I remember correctly today is the day when Strega makes their first in game appearance. As much as I'd like to get in their way right now I doubt I'd be able to take them on with my current strength, that and the idea of getting shot is just a major no go in my book. Barbatos does have an immunity to pierce attacks so I should be fine against Takaya's gun but that still doesn't help with Jin and Chidori giving him support, yup it would just be a one-sided massacre.

Before I fall asleep I am left with just one thought. I miss beer.

-Tuesday, June 23rd

I'll be starting school tomorrow, so I should take full advantage of my time off today. The last big place I haven't visited yet is the shrine so maybe I should check that place out. I get ready and head down to the shrine, on the way there I see a dog with white fur and red eyes, Koromaru. Koromaru is another character in this game that could summon a persona, he hasn't gained the potential yet but at least if I remember correctly it should be soon though.

Austin: Why hello there Koromaru.

Koromaru tilts his head, he seems to be confused how a stranger knows his name. I pat his head and continue up the shrine. The view from the top of the shrine is pretty nice and gives you a full view of the city, I'll have to come back sometime to enjoy the view some more. I haven't really had breakfast yet so maybe I should go grab some grub. I head down to Iwatodai Station to grab some food and on the way there I see Shinjiro from a distance.

Austin: Hey Shinji! I call out while heading his direction.

Shinjiro: Oh, hey Austin, enjoying your last day off before school starts?

Austin: Haha yeah, I was just gonna go grab some food, wanna join me?

Shinjiro: Sure, I was just about to go grab some food as well.

Shinji and I head into the beef bowl shop and order some food.

Austin: So, have you heard from Akihiko? I know he can be rather persistent.

Shinji continues looking down at his food.

Shinjiro: Yeah, he's been pushing me since I left.

Austin: Is there any reason as to why you can't rejoin?

Shinjiro: … I did something that I can't ever take back and since then I've just been living life one day at a time.

Austin: So simply put you've ran away from any sense of responsibility because of this guilt?

Shinjiro: Haha that would be correct.

Austin: Well just to let you know that is pretty cowardly for a big guy like you to be so scared so easy.

Shinji stands up and looks directly at me, I don't even have to look at him to know how pissed he is right now.

Shinjiro: And what do you think I SHOULD do? It's not like this guilt will ever go away no matter what I do! I just want to quietly live my life until I die.

I then turn to his direction and give him a stern look.

Austin: Why is it that I can't shake the feeling that this is about a thing that was out of your own control in the first place.

Shinji looks at me with shock.

Austin: Haha before you ask, no Akihiko hasn't told me anything about you. He doesn't really need to, I know quite a bit just by the expression on your face.

Shinji then looks down at his food with a look of embarrassment.

Austin: Now listen here, I may not know exactly what you did but being guilty about hurting someone is perfectly normal. honestly, I would be more shocked if you didn't care and just moved on after it happened but you can't just spend the rest of your life feeling guilty about it either.

Shinjiro gives a hurt look towards his food, he seems to be lost in thought. I give him a pat on the back.

Austin: Hey it could be worse, you could have forgotten your entire past and live a life where you never even knew who or what you used to be. So, eat up and stop moping around. I'm not saying you need to join us to do so but if you do feel like helping us out I know we'll appreciate it. Hell, we may even be able to get you out of your slump if you let us. So just give it some thought ok. I'm all ears when you're ready to talk about it.

I then pay for Shinjiro's and my food and head out. To be honest I totally get where he's coming from. Death is a hard thing to deal with, especially when you can't do anything to stop it. Even worse when you're the reason it happened. Well hopefully now that I brought it to mind he'll think about ways to get passed all that. I spend the rest of the day exploring the town before I head back home.

Akihiko: Hey welcome back. did you meet with Shinji today?

Austin: Hey, yeah, we had some talking and I gave him some advice to focus on. I won't promise that it will get him to join but it will at least be able to give him a chance to improve his outlook on life.

Akihiko stares at the floor smiling.

Akihiko: Heh this is only the second time you two have met and yet it seems you guys have become quite close.

Austin: Haha yeah it seems I'm pretty good at getting people to open up to me. It's my gift and my curse.

Akihiko and I share a laugh. It seems that we've gotten a little closer. I hear a voice in my head. "I am thou, thou art I… thou has acquired a new bond. With the power of the Emperor arcana thou has open the path to a new chapter".

Akihiko: You're starting school tomorrow, right? Well how about you drop by the boxing club sometime, I'll teach you how to take out some shadows with your fists.

Austin: I'm game for that, I was thinking since my first run in Tartarus I really need to improve my stamina.

Akihiko: Alright just meet with me at the boxing club after school.

I head up to my room and go to bed. Tomorrow I'll officially be a student.

-Wednesday, June 24th

Today is my first day of school and to be honest I'm pretty excited. It's been 2 years since I graduated college. Back when I was a student I would waste most of my time studying for exams instead of making friends so when I graduated I was just completely on my own. It didn't really help that I ended up not even using my diploma in the end and changed careers. I've decided to take full advantage of my school life this time around and make sure I have time to hang out and make friends. I get up, put on my uniform and head down to make myself a cup of coffee. On the way down I run into Fuuka.

Fuuka: Oh, good morning.

Austin: Good morning.

Fuuka: You'll be starting school today right?

Austin: Haha yeah, I seem to be just a cluster of excitement and anxiety right now.

Fuuka: Well I hope that you have a good school year, if you ever need any help just let me know.

Austin: I'll make sure to keep that in mind, do pleases take care of me.

I awkwardly bow towards Fuuka

Fuuka: Oh, um the same for me as well.

Fuuka gives an awkward bow back

Austin: Well for now how about I make us a cup of coffee?

Fuuka: Thank you that would be nice.

We both go down stairs and I make us a cup of coffee. After finishing our coffee we proceed to head to school.

Austin: So, what is it like? Going to school here?

Fuuka: Oh, um it's pretty normal, to be honest I've only recently gotten to enjoy school myself.

Austin: Oh? And why is that?

Fuuka: Well… to be honest before I met everyone I didn't really have much of a social life and was treated more like an outcast by most of the other student. I didn't have the courage to talk to others and the people who I thought to be my friends treated me rather poorly. When the others found me, I had gotten locked in the gym supply closet and transferred into Tartarus for the first time from in there.

Austin: Ah dang… well that sounds like a tough time.

Fuuka: Yeah but thanks to my power I had managed to keep away from all the shadows. I also got to meet everyone. Things have truly been improving ever since.

Austin: Well then it must not have been all bad then. The end result was being able to improve yourself and gain some friends after all.

Fuuka: I agree. Everyone has been so nice to me I hope to pay them back one of these days.

Austin: I wouldn't mind helping you out with that, I'm quite grateful for all of their help as well.

Fuuka: Oh, thank you, you're help will be most welcoming.

I feel a closer bond with Fuuka. I hear a voice in my head. "I am thou, thou art I… thou has acquired a new bond. With the power of the Priestess arcana thou has open the path to a new chapter".

Fuuka: Oh, it seems we've made it to school. I'll see you later ok.

Fuuka runs ahead inside the school. I head to the faculty office where I will meet with my homeroom teacher.

Ms. Kanou: Hello you must be Soto-kun, I'm Emiri Kanou I'll be your homeroom teacher from today onward.

Austin: Hello it's nice to meet you.

I give Ms. Kanou a polite bow, she seems to be looking at my file.

Ms. Kanou: According to this you were from Yasoinaba and moved here after your parents left to work overseas is that correct?

Austin: Yes, I'm currently living in the dorms.

Ms. Kanou: Ok then well let's go introduce you to all your classmates.

In hindsight I probably should have spoken to Mitsuru yesterday so I could play off what they wrote for me but so far I at least think I'll be fine. If I remember Emiri Kanou was the teacher that dates Kenji, a classmate of Arisato during his social link with him. Well she seems nice so far. We make it to my classroom.

Ms. Kanou: Hello class we have a new student who will be joining us. He just transferred here.

Austin: Hello my name is Austin Soto it is a pleasure to meet you all.

Ms. Kanou: Hmm your name seems foreign.

Austin: Oh yeah, my parents were American and they still do a lot of business over there.

Ms. Kanou: Well then you can sit on that open seat over there.

I go take a seat and class begins. Luckily it seems like I still kept some decent knowledge from back when I was a student, I see history giving me a hard time though since back when I was in high school I took American history so I know very little about Japanese history. When lunch came around a handful of the other students had some questions to ask me.

Student 1: So why didn't you stay in Yasoinaba?

Austin: don't really have a reason I just felt like moving here.

Student 2: Since your parents were American I guess your English must be pretty good huh?

Austin: Yeah, I'm also pretty good at speaking Spanish.

The questions kept coming till the school bell rang. Time flew by quick till class ended. After class I headed out to the Boxing club, Akihiko is already inside training.

Austin: Hey Akihiko I see you're working hard.

Akihiko: Oh, hey Austin-kun, yeah, I always got to be prepared for when the next big fight comes in.

I join Akihiko with his boxing training, it was tiring but a lot of fun. After practice I get ready to head back to the dorms.

Akihiko: Hey want to grab some food before we head back?

Austin: Sure sounds good, after all this exercise I can use some grub.

Akihiko and I head down to the beef bowl shop in Iwatodai.

Akihiko: You always got to eat protein after a good day's worth of exercise.

Austin: Haha if that's the case that must be all you eat.

Akihiko: Haha well I'd be lying if I said you were wrong. Here I'll cover for you, think of it as my thanks for joining us and getting along well with Shinji, I know he's not the most approachable person.

Austin: Haha no worries he's a pretty cool guy but I will gladly accept the free food.

We enjoy our food and head back to the dorm.

Yukari: Welcome back. How was your first day of school?

Austin: It was good, totally should have checked the information Mitsuru put in for me to be more prepared but overall everything was fun.

Yukari: Did anything manage to jog your memory?

Austin: I'm not really rushing it, it'll come when or if it comes. I've been meaning to ask but do you guys know anything else about these shadows that we're fighting?

Yukari: That's right we haven't really filled you in about the shadows yet.

Yukari looks at Mitsurus direction.

Mitsuru: We don't have that much information about the shadows themselves, but so far we know that they don't kill their victims more as they feed off their minds.

Yukari: Do you know of the apathy syndrome case going around?

Austin: Yeah, those guys that look almost brain dead? So those are the victims of the shadows?

Mitsuru: Correct, we don't know the reason as to why they do this though. Another thing we know is that there are 12 larger shadows, and we've currently taken out 4 of them.

Austin: Larger Shadows?

Mitsuru: Yeah, these larger shadows roam around outside of Tartarus and tend to only appear on a full moon.

Austin: Ah well that explains why we can't just rush them, but it does also help to know when we can take them out. So, would it be possible that if we take out the last 8 shadows would it also get rid of Tartarus?

Yukari: That's what we believe at least. We had just figured a lot of this out the day before you appeared.

Austin: Ah well talk about lucky timing, I'll make sure to help out in the best of my abilities. So, when is the next full moon?

Mitsuru: July 7th, that is when the next shadow will appear. According to Ikutsuki these shadows are based off their own separate arcana.

Austin: If we go by that the next shadow that we'll be fighting will have to be the hierophant arcana. do you know if these shadows happen to have any special powers different to that of the usual shadows?

Mitsuru: Some of them have shown abilities that we haven't seen used by smaller shadows.

Austin: What were the special abilities that these past shadows had? Just in case these next shadows might have to same power I can be a bit more prepared.

Yukari: Well for starters they all roam away from Tartarus. One of them was able to move the train. There was a moment when we fought two of them at once and they would be able to swap their weaknesses.

Austin: Wait so they don't just drop by one at a time?

Mitsuru: It seems that in some cases more than one can appear.

Austin: Huh that could be pretty troubling, so we should be prepared for more than one shadow on this next upcoming fight then.

Mitsuru: Yes, according to Ikutsuki they may be coming in two at a time from now on so we should be ever vigilant.

Austin: Alright I'll make sure to keep that in mind on the upcoming battle.

Junpei: Hey there's no need to worry about any of this! We are all rather strong and these last couple guys were quite the pushovers anyways so I don't think we'll have to worry about it. It also helps that we have our leader and this guy with the ability to summon multiple personas having our back.

Austin: Haha yeah but being cautious is still a good thing to do, I at least wouldn't want a repeat of what happened the other day.

Mitsuru: Tre bien, well with everyone's assistance I'm sure we'll be able to end all of this.

Austin: Haha well with all that said and done I'm exhausted.

I say goodnight to everyone and head to my room to call it for the day.

-Thursday, June 25th

Today was rather uneventful, I've gotten along with the other classmates pretty well but I wouldn't say I'm very close to any of them. After class has ended I head out to eat a beef bowl, dang Akihiko and Shinjiro got me addicted to this place. On my way in I run into Shinji also just about to enter the beef bowl place.

Austin: Ah hey Shinji what's up!? Haha it's funny, I was just thinking about how both you and Akihiko are really into this place.

Shinjiro: Hey, yeah, I come here often. Good thing I walked into you there's something I wanted to talk to you about.

Austin: Sounds good but let's get some food first I'm starving!

We walk in to the beef bowl restaurant and order our food, Shinjiro seems to be lost in thought. It seems like he wants to say something but is having a hard time figuring out how exactly to say it.

Austin: As awesome as it would be I'm not very good at reading minds so speaking out loud may help.

Shinjiro: Huh? Ah you're right.

Austin: Honestly man, if there's something bothering you tell me.

Shinjiro: … do you believe that we all have a place we belong?

Austin: Well… yeah, why do you ask?

Shinjiro: I just… I just don't think I have anywhere to return to. I don't have any parents, the orphanage that I was from had burned down and I can't go back to the dorms. I just don't know where else I could go.

Austin: And why can't you go back to the dorm?

Shinjiro: Because the second I go back in there I would be constantly hounded by Aki to join the fighting and I just can't do that.

Austin: Have you tried talking to him about it?

Shinjiro: … Well no.

Austin: Then how are you so sure that's going to happen?

Shinjiro: …

Austin: Here let's go talk to him about it together and see if we can talk him away from badgering you about it.

Shinjiro agrees and we head down to the school where Akihiko is training at.

Akihiko: Ah hello Austin and… Shinji? What are you two doing here?

Austin: Hey senpai, Shinjiro and I wanted to talk to you about something.

Shinjiro seems a little reluctant to talk.

Shinjiro: … I can't help you with the dark hour or in fighting the shadows, it's just not something that I can do at this moment in time… I'm afraid of the same thing happens again.

Akihiko: …

Shinjiro: … I can't forgive myself for what I did but I have also learned that moping around was the worst possible option. I would like a remake my life for my own betterment. So, if you would allow me to move back into the dorms… I would be most appreciative.

Akihiko looks at Shinjiro with a smile on his face.

Akihiko: Well sure, your room should still be that same as it was when you left it.

Shinjiro gives a confused look.

Akihiko: I'm glad that you've lost that depressed look on your face, I won't push you to fight with us anymore.

Shinjiro looks at me in confusion and I grin at him

Austin: See, you never know until you try, and you've always had somewhere to return to.

Shinjiro covers his face, he's not usually the type to open up so easily so this must be rather embarrassing for him.

Austin: Well that was all that he wanted to ask so we'll be heading out for now.

Shinjiro nod towards Akihiko and we start walking out of the school

Shinjiro: … Thank you.

Austin: Huh?

Shinjiro: I spent so much time trying to burn that bridge thinking that I don't deserve being there, but after talking to you I've come to understand that running away isn't doing anyone any good. I still won't be helping you guys with fighting but I'll at least be trying to move myself forward…

Austin: Haha don't sweat it, that's what friends do.

I give a large grin towards Shinjiro

Shinjiro: Friends huh? It's been a while since a made a new friend aside from Aki and Mitsuru.

Austin: Haha well for one thing you may need to change that dark brooding personality you show off. It's so different to how you actually are.

Shinjiro: Sh-Shut up!

I keep poking fun at Shinjiro till we make it to the dorm where I help him get acquainted with everyone.

-Friday, June 26th

Nothing interesting really happened at school today, luckily the trend of me being the new student has started to fizzle down so I'm being asked more for English advice then personal questions. After school I don't really know what to do today so I thought I'd just hang out at the dorm. On my way to the exit I run into Fuuka.

Austin: Ah, hey Fuuka how are you doing today?

Fuuka: Hello Austin-kun, nothing much I was thinking of going to get a coffee. Want to join me?

I nod in agreement and we head down to Chagall Café in the Paulownia Mall, we each order ourselves a coffee.

Fuuka: Um I've been thinking about learning how to cook, I was wondering if maybe you'd like to try it out sometime?

Austin: Sure, that's fine I'll look forward to it.

Fuuka: Oh, thank you! I honestly believe I have improved my cooking skills.

Austin: Um… what do you mean improved?

Fuuka: I've had Arisato try my cooking a couple times and it wasn't very good, but I believe I've gotten better.

Austin: Ah… alright, well when you've cooked something I'll happily try it out.

… I forgot that she's terrible at cooking. maybe I should keep an eye on her while she's cooking. After some more small talk we finish our coffee we head back to the dorm. For the rest of the day I just do some homework in my room and go to bed.

-Saturday, June 27th

After school I run into Junpei at the exit.

Junpei: Yo! What are you up to today?

Austin: Nothing much just thinking on what to do today.

Junpei: Awesome well since you have nothing going on how about we go the arcade today?

Austin: Sure, I'm game.

We head down to the arcade. Not to brag but I'm usually pretty good with shooter games so once we entered I got Junpei to play this house of the dead zombie shooter look alike. After a good hour of gaming we grab some food from wild-duck burger.

Junpei: Damn that game was intense.

Austin: We almost made it to the end there. Next time we'll finish it for sure!

Junpei: Hell yeah, lets kick that games ass next time!

Austin: Haha it's been nice getting to know everyone. I don't know why but it feels almost as if my past self never took time to do stuff like this?

Junpei: What do you mean?

Austin: Well I know I haven't really been here long but It's just an odd feeling, as if this kind of stuff was something my past self had never experienced.

Junpei stares off into the distance, he seems to have something bothering him as well.

Junpei: Is there anything you plan on doing after we end the dark hour?

Austin: Hmm to be honest I haven't really thought about it. I guess for now I'd like to still be myself after everything is over.

Junpei: Yeah, I get that… Sorry but there's somewhere I must go first, I'll chat with you later.

Junpei runs off into another direction. I decided to head back to the dorms. I wave hello and head back to my room. I wasn't exactly lying when I said that I never really hung out with others. Back when I was 15 in my world I didn't really have much of a life. It was just going to school and stay home after, then during the weekends I would have to help my mom sell in the flea market so I didn't really have the time to make any friends let alone hang out with anyone. Thinking back on it I really do regret not having done anything when I was a teenager. Maybe this is my chance to be able to change that?

-Sunday, June 28th

It's now been a week since I entered this world. On the way out of my room I run into Arisato.

Austin: Good morning.

Arisato: Good morning.

Austin: You got anything going on today? If not, how about we go grab a coffee?

Arisato agrees and we head out to Chagall Café.

Austin: You know it's kinda funny, back in my world I had just started drinking coffee. I Quite literally had my first cup of coffee on my last day in that world.

Arisato: Yeah, it's still hard to wrap my head around you not actually being from this world.

Austin: Haha yeah I totally get that, it honestly feels like yesterday that I was in my apartment having just finished playing Persona 3.

Arisato looks at me with confusion.

Arisato: Persona 3?

Austin: Ah… shit.

I facepalm myself…I did not just say that out loud did I?

Arisato: What exactly do you mean by persona 3? That sounds more like some sort of video game then a real-life event.

Austin: … Well I guess there's no point in keeping this to myself anymore then. To be blunt yes, your world was depicted as a video game in mine.

Arisato seems to have fallen in a cold sweat

Austin: I have played that game multiple times and have most of the entire story completely memorized so now that I'm here I have a good knowledge as to everything that's going to happen.

Arisato gives a face of pure shock.

Austin: …Um I think if we're going to continue this conversation we should talk about this in the velvet room, I'm sure Igor and Elizabeth would like to hear about all this as well.

Arisato agrees, we finish our drinks and head towards the velvet room.

Igor: Welcome to the velvet room. I see that the two of you have come to visit today. Is there anything you'd like to ask?

Austin: Um this time I would like to answer some questions that Arisato and maybe you as well may have for me.

Igor: Ah I see you have changed your perspective from how it was only just a week ago.

Austin: …Well to be more precise I got caught myself with my foot in my mouth.

I snicker while I awkwardly scratch the back of my head

Austin: Now in my worlds perspective this world of yours is a video game called Persona 3.

Igor: Hmm most intriguing. So, in that sense this would be the third event in which persona have been required to stop a sort of disaster?

Austin: Something like that at least, to be honest I'm not the most knowledgeable about the first 2 events. I don't know if those memories were taken when I first appeared here or if I never even knew them in the first place.

Igor: do you know if the first 2 events have anything to do with this one?

Austin: No, I don't believe so.

Igor: So, since you "played" this game, do you know how it all ends?

Arisato gives me a serious look

Austin: I can neither confirm or deny that question. My understanding of this world is in that of a video game so I can't truly confirm that the events I know will actually happen in the order that happened in the game. that also adds to my knowledge in how this world's story ends.

Arisato: You suspect a paradox of sorts could happen?

Austin: Something like that, I'd say my existence as a whole has already caused some changes to this world. For example, the 3 steel gigas that we fought when we first met never should have existed outside of Tartarus. Then the way everyone fights together is a bit different than that of the game's original gameplay.

Arisato: How so?

Austin: Well that game itself was set up with a turn-based combat system, and then there would have only ever been groups of 4 when exploring the dungeons.

Arisato: Hmm yeah that would be rather awkward to see in a real-life battle.

Austin: Yeah, I agree…Arisato I have a request.

Arisato: What's that?

Austin: I would like to keep my knowledge of the story to myself. I don't want to risk the chance of anything becoming more difficult due to everyone expecting one thing and another happening instead.

Igor: I agree to his statement as well. The flow of time is something very fickle and even though he has the knowledge of one possible future doesn't mean that he knows all the possible outcomes so it's best to be prepared for all possible outcomes when they appear.

Austin: Exactly, now don't get my wrong I'll make sure to be prepared in case my known event happens and if they do I'll take charge and give the best possible course of attack but until then we all need you to take charge for every other possible option.

Arisato: Alright then I'll take you up on that.

Austin: Sounds good, would you guys happen to have any other questions?

Igor seems like he has plenty more to ask but is keeping them to himself for some reason.

Igor: No, I believe that to be all.

Austin: Alright well I think that's enough mind-boggling stories for now, I'll explain more on a later date.

Igor: Very well, until we meet again.

As Arisato and I turn around to the exit something catches my eye.

Austin: Um… actually just one more question.

Igor: Hmm and what is that?

Austin: Everything here seems to look exactly as I expected it to have looked but there is something different.

Igor: Oh, and what is that?

Austin: That mask that's hanging behind you. It looks very familiar but I'm not exactly certain from what.

It was a simple white face mask with a purple butterfly wing covering the right eye. I swear I've seen it before from somewhere... For a short second I could have sworn that Igor showed a look of shock. This guy always has a grin on his face so it's rather obvious when he's not. Maybe it's just my imagination?

Igor: Ah that is just simple decoration, maybe just a minor addition to the room that just wasn't placed in your "game".

Austin: Yeah that's possible, everything else I've seen has been different to my original perspective as well. It wouldn't be too shocking that things are the same with this room as well. Well that's it for now, we'll talk to you later.

Soon after Arisato and I exit the velvet room. Arisato looks almost as if smoke is coming out of his ears. Well I can't blame him, this was a lot of new information thrown in all at once so it would make sense to at least react the way he is.

Arisato: I think I'll call it a day today. All this new information was rather exhausting.

Austin: Haha yeah I get that, I'm going to walk around for a bit more. I'll just see you at the dorm ok?

Arisato: Alright I'll see you later.

After that Arisato heads out back to the dorm. I make it to the end of the Island where I sit on the edge and look at the waves. As I stare ahead I think back to my life in my old world, it honestly wasn't that bad of a life... Yeah it had its tough times, I didn't make my first group of friends until I was 19 years old so I never really had what you call the basic high school lifestyle. I never had the chance to hang out with friends after school, complain about classes. It sounds depressing and at that time it was, but things did turn around after that. After making friends I started to gain a sense of self confidence, I learned many skills out of all the jobs I worked, I graduated as an EMT. Yeah, my social life still wasn't the best but I was able to hold up a conversation with people. I was even reaching a point where I was starting to travel the world on my own. Haha it's funny how it was always so much easier making friends out of town then it was in town. As I chuckle to myself I start to feel tears fall down my face. Why am I crying? After all of this is over I'll probably just end up back in my world anyways, right? To be honest I haven't really gotten the chance to think about going back. Is it possible that I really am stuck here? I don't even know why I'd be sad about it, isn't it everyone's dream come true to exist in one of their favorite games? But then why do I feel so homesick? I try to calm myself down and regain my composer. Crying isn't going to change anything, for now I'll just help everyone out and maybe on the way I'll figure out the reason to why I'm here. After making sure I don't look like I've been crying I head back to the dorm. I say hello to everyone and head to bed.

-Monday, June 29th

Now that my first week has passed things have calmed down quite a bit. Classes are rather dull but easy to keep up with so I don't think I'll have to worry about my grades suffering. The teacher does give an absurd amount of homework though. This is going to take a lot of my free time away. Maybe I'll work on it at the café in the paulownia mall. After classes ended I head out to the café, on my way I run into Yukari. She seems to be a bit troubled.

Austin: Hey, something on your mind?

Yukari walks right passed me ignoring what I said.

Austin: Um hello?

I tap her shoulder and she jumps in surprise. She turns around towards me.

Austin: Ah sorry, I didn't mean to startle you.

Yukari: No… sorry my mind was in another place.

Austin: Haha yeah I noticed, Is something wrong? You want to talk about it?

Yukari: No… it's fine. I have something I need to do so I'll see you later.

Yukari walks away soon after, I wonder what's bothering her so much? I continue heading on my way to the café to work on some of my homework for a couple hours… Yup this is going to take a couple of days to finish I pack my bags and head out to the dorm. It's been bothering me but I feel like I've forgotten something, maybe there was supposed to be a dialogue event today? Once I enter the dorm I say hello to everyone in the living room, I notice that Yukari and Fuuka aren't there, why does that feel so suspicious to me? Like there's a word just on the end of my tongue but for the life of me I can't remember. I head straight back to my room and get ready for bed, I still have an annoying amount of homework to worry about.

Just when I was about to fall asleep I get an instant revelation and jump up out of my bed. THAT'S WHAT IT WAS!? I finally remembered why everything felt so off, today was the day that Yukari was going to ask Fuuka to look up on what happened 10 years ago. Haha damn that took forever to remember, but at least now I can go to bed without that bothering me. Besides if I recall correctly all of that ends rather decently anyways.

-Monday, July 6th

I've gained a rather steady daily routine. Usual I go to school, go to the café to do some homework and go back to the dorms. Even all the employees from the café know me by a first name bases now. It's been pretty nice.

We all went to Tartarus a few more times during the last week to, mostly just to train and get stronger while fighting shadows. Simply put the real-life version of grinding but more fun. I've gotten pretty good at using my bo staff and coordinating combos with Barbatos. It's awesome to see Arisato juggle personas as easy as he does too. It seems that while Arisato has a more magic centered persona list, mine have a more close combat style to them. My persona emphasizes more towards specific magic immunity and countering with different patterns of close combat combos. Barbatos specializes in using its speed to dodge attack while slicing shadows with its twin swords. Allen walker uses a more counter method using its large claw of a left hand to guard enemy attacks then using the second between attacks to damage the enemy. Kaneki Ken uses four long sharp tipped legs that sprout from its lower back to guard and maneuver around shadows and pierce right through them. Mori Jin uses a more pinpoint method easily timing when to dodge and counter enemy attacks dealing swift heavy blows.

I still have a bad habit of rushing ahead on occasions leading to me getting scolded by Mitsuru saying I got some sort of death wish but the only way I can fight is if I'm up close and by my persona. Mitsuru just doesn't seem to understand that I can't be too far away but I guess I see where she's coming from, she's just worried about my wellbeing so I can't be too annoyed about it. If I remember correctly tomorrow will be the next full moon so I will be fighting my first shadow guardian. I've been really looking forward to this, I can finally show off all the skills I have learned! If I recall correctly we're fighting two of them tomorrow, hierophant and Lovers. Strega will be watching the events of all of this as well from a distance, maybe I'll keep an eye open and see if I can spot them.

After class I run into Mitsuru walking out of the student council office.

Austin: Hello senpai, busy day at the office today?

Mitsuru: Oh, hello Austin I hope you're keeping up with your studies?

Austin: Haha it's been a bit of a toughie but I think I've reached my stride, I'm actually heading out for a cup of coffee and you seem like you need a recharge so would you like to join me?

Mitsuru: Hmm I have finished my tasks rather early today, ok let's go.

We head down to Chagall café and order ourselves a cup of coffee. Throughout most of the time Mitsuru is deep in thought while reading her schedule planner.

Austin: Huh I've heard about you being a very busy person, but you really do take it to a whole new level. It does make me wonder if you ever take any time for yourself.

Mitsuru: It is true that I always have a task at hand but that is how it is being the heiress for the Kirijo group.

Austin: Yeah but I feel that your parents must have let you go to high school so you can enjoy your time as a teenager a little better.

Mitsuru: …I see what you mean, to be honest due to being the first to summon my persona I've spent so much of my life focusing on the Kirijo group and SEES that I never really took time to live my life.

Austin: Oh god do tell me you've at least gone shopping with some friends or something?

Mitsuru: No, I always had my family stylist prepare outfits for me.

I quickly get up.

Austin: Ok that's unacceptable, we're going shopping and I'm showing you how it's done!

Mitsuru: Excuse me?

Austin: I do have a certain interest in fashion, so I believe I'll be a good help.

Mitsuru baffled at the situation looks as if she's staring off into space. So, I grab her hand and charge away into a nearby store. I quickly came to learn that Mitsuru has no sense of fashion. I don't know what it is but almost every outfit she wants to try out makes her look almost exactly like a bond villain, it was very hard to hold my laughter on some occasions. I think Mitsuru heard one of the staff chuckle after walking by her because she quickly walked back towards the dressing room with her face all red. Lord help me this girl needs help. While she's back in the dressing room I go and look for an outfit for her. When she was about to give up I hand her some blue jeans and a long length cream white sleeveless hoodie. It was a nice casual look, very different to her usual professional style that her stylist always got for her. She liked it but then stated that this would look cuter on Yukari and quickly changes off it. I can see she has some issues with self-esteem as well. Soon after we start heading back having no luck in finding anything that worked. Mitsuru lets out a sigh of defeat.

Mitsuru: I'm sorry I was such a hand full.

Austin: Haha not at all this was fun on its own way.

Mitsuru: I-I hope that isn't something I'll have to take offence of.

Austin: Haha no, no… well maybe a little. To be blunt your fashion sense is god awful but for your first day in shopping for yourself it wasn't half bad. You can't deny you had a good time either.

Mitsuru: Well… I guess it was kind of fun just being able to enjoy myself out in public.

Austin: Haha see! And next time I'm sure you'll have even more fun!

Mitsuru: N-next time?

Mitsuru stops where she's standing, her face is really red.

Austin: Haha you didn't think this would be the only time, right? Let's keep having fun together! Maybe next time we'll bring Yukari as well, I'm sure she'll help with our fashion troubles.

Mitsuru regains he composer and looks back at me with a smile.

Mitsuru: Well that does sound like fun. I'll have to take you up on your offer.

I feel like I've gotten a bit closer to Mitsuru. A sudden voice calls in my head. "I am thou, thou art I… thou has acquired a new bond. With the power of the empress arcana thou has open the path to a new chapter".

Soon after we make it back to the dorm, I say hello to everyone and go to bed.

-Tuesday, July 7th

Todays the big day, time for my first full moon event. To be honest I'd be lying if I said that I wasn't very excited about this. I decide to head straight back to the dorm after school. During the dark hour we all meet up on the fourth-floor meeting room. Fuuka is currently searching for the shadows.

Akihiko: Any luck Fuuka?

Fuuka: … Just a second… I found it! I sense a strong presence!

Junpei: Hey we were right!

Ikutsuki: Or so it would seem.

Fuuka: It's located in Iwatodai… inside a building on Shirakawa Boulevard.

Ikutsuki: Hmm Shirakawa Boulevard. They've been finding the lost in pairs lately… now I understand why.

Mitsuru: In pairs… huh… oh I get it.

Fuuka powers down her persona.

Fuuka: Why? What's on Shirakawa Boulevard? I'm not familiar with the area…

Yukari: I've heard about it, but…

Junpei: That's where all those hotels are. That explains a lot! You've heard about 'em, right Fuuka? Where people go to… ya know…

Fuuka starts staring at the floor blushing… I think she figured it out.

Ikutsuki: Nonsense… they're no different than ordinary hotels. The rooms are a bit fancier, that's all.

Junpei: Aw man, that's it?

Junpei lets out a sigh of disappointment

Yukari: I don't know about this… maybe I shouldn't go…

Junpei: You're just like a little kid, Yuka-tan…

Yukari stares daggers at Junpei.

Yukari: Wh-whatever! Fine. let's go. But this time, I want a piece of the action! So, who's gonna take the lead?

Mitsuru: I don't see any reason to change leaders now. And Yamagishi, I want you to handle support during the operation.

Fuuka: I'll do my best!

Akihiko: Alright we'll all follow your lead then, let's do this!

Arisato: Alright, let's go everyone!

Everyone: Right!

We all head down to the hotel and make it inside, everything seems a bit too peaceful.

Fuuka: I sense a powerful presence in the 3rd floor! Please head there immediately!

We all run up to the floor. On the way there we don't run into any shadows, I have a strange feeling about this.

Austin: Is it always this easy when headed to a large shadow? I dunno, this just seems a bit too easy.

Akihiko: Let's just not question it for now.

Mitsuru: Just in case, stay on guard for any possible surprise attacks.

Austin: Got it!

We make it to the 3rd floor and enter the room where the shadow was spotted. This if I recall is the Hierophant shadow. These things always look so weird. It looks like some egg-shaped mask wearing fat man sitting on a rocking chair where the back of the chair is a woman with a severed head that has been replaced with some tacky six-legged lizard shaped wall ornament giving the fat body a back massage… yup that's a pattern of words I never want to hear again. Once we enter the room almost expands to triple its size and we get surrounded by a crowd of shadows.

Arisato: Akihiko, Mitsuru, Junpei. You guys take care of the small fry.

Akihiko, Mitsuru, Junpei: Got it!

They start attacking the shadows keeping us from the Hierophant and quickly give us an opening to rush towards it. The Hierophant summons two human shaped paper dolls, I'd rather not see what they do so I summon Allen Walker and shred both of them. Soon after, Yukari hits the Hierophant with Garula while Arisato hits it with Agilao. This thing is pretty sturdy for something so odd looking. I charge towards it summoning Barbatos to slash at it but then the Hierophant summons a dark mist completely enveloping me. This mist brings out an emotion of complete fear, freezing me in place. Arisato throws a Me Patra Gem to help me snap out of it and after doing so I hit the Hierophant with a barrage of slash attacks from Barbatos. Arisato soon after uses Bufula to finish off the shadow. The others regroup with us after defeating the shadow.

Fuuka: Good job everyone! we succeeded once again. I'll be waiting outside for you.

When we try to exit we see that the door is locked almost as if a force isn't allowing us to leave this room.

Fuuka: …huh!? I still sense a shadow in that room! It's not the same one you defeated! But… where is it hiding?

Now that I think about it, the room hasn't shrunk into normal size yet either. This is weird, I can't help but feel like I'm forgetting something. Well for now we all start looking around the room.

Yukari: Hey I think there's something odd about this mirror.

Everyone starts to group up and look at the mirror. Before I make it to where everyone is something clicks.

Austin: Everyone, Get away from the mirror!

Before anyone can react, they get enveloped in a light and disappear. I just barely manage to get away but I'm on my own now.

Fuuka: Is everything ok!? I seem to have lost connection to them.

Austin: I'm fine but the others have disappeared! Fuuka please help me look for everyone. I'll see if I can find a way out of here.

Fuuka: Don't worry, I'm getting faint readings of everyone nearby. It seems that they're still inside the hotel, but I can't seem to get a contact with them!

Austin: That's fine keep trying. While you do that I'll keep looking to find a way ou…

Before I could finish my sentence these slime tendrils try to hit me and I barely manage to dodge.

Fuuka: Are you ok!?

Austin: I'm fine but I think I found our hidden little friend. Fuuka try to get the others to snap out of it, I'll take care of this guy.

Fuuka: But, will you be ok?

Austin: I'll be fine, it'll be a pain but I think I can take it on. Although if you can get the others to come here as soon as possible that would be most appreciated!

Fuuka: Ok I'll do what I can!

Austin: Thanks, Fuuka. alrighty then. Let's see what I can do here now.

I get into a defensive stance. This large shadow is the Lovers shadow. This thing looks like a slime heart with wings, it seems to be wrapped in spiked metal beams and a red mask on tip of it. It seems to attack by either using its slime wings as tendrils to whip or pierce me. It also tries to use its massive body to charge at me nearly crushing me on the wall. For a large body it seems to be rather quick. Every time I try to land a hit it dodges and counters with its tendrils. I use Barbatos to guard the attacks. This isn't going anywhere! It then charges in hitting Barbatos with its tendrils and tackling me with its body launching me towards the wall. I fall on my hands and knees rather winded. I'm beat, come on I just fought another big shadow with the others only a few minutes ago. There's no time for a breather just yet, I force myself back up.

Austin: Hey Fuuka, any luck getting a hold on the others?

Fuuka: Yes, they've just regrouped now. They're currently running around destroying the mirrors that are keeping the door locked.

Austin: Mirrors huh?

I see the mirror that teleported the others away directly behind the Lovers shadow.

Austin: So Fuuka, what's the likelihood of the mirror in this room being important?

Fuuka: It seems that mirror is highly likely to be important in unlocking the door.

Austin: …Shit. Well then. Fuuka, tell the others to group up at the door to my room after finding all the mirrors. I'm going to try to break the mirror in here.

Fuuka: Ok, good luck

I try to charge towards the mirror but the lovers uses its tendrils to knock me back into the wall. I'm starting to feel a little light headed and my vision is starting to blur. Am I passing out? The lovers shadow soon start moving towards me. I barely manage to dodge its tackle and guard the tendrils with Barbatos, but I don't know just how much longer I will last. Things are starting to look a bit blurry. I can't seem to keep my stance. I start leaning on my bo staff while breathing heavily. Where am I? what am I doing again? I get launched into the wall, I fall over with no more energy to stand. Am I going to die here? My eyes are starting to grow heavy. Well whatever then, I'm so damn tired. The Lovers starts rushing towards me… I guess this is it. Everything starts to fade to black and I think back to my last visit in the velvet room. I remember that mask held up behind Igor, I know I've seen that mask before but where? The room fades to black and all I see in front of me is that same white mask. Just when I am about to completely black out a thought passes by my head. A name.

Austin: Philemon.

Soon after remembering that name I open my eyes seeing myself standing up while engulfed in a blue flame. The lovers tendrils head straight towards me but I swing my bo staff easily pushing them away. My bo staff feels heavier than I remember. I look down but what I see is not my Bo staff, but a spear tipped mace. It looks exactly like the one that Barbatos holds on to during its anime. Why is this in my hands? The Lovers charges towards me and I guard its tackle with ease and launch it towards the mirror. It manages to soften the throw using its tendrils so I charge towards it piercing through it with my spear tipped mace destroying the shadow and the mirror while leaving a large crater where they used to be. I take a few steps back and my spear tipped mace turns back into my Bo staff. My vision starts to blur again. I can see the room shrinking back into its normal shape and the door opening by me.

Arisato: Austin!

I look to my right to see the others rushing towards me. I lose consciousness soon after.

-?,? ?

Where am I? I wake up to see myself on a dark room with 4 pillars surrounding me on each corner. The only light illuminating this place are these red sigils with writing that I don't understand. Past the 4 pillars is an infinite abyss of darkness. It looks as if I'm floating the floor below me looks almost like perfectly clear glass, if there's even any glass at all. Around me all I hear is the laughter of a familiar yet almost annoying voice. It sounds familiar, but I just can't tell from where.

?: I thank you, if it weren't for you I may never have returned to this world for another millennia.

Austin: Who are you? Have I transferred to another world again?

?: You would be half correct, this is nothing more than another section between dream and reality.

Austin: So, this is something like that of the velvet room?

?: Once again you are half correct, if the velvet room is denizen to them who wish to protect the light of the world I am the one who is here to represent the darkness.

Austin: Hmm this room is oddly familiar as well, but I don't recall this place existing during the persona 3 game. I feel like I know this from something else. Something before this games event.

?: You seem to be lost in thought, what's wrong?

Austin: Correct me if I'm wrong but you're not Nyx, are you?

?: Haha you compare me to a being as small as Nyx? It barely even has a light touch to the human world in comparison to the power I had.

This makes no sense, Nyx was one of the most threatening gods in the persona series. Especially when it came to having a strong connection to the human world… wait that isn't right. I think back on all the god bosses and Nyx was the most threatening but why is it that I don't really believe that to be completely true, is there a character that I'm forgetting? But if that's true what was it again?

?: Haha soon you will come to remember, and when you do it will already be too late.

I look behind me to see a large mirror appear out of nowhere, above this mirror I see what looked like the white mask with a butterfly on the right eye, but this mask is black instead of white. The black portion of the mask then forms to open a red eye and white teeth. I walk towards the mirror to see my reflection but all I see is a black shadow covering where my reflection should be. I get closer and the thick shadow enveloping my reflection starts to form more and more translucent. When I get close enough for the shadow to disappear I see my reflection, but something is off. My reflection shows my old body from back in my own world when I was 24, with a demented smile on my face.

?: You will be waking up soon, I wish you a good morning.

After he says that my focus starts to waver, and my vision begins to blur, when I saw my reflection I heard that voice talking through my mouth but that's not possible I don't recall saying any of that.

Austin: Just who are you?

Austin: What are you?

Austin: Philemon?

Austin: …No…

Austin: Nyar…