Prologue: The Light's Judgement

We can't win. A horrible, disgusting feeling pools in the deepest part of my body, telling me in no certain terms that this fight is one that possesses no chance of victory. Streams of orange peek through the grey clouds, giving the impression that the sky is on fire.

The air is still. There is no wind to disturb that stillness in this place that can be called a paradise. The peace, the quiet. There is nothing in this world and there is everything in this world. Nothing that needs to be added and nothing that can be taken. Indeed, when you look at it from that perspective, it isn't hard to understand why some will call this place "Heaven".

Water that can be tread upon without fear of sinking. A never-ending landscape to marvel and explore. Buildings and architecture of impossible beauty that rival and even surpass the great works of Earth's past, present, and future.

The ruins of the temple I'm in was probably one such example. Towering, climbing higher until it passed the sun-lit clouds. Golden spires that twisted before ending with a spiky tip. The bricks were immaculate, not a single trace of age or moss in a single one. Perhaps there would have been a feast. With food that never vanished, drinks that would constantly refill in their glasses.

It is, perhaps, understandable why some people will want to come to a place like this after their time on Earth has passed... However... it is a false paradise.

"HAAAAAAAAAA—!"

The sound of that warrioress' scream that rips through the sky is followed by the sound of her weapon colliding with the body of the one whose presence seems partly integral to this land's existence. Her eyes shine with the rage of one who has had something precious taken from her. Her swings are powerful, quick, and purposeful. Each of them expressing the anger she carries within her.

The black sword she wields isn't her weapon, but she wields it like a master. She has taken up this sword for the sake of the one she has sworn to protect. And that sword conveys one sentiment to her opponent: "I'll make you pay for what you've done".

Her weapon bounces off the porcelain, almost marble-like, skin of this creature after a few strikes, and she jumps back to better position herself. Her eyes narrow, glaring at the angelic being who stands in her path. The angelic being doesn't allow her to rest, however, and raises his hand so that his palm faces the orange sky.

Golden lights coalesce in the clouds before shooting down, aiming directly for the woman. It is a holy light. Perhaps the holiest light one could ever lay their eyes on.

And the woman who once resided in the land of shadows knows that she cannot possibly survive a direct hit by that light. Predicting where the lights will land, she dodges them while trying to move closer to the angelic being, waiting for the opening she needs to strike back.

Her previous attacks caused the surrounding pillars to collapse fully, and the golden lights that rain down and strike the ground with bullet-like speed only create more destruction. The fantasy of this paradise collapses and reveals itself to be a battlefield. A maelstrom of chaos, and at the centre of it is a fierce battle between the light and the dark.

A runic circle appears below the woman for a second before she is suddenly thrown into the air with a sharp, explosive sound. Higher than any human could possibly reach under their own power. She falls, warding off the creature's attacks with a protective shield, her dark purple dress and purple hair moving violently in the force created by her movement.

She is positioned at the perfect angle to look down upon the being after a few seconds, who floats unfailingly still. In the same position since the two began their destructive conflict. The woman raises her hand, aiming it at the angelic creature, who stares up at her with a scornful gaze. Five intricately designed magic circles appear from the ether. Three wrapping around her right arm, and two hovering just in front of her outstretched hand, each one spinning counter to the one in front of it.

"Sgrios!"

Calling forth a tapestry of destruction, a dark beam fires out of the woman's hand, empowered by the circles. The force is so great, the clouds above her split open, revealing more of the orange hue of the sun. The beam strikes quickly, colliding with the angelic being and exploding with the force of a nuclear bomb. It shakes the battlefield, the vibrations rumbling the ground beneath me and the wall I'm leaning against.

My vision comes into focus. It's strange. It felt like I was somewhere else for a moment there. Somewhere close to her. Where I can see her with perfect clarity. How did I even get here? What was I doing? What am I doing, just sitting around?

I should be out there. I should be fighting alongside her, side by side like we always have. I can't let her do all the work for me. The only reason I even made it this far is because of her. So I should stand up and fight. I try to move, but the sudden, sharp pain that courses through my body prevents that. I try again, focusing on my arm, willing it to move...

It's no use. No matter how much I try to force it, my arm simply refuses to move. It's completely numb. My whole body is numb, come to think of it.

There's a sharp pain in my chest, my stomach, and in my head, but I can't move anything. Not even to soothe that pain. So the damage is internal? That's fine. As long as I can find a way to move, it shouldn't be a problem. I manage to gather enough of my strength to move my head ever so slightly. If I can see what's preventing my movement, I can do something about it.

"...Oh..." My voice is hoarse, and the sound that I force out is tinged with defeat. It seems as though that half of my body is missing.

The numb feeling must have prevented me from noticing that. Both of my legs are gone, and my right arm is missing. I can't see them anywhere near me, so I can only assume that they had evaporated at some point during the battle. Something within my body feels... empty. Are my organs gone as well? I don't know. I'm not really in the right state to possibly know the answer to that.

...She's fighting as hard as she can. I can't complain about my own situation. The moment she's free, she'll come over and help. All I have to worry about is staying alive. Even though the pain is getting worse and I can't do a thing about it. I close my eyes, trying my best to ignore the pain and focus on seeing her again.

The sounds of battle continue to rage on. The angelic being hasn't moved from where he hovers. Not even the woman's dark beam can move it. I have seen that attack destroy armies, and yet, when faced with a being of this calibre—a being with such god-like strength, it can't even scratch it.

The woman watches the angelic being carefully. If her strongest magical attack couldn't make a dent, then that means that a close-range assault is the only way to defeat him. That's the only conclusion one can draw from an outcome such as this. Her stance shifts. Her grip on the handle of the sword tightens as she holds the sword so it is pointing behind her.

Suddenly, the woman charges forward, her demonic speed breaking the wind with the force. Is she forgoing her protection? Her dodges are far wider now. Her protection allowed her to graze the light without harm, but now she has decided to focus her energy into offence. She must have seen an opportunity. A potential weakness. Something she has seen in those few seconds of watching him must have given her confidence in such an assault.

She strikes the angelic being with a lunging strike, a dark aura gathering around the blade of her weapon. The darkness that is born within her and the light emanating off that being create a furious explosion of energy between them. Raging continuously like a wildfire, there is a clear, defined line between her attack and his defence.

The light and dark cannot stand the other's existence, so they only collide with each other for the briefest of moments before they explode in a furious spark of energy. It's only natural that they do so. It goes without saying that light and dark oppose each other. The light abhors the dark for forcing it to hide, while the dark resents the light for destroying it with its radiance. However, light creates shadow. And in the shadows, you'll find darkness. So she has the advantage in this clash.

This unnatural balance continues for a few seconds. I can see her darkness struggling against the light, but she refuses to give up. The advantage I thought would belong to her actually belongs to the angelic being. I forget that this is his realm. In here, the laws that govern this false paradise are decided by him. If he believes that the light is superior in this realm, then reality has no choice but to abide by it. A war of attrition is the only conceivable way to change this reality.

"YAAAAAAAAHHHHHH!"

The dark energy grows stronger, striking outside the confines of her attack and destroying whatever is left of her nearby surroundings. Her control isn't slipping but she is allowing her attack to be more destructive. Perhaps it's the only way to break through its defence. I don't know... I can't think straight. The answer is there, but I can't see it. Why can't I see it? There's a way to change this impossible situation, but I can't see it. That horrible feeling returns, telling me that the outcome has already been decided.

...No. No, there has to be a way. We've come this far. I can't just accept defeat now, not after everything we've been through. I promised her... What did I promise...? Ah, that's right. Her wish. I wanted to help her fulfil a wish she's carried for so long... What was it again? My mind is slowing down, like a clock slowly ticking towards its death.

The angelic being raises his right hand.

She's defeated. I don't even need to see the attack connect to know this. The moment he raised his hand, his victory was assured. The woman must have seen it as well. There's no way to dodge. No way to counter. No time to avert this movement which will signal the end. I want to look away. I don't want to see her being harmed, but I don't have the strength to do so. So, all I'm able to do is watch.

I want to scream. Tell her to run, order her back to my side, say anything that can help her win this fight. As I see that bright light constrict in the angelic being's hand, I hear a sound. It's the voice of that creature. He speaks with a mocking tone, almost in disgust at our presence. To him, we're nothing but disgusting parasites. Parasites that he is about to extinguish. His mouth doesn't move. He's almost like a statue in that regard, but his voice echoes across the realm.

"You have lost."

The fire fades, as the light that came from his hand pierced the woman through her chest. She soars through the sky, almost like a broken bird. She can fly, but not for long. Eventually, she will have to come crashing down. And then, it will be over. Our battle will come to a close then.

The woman is flying towards me. I feel like there is something I can do here, but my current state won't allow any of that. I'm powerless to do anything. From the edge of my eyesight, I can see that golden light coalesce in the sky once more. The exact same light that forms before it is shot down to the ground, causing a powerful destruction in its wake.

With the faint flickers of consciousness still remaining within her, the woman must have seen it coming. I don't want to imagine what her expression is right now, the moment before that light strikes.

The golden light rains down. The woman is almost enveloped in that light as she is pushed down with tremendous force. If I have to compare, it would be like a human body being hit by a speeding bullet train. You won't be able to see it once it happens. There's only that brief moment of recognition that it did as your mind struggles to catch up to reality.

She was above me when the light struck her, so I'll get caught up in the blast and die when the light hits the ground. It's a small comfort, at the very least. I don't want her to go without me. Where she'll end up will be too lonely an existence to bear, so at least I can keep her company.

Before she collides with the ground, our eyes lock. Time slows. The image in front of me is seared into my brain as the very last image I see before my consciousness fades. Her dress is torn. Her once flawless skin is burned and bloodied. Her red eyes have lost the proud fire she once possessed, and they look at me with an unbearable regret.

The image moves slightly. I can see her mouth moving, though I can't hear what she's saying. A few syllables form. Although I can't hear her, I understand her words clearly. It's not an apology, nor did she ask for forgiveness. She knows I won't accept it and there is nothing to forgive. She did nothing wrong. She uses her last words to tell me... I can't say it. I feel as though I'll break into pieces if I repeat what she said, even if it's only to myself.

She was perfect. She fought with everything she had and fought until the bitter end. She has nothing to apologise for.

No. The blame rests solely on me. The one who dared to call herself that woman's Master. The one who promised to fulfil that woman's wish, even if she had to trample on the wishes of others in order to do so. It was my own inadequacy as her Master that led to this outcome. If I was only stronger, perhaps this wouldn't have happened.

I want to reply, but my throat can't form words anymore. My head feels fuzzy. Light. Like I was about to pass out any second. In reality, it is just the last, futile attempt of my body to keep itself alive. Not that it matters. In a second, none of that will matter...

...I'm... sorry... Please... forgive me...

※※※※※

I wake up violently, shooting up from my bed into a sitting position. The first thing I check is my right arm. It's still there. Good. I can feel my legs under the covers as well. I bring my hand up to my forehead, finding it to be unnaturally hot. Sweat coats my hand like I had just dumped it in water. I notice as well that my hand is shaking. My chest feels as though it's on fire, and my stomach like something sharp has been rammed through it.

I take in a shaky breath and exhale it just as shakily, trying to calm down. What was that nightmare? That felt a little too real for it to just be a simple bad dream. I look toward the alarm clock sitting on my bedside table. The clock is pointing exactly at five. I don't usually get up until around six thirty. It's a little early, but... I don't think I'll be getting back to sleep. Not after that experience.

I stand up and quietly make my way to the door, exiting out into the hall. My home is quiet, but I know that there is someone besides me who is awake right now. I walk down the corridor, pass a specific door, and into the first door I come across to my right. Light fills the white room as I flip the switch with uneven movements. My body drags itself to the sink and I splash my face with cold water.

I look up at the mirror and see those red eyes staring back at me, at a girl with extremely dishevelled hair and the look of one who has seen something that she can't fully comprehend. I do my best to tidy it up, but until I get to my brush, it's not going to be perfect. It still looks somewhat messy...

Well, this will have to do for now. I should probably get something to drink. Cold water will do the trick. My throat is bone dry and it won't do for the Student Council President to be unable to speak throughout the day.

Feeling slightly energised, I exit the bathroom. After making sure to turn off the light, I carefully make my way to the end of the hall. I can see the light from the main room bleeding out from under the door. Someone is in there. Considering that there are only two people living in this home, it's obvious who it would be and should go without saying.

My hand freezes on the handle for a second... Perhaps I shouldn't disturb her. She's probably busy and wouldn't like it if I come in unannounced... I'll only be there for a minute. I don't think it'll be too much of a problem.

My hesitance disappearing, I pull down on the handle and enter the main room. It's a roughly medium-sized room, combining a living room, a dining room, and a kitchen all into one compact space. The living room occupies the most space, while the dining room and kitchen are roughly the same size. It suits our needs and there is no trouble getting from one end of the room to the other. So I don't have any complaints.

I quickly see my sister, her long grey hair parted asymmetrically on her right side with a few dark hair clips above her right ear. It looks amazing as always. Sis always takes good care of her hair, even if it sometimes means she has to get up early. Her brown eyes focus on the laptop sitting on the desk in front of her. Her black business suit and turtleneck are clean, and not a single strand is out of place.

Always prepared, always professional, and always ready to delve into her work at a moment's notice. That sums up my sister rather well. But the moment I walk through that door, her focus shifts. She seems surprised to see me up and about.

"You're up early," she says, her tone even. The sound of her work stops as she watches me move to the kitchen.

"Bad dream," I reply, feeling and hearing how scratchy my voice is. I walk to the water dispenser after grabbing a cup, filling it until it is half-full and drink all of it in a single gulp. I let out a sigh. I feel much better now. My throat doesn't burn as much anymore, the heat in my chest has died down and the feeling in my stomach doesn't make me want to throw up.

"...Makoto, are you alright?" she asks. Sae Niijima is one for details. As someone who works as a Public Prosecutor, she'd have to be. Her role in the winding maze that is our legal system is to root out the truth and deliver justice for those who have been wronged by the criminals of our world. So, it's a matter of course that she would see that I'm not looking too good.

I don't want to worry Sis too much, so I should reply quickly.

"I'm fine. Don't worry about me." I move my head slightly so I can see the rest of the desk. It's clear. Perhaps she hasn't eaten yet? "Have you had something to eat?"

"No," she replies, her eyes moving back to her laptop. "I'll have something as soon as I'm done with this file."

Well, that just won't do at all. I can see how focused she is right now. If I leave her be, then she might forget to make herself some breakfast. I doubt that she would actually forget, but the possibility is still there. And so I shake my head.

"I'll go get dressed and then make us some breakfast," I tell her, walking out of the kitchen area and back to the hall.

"Are you sure? You don't look too well. Perhaps you should—"

"It's alright. Besides, I don't think I'll be going back to sleep any time soon..."

With those words drifting through the air, I exit the main room and back into the hallway. I quickly make my way back to my room, switching the light on once I enter. A rather modest room. Not too big, not too small. Just the right size for someone like me. A bed in the centre with a small table beside it; a work table to my left with several school books stacked on top of one another. A wooden cupboard carrying all the clothes I own on the opposite side, including my school uniform.

As far as rooms go, it's not particularly flashy. Patterned sheets and pillows for my bed, a window that lets me gaze out at the outside world. It's kept clean and I generally don't leave things lying about. It's not memorable, however you look at it.

I walk over to the cupboard and change into my school uniform. A black halter vest over a long sleeve white shirt with a turtleneck. The black and red pleated plaid skirt that is standard regulation for the school, black pantihose and black-brown ankle boots. It's comfortable enough that I didn't have much to complain about.

I'll need to leave in a couple hours so I should think about what to have for breakfast. Something that doesn't take too long to make. Sis has to leave at six, after all. Perhaps fried egg over cooked rice? Along with some onion and potato miso soup? It's quick to make and is filling enough to last the two of us until lunch.

"Right. Better not waste any time then."

I walk over to the door, ready to return back to the main room. A sudden, familiar heat makes itself known in my head the moment I touch the handle. The image from that vivid dream pushes its way through until it's the only thing I can see when I close my eyes. That woman. That battle. My own death.

"...What exactly was that?"

I sit down on the bed and try to think things through. It's not too uncommon for me to wake up due to nightmares, but they are usually never this vivid. Vivid enough that I can feel the pain I feel in the dream and actually has me checking whether all my limbs are intact.

The weird, almost ephemeral, place that I had found myself. The woman with the purple hair and dress. The fierce battle she had with the god-like, angelic being.

"...No matter how you look at it, it's too strange," I murmur as I try to recall all the events of that battle. The immovable opponent that the woman faced, and the fruitlessness of her struggle against him. I was on the brink of death... No. It's more accurate to say that I was dying.

The light that pierced through the darkness that was that woman's existence, and that light that ultimately ended my life. A single word enters my mind when I think of what that light represents.

"Judgement...? For what...?" I ask silently, knowing that I won't receive an answer. "And who was that woman...? I've never seen her before."

I've never seen someone like that period. She certainly wasn't Japanese, that much I'm certain of. Whatever the case may be, I'm positive that she was on my side during that battle... And yet, when I try to think of the finer details of the battle and that woman, I find that I can't remember. I can recall some things, but not everything.

...I should stop thinking about this. It's just a nightmare and shouldn't mean anything. Not when I have the day ahead of me to think about. That image refuses to leave my mind, however. The woman's face and the overwhelming feeling of regret that I feel whenever I see it.

"...It's not like I can do much about that." Whatever happens in a dream is confined only to that dream. Nothing I do in reality can change what happened. Because once I wake up, the dream is over.

Leaving the uneasy feelings from that nightmare behind me, I stand up.

I walk forward to face yet another normal day in the life of Makoto Niijima. In the back of my mind, that dream, which seems more like an omen, lingers.


Author's Note

Feels like it's been ages since I've written out one of these. I've got some explaining to do for this one. Despite my supposed inactivity, I've actually been quite busy here, helping out my very good friend, Dad of BOI! Oh, sorry, I just get the urge to write that out in caps-lock whenever I see that word. Ahem, Dad of Boi, with rewriting/editing his epic Persona 3 story, "Persona 3 – The Alternity Paradox."

In the background, I was planning quite a bit out. A lot of stories. And one of those stories is the one you're reading right now. This story is intended to be a mirror image of sorts to my friend's Persona 5 story, "Persona 5 – To Reign in Hell." A good example of this is in the title itself: "Persona 5 – To Serve in Heaven."

Our intentions with our respective stories are different, our ways of writing the story are different, the story itself is fundamentally different. We share a main protagonist in Makoto Niijima, but beyond that, the differences are numerous and will be easy to spot.

That isn't to say that there aren't similarities. The two stories share a connection, as they do share a universe, existing on different timelines. There will be points where this story "echoes" To Reign in Hell in certain ways. In fact, you might be able to spot how this Prologue echoes that story if you read this and Chapter I, I of that story side-by-side.

I'm hoping to surprise people with this one. This rendition of P5 is going to take a very different turn compared to the game and compared to my friend's version. Hope to see you next chapter!

Edit (12/05/2018): Added more detail to the dream sequence, as per my friend's criticism. As well as tightening the chapter itself, correcting the mistakes I've caught.

~x~x~x~x~x~

Next Time – Chapter 1: Castle of Sin