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Chapter 2

I nursed my hot chocolate gently, appreciating the warmth it provided in the chilly November air. Right now, I was sitting in the outside seating area of your local generic coffee shop, enjoying the drink I'd been able to buy with the loose pocket change the enemy Shadows had dropped. Fun fact- Shadow currency is fucking weird; the barista took one look at the clearly alien currency, before blinking dumbly and taking it without question- the coins themselves shifting shape as she grabbed them to become perfectly ordinary dollar bills.

I'd been glad of that convenience, because it gave me a chance to sit down and collect my thoughts. Summing it all up: I was a Persona Protagonist, there was a giant, evil Labyrinth containing the dark Shadows of humanity (That may or may not be hosting an eldritch monstrosity or god at the bottom, because this is Persona), and for some strange reason my Supernatural Adventure wasn't taking place in the comfort of the real world but had instead lead to me finding myself in a completely separate (But equally fictional) world.

"Oh yeah. I'm currently in the Worm universe… which has its own apocalypse a few years down the line, have an ill-gotten jewel stuffed down my hoodie as my sole means to obtain funds, and also have no legal identity here. Fun."

Still, it was all well and good moaning about my situation for a bit, but everyone has to get off their ass and doing something about it… eventually. And I had a vague plan, so that was that. Find a second-hand store to sell my jewel- probably for far less than something of this size is actually worth. Find a cheap hotel that doesn't ask for ID and get an early night. Have the inevitable Velvet Room chat. Next day, try to get some basic gear together, and maybe make an initial plunge back into the depths.

I tapped the ruby in my pocket thoughtfully. "At the very least, that Labyrinth is smart. I basically have no choice to go in there either way, since I need money and pronto to live here since I can't get a job without an identity, and pilfering jewels and treasure from there may be the fastest method."

Then, out of the corner of my eye, I saw quite a commotion. A few of the other patrons were pointing to a point in the sky, and I looked over to see a floating girl descend nearby with a girl in her arms. The first was pretty to a fault, with a white costume and a tiara, while the second had an alabaster and red robe wrapped around her.

"Glory Girl and Panacea." I whispered to myself, in surprise. I didn't know why I was so astonished- after all, this was their home city, and with the population density of Capes in Brockton Bay I figured that I'd meet a Cape or two while I was here. I just hadn't expected it so soon- it very much reminded me that this wasn't my home world, but rather somewhere where people flying was almost an everyday occurrence. And these two people were 'characters' that I knew quite intimately from reading Worm.

I had the sudden urge to step up, call out to them, and immediately spill my guts. To tell them everything. Warn them of everything that was to come. Every horrible thing that happened to the two of them could be averted if only I tried to warn them, because right now it was early November, and Taylor hasn't even got powers yet. There was nothing but time to prepare them.

It was a simple truth that I had the ability to stop so much hurting in this world through my foreknowledge alone… if only I had the will to attempt to do so. Because if I did that, then I also needed to accept that in doing so I could very easily shatter the canonical timeline which while horrible at the very least ended with Scion dead and the continuation of Humanity. It was scary to know that my actions could literally have planetary consequences.

Glory Girl looked sharply at me, and I realised that my staring must have been rather intense. I coughed nervously, and pointedly looked aside. From my peripheral I saw the two enter the coffee shop and purchase their drinks. As they left I gave one more thought towards stopping them…

But I stopped myself. "Don't do anything dumb Theo." I told myself, forcing down a quick sip of my drink to at least try to act natural. "Don't do anything spontaneous on a whim. Who knows what would happen. If you do something, do it with some thought. And always remember the important thing." Namely, that I liked having an operational planet to live upon, and I needed this world to win against Scion because I was now living upon its surface. The Scion situation would technically be resolved if I did nothing. However, if I did nothing then there was one other apocalypse that wouldn't be averted- the one dwelling within the Labyrinth (Because it was obviously not benevolent).

"I feel so shitty." I muttered. It was a cold logic, picking a certain truth that hurt many people, just in the hope that my actions would instead lead to an even worse world.

One final, large chug. "Fuck it. We're burning daylight." And I wanted some cold, hard cash to distract myself from my own selfish thoughts.

XXXXXXXXXX

I only managed to get 1500 dollars from the shopkeeper. Way under its actual value- as I anticipated. Because the buyer didn't actually have that much capital on him, he couldn't verify the legality of what I was selling, and because he knew that I couldn't afford to ask for more concerning said illegality.

At the very least, it was enough for me to get a halfway decent room for a week, and hopefully enough for a basic weapon and some armour.

I fell asleep to the thought of my family- wondering if they were missing me or even aware that I was missing- and the memory of the tomb I had first woken up today atop.

XXXXXXXXXX

I came to sitting upon the suspiciously comfortable chair of the Velvet Room. Yup- same metallic walls, same desk and seats, and same lighting. I was back.

"Welcome back to the Velvet Room." Igor greeted me, a truly sincere smile upon his face.

"You know, you are really lucky that Lavenza is such a badass that she would be able to hand me my ass faster than you could say newb, because otherwise I would definitely reach across that table and strangle you with your own tie." I threatened him, rather casually.

"Would you really?" Lavenza asked in what seemed to be alarm.

"Well, no, not really." I admitted. Doing that would be extremely rude, and I'd never been a particularly violent person. "It was a bit of an exaggeration. The point is that I am rather annoyed."

"Ohoh, and why is that, Dreamer?" Igor queried, leaning towards me.

"Well, it was one thing to drag someone like me into an adventure like this." I can live with that Call to Adventure, thank you very much. "It's another thing entirely to dump them directly in the Labyrinth without warning or weapon, and then not even tell them that they were being dumped into a foreign world too. A fictional world, might I add."

"You are aware that we in the Velvet Room have no real ability to affect the world of the living, aren't you?" the blonde asked me.

"Yes."

"In that case, let me assure you that we didn't 'dump' you there." Igor reassured me. "Indeed, let me say that you would have woken up there regardless of whether we intervened or not. We merely saw a potential Wild Card in need of assistance and chose to bring you here. If our manner offended you, then let me humbly apologise."

I winced at his words. Damn- I couldn't stay angry at a man with a voice as smooth as his. "Fair enough. Sorry for being a little ticked off- I know that it isn't really your fault, and that directing my anger at you doesn't help any of us. Though you really could have told me about the Worm thing."

He shrugged. "I am not all knowing, no matter how it might seem. I know just as much as you do, in this instance. While I am peripherally aware of what's happening here, I feel worryingly in the dark. Same as you. My Master alerted me to a Fool about to begin a journey, and so here we are."

I'll accept his words for now- though I'm not happy. I had to admit that it was suspicious how little he knew. "Have you told me everything you know?"

"No." He admitted. "It is the Velvet Rooms role to aid our guests, but there are rules, and we are forbidden from intervene too much in your journey. Those secrets that lurk within what you refer to as the Labyrinth… you will need to uncover them yourself."

"Load of help you are then." I muttered beneath my breath, perhaps a little bit bitter.

Here, Igor chuckled. "Have no fear. We still have plenty of ways to aid you, oh holder of the Wildcard. Especially now that your contract is signed, and you have Awakened."

I felt the world slow and darken- as if time had momentarily paused. Before me I saw a vague image, a familiar one. The Fool card appeared before me, and I felt a small flood of power within me. The feeling was pleasantly unusual- like I had become something more than I was before. Like when I first Awakened. Then, time reverted to normal and the sensation dulled.

"Oh man, was that a Social Link?"

"Indeed." Igor remarked. "With this meeting, let our bond be formalised- a Social Link of the Fool Arcana! The Velvet Room shall be at your side as you seek the depths, always willing to offer a friendly ear and a helping hand. Let us grow closer to that truth together."

"Indeed. Let's." I nodded my head resolutely and gave him a predatory look. "So, now that we have this whole bond and stuff, when can we start getting into the other Wildcard stuff?"

He waggled his finger at me chidingly. "Patience, Dreamer. Return to us with another Bond formed and when you have discovered us in the Real World, and then we of the Velvet Room shall happily show you our services."

"Damned Quest prerequisites." I mumbled.

From above, I heard it once more. The alarm bell that had awoken me from the last time I had visited here. "So, any last pieces of advice before I return to the waking world?"

"Try to have the courage to seize a bond the next time you discover one." He suggested. "And make as many of those wonderful connections as you can."

I nodded, writing his words to my memory. I shut my eyes, awaiting the end of the alarm, and my imminent rousing.

XXXXXXXXXX

Day 2

I stood in front of the shop anxiously. On my back I had a brand-new rucksack I'd bought, and within it I held all the recent purchases I'd made today. Some basic painkillers and bandages, a sketchpad and set of pencils for mapping the Labyrinth, a collapsible baton I'd gotten for the sake of it being subtle to carry, and a few drinks and snacks to eat. I had all the 'basic' goods I could imagine needing for my first proper excursion (Or at least everything I knew I definitely needed and that wouldn't burden me too much). Now, there was only one thing I really needed before I'd be comfortable entering the Labyrinth.

Protective clothing. Because I liked my organs inside my body, thank you.

I was sure that I could buy some online… but there was one source I wanted to try first, before then. So here I was, loitering outside a building known as the Dollhouse, to try and work up the nerves to go in and actually request a meeting of my own initiative.

… yeah. Human interaction sucks sometime.

"Gah! Fuck it!" I said to myself, trying to pump myself up a little, then I walked quickly into the Dollhouse while my nerves still allowed. The inside looked similar to the outside- as if it was just like any other high-class boutique, with the only stand-alone contents being the giant dolls and teddy bears that lined the walls. Aisles of fashionable and stylish clothing spanned the entire shop, and at the far end was the register and a very much not-Parahuman manning it.

I gathered up my courage and approached the desk. "Hello, how can I help you?" she asked politely, albeit a little sceptically. Based upon my casual jeans, shirt and hoodie I likely wasn't the usual sort of customer to shop here at a mostly woman's clothing outlet.

"Hi, I'd like to arrange a meeting with Parian." I said, simply, trying to stay concise and to the point. "I'm looking to purchase some custom clothing and had no real clue how to go about it, so I figured I'd come straight to the source."

Her eyes widened with new understanding. "I see. Can I assume that this clothing would be something you require to be sturdy?"

"If sturdy is a synonym for 'knife-proof', then sure."

"In that case, would you like to speak with me in the backroom?"

I smiled gratefully. "Yes please."

So, she led me to the backroom, while one of the other workers took the till in her stead. "Let me blunt. Are you a Cape?"

"I am a Parahuman." I lied. "I have a power of my own." Truth. "I want something protective, so I came here."

She nodded her head, writing something down inside a notebook. "I can certainly schedule a meeting with her for you. Parian isn't always here; she is often off doing events with other businesses, so you will have to wait."

"For how long? I kinda need it sooner than later." I admitted.

"If necessary, I can push it in within the next few days. Can I assume you are a new cape if you don't already have a costume? That may affect your price range, and it may just be easier for you to purchase a Kevlar vest online or something."

I shook my head. "I… well… I kinda have a method that I think will eventually yield some impressive funds. It's a catch 22 situation though, where in order to get the funds I need proper protection, but to get the protection I need funds."

She glared at me. I gave a mock innocent look back. "Look, I said 'method', that's vague, and it's on purpose. I can say that I'm not doing anything illegal and that said 'method' is a perfectly legitimate manner of getting funds, and that you are probably happier not knowing the exact details." And the wonderful thing was that I was technically telling the truth. Nobody here knew about Shadows, so there were no laws in place about killing Shadows for currency and selling the ill-gotten treasures found within their domain, and in my eyes battling Shadows for a living seemed just as legitimate a career as going out and fighting crime in spandex.

She sighed and rubbed her eyes. "You don't seem to be lying. I'll mention it to the boss, but I don't think it should matter too much. What's your number? I'll get back to you if she agrees to meet."

I rattled off the number of the hotel I was staying at, and thanked her for her time, before leaving.

"Well, that could have gone better. Coulda gone worse too, though." I didn't have any protection, but I had a meeting for later. I'd just have to be careful until then. This was just a first visit- it couldn't possibly go too wrong, could it?

"… except that it probably will."

XXXXXXXXXX

It took me awhile to navigate back to the entrance to the Labyrinth. I'd made sure to memorise where it was, so I could find my way back to it when I needed to, but I certainly didn't know Brockton Bay with the same level of understanding, and it took two buses and a bit of asking around to find the restaurant that was next to the alleyway leading to the portal.

Still, I made my way there. I double checked that everything was in place and where it was supposed to be. My baton was in one pocket- available to be easily drawn. In the other was a sheet of paper and pen, already filled in with the few concrete details I could remember from my frantic escape, and in a position where I could quickly pull it out and add to it when I had the moment. And then I had my hoodie tied tight around my waist, some sturdy thigh and arm protectors I'd purchased from a sports shop after the meeting at the Dollhouse, and my backpack on my back.

I was just about as ready as I could be for this. "Let's do this." I tapped the scar in the wall, watched the gateway open up like a gaping mouth, and then I stepped forwards and into the Labyrinth.

The other side was exactly as I remembered. An ornate room, composed of modern materials but in an ancient style with lavish, archaic touches pushing through despite itself. An empty pedestal, a passageway ahead, and behind me the shattered window. I took a deep breath, tapped my thigh to doublecheck that my baton was there, and then I began my exploration.

My goal today was to try to rediscover those steps that led downwards to where I'd first awoken. I couldn't remember the exact steps I'd taken in my flight from the Shadows, but I remembered the first few turns. After that… I'd have to play it by ear.

I started at a steady, slow jog, carefully looking around each corner before I went down it and making sure to remind myself that this was a marathon and not a sprint. I couldn't afford to waste unnecessary energy seeing as I was alone and had no present means to heal myself. I suspected that like in the games the snacks and drinks in my bag might help me recover (If only because I believed that they would, and cognitive worlds reflect thoughts and beliefs), but that still limited recovery options.

And then, the fifth corridor in, I saw the Shadow. Another writhing puddle, just like one of the many that had attacked me yesterday. My heart began to rapidly beat in panic, but I crushed the feeling. "Theo, you have a fucking Persona. You aren't helpless. Now, let's crush that thing."

"Dante, Cleave!" I jumped around the corridor, my palm at my heart and already tearing out my Persona, who manifested in a flash of blue fire, already having drawn his blade to bisect the startled Shadow. It didn't even have time to prepare an attack before my ambush wiped it out.

"Excellent." I rubbed my hands together in satisfaction. I looked around quickly to see if there were any other Shadows about, and seeing none, I ducked down to collect the small pile of loose change dropped by the Shadow and slip it into the side pocket of my bag.

With that, I continued on. My progress was just as cautious as before, but I think it worked it my advantage. By now I was already entering unknown territory (Or at least unvisited), so I needed the stops to correctly amend my map. I knew that I was eventually going to need a better method than hand drawing it by leaning the paper against the nearby wall, but for now I'd need to make do. I knew the importance of proper navigation when exploring, and I didn't enjoy the idea of losing my way after going off the beaten track.

Thrice more I found a wandering shadow: the first one I was able to ambush, the second all but ran into me when I forget to check first before entering a crossroads and nailed me pretty hard in the shoulder with a Bufu attack, and the third… well, I chose to avoid it, since the previous passageway had two paths, and I didn't fancy going off at the right angle that this path would need to fully explore.

I very much wanted to stick to my general area, at least until I'd achieved todays goal.

Left, right, Shadow (a quick Agi to take it out, after it spotted me), straight on, right… ahah.

A treasure chest, sitting alone at the end of a passageway. A quick check revealed no Shadows in the area… "So, is this a free meal?"

Initial impression? Yup. Treasure chest. It's a dungeon- these things are expected to be everywhere, and I'd say that I'd earned it. Let's go open it and get some loot. And yet, it seemed easy. Too easy…

"It's the first 'dungeon', of course it won't be too hard. Surely they'll just be lying around for a hapless Protagonists to discover." I said to myself.

"Yes, but that doesn't change how I feel. And this feels like a trap." I considered.

"Shut up you pansy, and just take the treasure." … and now I was insulting myself. I should probably stop deliberating over the topic and just do it already.

So, I approached the chest.

Ka-click. The sound of something shifting underfoot, and mechanisms moving. With a curse, I threw myself to the ground with panicked instincts I didn't know I had, hearing another ka-click in the process. Then, a loud WHOOOSH sound. Above me I saw wooden stakes shoot from one of the walls just about where my torso would have been.

Where I'd just been standing not three seconds ago. "Fuck me, that would have hurt." Heck, I'd argue that would have killed me.

"Fucking Indiana Jones nonsense." I muttered, crawling forwards carefully. Now that I was really concentrating I could see the signs I should have noticed: the floor was uneven for three tiles, and the walls had small, round holes running along parts of it from where the arrows had shot from.

Yeah, I was gonna have to be more careful in the future now that I knew the possibility of traps existed here. A little more shuffling and a thorough check to see if there were any more pressure pads, and I was through. I got back to my feet, brushed my clothes off, and went straight for the treasure chest.

Which was locked.

"REALLY!?" I exclaimed in annoyance. "REALLY!? Come on out, Dante!" My Persona manifested in all his glory and swung his sword down with all his might upon the chest. A loud ringing sound sung out from where we struck it, but it didn't break. "Again!" My Persona proceeded to hammer away at it, smacking it again and again and again at the lock.

And yet, the chest showed no more sign of opening. I panted with exertion at manifesting my Persona for so many attacks, and finally decided to dispel Dante.

This chest wasn't going to budge. Not without a key, or maybe a lockpick.

Fwoomph!

Just from out the corner of my vision, I saw the fireball shooting towards me. I had just enough time to think "Fuck," before it struck me head on. I felt the distinct pain of burning, of fire washing over me and stinging my skin- before it subsided, and I realised that it was a lot less painful or deliberating than I expected, and I was still on my feet.

I spun to look back down the corridor. At the end was a new shadow- one shaped like a hand that walked upright on its two inner fingers. "Of course my loud banging and shouting brought attention to me. Get your head in the game, Theo!"

"Dante, Cleave." I summoned my Persona once more, requesting a physical attack. With enemies in Megami Tensei games, you can generally assume that if an enemy used an elemental attack then it's probably resistant to it, so when still learning their weaknesses its best to use something completely different. Thus, a massive downward swing.

And to my surprise, this was the first Shadow to not immediately fall after the first attack. A fireball gathered above it, and then launched straight at Dante. It hit, and I felt the pain and damage myself, but there was a certain buffer unlike before- while I could feel it, it was Dante that was doing most of that feeling.

"Finish it!" I demanded, and so the sword user ended it with a final swing. The Shadow was dead now, but I knew that where one Shadow was, more often followed. So, as much as I wanted to stay here and catch my breath, I couldn't.

I drew my baton and pressed hard on the pressure pad I'd first passed over- to my relief it seemed to be a one-time mechanism, so I sprinted across them without repercussion. I headed left and began a brisk jog back down familiar paths.

It was time to go back to the real world. I hadn't accomplished what I wanted to, but my map was more detailed than it was when we began, I'd gained enough money to adequately pay for my meals for the next few days, and I'd learned a little more about how exploring the Labyrinth was going to work.

That would have to do for today. Either way, I knew I would be back tomorrow.