Day 6 Body Swipe

Date: April 25 2011

Location: Amagi Inn

Time: 9:15

After 10 minutes of panicking as to why I saw everything like it was from the television, Nyx explained to me that something showed up on my vita.

"Every sixth day at exactly 9:00 we I will take over with my own human body. I made myself some clothes, while you were panicking."

Yup, she wore leather, only leather. She looked pretty cool: leather jacket, trousers, boots, she even had sunglasses for the TV-World. She had long black hair, which when it waved in the wind it looked like water waves. Dark water waves. Her skin was pale, due to lack of sunlight in her home, green eyes and a cute face.

Oh well, what do you expect from a goddess?

Aside from this was actually quite interesting and useful, there was one problem.

Nyx was still in my room. There was no way she would be able to sneak out without being noticed, especially not at this time. And she needed to pay for my room for the next night. Well that was easy, if she managed to go out unnoticed and come back noticed and tell the staff she's a friend of mine here to pay, since I don't have time.

Apparently, Nyx had a solution. She wasn't talking to me, although like this we had no limit. Nyx sneaked out of the window. She jumped very far to the next tree, Naruto-style.

Once she was sure no one was watching, she jumped down. She had my money and the gem, which is actually a way to get to Tartarus. Why do I always want to say tar-tar sauce?

Anyways, Nyx entered the Inn.

'Oh, oh, the ice queen. Let's hope she won't be able to notice your power.'

'Only one way to find out.'

Nyx walked straight to the counter. I can only guess what kind of effect she had to her surroundings. Well a few people were gaping at her. Mitsuru restrained herself more, but she was looking from the corner of her eye.

It was like watching one of my friends playing a game. I always noticed things they overlooked, since they had to concentrate on using the controller. They only saw the main plot.

Well Nyx was more efficient, than any human, but just in case. It was at least better than talking her ears full.

"Welcome to the Amagi Inn. How may I help you?" the employee asked, although she was a bit nervous.

"My friend asked me to pay for his room, he forgot. His name is Jack Samuels." Nyx said straightforward. I could see Mitsuru's interest picking up.

"Oh, uhh, well...why doesn't he just pay, when he's back?"

"He won't be back until tomorrow." Nyx simply stated.

"Oh, well...yes, well, then, that'll be 2500 yen."

Nyx paid. "Goodbye." she said and left before the employee could reply anything.

'We have only enough for one bus ticket. Hey I know the thing with Tartarus is important and all, but would you mind collecting some money on the way back?'

'Of course. It is necessary after all.'

Nyx arrived at Junes. She didn't have any weapons or armor, but it was not like she needed it. She took a few glances and jumped in.

Instead of landing on the ground, a pair of wings emerged from her back and she flew somewhere, with her sunglasses on.

'Where are we headed?' I asked.

'Are you afraid?'

'I...can't stand heights. I need to see the ground under my feet.'

She sighed. 'I am flying somewhere, no one will find by accident the gate.'

We flew for a few minutes, until she landed. There was green fog in the area. Sometimes the color changes, although no area by human thought was created.

Nyx sent some spiritual energy towards the gem. It began glowing, flew from her palm a yard away and as it brightened some kind of 2-D glowing gate was created. Nyx stepped forward.

From one second to another we were in a big room. It had a bed, some kind of black table, same for the chair, skulls were used as lamps and there was blood coming out of the walls.

'Who can live in a place with bleeding walls?'

'This is my chamber.'

...

'Oh. Looks pretty...well, actually add a pc, some shelves and it almost looks like a normal room any human lives in. Pretty blank. Even I have posters and some pictures in my room. I guess plants wouldn't survive for long.'

'Let us hope someone else is presence. I don't exactly want to go to the Olymp to get some answers.'

'I won't ask.' I said dryly. I always need to have the last word. Another habit on my list to get rid off.

Nyx went out. There was a big hallway. It looked like the Thebel block, without the school stuff.

'If I ever build my own home, I'm gonna ask you for the number of the architect. This place looks cool. Terrifying, but cool.'

'Glad to hear you like it. Maybe you should visit sometime.' she chuckled.

'If we get out of this, I'll bring some goodies from the human world. Betcha there're lots of stuff you don't know. By the way, I don't mind if you want to test something out, later. Could be your only chance.'

'By your fighting skills, I take you by your word.'

'Ouch.'

We both chuckled. Man, Nyx and I come along pretty good actually. Maybe it has something to do with the soul bond with have at the moment.

Nyx suddenly stopped in her tracks. 'Something the matter?'

'Someone is watching.' she replied. "Come out!" she demanded.

'Scary~~'

Someone came out from behind a pillar. It was a human. No it was not a human, I realized it was death aka Ryoji.

'Isn't he supposed to be with you?'

'No, he was collecting the shadows for himself.'

"Hello son. I am glad to see you're fine."

"M-mother?! Oh, oh, yes...well, umm, you look...good...hehe, what's up?"

'Why is he- Oh, he thinks you're going to destroy the world and his friends.'

A felt a wave of sadness going through me. Wait Nyx was sad?

'Nyx...? Hey don't feel too bad. I mean umm...how do I...it ain't your fault!'

'That is not it.' she didn't say anything else. I didn't press. It seemed there was more. Well, I was never good with feelings, so I decided to shut my trap for the rest of the conversation.

"Son I...I am not here to hurt your friends."

"Huh? Since when do you give a shit!?" he exploded.

'Talk about a three-sixty.' I thought to myself.

Nyx cringed visibly, her arms around her body. "You only saw humans as worthless and now that you lost a battle, you actually care?! Yeah, right don't gimme that shit!"

Nyx had a hard time hiding her emotions from me. I guess even gods aren't resistant to family.

"Son I-"

"I have a name." he growled. "And don't call me Thanatos! I hate that name!"

"Ryoji...I want to...apologize."

There was a silence. Nyx was the one who broke it.

"I should have listened to you. I should have respected your wishes."

"Tch. What are you doing here anyway? Don't tell me...!"

"No, she is fine."

"Huh?"

"It was on the news."

"YOU were in the human world?" he asked shocked.

"I am in a soul bond with a human."

"What?! How heatless are you?!" he asked angrily.

'Let me out. You can summon me, like I can summon you, right?'

'I...guess...'

She took out my vita.

"What is this?" Ryoji asked. She pressed the summon button. Glass was shattered. For a split second my vision went blue, until I stood in front of Ryoji, with my momentarily equipment.

"A persona!?"

"Not really." I answered. He was stunned.

"The name's Jack. I am the poor sob who had to go into a soul bond with your mom."

"Had to?"

"Long story short: In my world this is part of a video game series, I woke up behind the great seal, next to your mother and my choices were to starve or to go into a bond with her." I left the part out, Nyx decided on her own.

"Video game series?" he asked.

"Take a look at my vita. I got persona 2, 3 and 4 installed."

"Okay, let's say you're right. Then how did you get here in the first place?" he asked.

"That's what we tried to find out." I said, scratching the back of my head. "And we look for a way for the two of us to live, WITHOUT destroying the world. We have...359 days left. Meaning we will commit suicide in 358 days. Do you know where we get a gun, without any authorities noticing?"

I had to bring that one. No serious, if suicide, then a gun.

"W-what? Suicide?!"

Ooops, forgot he's her son after all. I dismissed myself. My vision turned blue and I was in Nyx' head again. 'Damn I SUCK at this. Sorry.'

"If my host dies, then so do I. I won't be a danger for your friends again."

At this, Ryoji ran up to his mother and hugged her tightly. She was surprised for a second, but hugged back.

They stood like this for a few minutes.

"I'm going with you." he declared. "I'm sure I can convince the others to help you."

"Ryoji..."

"No, mom, I will and that's it."

Nyx laughed and hugged her son again, a tear running down her cheek.

Since it was settled he would come with us, we filled him in on the details, what was happening and why NOT to tell anyone about Izanami. Also we told him this state would last for a day and would return every sixth day.

'What makes me wonder, why 9:00? Why not the time the clock started ticking?'

'I guess we have to take It.' replied the night queen.

"So, you two need money, right?" Ryoji asked, after we were in the TV-World. He wore my glasses.

"Yes and he needs the skill cards. Shall we?"

Well what followed, Ryoji transformed into Thanatos and the two flew towards Yukiko's castle.

It was pure slaughter, I felt bad for the shadows. Nyx and Ryoji made their ways through the floors. No one could escape death and his mother.

It was too bad I didn't gain any experience. Half of the money they collected went to Ryoji. He would return to Port Island.

"Sorry, but you can't tell anyone." Nyx talked for me, saying word for word what I said.

"We don't know what might happen if we change something. It could get worse. I know it's hard, but can you convince SEES somehow to stay out for now? These guys need to learn it on their own. No use if someone is doing their job. And about us...we will stick more or less with the team for now. We will come to Port Island later, 'kay?"

After the two finished, outside they decided to catch up. I wished I would have been somehow able to shut down, 'cause it was kind of private.

"Son- Ryoji, what were you doing in Tartarus?" she asked.

The two were sitting at the food court, both something to drink. Ryoji insisted Nyx would at least try something out.

"Well...after I was free, I...wanted to hide from you." he said, his head down. Due to my connection with Nyx, I could feel her pain too. Damn, she must hate me.

"Tartarus was the best thing I could think of in the short time. When I noticed you, I didn't recognize you at first. Hehe, you look good mom."

Nyx smiled a bit weak. "Thank you."

"So..." he had problems finding a topic.

"Have you tried anything else out?"

"No."

...

'Hate to interrupt, but ever heard of small talk? You guys are sitting here for 5 minutes without saying anything!'

"Oh, I haven't noticed."

"Huh? What?" Ryoji was confused.

"Jack said we're sitting here for 5 minutes without saying anything."

"Oh. Well..." he sighed. "I guess...when was we had something like this? I don't remember."

"Me neither." Nyx sighed.

'Does gods never have something like family talk?' I couldn't help it.

'Yo, got an idea! Nyx, you remember when I walked up the hills at Samegawa? Why don't you two go there? It god a nice view.'

Since the two had no better idea, they went there. Ryoji got to see Inaba in the meantime.

"Wow, there's really nothing here." commented Ryoji. "Completely different from the city." The two walked. On the way some students whispered about the two newcomers and Ryoji even flirted with some girls.

I mentally face palmed.

Nyx had nothing better to do, than eye every girl he flirted with and look if she's good enough for her son.

'Is that the way parents think? Now I REALLY don't wanna have children.'

Nyx didn't say anything in response. I guess she was too occupied with the girls.

It took them a while, but they finally arrived at the top hill.

"Wow, nice view. Better than from Tartarus." said Ryoji. Nyx sat down at the bench. Ryoji preferred to stand.

"Say Jack, what would have happened, if the two had decided to kill me?" he asked.

'Uuuuuuuuuf, well...if I remember correctly, Aigis would have been the only one who remembered. She would spy on graduation day on the juniors, Yukari and Junpei would ask themselves who she is...well Aigis would ran away, disappointed from her leaders' decision...and well bad ending.'

After Nyx told him, he looked up a bit shocked.

"So Aigis would have remembered the whole time? Now I feel bad about suggesting it."

Nyx laid a hand on her son's shoulder.

"Ryoji...I'm sorry." she said.

"No need, mom. No need. Everything is fine in the end. Well almost..." he trailed off. "At least she has another year." he mumbled. "I want to have her more. She deserves it."

Nyx looked at her son, seeing the fire burning in his eyes. Everyone could see it.

"Friends... Ryoji, go back to your friends."

"Huh?"

"You seem to suffer. I don't want you to suffer."

The two hugged each other for a moment.

"Mitsuru Kirijo is here. Maybe she can take you with her."

"Mitsuru-senpai is here?" he exclaimed.

'The one and only ice queen. Hey Ryoji, DID you guys got executed?'

"Minato went out before it was time for the girls."

Nyx had a disapproving look.

"H-hey, it was Junpei's idea. He didn't tell us anything!"

'I can confirm this.'

Okay, my memory wasn't the best for P3 especially the later events, but I think it really was Junpei's fault.

Nyx gaze softened.

"If you find someone or already have found, I won't stop you. Be sure she is not after your power or your good looks."

He smiled back. "Will do, mom, will do."

'Ryoji, Nyx will stay like this until 9:00 tomorrow. You sure you won't to let that time lost? Belief me, use it. I will probably never see my family again. Although, when I do, I'm gonna punch my dad.'

Eventually the two walked back. It was sometime in the evening. Unlike me, Nyx didn't check the clock so often. Ryoji told us about his time at Gekkougan, the teachers, the students, Kyoto, he went on and on.

The two entered Chinese dinner. Unlike me, Nyx can withstand hot spices. She took a menu of the day. I made a mental note to lay some money back for her, so she can try out more the next time she's out.

By coincidence it was a full moon. The cold night was nothing for Nyx. The two were silent again. Oh well, at least it was comfortable.

"Oh yeah, I still have my old cell phone. Maybe I should give them a little panic?"

'...I can't come up with something.'

Ryoji didn't do it in the end. Seemed like he wanted to be with his mother a bit more.

Speaking of relatives, call me cold hearted, but I didn't particular missed anyone from my family. Maybe in time I would. I knew my mother missed me for sure. My sister I wasn't sure. My father? Probably mixed feelings. I already ran away two times.

My cousins, I don't think and the rest? I never had strong bonds with anyone, not even my family. I mostly kept myself isolated, even family. I started opening up a few years ago, but never too much.

Although, I opened up more to my friends, than anyone of my family. Well I would have opened up to my sister, if she wouldn't have her own place. She's the opposite of me.

Nyx caught my train of thoughts. She's good with this kind of stuff.

'You don't miss them?'

'Heh, you should have seen me at summer camp. I called two days in a row home. Oh man, now I remember why. First I cannot play football, some of them talked me down (can you say that?). Second on the third day, they didn't want to have me in the same tent; I had to go to another. All because there was this other guy, who was more open than I was. At least the caretakers were on my side. But I was most time alone anyways. I'm not bothering you, am I?'

'No, go on. Something is happening with your soul and it looks good.'

'Social link? Hehe, well anyways, the first night I stayed up, sitting next to the fire the whole night. I thought a lot. I think this was the start of the slow development of why I wanted to commit suicide later. Nah, I think that is a bit farfetched. I'm just a screwed up guy, who always complaints. Seriously, if I really would die, no one would miss me for too long.'

'Don't say that.' Nyx scolded. That was nothing new. 'Your parents care about you and you know it.'

'Yeah, but I'm honestly not sure if I care. I mean I'm not sad, I'm fucking happy something like this happened to ME of all people.'

'You will most likely die.'

'I so don't care at the moment. I will when it is time. I'm an asshole.'

'What makes you so sure?'

'I just told you, I don't care whether I die or not or about my family. I'm a selfish asshole, who thinks of himself first, always. If there's a chance only one of us survives, you'll do it. No one is gonna miss me.'

'Your soul, it is back to what it was before.'

'How did it change anyway?'

'It expended and became brighter. Now it is as dark as it was before and as tiny as well.'

'You can't really expect much from me Nyx. Hell without you, I wouldn't have survived my first battle. You're not the bad person here, I am.'

'Why are you so harsh with yourself?' she asked.

'I know myself the best. I deserve being called an ass. I hate it, when others pinpoint what I just did, because it is the truth. I can do it with myself, because no one hears my thoughts. Normally. But I don't want others to say it. I can't face it.'

Nyx let out a deep breath.

'You're not the first one. Don't even try. I try to be honest to myself. I guess I played too much Persona.'

"Mom?" asked Ryoji. "Is something wrong?"

"I just learned how self-depressing my host is." she said with a deep sigh.

"Hmm, Jack do you have a girlfriend?"

'No and don't even think about it. I need to train, anyways. Wait does it rain tomorrow?'

"Why do you ask?"

'Because the shadows here get stronger on these days, on the other hand, you can find some rare material.'

"Okay first half training and then we're gonna hit on the girls."

'Nyx, are you two really related?' I just had to ask. How could death be such a womanizer?

'Maybe I should have kept a closer eye on him.' she admitted.

'Meh, maybe it's better. My dad did that and look what came out of it.'

Nyx and Ryoji decided to go back to Samegawa. It was less a chance to meet Mitsuru there. But they met someone else: Yu Narukami, who was fishing already? Meh, maybe I was just not that good with the game. Wait, who's the woman?

'Is that Izanami talking to Yu?'

"It seems so. We should keep our distance, for now." said Nyx. She and Ryoji walked towards the little hut with the benches and the table in the middle.

"What will you do?"

"You mean after tomorrow?" Ryoji chuckled at the thought of whatever he planned. "Well I guess I'll return to Iwatodai with Mitsuru and keep them away from you two for a while."

"Thank you."

'Won't that be difficult?'

"I'll think of something. In the meantime, I'll try to find a way for you two to live. However I won't be able to keep them away from you forever."

'Well, that'd be impossible, but the others need to grow in experience first and...urgh, grow up? I'm not sure how to put it, but they need to do it on their own first.'

'For a moment I thought you would say something smart.'

'Very funny Nyx. Very funny. Oh dude, I need my body back. How do you last that long without a body? I feel like flying through soup, while being stuck in a cage.'

Location: Port Island

Time: 15:32

Minato POV

My fork dropped from my hand. I was sitting at Chagall Café with Aigis, yet my mind was somewhere completely different.

"Minato? Are you alright?" asked Aigis.

"No." No need to be not honest with her.

"What's wrong? Are you not feeling well?"

"It's not that I am not feeling well, but I HAVE a feeling and I don't like it one bit." I said with my face darkening.

"What do you mean?" she asked.

"You don't sense it, do you?" I asked her.

"Sense what?"

"Death."

It was Aigis time to drop the fork, but she found her composure pretty quick. "Maybe you're just imagining things. I mean, we're all on edge because of Hamuko-san." she said. I knew she didn't belief her own words. She just tried to lighten up the mood.

She was not successful.

I completely ruined the day with my mood. Aigis nevertheless smiled the whole time. Hamuko taught her that. It made me feel at least a little better.

We went back pretty early to the dorm. As expected Hamuko was there already, sitting with Ken on a couch and Koromaru to their feed.

"You sensed it too, right?" she asked. I nodded.

She laughed sadly. "It's not fair. I just had a few days and-"

"You think I will let you do that again?!" I snarled. I heard Koromaru whine and felt Aigis put a hand on my shoulder. I leaned towards my sister, so we were face to face.

"So, you want to do it, instead of me?" she asked. I felt Aigis' grip increasing on my shoulder.

"You. Won't. Do. It." I emphasized every word. Hamuko pulled me into a hug. "Don't let me die." she cried. "I don't want to die. I want to live, with you and everyone else."

One after another, the different SEES members came back to the dorm and saw Hamuko crying in my arms. I told every single one of them, what we felt. The reaction was always the same.

"We won't let you die!"

Hamuko laughed, but continued crying. She was at her limits. Everyone tried to cheer her up in their own way. She cried until she was asleep. Aigis and I brought her to her room.

"Minato, you won't sacrifice yourself, neither of the two of you will." Aigis demanded.

I raised an eyebrow, but held my hands up, like I was giving up. She took me secure. All of our friends locked Hamuko and me into a room. They took turns in taking guard duty. I placed my sister's head on my lap. I couldn't sleep that night. I half expected the dark hour to strike at midnight, but it didn't. I was so relieved.

The others contacted Mitsuru in the meantime.

Hamuko woke up at some point.

"Why are you in my room?" she asked.

"The others locked us here. They want to make sure none of us heads out on our own."

"Hehe, they know us too well. What about the win- why are there bars?" she asked.

"Same in my room." I replied. The others really meant it. For some crazy reason neither of us minded the bars at all.

"I don't want to die." My sister whispered, while laying her head back to my lap. When we were younger she did it all the time. I felt a little nostalgic.

The door opened and Akihiko entered with something to eat.

"Hey, I thought you were at the university." I said. Hamuko waved with her arm weakly.

"Nah, that can wait. You two are much more important."

"Heh, thanks." I replied.

Akihiko placed two plates on Hamuko's study desk and went out again. For two people with bottomless stomachs we didn't eat much that evening. Fuuka's cooking has really increased over the past year and almost rivaled Shinji's.

As tasty as it was, none of us could really eat much. We were way too worried.

Afterwards Aigis came in with a... syringe?

"Uh... you're not going to narcotize us, are you?" I asked. Sure the others didn't know about it, did they?

"This is only for the best of you two." she said.

"Wait, where did you get it in the first place?" Seriously where? Something from Shuji's office maybe?

"Give me your arm." she demanded. Again she demanded something.

"Aigis? Are you alright?" I asked. She came closer and seated herself next to me. "Your arm Minato. Yours too Hamuko-san." she said.

"I hate syringes Aigis." Hamuko said. That was true. It was always a pain in the ass to get her to the doctor for inoculations.

I gave Aigis my arm and she injected me the narcotic. It would take a while to work properly. It wasn't a strong one, so I would slowly fall asleep within an hour. Next was Hamuko. After some whining she finally gave in.

Aigis brought me back to my room. She stayed with me until I finally was asleep.

Location: Dojima Residence

Time: 21:00

Yu POV

Dojima wasn't there, so I decided to sneak out, to test my new fishing rod. Maybe if I take on a night job I won't have to sneak out. Jack had taken the job at the bar, maybe I should do it too or another job.

With my new fishing rod, I walked towards Samegawa. There was something in the air during night at Inaba that makes me feel a whole lot better. Maybe it was the countryside getting to me?

When I arrived at the river, I found a woman sitting on one of the tree stumps.

'Haven't I seen her before? Oh right, she works at the gas station!'

"Good evening." I said. She looked up. "Oh hello. Fishing?" she pointed at the rod.

"Yeah, it's my first try actually." I prepared bait and threw in the line.

"So, do you mind if I ask what you're doing here?" I asked.

"Thinking about my husband, who passed away." she answered.

"Oh, I'm sorry."

"No need, I haven't thought of him in ages, until...I told a friend a story between me and him." she said and laughed a bit.

"He said his opinion, the first one who did and I don't know him that much." she said.

I looked curiously at her, but didn't ask further. It was something private.

"He said my husband was a jerk." she said and laughed. "In his opinion he was a jerk and now that I think about it, he really acted like a jerk. But he was not a jerk. It was a simple misunderstanding, which drifted us apart."

"I see." I said and resumed fishing. I didn't have so much luck.

I frowned and tried different bait. The woman stayed for some reason.

"Have you heard of the girl, who miraculously recovered from her coma?"

"Hmm? Yeah, why?" I asked.

"Don't you think it is odd? Someone falling into a coma for unknown reasons and then waking up just like that?" she asked.

"Well it is, but I think no one should bother the girl. I've seen her brother on TV and he looked more than happy." I answered.

"Hmm. Have you considered my offer?"

"Yeah, but until summer vacation I won't have time. New school and all, I still need to get finally settled."

"You move a lot?"

I sighed. "Yeah. My parent's job. I'm lucky if I see them ones or twice in a year."

I realized my words a second later. I never opened myself that much to someone, so fast. Actually I never really talked much about my parents, because it is always so depressing. But with her it was somewhat different.

"Wow!"

Finally something! Now I just needed to carefully...

"Got it!" I exclaimed. It was a small fish.

"Well, it is a start." I said. "Maybe I can cook something out of it." I mused.

"Well good luck. I have to go now." she said and walked away. I just then realized we didn't even exchanged names.

"Maybe I can meet her at the gas station again. Hmmm...no social link? Is the arcana already taken? Maybe I should ask Igor.

I should also try to make a link with Jack. Maybe I can convince him to join us.