Sorry if I miscounted. Please don't write your vote twice, 'kay? If you see a mistake, tell me.

Aigis x Minato 6

Nyx x Minato 4

Hamuko x Shinjiro 2

So, at this rate...voting will end...meh, can't decide. Oh, I know chapter 20. Yeah, I know early Takeharu, but come on! When you're the boss of a big company would you let a robot run amok in your company?

Metis was just a suggestion, a quick idea I got. I'm actually not sure, so I asked you guys.

You still don't get it? I don't do harem. By the way, there's more than the TV-World to awaken to a persona. To technodude (what was the number? XD) I guess I got that one wrong, huh? Thanks for explaining.

A bit more suggestions for pairings please, especially Hamuko.

P. S.: Are you guys blind? Chapter 9 was longer than Chapter 8!

Chapter 10

Hamuko POV

"Goodnight!" Akihiko announced, grinding the last dancing hand to dust. Basically he had done most of the fighting, since those guardians had been weak to strike attacks.

I helped as much out as I could with Orpheus, I kind of had a challenge with sempai who would strike the shadows faster down.

The fight was now over and everyone was now catching their breaths. Minato and Aigis had been watching in case something would happen, like last time with the Reaper as Minato had dubbed him. Maybe he should have told earlier, that staying too long on a floor would cause that guy to appear.

"Messiah, salvation." he told his persona to do and we all felt refreshed immediately. Well, our wounds were good, but our stamina and spiritual energy was still down. "Shall we call it a day?" I asked sempai. He looked at Junpei and Yukari and nodded. He looked still good actually.

"Yeah, let's call it day. We've been in here two days in a row."

"Woohoo, we kicked some serious ass." Junpei cheered a bit weak, due to exhaustion.

"As far as I could tell, sempai and Hamuko did the whole job. Yukari did some great healing (she blushed) and you got bodied. Ever thought of a job as a punching bag? I'm sure the shadows would hire you."

"Ha ha, very funny dude."

Yukari actually snickered. "Well it is good that shadows don't have much brain. I think they're recognizing you as one of them."

"H-hey, you too Yuka-tan?"

We laughed while using the teleporter to get to the lobby. We put our weapons into a backpack, which Akihiko would carry as extra training and went out before the tower changed back to our school.

"I prefer Tartarus over this place." I commented dryly and I meant it. There was something about the tower that makes me want to stay.

"I can always lead you to the Monad Block. Let's see if you still want to stay after one minute in there (not to mention, you're probably gonna fight Theo in there)."

Minato did warn us about the Monad Block and the strong shadows in there. And if even he had problems fighting them, considering he had ten years of experience, I didn't want to go in there at all.

The rest of the way, everyone was silent like always, since even Mitsuru-sempai was a little fatigued from analyzing the area the whole time. Inside the train, Minato plugged his mp3 into Aigis' arm with an USB-cable, so both could listen to the music.

'Wait a minute.' Nyx mouthed. 'Why should a robot have any interest in listening to music?' she asked. She did have a point there. Aigis was just a robot, why would she bother listening to music, especially Minato's?

Sure if she wanted to learn about human traits (whatever you could learn from music) it would make sense, but even if, why Minato's mp3? Didn't she have a database?

'Maybe he's using her for recharging.' I mouthed my suggestion. She wasn't convinced, but it was the most logical explanation. Well, I was too tired to think about it further. I gave my body into Nyx' care and fell asleep, more or less I should add.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Minato POV

If they would all know me better, they'd notice my constant mood changes, but so far only Aigis noticed. She was acting more and more like a mother to all of us, especially me. Funny thing she didn't know what that feeling meant until I explained it to her. Reminded me of old times.

I had a hard time explaining it, since I didn't know how a father felt or what it was like to have a family. I don't remember much of my days as a child. It was like the actual Minato Arisato died on that day and now I was here.

My past was buried somewhere in my brain, but my sub-consciousness refused to let it out, probably to keep me sane. Who knows? Maybe Hamuko did exist in my timeline. The chances were high I actually knew her.

When I looked at Hamuko, I immediately saw Nyx was out. Anyone could see the difference: frowning, always on edge like in enemy territory and stiff all over. That was, when she was in a good mood. I have seen her, when she was angry. Heck I have seen her, when she was ready to massacre!

She was searching through Hamuko's mp3 for music. I wondered what taste she had. Thinking of her made me think of Erebus. How would she react seeing her brother? Would she be conflicted, because she WILL have to decide between Hamuko and him?

Or will Erebus try to convince Hamuko it would be best to let humanity die? Maybe he would even try merging with her, in case Nyx wasn't released from Hamuko at the end of the year.

Actually, I was wondering whether Nyx had a choice in that matter at all. I mean who had the strength to resist the wish of all humans to die? If Nyx couldn't resist it and she was a goddess, who could?

It made me think how the seal actually worked? Wait, was that it? Instead of sealing Nyx inside a body with the help of the Universe Arcanum instead of sealing her someplace at the end of the world?

No this would have a drawback. Whenever the host would get injured, so would the seal and in the end the host would die someday and that's that.

Or the host could live a normal lifespan of 80 years plus and then...like prison transfer? Now I was grasping. If only there would be a way to get rid of Erebus once and for all. Well there actually was: get rid of all humans.

"Yeah, that would solve everything." I muttered. I leaned back in my seat. There was one last hope I had. If Hamuko and I would only give a part of our souls away and create the seal together, maybe that would solve it, eventual physical and mental consequences considered.

Well, she obviously wouldn't want to seal Nyx, so maybe we could do it with Erebus.

That's really nice and all, but it's only theory. Maybe I should pay the Velvet Room another visit. Although I'm not really gonna get a straight answer out of them. Maybe Liz? She isn't an official resident anymore. Although she could still be at the Abyss of Time. Wait didn't she gave me her number?

I dialed the number, but no one was picking up. She was either asleep or really not in this reality. Oh well I guess I could wait.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Minako POV

Luckily the next day was a Sunday, so more than enough time to sleep out. Despite the healing Minato gave us at the end of the exploration, I still felt the body parts that had been hit by the various shadows, especially my leg from that damn giant bug. Hopefully the cramps would be gone until next Tennis session.

Why was I awake at nine in the morning in the first place? I rolled over and put the blanket over my head.

I didn't fall asleep again, so I thought I might as well get up. I took my time changing into my casual clothes. If it would go after Nyx, I'd wear dark red or black, but I preferred orange.

Downstairs I found a note from Aigis, telling me the last eggs in the frying pan were mine. I still didn't get how she got the idea to cook and hell it wasn't even bad and she was a robot. It was not like she had a sense of taste or anything like that, right?

I was in this dorm for less than a month and we already were the weirdest bunch of high school students that ever existed.

We got a pink-fetish, a cap-fetish, a zombie, a stalking robot, a protein junkie, a sadistic-execution-loving-ice queen and me who's got another person in form of an ancient goddess inside her head.

I brought my breakfast to the living room, where I found Mitsuru reading a book. That reminded me, I forgot to give her the manga.

"Morning sempai." I greeted her.

"Good morning, Arisato." she greeted back. I groaned about the Arisato again. I guess old habits don't die easily. She resumed in reading her book and I focused on my breakfast.

When I was finished, Minato came walking down the stairs, a plate in his hand. He greeted us with a single nod and went into the kitchen.

"Is it just me or is Minato-kun finally opening up a little?" I asked. Sempai looked up from her book and nodded. "It seems that way. Still, he's really introverted."

"Well, guess you can't have everything at once. Oh reminds me, I got something for you. Just a sec."

I ran into my room, grabbed the manga and ran back downstairs, where Mitsuru was waiting with a curious expression. "I know you're more into books, but I thought you should try something else." I handed her over the manga.

Obviously she didn't know what to think of it. "J-just try it. You don't need to read it now, of course."

"Arisato..I-I..appreciate it, but...I can't accept it-"

"Because you're a rich girl, who can't let herself down to the ranks of common folks." Nyx took over all of the sudden and I growled at her mentally. "That was a waste of money, Hamuko." she shook my head.

"This girl is too fine to-"

Mitsuru slammed her book shut, took the manga and went into her room. Nyx smirked at her own success. "Give me my body back!" I forced my way back. She chuckled, but let me through eventually.

Sighing, I decided to go outside. Not having any particular destination I walked to the nearby shrine. I was pretty much alone there. Having nothing better to do I made a offer to the shrine and prayed for everyone's safety.

When I turned around, I found Minato and Aigis approaching the shrine. The two nodded, made an offering and started praying. I wondered how he got Aigis in doing this in the first place. She almost looked human, while doing her prayers.

When they finished, the two sat down and listened to Minato's music again. I placed myself next to them, turning on my own music. We sat there for quite some time in comfortable silence.

Universe 2

Aeon 1

I blinked multiple times, while the two cards disappeared from my vision. That was up until now the easiest way to make social links, but there was one thing I didn't get. Universe obviously meant Minato, but Aeon?

I looked around, but the only other person that was there was Aigis. But how could I establish a bond with a machine?

"My persona changed, after I found my answer to life."

Life...like alive?

Before I could ask any questions, I noticed the two were gone. I must have dozen off at one point and they left me! Grr...

I stretched my limps and took a look at my watch. Time for lunch! My stomach started growling immediately. I chuckled and thought of where I should go. I reminded myself, I had yet to visit the takoyaki stand at the strip mall. I had heard some weird rumors about what was supposed to be in there.

Shrugging I decided to test it out myself. I was lucky to catch a bus and made it there in less than ten minutes, thanks to the low traffic on Sunday. The smell of takoyaki entered my nose, once I stepped out of the bus, letting my stomach growl loudly.

I ordered enough for three persons, which was not much in my opinion, rather enough to test something new. I came to the following conclusion: there was practically everything in it, except what was supposed to be inside. Oh well, it tasted nice.

I couldn't help, but feeling watched the whole time, but when I looked around I was the only one there. Man I was growing paranoid with everything going on.

Shrugging the feeling off, I left for the dorm, studying the rest of the day.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

School, why do you exist at all? That was the only thing going on in my mind. The answer was social linking. For some reason sempai invited me in student council. Well it was more like an order, since everything was already settled and I just needed to sign a piece of paper.

I met Hidetoshi-kun who was the emperor link. He was a little bossy and followed rules very strictly and expected others to do the same. He thought a lot of Mitsuru-sempai in a respectable way. I had the feeling I'd have to act a lot in order to progress his link.

The trains had a problem that day, meaning I needed to cross Moonlight Bridge. I wasn't really into crossing that bridge, because of what happened ten years ago. It might have been silly, but I decided to stay at the station until the trains would work again.

Funny thing I waited until it got pretty late. I'd had my cell phone shut, so I didn't have to explain anything, at least not yet. And hey, they could think I was in my room already. We sometimes missed the times Minato came back to the dorm.

I'd be so executed, because the dark hour started and still no train. Now on this time I really didn't want to cross the bridge, so I decided to walk on the tracks.

I was half the way done, when Pharos appeared in front of me. "Hello."

"Whoa! Don't scare me like that, man..."

He giggled and looked up to the moon. "In a week it'll be a full moon again. You will have to face one of them."

"One of them?" I echoed. He looked at me and nodded, giving me that creepy smile of his. I shivered. "Let's walk a bit, shall we?" he asked. I nodded. At least I had some company.

When we reached the nearest train station, the dark hour was half done. "So, uh...Pharos...what are you?" I asked.

Again that creepy smile of his. "You're my mother."

"WHAAAAAAAAT!?"

That kid must be joking. He got me good there with that statement. "Okay, seriously are you going to tell me now?" I asked, after he calmed down from his laughter. Instead of answering my question he wished me goodnight and disappeared.

"He was almost like Minato-kun, when he cracked a joke." I commented.

"He said 'one of them'." Nyx took over thoughtful. "Most likely we will have to fight a strong shadow. Come to think of it, the time the shadow with the many arms and swords appeared it was a full moon too."

"You're right." I nodded. "So we have to fight shadows every full moon?"

"It seems so. At least we now know when we have to prepare for a great battle. Let's go, before shadows starts approaching us."

The rest of the way was uneventful and I managed to sneak into my room, without being seen. Or so I thought. Someone knocked at my door. Opening it I found sempai standing in her night clothes in front of me.

"Where have you been Arisato?" I gulped. She went into my room and I closed my door. I had no choice but to come out with the truth.

"You know, the trains weren't driving today..."

She crossed her arms and glared at me. "You could have crossed the bridge." she pointed out. I looked down to the side.

"I don't want to go there..." I said.

"That's no excuse Arisato."

I cringed and dug my fingernails into my arm. "You know...my parents died there..."

Sempai gasped. Her face fell and guilt was written all over it. "I'm sorry. I...shouldn't have pressed on the matter." She stood up from her position. "Goodnight." She left me and I let out a deep sigh. I promised my parents to always smile, but with everything coming back, it was becoming harder and harder.

"Maybe I shouldn't have come back at all." I said falling onto my bed.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

"Always...smile...for...me..."

She stopped moving. The flames engulfed her and I was blown away by another explosion. It hurt but I felt nothing. It was a miracle I was alive.

Or was I dead? Was there even a difference now? No, I was alone, I always had been alone. I smelled the gasoline, the burning bodies, I feel the heat, my lungs burn from the smoke, yet at the same time all of this wasn't real. Because I was dead.

I was alone, empty, no one left. Everything was not real, the blood, the green light, the yellow moon, nothing was real because I was dead. I just needed to let go. I needed to give in. And so I did.

I closed my eyes, emptiness filling me. I was alone, alone with the darkness.

"You're not alone anymore."