Disclaimer: I do not own Persona or Atlus, and everything I wrote here just for the entertainer.

Author Note: Hi yah! I'm back for more! Let's continue the fight between our dear team against that damned wolves from Children of Ragnarok! Prepare yourself for some surprises! Read more to find out!

Chapter 10: Forgiveness

Everyone startled and paused from his or her fight as they saw the Persona was summoned and now floating above his master. Minato amused. The Persona was similar to Tenshi's Persona, except the eyes was bandaged, his hair was darker and longer than Balder, and his garb was more knightly and dark colored.

"…Hod—" Maou shot death glare toward Hati, which had wounded Tenshi, and continued with icy tone, "—Cruel Attack."

Hod charged toward the wolf and shot several arrows toward his opponent. Hati screeched in pain as the damage took effect. It was thrown aback; almost fell from the rooftops onto the hard ground outside the manor. The wolf became weak and thus Ryuto and Karen decided to unleash their strongest attack toward it.

"Heimdall—Sonic Punch...!"

"Tyr—Vile Assault...!"

Heimdall and Tyr emerged from their masters' body, launched their deadly attack toward Hati. The wolf soon disperse into black mist and gone in the dark sky of the night. Maou was amazed and relieved that the monster was gone, as did everyone else. However, they did not realize Skoll was still alive and charged toward Tenshi and Arisu, who was finished with the recovery treatment and a little relieved that one threat was gone. The older brunette, noticed that the wolf was trying to attack his younger brother, cried:

"...Tenshi!"

Tenshi turned his head to Skoll and gasped. He was trying to call Balder, but his Evoker was in Maou's hand. Arisu summoned Freyr and cast a strong Garula at the wolf, but it avoided the wind magic easily and it was able to reach the defenseless youths. Tenshi closed his eyes, frightened to experience the pain that he was about to feel.

Nothing happened to him.

He opened his almond eyes again and witnessed that Maou stood before him, protected Tenshi. Instead of biting the younger brunette, Skoll injured the newly awakened Persona-user. Bloods dripped out as the flesh separated. The victim screamed in pain and the wolf seemed enjoyed it that he tore the small body. Minato and Shou reacted quickly at this and called forth their respective Persona.

"...Valfreya—!"

"Persona Change: Odin—!"

"—EINHERJARS!"

Both Personas emerged at the same time. They raised their hands and an aurora performed on the sky above the manor. Soon, countless pale men descended from the light and struck Skoll with their swords, made it screeched in pain. Valfreya summoned her double swords and charged toward the wolf, called a holy light that froze it before returned at Odin's side. To finish the combo, Odin lifted his spear Gugnir and several thunders fell from the sky, and hit the injured Skoll. Once the chain of attacks finished, the Shadow dissipated and the Personas sunk into their masters' body once again.

"I guess that should do it," said Minato finally.

"Hmm…yes. Freya didn't sense any other Shadow nearby," added Shou.

"Maou-sama...!" Aigis exclaimed, ran toward the injured Maou.

Everyone soon realized that Maou still lying on the ground motionless. They surrounded him. Arisu and Karen summoned their Persona and cast chain of healing magic to the older brunette.

"Maou-sama…I'm sorry, I couldn't…" the blonde humanoid's expression subtle, yet so human.

Maou, smiled casually as the magic healed his injuries, said, "It is okay, Aigis. I should've realized it targeting me because I knocked its friend."

"Maou-sama…"

Maou winced; the agony still not vanished though Arisu had lost all her strength to use the healing magic. That left Karen healing him. But the redheaded was tired after fighting Hati, and her face seemed pale because she was using Tyr too much today. Taking a fast initiative, Aigis called Athena and used Diarahan, healed her older young master completely. Maou blinked and sat up.

"Whoa, I can move," he smirked to Aigis and said, "Thanks a lot, Aigis."

"You shouldn't get up immediately. It will take some more time until your body feel and recognize the effect before you can move," warned the navy haired leader.

Maou nodded obediently. His attention then reverted from those elders toward his younger twin, who was kneeled next to Ryuto and stared at him uneasily. Tenshi seemed as if he wanted to say something, so he let him stated his inquiry. Biting his lower lip to gather his courage, the vessel of Balder opened his mouth,

"...Why?" he asked quietly, but loud enough because everyone was silence. "Why did you protect me…?"

The older brunette chuckled. "Isn't that obvious? It is my atonement for you…and I want to protect you," he said softly. "And I don't want you to die. I didn't say my apology to you just yet."

"What?"

"I'm sorry," Maou placed his hands on Tenshi's shoulders. "I'm a mean big brother, aren't I? I used to act so superior to you. But I'm just jealous. You actually have big talent, Tenshi. If just you act faster, I'm sure I'm the one who will feel intimidated and have an inferior-complex toward you. But…you're too slow that you let me take everything out of you. So well…"

Tenshi demanded to lay a protest, but his brother didn't stop or allow him to say a single word. So he cancelled his intentions and listened more. "You know, when my eyes wounded by the bear…I think the God just want me to realize for my mistake. The God want me to realize that you are actually better than me, and knowing the fact that I envy your talents."

"Then why?" he grasp the chance to state his query. "Why did you return and talk so obnoxious like that? You even made Mother argue with Father…"

"Ah, we almost forgot," Shou clasped her hands, distracted the twins attention from their conversation. "We were told that Maou-kun and Akiko-sama only pretending to hate you. They were testing you all this year. They want to see you…can you get out of Maou-kun's intimidating shadow for the whole years when he was in England."

Tenshi's jaws opened. His eyes widened. He looked at everyone else. They nodded casually. He then shifted his gaze toward his older brother, who was scratching his un-itchy head uneasily. A mischievous yet nervous smirk ran on his thin lips. The younger brother could felt his color heightened.

"Why didn't you say so earlier?" he yelled angrily, embarrassed as he recalled that he used to act so childish and immature, despite his grown-up age.

"Like what Shou-san told you, I and Mother were testing you," Maou replied innocently. "It'll be no fun if Father or Aigis know about it. They're so easy to read, so maybe you will notice what happen actually. Oh by the way, you didn't surprise to see my normal eyes?"

"I know Mother sent some money to you several years ago, so I'm guessing that you had done your surgery," Tenshi folded his arms, pouting, "That is why I hate it when I see you came out and pretending that you can't see. You cheap..."

The older twin laughed. "Well, let's save our fight for later. Let's return to the lounge. I'm sure Mother wants to say his sorry to you too." He rose to his feet, only to fell forward with his younger brother's arm caught him in reflex. "Oops, sorry, I'm tripped."

"You're not tripped. You're tired," corrected Arisu. "You lose some bloods and then you were healed completely all of sudden. Your body maybe shocked with the sudden transfuse of energy. You can't walk until tomorrow."

"What? Do you mean I need to use wheel chair again? Ugh, I hate to sit down all day on it!" Maou grumbled like a brat.

Tenshi smiled eerily. "Then I'll carry you."

"What the—whoa...!"

Tenshi rose to his feet as well and forcefully carried the weary Maou on his back. The older brunette could not help the flood of color that stained his cheeks. He tried to resist, but his younger twin was healthier and stronger than he was, so he refrained from struggling and rested on his back.

"Are you sure you will be okay, Tenshi-san? Ryuto-san can do it if you want…," offered Aigis, concerned.

"I'm okay. He has fulfilled his atonement, and now it is my turn," replied Tenshi as he walked toward the door that led into the manor. He looked back over his shoulder at his tired older twin. "I need to apologize to him too."

At that, the blonde gynoid said nothing. She let his young master go, followed by the young doctor-to-be girl, the redheaded executive, and the brutal couple. Minato stayed next to her, gave an unfixed stare to the youths back. However, it appeared his gaze was directed toward a pale image formed above the youngest member of his group.

"Did you see it, Minato-sama?" inquired Aigis, straight to the point.

The young man nodded. "His Persona changed. From Balder, God of Peace, into Ve, the Third God of Universe," he stated as his lips curved into one serene smile. "He had resolved himself to accept his brother as an equal now. There is no even a single hatred lying inside his mind for Maou. He will only oppose those who hate him, and he hates them in return. He had changed…for the better."

"That is good, isn't?"

Minato looked at the blond. "You seem troubled."

"Well, to be frank, I do have several questions…" she looked down before looked at those dark eyes again, "I know Shadows could lurk out of their nests, but those Children of Ragnarok…how did they can be accurately finding us? More than that, they always come when we didn't make any preparations. It seems like…they have someone controlling them…"

"Of course they have," the man said, walked slowly toward the doorway. "Loki the Trickster, Chief of the Fire Giant Surt…I'm afraid, when they merged in my soul, I've shared a part of my wisdom with them. They had escaped my 'sea', and now they gained their own conscience, tried to reign to world, as they did long, long ago."

"You mean…your Personas had become Shadows now? But how that possible...?"

"That is beyond my knowledge, Aigis. As I said, they obtained my wisdom and grown independent, broke my chain and attempted to rule over this world. To my guess, the reason behind why they quickly located us and ready to ambush us is because they sensed me, their previous master, weapon less, easy to kill."

Aigis was silent. "That mean we need to strengthen our bond and stay alert anytime, anywhere."

"Indeed. Now, there is no place safe wherever we go," Minato paused in the middle of the stair. He looked back over his shoulder at his loyal fighting companion, smiled at her soothingly, and said, "I am such a bother, aren't I?"

The humanoid shook her head frantically, signaling her disagreement. However, as he stared at her with that stunning gaze, she quickly turned away. "Well…to be truthful…yes." If she was a complete human, she was sure that her cheeks flushed right now, and she was grateful that she is not. "But…that's what I like…one thing that reminds me of you whenever I look at Tenshi-sama…"

"Oh, I see," the young instructor chuckled and continued walking downstairs.

The two strode on the long corridor together. They lost track of the teens. However, soon enough they found Arisu and Shou. Apparently, the sisterly girls were searching for the pair too, because Ken worried about them. The girls led the way to Maou's chamber, where everyone gathered inside.

"Ah, Aigis, Minato," Ken welcomed the pair.

"How is Maou-sama?" asked Aigis, concerned.

"He's alright. Here, take a look," Tenshi stepped aside, allowed the blond to have closer look at his older brother.

Maou slept on his bed. There were few scratches here and there, but he seemed didn't bother with it all. His sleeping face was peaceful, as if he had nothing to worry. Aigis smiled in relief, knowing both her masters were fine, despite the fact that she couldn't protect them as much. Minato was glad her mood lifted a bit. He gave the youths a brief glance, and they nodded, comprehended his cue. They bid themselves from the chamber and decided to wait outside, gave the simple family some time to talk.

"Aigis-san, I need to say my greatest gratitude for taking care of the boys," said Akiko suddenly.

The gynoid smiled and shook her head slightly. "It was nothing. It is my duty to protect Tenshi-sama and Maou-sama, as they are part of the family that I serve."

"And about that, Aigis…we've talk about it," Ken traded glance with his wife and nodded firmly. "I officially hereby you as Amada Tenshi's personal bodyguard. You don't need to serve either him or this family any longer."

Tenshi gasped and looked at his father. His face was grim and his almond eyes widened in horror. "But Father, why? Aigis done satisfying job for watching over me the whole months! And if it about failing to protect us tonight, it is my own fault! You don't need to fire her," he took Aigis' hand and held it tight, "I want to stay with her longer. She's like a big sister to me now—a precious family of mine!"

The humanoid was touched as the youngest master she served covered for her. She held his hand and smiled warmly at him. "It is alright. I serve such punishment and banishment. I have failed, I admit that."

"No, no, Aigis-san, Tenshi, you misunderstood!" Akiko giggled graciously. "What he meant is that Aigis-san freed from her task as a 'babysitter'. Now we took her as our family too!"

Both Tenshi and Aigis widened their eyes in surprise. Once he could compose himself, he smiled widely. "Really...? Great!" he spun and shot his best smile toward the soon to be sister of his, said, "Now you don't need to worry about separated from us, Aigis. I'm sure Maou will be glad too."

"Oh, b-but I can't possibly accept that…" the android looked down, "…even as a bodyguard, I end up letting my master to protect me…it'll be worse if I become your sister…"

"I'm sure it won't."

Everyone looked up and noticed that Maou had wake up. He grinned toward Aigis and reached out for her hand. "You maybe not the best bodyguard, but you're the best sister me and Tenshi will ever have. You're so…motherly, and always there when we need you. And don't you remember? You were the one who saved us when a bear attacked us!" he commented.

"Please, Aigis," Tenshi gripped the blonde's hand tighter. Using his ultimate puppy eyes technique, he continued, "Or, you actually don't like us?"

"No, of course not...!" Aigis complied. Let out a deep sigh, she smiled as usual. "Well, I guess…I'll accept the offer, Ken-sama."

Ken nodded as an approval. Tenshi hugged Aigis tightly, as did Maou who forced himself to sit up. The rest of the group, who were watching the touching scene through the window of the door, felt a little relieved that the family finally came together again. They looked very happy, as if nothing could broke the family bond ever.

"Thanks God, Tenshi-kun got his complete family again," commented Shou.

"Hmm…so, Aigis will be an older sister, eh? Come to think of it, she did looks like an older sister to us," added Ryuto.

"Haiz…I wish I have a sister too," muttered Arisu faintly. "But then again, Shou-chan is kinda like my younger sister now."

The turquoise haired girl chuckled. "Yes. Added with the fact that Freyr is Freya's older brother, and that you are partially older from me..."

"Happy family, huh?" a serene smile stole on Minato's thin lips.

"Ah, I know, I know! Let's pretend to be a family! Because Karen is the eldest here, so you'll be an older sister!" the doctor wanna-be chimed.

Karen giggled. "So, the next sibling is Ryuto-kun, Arisu-chan, Shou-san, and lastly Tenshi-kun? …We will be odd siblings in an odd family."

"And let's made Minato-kun and Aigis as the parents!" came a suggestion from the battle-maiden.

At that, the navy haired leader looked up. He gave the youths a strange look and asked, "Why I'm the father one?"

"Obviously, duh...! You're actually forty or so, while Aigis is in her mid-thirty, so you are our parents. You two will make a cute pair, I think," replied the young boxer. There was a little hint of sarcasm in his voice.

"Why yes, you will be."

Everyone turned around and found the Amada couple stood in the doorway. Ken had this amused smirk on his face while Akiko hid her ominous laughter graciously with the back of her hand. It seemed those elders were overhearing their silly conversation just now.

"You don't fit the image of a good father, Minato…I just can't imagine how hilarious it'll be: you marry Aigis, and born these children…your family will screw up," the brown haired executive shook his head slightly and sighed before continuing, "Hhh…I don't have the right to say those words, huh?"

"To be blunt, yes," agreed the expressionless guy, attracted more merry laughter from the Lady of the House.

"Ahaha...! Honesty can hurt too, sometimes, eh?" she said between the laughter. As she finally stopped, she smiled to everyone, prettier than the group had seen before. "Maou had waked up. We're going to tell the chef to cook for extra ransom and arrange some rooms for you kids. You may enter and talk with them now."

"Thank you."

The husband wife left them. Once they were out of sight, the youths entered the chamber and found the twin accompanied by the blonde humanoid. Aigis rose to her feet and pulled some chairs to let everyone sat down.

"Sorry, I suddenly blacked out like that," started Maou apologetically.

"It's okay. Do you feel better?" Arisu inquired.

The older brunette nodded. "So…it seem I have the same power as you guys," he pointed out, "Do I have to live in the same place, with everyone here?"

"It's up to you. We won't push you to join our team," replied Minato. "Though, I'm sure Aigis and Tenshi-kun will be happy to have you in our group."

"Well then, I choose not to join. I mean, I'm the heir of the family's fortune. I need to study more, so I can succeed the company," Maou turned his head to see his younger brother. "I wish I can accompany you, but…"

"I know," Tenshi nodded. "It's your life, do whatever you want. I'll be okay without you. Aigis and everyone are here with me, fight with me, and protect this world with our own way. You have your own way to protect the world and you have your own duty, Brother."

Silent. There was no respond from Maou. After some minutes without anyone tried to break the silence, the younger of the twin lifted his eyebrow and said, "What? Why did you look at me like that?"

"What did you say just now, Tenshi?"

"Why did you look at me--?"

"No, the previous one..."

"What?"

"No, the previous..."

"You have your own way to protect the world and you have your own duty, Brother."

The older brunette gasped and hung on Aigis' life, sought shelter. "...Something wrong with him! There's no way he will call me 'Brother'! You must be a fake Tenshi!"

"Is it something strange for me to call you Brother?" Tenshi's face reddened, "You're my older twin brother. It is normal for me to address you in such way. And from now on, I need to call Aigis as Sister too."

"Ah, about that…I'm fine with 'Aigis' only," the blond android said.

"No, no! How about 'Mother'?" the black haired girl suggested.

"...Mother?"

The navy haired guy sighed before explained, "These kids tried pretending to be our children, while I become the father and you become the mother."

The twin laughed. "Yes, I think we can use that…'Father' and 'Mother'," agreed the younger one, made everyone else laughed together with them.

"Uh…back to the topic," Maou got everyone's attention once more. "About this power we wield…does this 'Shadow' you speak about roaming can roam everywhere and every time they want? Explain to me."

"I will be lie if they only stay in a place," Minato started, "They can be anywhere as long as the humans can't throw away their negative feelings."

The youths lifted an eyebrow. "What do you mean?" the turquoise haired girl asked quite clearly. The junior took a deep breath before explaining.

"The Shadows can be everywhere, as long as there are people who have darkness in their heart. Basically, every being in this world have Shadows dwelling in their body, as the result of all despairs, hatred, fears, and every negative emotions they feel. The strong feelings create the physical form of it. Then, we can qualify the form into two types.

"One, the Shadows. The darkness of human's heart created them. People who cannot control their own darkness eventually will consumed by the darkness itself. The results are different in each case. People may lose their sanity and become almost like a brainless zombie, but retain their human body. The worst case is, once the darkness consumed yourself, you will become a Shadow itself.

"The other type is Personas. There are several people that can overcome their own Shadows, tamed them. Also, these people achieve a reason to awaken their power. It will be either the power to fight, or the power to protect. In the end, this will create a Persona, your second-self, the mask, or appearance that we project to the world, a self-construed concept of the Self and at times, the self that we wish most strongly to be."

Everyone was silent as Minato ended his explanation. None reacted. They seemed to be deep in their thought.

"So," the redheaded executive finally spoke, "You said that technically, the humanity we tried to protect is our opponents itself?"

"You may say so," the man replied. "However, these Children of Ragnarok we face…our main target, is not created by the feelings. They are created from revenge will of the deaths. It's unbelievable, but I did some research about it and the result make that speculation."

"Whoa, whoa…first thing first, why the heck the deaths who wish for revenge come to us...? Did they think that we are great threat to them that they decided to finish us off first?" inquired Ryuto.

"Yes. It seems like they knew that we are people who have chance to defeat them. And about how they can specifically find us wherever we are…" Minato let out a heavy sigh. "It is because my existence. Some of them are my split personalities that break free from my 'sea'. They detect me, their previous master, and attack us. And I hate to admit that I probably have share part of my wisdom, that's why they able to think themselves and plan their moves."

"So it's almost like Freya leaves my body, and take my knowledge then planned to attack me," Shou murmured. She crept out and said, "Wow...that will be a total massacre."

"You guys really are great. Fighting these Shadows without anyone knew…" Maou smiled.

"If people knew about Shadows, they will live in fear of their own emotions. The condition will become worse than right now and that mean more Shadows to kill," answered Aigis.

"Well then…it'll be our secret, huh?"

"Out of topic, why did you choose gray eyes, Maou-kun? There is no donor with the same color as your original eyes?" asked Arisu, curious.

"Now you mention it, the color is different with Tenshi's eyes," added Shou, leaned toward the older of the twin.

A mischief smirk stole on Maou's lips as he leaned toward Shou too. "I did it so Father and Mother can differentiate us. Beside, this pair of gray eyes of a dead nobleman is very enchanting that you can't stop staring at it, right Shou-san?"

At that, Ryuto grabbed his best friend's shoulders and pulled her backwards, returned to her previous position. "You brat…how dares you flirt the elder…" he grumbled.

"You can't avoid the fact that I'm quite charming. I will gladly date Arisu-san and Shou-san anytime," he teased, before two pinches stung both his arms and made him screeched in pain. The culprits, who were also known as the gynoid sister and the angelic little brother, traded smiles and joined the laugh with the rest of the group.

"Why don't you flirt on Karen-san? I'm sure she'll take your flatter positively," suggested the black haired girl.

Maou looked up toward Karen, before chuckled. "Are you kidding me, Arisu-san? There is no way I will try to flirt or tease Karen-san, because he—"

"—he will be mad," the redheaded woman cut the explanation almost immediately, made everyone looked at her, curious. "I mean…my fiancé."

"God! You already have a fiancé?" Arisu covered her opened mouth, "I mean, well, it's not that surprising because you're a Kirijo, but…why you didn't tell us? Oh, my heart is broken! She didn't tell me that important thing!"

"Arisu-chan…stop being such a drama queen, please" chided Shou sternly.

"Oh man…why all beautiful girls always already have boyfriend or fiancé? Not fair…" Ryuto sighed.

Karen shrugged as the three made such a jesting act. However, Minato could notice the cold stare she sent, right toward Maou's eyes. The killing stare. The receiver himself shrugged and avoided further eye contact. With quick observation, the thoughtful man could understand what the situation tells.

"Oh, what a merry air...!"

Everyone turned his or her head toward the doorway. Ken opened the door and smiled to the group. "The dinner's ready. I'm sure everyone is hungry after the fight," he explained.

"Amada-san, you're most kind, indeed!" exclaimed the doctorate student as she rose to her feet, dragged along her roommates with her so they could have some girl's talks during the walk to the dining room.

Minato then stood on his feet too. Aigis and Tenshi helped Maou got up from his bed then they walked out of the room, following the girls. However, as the four gathered with Shou and the other girls, the leader noticed someone was missing.

"Where is Ryuto-kun?"

The black haired boxer was stood still in Maou's chamber. His stare was blank as he looked up into the empty ceiling of the room. Nothing extraordinary happened in the room since the group left it. However, in his view, something was there; spoke to him with its unheard voice. The voice that enchanted him—halted him from following his friends to leave the place.

"Ryuto…the vessel of Heimdall…hear my voice…"

"Who are you?" he complied, not sure if he actually did hearing the voice.

"My name is not important right now…do you seek for power, my child?"

"I…well; I guess I want it…"

"Then…I shall gift a part of my power to you…"

"Really? Wow, I don't know who you are, but you sound nice…"

"However, there is always consequence that you must accept in order to retrieve this prowess…"

"What is that?"

"You must--"

"Ryuto-kun...?"

Ryuto gasped. He spun and found Shou stood in the doorway, stared at him strangely. "What are you doing over there? Zoned out?" she asked funnily.

"Ah yes, I guess I'm daydreaming…" replied the Literature student as he scratched his head.

The turquoise haired girl laughed slightly. "Well, let's go. The dinner is ready and everyone waiting for you."

"Uhm…right…"

He approached his best friend and walked with her to the dinning room. However, his mind still couldn't let go of that voice. The voice that enchanted him—aroused him with the passion and lust for power...

Author Note: Haiz…that's done well. Tenshi and Maou come into good terms and Aigis is their foster sister now! Yippee! The joke about Minato and Aigis became the parents came from Silvermoon Arisato, who love the pair very much. This chapter took many explanations that I found myself confused with the dialogues…but in the end, it's good (I think). There is some plot-twist here and there…hints for future chapters and etcetera…but matter not. There will be Mitsuru in the next chapter and a star guest too (perhaps). So, don't miss it. See you in the next chappie, bye bye!