"Shadow/Higher being speak"
Chapter 9
"…I still haven't remembered much. When I was a child, my parents died in an accident of some sort. From then on however, I experienced a strange phenomenon called the Dark Hour." Minato began.
"The Dark Hour?" Everybody asked.
"It's… a time period that takes place at midnight in Japan. During this time, the moon turns an eerie green color, ordinary people transform into coffins, electronics fail, and the Shadows come out." Minato continued.
"Wait, Shadows can enter this world too?" Yosuke said, voicing everybody's shock.
"It's true, during the Dark Hour; Shadows become active, attacking the humans who are not in a coffin."
"If this is true, how is it none of us remembers this?" Souji asked this time.
"Like I said, ordinary people turn into coffins during this time, having no recollection of the Dark Hour. Those that were active during the Dark Hour are either dead, in an asylum, or have moved on. Of course there were those who fought the Shadows. You guys aren't the only Persona users out there. I am a testament to that." Minato said, pulling out his Evoker and twirled it in his hands. Minato's eyes tracked Yukiko's fixated gaze upon his silver handgun.
"This is an Evoker. It is my means of summoning Persona whether it is in the other world… or this world." Everybody looked shocked again. "It's not a real gun, of course. I was part of a group that fought Shadows using these." As if to make his point, he pointed the gun to his head and pulled the trigger, summoning Orpheus. He then pulled out the red armband that Souji had seen the other day. Taking a good look at it, Souji saw that it also had the abbreviation SEES on it just like with his Evoker. "SEES, the Specialized Extracurricular Execution Squad, was that group. We were dedicated to fighting Shadows during the Dark Hour. The events that took place, I still cannot remember… There's a large gap between memories, I don't remember anyone or where I was when it happened."
Everyone pondered the information they had just learned trying to connect what they could. Yukiko and Chie had stopped eating their meals in order to listen to such a tale. Yosuke was deep in thought and Souji, he was silent.
"…One other thing… I don't believe I'm human… not anymore at least." Minato said, earning a gasp from the investigation team.
"Minato, are you sure you want to tell them this?" Souji asked, concerned. "This is really getting personal."
"Its fine, I don't have much to lose. If we're going to be a team, I'm going have to show a bit of my true self as well." Minato gave him a smile. "I was dead once, due to a sacrifice I made for humanity, but I was revived because of someone. My life force was used in the sacrifice, and when I was brought back most of my life force was retrieved, but due to my incomplete life force, I will not age…in fact this is how I looked back then when I still went to school."
"Souji-kun, you knew this?" Yukiko asked and Souji nodded. Yukiko turned back to Minato. "…You helped rescue me, Minato-kun. I don't think it matters whether you're fully human or not."
"She's right; I have to thank you too. You didn't even know her and yet you helped us rescue Yukiko, and I'm happy about that." Chie said, giving Minato a bright smile.
"I agree, Teddie isn't human either, you know? We promised him we would help; I think you can trust us to keep your secret and help you out too!" Yosuke said.
"You know where I stand. I knew about this before, and I haven't turned my back on you. You say you're not human, but if you keep that human heart and your friends close by, you'll always be human." Souji said.
"!" Something about what Souji said caused Minato to freeze.
"What… What did… you say…?" Minato asked, in shock.
"Minato-kun, are you alright…?" Chie asked worriedly.
"What did you say Souji…?" Minato asked again, more calmly.
"You know where I stand?"
"No, not that. After that."
"Uh… You say you're not human, but if you keep that human heart and your friends close by, you'll always be human?"
"As long as you keep your heart and the hearts of your friends close by you'll always be human to me."
Something clicked inside Minato's head, but he couldn't understand it. It felt familiar, like he had a sense of déjà vu.
"I think I'm going to head back home first…" Minato said blankly. "I'll see you guys around…"
As Minato walked back, he pondered a few things. Was it the right thing to tell the investigation team his secrets? They were understood and he was grateful, but there was something about what Souji said…
"Welcome…"
"Hm… good day." Minato greeted Igor.
"You seem to be troubled…" A feminine voice called out.
"Huh…? It's… I can't recall your name…" Minato said, staring at the new person sitting next to Margret, who held her hand.
"Elizabeth, remember yet?"
"Elizabeth… you're… the one who rescued me?"
"Indeed, she has been unconscious for some time now, however she suddenly woke up. Margret was the first to see her awaken having been by her side for some time now." Igor stated.
"I'm sure you have many questions, so do ask them." Elizabeth said.
"Um… how are you?"
"You are concerned about my welfare? You are an intriguing one…" She giggled slightly. "No worries. Whatever results as a consequence from my actions, I brought them upon myself. Please sit." Minato sat on a couch opposite of her with a small table in between them and Igor was at his own desk looking over the discussion.
"…Why? Why did you… save me?" Minato asked. "What was the reason for giving me a second chance at life? I followed my destiny to the end didn't I…? I made the choice to sacrifice myself. I took responsibility for my actions! So why…?" Minato finished raising his voice a little.
"I wanted to…"
"You… wanted to? I didn't ask for this! It's true I might have wanted a second chance, but to have it this way? I don't know anything or anyone, even you, my rescuer!" He had a hint of anger in his voice.
"I wanted to because you were important to me… and not only to me, your friends too! They found it hard to move on without you by their side and because of it, they had to face another ordeal just so they could understand what you did for them and all of humanity!"
Minato bit his lip and stayed silent. That Mitsuru person… was upset after hearing his name because she had finally been able to move on. To bring up such a memory after she had moved on, was painful.
"Even if you do not remember it, you spent much time with me when I asked. Taking the time to show me around different places and teaching me human customs. My fascination went from learning about the world, to learning more about you, and before I knew it… I had fallen in love with you. But there was one other who loved you more then I could. I had the pleasure of talking with her whenever she came here. I realized you made more of an impact on her life than mine and I decided that I wanted to rescue you for her sake as well."
"Did you… did you really feel that strongly?" Minato murmured, completely unable to say anything else.
"I did, and the only way to accomplish it was to give up a part of myself in order to maintain the seal. I gave up what power I had, meaning…"
"You're… human." Minato finished.
"More or less, but I'm fine with that. The only thing I regret is that I… can no longer assist you as I used to." Elizabeth placed a large book on the table in front of Minato. "This… is your Persona Compendium where all the Personas you have ever collected have been stored. I wish for you to hold on to this since only you and I are ever allowed to use it. With my current state, I can no longer use this, thus you are the sole owner of the Compendium."
"Is this true…?" Minato asked wide-eyed to Igor and Margret.
"It's true; the contents of my Compendium belong to me and Souji-san, however, unlike you he is only a guest of the Velvet Room, while you are both. He will only attain such a status should he complete his journey and come again to the Velvet Room. Only then will I decide if he is worthy of wielding his Persona Compendium." Margaret explained.
"You are indeed the most unique guest I have ever had!" Igor chuckled happily, though it sounded somewhat maniacal. "My services are always available to you should you ever need them. The Compendium may hold all your Personas, but you are only just beginning to understand your own nature. Once you have learned only then will you be able to fully use the Compendium in combat."
"So I still have to shoot myself?"
"Indeed."
"Damn… how am I supposed to carry this?"
"You hold it of course!" Elizabeth said amusingly.
"Everywhere I go? But that gets tiresome…" Minato complained a little, but he was in high spirits.
"Well you can't fully use it yet, so bring it with you only when you think you'll need it. The Compendium, unlike your Evoker, grants you tremendous power when summoning Personas. Their abilities will be much more potent. This however, will exhaust you if you use it strenuously."
"Thank you… Elizabeth. I only wish I could repay you, but I don't know what I can do…"
"You being here is enough, I'm just glad to have you back among the living."
"One other thing… who is this other person you were talking about?"
"You will meet again someday, I'm sure of it. Look forward to it. I'm sure she will do the same." Minato pondered it a bit before letting the matter go.
"How about we go out to eat sometime? I know a great place!" Minato said smiling. He had been smiling a lot lately compared to before.
A couple days later it was raining, but Minato left to go to Aiya's for lunch anyways. He was hungry like you wouldn't believe it. Besides it had been awhile.
"Tetsu-san, how are you?"
"Ah… Minato-kun, glad to see you're back. Don't you have school or something? Come to think of it, you came here last time when school is supposed to be in session."
"Haha… I don't go to school anymore." The chef gave him a skeptical look. "No, I didn't drop out or anything; I technically finished school awhile back."
"And yet you still wear a school uniform?"
"It's pretty comfortable." Minato replied.
"Well, you don't seem to be a bad kid so I believe you. So what will it be today?" Minato ate a few dishes chatting about various things with the owner while he ate. He didn't know how long he stayed, but Souji walked in and was surprised to find Minato sitting at one of the stools.
"Hey." Souji greeted. "You here for the Mega Beef Bowl challenge?"
"The what?" Minato was intrigued.
"Oh that's right! You see, if you can complete the challenge then the beef bowl is free." Tetsu said, holding a flyer up to Minato's face. "Wanna try?"
"I'll have a go at it!" Souji said, determined.
"I'll do it next time. I doubt I'll be able to finish it after eating several other dishes already. They were all delicious by the way, Tetsu-san."
Tetsu brought out a large bowl with huge amounts of meat in it. It was simply monstrous in quantity. Souji dug into it with vigor and ate and ate and ate… After about thirty minutes Souji was still eating, though he had slowed down tremendously. It seemed that he had barely scratched the surface. He could not see the rice at all! He had to dig it up! Sad to say, but he failed. Minato was laughing with Tetsu at Souji's attempt. Well, there was always next time. The wild cards parted ways from Aiya.
Back home the Dojima residence received a phone call. Nanako went to pick it up. It was Dojima. After talking with Nanako for a bit, she handed the phone to Souji. She looked really sad and ran out of the room.
"Sorry, I'm going to be late tonight. Make sure to lock up before you go to sleep. About that time off… one of the younger guys got sick, and well the case he was handling… seems like I'm the only one that can take over for him." Dojima sounded regretful.
"Poor Nanako-chan… She was looking forward to it too."
"…Sorry to spring this on you all of a sudden. How's… how's she holding up?"
"She was really sad, she was practically crying…"
"…Would you mind comforting her for me?"
"I was going to do it regardless. Don't worry I'll figure something out."
"…Thanks. Alright see you then." Dojima hung up.
Souji went to Nanako's room. "Hey Nanako-chan, are you alright?"
"…Fine." Souji heard her mumble from her room.
"Sorry, that your dad can't make the trip with us. I know you were looking forward to it, but understand that he does have work.
"…He always works." Nanako mumbled.
"At least he comes home as often as he can though. I can't say the same for my parents though. I probably see them once or twice a year; at least Uncle Dojima comes home every few nights. Well, don't worry; I have a plan for tomorrow." Mumbling that last part under his breath he walked away.
Souji left for his room, where he called Chie to make plans.
Betaed by RionAgrias!
