A.N. (3/5/21) - I should be sleeping, but my mind is telling me to write!

Mindscape (47) - ? ? ?

Nagi dreamed.

Opening his eyes, he found himself in a familiar black space. Even though he could tell that he was dreaming, he knew that the events that were happening to him currently weren't his imagination.

"Wait a minute…" Memories of the last time he came back here came to him. "This place, I know this place."

"Ah, you're back."

Nagi whirled around and found himself facing off against the person from last time. Again, the other person's figure was obscured and blurry. The figure was currently waving at Nagi.

Nagi gave him a suspicious look. "What did you do to my memories?"

Because until he found himself in this dreamscape again, he had completely forgotten his first encounter with the person across from him. The memories only came back to him once he realized where he was.

"Nothing," the person claimed. "This world is your unconscious mind made manifest. I doubt you'll find it easy to keep your memories of what happens in here."

Nagi was still suspicious at that. "Then why am I here in the first place?"

The being laughed. "Oh, it's because of this unique situation you've found us in. Not only have you met a future version of yourself, but two of them at that. The resonance between your souls has caused you to become even more spiritually aware than before."

Nagi gave him a confused look.

The being sighed. "Never mind that, let's talk about other matters."

"Like what?" Nagi asked. "I still have no idea who or what you are. All I know is that you're connected to me for some reason."

"Yeah, and I'm not so keen on that arrangement either." The figure began to grumble. "But either way, we're stuck together until you get your own Persona. Then I'll be off and on my own."

"Really?" Nagi perked up at that.

"No doubt about it," the figure confirmed. "But unless we get ourselves out of this place, I doubt that's ever going to happen."

"What?"

The outline of the other person changed so that he was sitting down. "Right now, we're stuck in a realm of distorted time. The events that happen in this world will have no consequences on the outside world, but that's only because we're separated from the outer world."

"Can you say that again in simpler terms?"

The being sighed. "It means that you won't get a Persona while you're stuck in here."

"Oh," Nagi let out. "Well, I kinda figured. Negi mentioned that I was gonna get my Persona sometime later this year. I doubt he meant while I was inside this place."

"Yeah, but that poses a problem for us." The being crossed their arms. "Because if we don't get out of here soon, you'll most likely be killed."

Nagi froze at those words.

"...what?"

The figure nodded. "This world isn't just a realm of distorted time, but also a realm of departed death. The ruler of this world is one who believes in its duty to return all deceased souls to the sea of souls."

"But what does that have to do with me being—" Nagi's words died in his throat as he finally realized what the figure meant. "Wait, are you saying…"

"Yes," the other person nodded. "It's because you're a reincarnated soul. Specifically, you're a deceased soul who's never passed on to the sea of souls. So once he finds out who you are, there's no doubt that he'll try and forcefully take you back to the place where all life returns."

Nagi couldn't speak.

The being sighed. "Nobody can come back from the dead… except for you. You're the impossible child, born in another universe with your identity still intact. All life eventually returns to the sea of souls, but you never did. And that makes you a target, for he - the harbinger of one's end of time, the being known as Death - will despise your very existence."

"W-Wait a minute," Nagi suddenly interrupted him. "Are you saying that the ruler of this world is Death? I thought Death was split into multiple Full Moon Shadows."

"Ehh~," the other person wiggled his hand. "Not really, he's just another aspect of death that's born from man's collective unconscious. Specifically, he's the version of Death that guides one departed soul to the afterlife. He takes his duty pretty seriously, so you'll definitely be in trouble if he learns what you are."

"So basically, what you're saying is that my life's in danger."

"Yup," the figure agreed happily. "So all you need to do is watch out and make sure you never meet him face-to-face. As long as he doesn't see you, you'll be fine."

Nagi frowned. "There's one problem with your idea."

"Oh, how so?"

"I'm pretty sure you implied that I won't be able to remember this conversion once I wake up," Nagi said. "So how will I know that I shouldn't be seen?"

"...aw, shit. You're right."

"I mean," Nagi started. "I doubt I'll be entering the Labyrinths anyway, so it's not like there's a high chance I'll be in danger."

"No, no, no." The figure stood up in a panic. "He's the ruler of this world, he can just control the Shadows to grab you if he learns what you are. This is bad, how come I didn't think you wouldn't remember this earlier?!"

"Isn't there a way that you can make me not forget this conversation?"

The figure paused.

"...actually, there is one idea that might work." The figure suddenly turned towards Nagi's direction. "But I might need your help."

Nagi suddenly felt like he was about to agree to something he didn't like. "What?"

"I need you to call forth all your Sub-Personas."

Nagi was confused by that request. "What? Can I even do that in here?"

"Of course," the being quickly answered. "It's your subconsciousness. Obviously, your Personas are going to be able to enter here."

Nagi quirked his eyebrow but complied with his request. Closing his eyes in concentration, he called out towards the Personas he's accumulated over these past few months. A few seconds later, he opened his eyes as four presences suddenly appeared as vague shadowy outlines around him.

"Great," the figure exclaimed. "Now, I just need you to give me permission to fuse them together."

That caused Nagi to look up suddenly. "Wait, you want to what?!"

"Fuse them," the figure repeated. "I'll fuse the four of them together and temporarily give you access to something that'll let you keep your memories. Mind you, it's only a borrowed power, so I'm not sure how well it's gonna work. But it's the best plan I can think of at the moment."

"I'm sorry," Nagi said. "But exactly what are you planning?"

The figure sighed. "Basically, I'm going to make you awaken to a Persona."

"I thought you said I couldn't get a Persona yet?"

"Argh," the figure grabbed his head. "I'm breaking the rules just this once, just accept that you're going to temporarily get a Persona. Mind you, it's not like you're awakening to your own Persona. Think of it like you're summoning a Persona to use, like those Wild Cards you're hanging around."

Nagi was skeptical at his claims. "You're telling me that you're capable of that? I'm pretty sure even the Velvet Attendants can't turn Sub-Personas into full Personas."

"Not really." The figure shrugged his shoulders. "But these are very extenuating circumstances. It's lucky that your future self is here since his presence is going to make this process so much easier."

"Wait, who are you talking about?"

He was either referring to Nagisa or Negi. But what did they have to do with this?

"Never mind that, FUSION!"

The figure waved his arms in the air, as the shadowy blobs suddenly merged together in front of him. Nagi felt something inside himself radically shift, and a warm sensation began to spread from his chest.

A blue tarot card slowly descended down onto the open palm of the figure's hand.

"There," he passed the card over to Nagi, who took it and glanced down at the card. The image was obscured by some kind of blurred lenses. "If this managed to work, then you'll be able to temporarily remember this conversation once you wake up."

Nagi felt his chest continue to warm up, and he finally looked down and yelped. "What the heck?! Why is my body breaking apart!?"

The last time he was here, Nagi's body was liked a cracked porcelain doll with several patches of himself completely missing. Now, it was as if his body was slowly disintegrating as parts of his body began to dissipate into the air.

The figure winced. "Erm, that might be a problem."

"What's going on!"

The other person fidgeted where he stood. "Well, you're not dying. But it looks like your soul is getting damaged by this process. Guess having a Persona before you're ready isn't quite so healthy on the soul."

Nagi's eye began madly twitching. "This isn't going to permanently harm me, is it?"

"I don't think so," the other person answered. "Just make sure to use some Snuff Souls and other SP recovery items. That should limit the worst of it."

The sound of something ringing rang through the air, and Nagi could feel his surroundings fading.

"Well, looks like time's up."

"Hold on a moment," Nagi cried out. "You still haven't told me who you are."

"Me?" And the figure looked directly at Nagi as he spoke. "Well, I don't exactly have a good answer to that. But if you want to call me by something, I guess Bel works."

And Bel suddenly gave a sinister smile. "After all, if the ruler of this world is a clock tower, then I am the bell that tolls at the final hour."

Those were the last words Nagi heard before everything faded away.

So… Nagi's going to get a Persona, but not really.

I think some of you can figure out who Nagi's getting, since I'm not exactly trying to keep it a secret. But I'll still wait for the next few chapters to officially reveal it.

Note that this is only a temporary situation. Nagi hasn't officially gained a Persona yet. Think of it as a limited-time event thing and nothing more.