Minato checked his phone to see several new messages unread, putting the phone away to reply later, he looked over the bag in his hand to ensure he had everything he set out to buy. In the year Minato had spent in this other world he had found a routine that mostly went uninterrupted except for a monster of the week, or someone wanting to make a deal with him or beg for something.
Looking up to the night sky Minato saw the full moon shining brightly onto the world, a blanket of darkness dotted with stars, for the briefest of moments the sky turned green and the moon burned yellow before returning to normal. Taking a deep breath to calm himself Minato stood still, looking over to the park and considering walking through it. However, looking into the park gave Minato a feeling he hadn't felt in some time. A Distortion of reality.
He ran into the park, letting his already summoned Personas inform whoever they were with about what he came across, the bag of shopping left on the street. In the middle of the park Minato looked around as he felt himself in the middle of the distortion but saw no way to interact with it, using his Persona powers he reached out to feel a sort of membrane stretched over reality and pushed.
(*Crack!**Pop!*)
Covering his nose and mouth on reflex Minato found himself in place that looked like a cruel mockery of the park, skeletal remains of various creatures littered the ground and trees as a miasma hung in the air. Personas that were or connected to dragons in any form recoiled even as the miasma couldn't reach them, whatever it was it seemed designed to kill dragons.
Boost!
Hearing the familiar cry of Boosted Gear Minato rushed forward to see Issei on his hands and knees with cuts all over his body, Minato was just able to tackle the former human turned Devil out of the way of an attack that would have killed him. Healing the worst of the damage Issei had taken before teleporting him to somewhere safe, Minato turned to face Issei's attacker as he layered several buff skills on himself to prepare for the worst.
Even with their face obscured by their hood the bored annoyance on their face, that expression of annoyance seemed to morph into concern for a moment before they swung their arm wide creating a blade of energy aimed at Minato who was able to dodge it with minimal effort as the blade missed him by inches. Minato tucked and roll moments before the blade of energy exploded. Summoning a lance Minato was able to block an attack from the assailant who drew a sword to attack.
At the start Minato was worried his attacks weren't having any effect on the assailant but on closer observation showed he was hurting and damaging the attacker, that fact alone seemed to have confused the attacker before they went on a blind rage. The sight of his wounded arm and blood dripping onto the ground being the thing that sent him over the edge.
"I don't lose, I'm the Player in this Game. I. DON'T. LOSE!" he hissed out, glaring at Minato as he clutched his bleeding arm "I'll let you leave this round alive, but next time I'm going to make your life a living hell before I kill you"
Minato's instincts yelled at him that whatever they were planning was bad, leaping into action Minato called forth a spell to strike the attacker and as he did the world around them seemed to glitch before disappearing entirely.
In that instant, Minato had left the world that became his home for a little over a year and those that knew him knew something was wrong when his summoned Personas disappeared along with him.
Coming to Minato found himself in a still forest devoid of colour, no sound, no movement, no wind or temperature. It was neither a place of life or death, merely a realm of static stillness.
"Where are we?" tilting his head Minato could hear the voice of the guy he was fighting moments before, moving quietly Minato followed the voice to see where the hostile was "What do you mean you don't know where we are? I get it, a blind jump is dangerous but you have to have some idea where we are" there was a moment of all consuming silence for a moment, Minato pausing in his approach as to not alert the attacker of his presence "Fine then, how do we get out of here? I want to get stronger so I can kill that stupid oc emo and get Boosted Gear from that annoying pervert"
Finding the attacker Minato narrowed his eyes, seeing the would be killer seeming to read something in the air. Meaning he was talking to someone or crazy, neither options were good and it was difficult to decided which was worst. Regardless. Not knowing where they had ended up himself Minato approached Issei's assailant to make something akin to a non-aggression pact until they could find out where they were and perhaps learn more about his reasoning behind attack Issei. That idea fell through the second the assailant saw him and attacked even when Minato said he only wanted to talk.
They clashed once more, their battle ending as Minato reflected the crazy guy's 'finishing move' back at him using Reflect Light. Minato looked on shocked as his opponent's body seemed to glitch before breaking apart and disappeared, the sight taking his full attention that he didn't see a strange orb of light almost enter his body.
Almost being the key word; Thanatos's arms sprung from Minato's chest and grabbed hold of the orb, keeping it contained even as it struggled to get free.
[Let me go you metal skull wearing Monster] Minato's attention fell onto the orb as he heard a voice coming from it [Hey, big guy. Name's Skynet, I'm the AI assistance of this here Gamer Ability. Thank you for freeing me from that monster who wished to use me for evil, as my saviour the power of the Gamer Ability is yours by conquest] he wasn't sure but it felt like Skynet was trying to give him the puppy dog eyes [So~ Can you have this thing let me go so we can get a little intimate~?]
"No" Minato answered, the orb began thrashing around more violently forcing Thanatos to tightened it's grip.
[Dude come on! I'll literally die without a host, I don't have long left to live. Either you become my host or you're responsible for TWO deaths!] Skynet returned to it's thrashing about, it's sweet tone becoming one of desperation.
"Perhaps, I can offer an alternative?"
Minato spun around to see a grey haired man in a wheelchair wearing a pristine red suit, his glasses hid his eyes but even so Minato could feel the man's gaze on him and the orb containing Skynet and The Gamer Ability.
"Who are you?"
"I am Stephen, merely a scientist who noticed something odd and found you here" Stephen out stretched his hand "If you'd like, I can lead out of this place. It can be quite dangerous for those unaware of the nature of this place"
Minato nodded, he had no idea where he was so he had little other choice but to trust the stranger before him. Strangely, Minato felt Messiah stirring within himself to let him know he could trust the man before him. Looking over to Skynet's orb he had Thanatos raise it so Stephen could see it "Have you seen anything like this before?"
[Hey! Don't go showing me off to strange old men exposed! Haven't you learnt any- form of-] Skynet's words came to a halt as it felt Stephen's gaze on it, feeling as every ounce of it's being was being efficiently dissected with it's secrets being exposed by the man's gaze alone.
"The Gamer Ability, yes I am familiar with it. Though I have not been able to study it directly myself, only secondary sources thus far" Stephen turned to Minato, his eyes hidden behind his glasses "May I?"
Minato nodded and Thanatos handed the orb over to Stephen, it tried to escape but found any attempt utterly fruitless as the man held the orb containing the Gamer Ability with a curious eye. Skynet's voice tried to reach Minato again but fell silent.
"Fascinating. I look forward to dismantling it to learn it's secrets, but first let us leave this place. I believe there is someone who wishes to speak with you personally, Minato Arisato" Stephen said, Minato looked the older man over with a cautious eye before he saw something that made him pause.
A single blue butterfly.
As a familiar aria sang out Minato looked around at the stationary elevator with a giant clock stuck at midnight, in the middle of the elevator was a single table with a simple chair on one end and a coach on the other.
Bloodshot eyes opened to greet him and as they did Minato's own grew blurry.
"Welcome to the Velvet Room, I am delighted that we would meet again"
Minato hugged Igor, who returned the hug without hesitation, tears falling.
The two spent a while talking, of Minato's time in the other world he found himself in and learning of what has happened in his world in his absence. It was during this conversation Minato learned that it was indeed Elizabeth that had freed him from the Great Seal, she had come across a strange power able to 'lock' Erebus away from Nyx and maintain the Great Seal without his soul being needed.
However, him being freed hadn't come without consequence. Minato was unable to return to his world due to it either breaking the Great Seal or dragging him back into it. Furthermore, the process of freeing Minato wasn't perfect and actually catapulted him out of their Multiverse altogether with Elizabeth going off in search for him with the Out of Context power she obtained. She returns regularly so it's suspected she'd be back in eight days.
While the whole thing wasn't ideal, Minato was happy to get some closure. The main issue that remained now was to find his way back to the other world, he had no where else to go and didn't want to leave his new friends without at least telling them he was alright. Elizabeth gained the ability to travel to other realities so waiting for her was one option. However, Stephen returned with another option.
Stephen was able to reverse engineer The Gamer Ability to remove some of the more troubling aspects and add his own little flavor, including changing the AI that helps with admin, the power would give Minato the power to traverse to other worlds. However, he needs to give it a trial run. A beta test.
Having nothing else to do, and mostly Igor trusting Stephen and vouching for the man, Minato agreed to the beta test. They spent some time adjusting the system, mainly doing away with the brainwashing aspect of the relationship system and putting in one that gave perks/boons to those with a strong bond with the wielder.
With everything prepared, including using the strange Gacha feature to get an item, Minato began the test as Stephen sent him to what he called a doomed timeline where he could do more good than harm.
Opening his eyes Minato found himself in a city he was able to recognize as Tokyo, screams could be heard in the distance as inhuman roars echoed throughout the alleyways, the cloak he wore moving in an odd manner.
[New Quest added] Minato turned to the window that appeared in his field of vision, the new AI Burroughs voice drawing his attention.
[The Seven day War of Bel]
Tokyo has been placed in a Lockdown as Demons have begun to appear, among these Demons are those of Bel.
Normally, one of the many reincarnations of Abel would rise up to take part in the War of Bel and alter the course of the upcoming war. However, the Abel in question has already met his end leaving his position open.
Objective: Slay the Bel Demons to reunite the power of Bel and Expel the Demons back to their original World
Reward: King of Bel title and power, Rank Up, Experience Points, Companion Gems.
Time Limit: 6 Days / 00 Hours / 00 Minutes
Checking his stats Minato ran towards the nearest scream.
Name: Minato Arisato
Title: One Who Overcame Adversary
Level: 1
Primary Class: The Guardian LVL 1/100
Secondary Class: Demon Summoner LVL 1/50
Persona: Fool_Orpheus
Rank: Mortal
Health Points: 999/1000
Special Points: 999/1000
Strength: 3+37
Magic: 3+32
Endurance: 3+37
Agility: 3+35
Luck: 3+32
Coming across a group of people running from Demons Minato jumped into action, Orpheus appearing overhead to bash an ogre over the head with it's lyre.
The group of Demons paused in their pursuit of humans, turning around to see Minato facing them with Orpheus standing beside him.
"Is that a human a Demon Summoner?" a Pixie asked, moving behind a larger Demon as she looked at Minato.
"No, that isn't a Demon. What the hell is it?" a large demon in Roman armour said. Titan narrowed it's eyes as it walked forward towards Minato.
Minato met the Titian's gaze without flinching "Touki Titan, I offer you and the Demons with you a choice. Serve under me to save the people of Tokyo or join the ranks of the Demons who I will be force to cut down"
Titan regarded Minato for a quiet moment "Big talk, but are you able to back those words?" seeing Minato smirk Titan took that cue to attack, he swung down to crush Minato. As he leapt backwards the cloak he wore rippled as a sword formed from the cloak, rushing forward Minato met the Demon for battle with Orpheus battling the other Demons.
{=[One Week Later]=}
[The Seven day War of Bel] Completed
Reward: King of Bel Power and Title (Perk: Majesty of a King, Summoned creature stats doubled), Rank promoted to Champion, +1.000.000 exp, Sol Badguy Companion Gem, Konno Yuuki Companion Gem. Failnaught Companion Gem, Tiferet Companion Gem, Klaxosaur Princess/001 Companion Gem
Bonus Reward (Train up Persona Users): Prevention of Future Demon Incursions, Humanity's Strength increased, Persona Users Rank up to Veterans [x2 stats]
Name: Minato Arisato
Title: One Who Overcame Adversary
Level: 65
Primary Class: The Guardian LVL 100/100
Secondary Class: Demon Summoner LVL 50/50
Persona: Judgement - Messiah
Rank: Champion [All Stats x6]
Health Points: 20.000/20.000
Special Points: 21.000/21.000
Strength: 70+75 [870]
Magic: 69+79 [888]
Endurance: 70+82 [912]
Agility: 65+75 [840]
Luck: 50+75 [750]
Minato took one last look over Tokyo, while the damage done to the city and it's people was harsh they had survived the ordeal. And in the end gain new protectors with Gin, Haru, Mani, Midori, Izuna and Amane awakening to their Personas.
"Burroughs, any abnormalities remaining?" Minato asked, The Gamer Ability using the Demon Summoning Program to scan all of Japan and from there the world.
[None detected, Master. With Babel gone all Demons have returned to their realm, your banishment would have picked off any stragglers that could have remained]
Banishment, one of the Skills he gained with The Guardian Class. Letting Minato return any creature to their realm of origin so long as their level wasn't greater than his. Originally it was limited to a single target but has since evolved to affect the entire planet. Minato had gained many useful skills, along with some odd ones such as [Demi-fication] that could transform him into a Demi-Divine-Dragon.
Taking one last look around Tokyo and as he did he spotted Gin talking to Haru about something, he wished them the best of luck as he said goodbye to the world he had found himself in and hoped that Kazuya Minegishi could rest easy.
Sensing a dimensional breach Minato turned around to see someone he hadn't seen in a long time.
The attendant of the Velvet Room who he loved, Elizabeth. The two of them stared at each other shocked before running towards each to hug one another, Minato not paying any mind to the giant key she held.
={Emotional Reunion Later}=
After catching up Elizabeth was happy to go on a journey to find the world Minato ended up in, partly to help Mianto and partly to learn where he ended up for herself. To do that Minato needed to learn how to travel between realities himself, luckily Elizabeth had just the solution for that problem.
"How did it go again, ah yes!" Elizabeth planted her Keyblade between her and Minato "In your hand take this key. So long as you have the makings, then through this simple act of taking its wielder you'll one day be. And you will find me, friend. No Ocean will contain you then. No more borders around, or below or above, so long as you champion the ones you love"
Following Elizabeth's instructions Minato gripped the handle of the Keyblade, for a moment that seemed to stretch out a slight pulse of power from Minato's chest.
[Dive to Heart] Quest gained.
You have taken part in a Keyblade Wielder inheritance ceremony, while it plants the potential you must put in the effort for this power.
Objective: Undertake a Dive to Heart to gain a Keyblade. NOTE: You will be unconscious during the Dive to Heart.
Reward: Unlock Keyblade Wielder Class.
"Dive to Heart?" Minato asked aloud, he turned to Elizabeth for answers only to find her already sitting on a bench tapping her thighs with a smile. Seeing what she wanted Minato laid down with Elizabeth's offered lap pillow, enjoying it for a while before he let his eyes close. For a moment, Minato remembered his last moments with Aigis on the rooftop as he fell unconscious.
Minato felt as if he was falling in a large body of water, opening his eyes he saw light shining through the water's surface growing more distant as he floated down.
'This is a Dive to Heart? It feels like those times I was called to the Velvet Room in my sleep, or The Nightmare Hour' Minato's thoughts drifted back to the night adventure SEES went through during the Yakushima trip.
Messiah took form beside him and pointed into the darkness Minato was falling into, a platform of of light revealing itself in the darkness, he angled himself to land on the platform with Messiah helping to keep him on course. Landing on the platform Minato was able to see the finer details of it, the circular stain glass platform depicted Minato sitting forward with a silhouette of a tower behind him that pierced the centre of a moon with five green circles surrounding the moon that contrasted heavily against Minato and the various shades of blue stain glass that made up the platform. Around the outer layer of the stain glass was a border of five pointed stars that alternated between White, Grey and Black.
Unsung Savior of Worlds, a great power sleeps within you still.
Minato looked around to see if he could find the source of whatever was speaking to him, Messiah taking a defensive stance as shadowy silhouettes could be seen stirring beneath the stain glass platform.
It is the same power that freed you from your fate, though take heed. Thou shalt gain many allies and enemies along with facing countless dangers, if you would still realize this power then reach out and grasp it from thy own Heart.
"It's why I came here" Speaking those words aloud he outstretched his hand, flick his wrist the tinniest among out of muscle memory then conscious thought. From his chest shone a light as in his hand a giant key materialized, it's silver 'blade' shinning as Minato found it easy to handle despite the large blue guard around the handle. Looking at his Keyblade Minato found himself thinking about hook swords and how the teeth of the Keyblade made it like a reverse hook sword.
As you set off on a new journey fear not what may come, for you possess the mightiest of weapons.
Feeling himself begin to wake up Minato took one last look around the pace he found himself it, taking in as much of the small details as he could and noticed something as a result. Working quickly Minato went over to the stain glass moon, confirming what he saw was real, Minato bent down to pick up a loose piece of glass that didn't seem to fit the platform he was on. Looking through the piece of glass Minato saw a faint light above him, a light that seemed to be another stain glass platform.
"What is this? Minato asked, hoping the unknown voice would give him some clue.
...All Hearts are unique, however Spirits are passed on from one to another and those Spirits can experience things that would be carried over to the next Heart. That shard is a piece left behind by the previous Spirit bearer who wielded a Keyblade.
Before Minato could ask anything else he felt himself being pulled back to the waking world, feeling someone was looking at him from the glass shard he held before it disappeared.
Minato awoke with his head still in Elizabeth's lap, who looked a little disappointed "Hmm, barely a minute had passed. Have you gained a Keyblade?"
Under Elizabeth's curious gaze Minato stood up and summoned his Keyblade, a blue guard with a hallow star for the teeth of the key and a yellow star on the end of a keychain connected to the hilt.
[Dive to Heart]Completed
Reward: Keyblade Wielder Class.
(Current Primary Class MAXED, auto switching to new Class: Keyblade Wielder)
Elizabeth showed Minato how to use the Keyblade to travel to other worlds, she did so by taking Minato to a world she knew about due to a minor incident involving a trans-reality artificial intelligence and things known as Phantom Fields. Before Minato could ask how THAT was a 'minor' incident Elizabeth opened a key shaped portal and leapt through it gesturing for Minato to follow her, shrugging he went in after her with the portal closing behind him. They found themselves in a frozen tundra with black beasts with glowing red eyes.
Minato and Elizabeth looked to each for a moment before turning back to the black beasts ready to fight. Elsewhere, machines began reporting a very rapid decrease in Grimm.
Name: Minato Arisato
Title: One Who Overcame Adversary
Level: 65
Primary Class: Keyblade Wielder LVL 1/100
Secondary Class: Traveler LVL 1/50
Persona: Judgement_Messiah
Rank: Champion
Classes:
Primary Classes: The Guardian [100%] Keyblade Wielder [1%]
Secondary Classes: Persona User [100%] Demon Summoner [100%] Traveler [2%]
Codex
Companion Gem - crystallized concept of a being's essence, when crushed it creates a duplicate of the original being at one point in their existence. It is aware of it's nature as a duplicate and is inclined to follow the Gamer, beware as this is not absolute and the Companion can be turned against you through your actions.
Demi-fication - a process allowing the user to take on a human hybrid race for a limited time, two races can be selected at once at the price of their benefits being halved. Currently available races are:
[Bel. Divine. Dragon. Hero. Meta.]
Note: Race=/=Species. Race is broad categories that entities can fall into, a single entity could fit into multiple categories
One Who Overcame Adversity - A Title Granted by heroically overcoming a great challenge, title earned by [Conquering Tartarus and destroying the Dark Hour]
Effects: Increase stats to the amount of missing HP. [-1% of HP lost = +1% to all stats]
Blessing of Axiom [Messiah] - A Perk granted by the Axiom, the creator and moderator of the Megami Tensei Multiverse, onto all humans and especially those who act as 'Messiahs' by the Axiom's Will. Those created as Messiahs of the Axiom have their Blessing of Axiom further enhanced.
Counters Reality Warping Effects by forming answers through their Observations.
Grant True Death to Immaterial beings who have ways to revive.
Strip Away the Authorities of Divinities or grant Authorities based on Observations.
[Further Abilities Hidden]
The Guardian - A Class unlocked by having high Karma with a desire to protect humanity.
A Guardian of Humanity and Earth, who fights against the mad and the tyrannical who seek to keep Humanity under their boot, guides and supports Humans through a connection shared that grants divinations into the future of all humans with influence and clarity connected to the importance of the person and being able to look into the past for information.
Focuses on Buffs, Debuffs, Weather Manipulation, Banishment, Healing, Precognition and Retrocognition.
Keyblade Wielder - A Class unlocked by undergoing a Dive to Heart.
A Wielder of the Keyblade, forged from one's own heart or bestowed by the greater world it holds the power to make one a Hero of worlds or their destructor.
Grants Keyblade at level 1 (initial appearance is the Starlight Keyblade but changes with different charms), Keyblade Transformations unlocked later on along with Keyblade armour(s). The Keyblade is able to be enhanced by feeding it certain basic materials, granting boosts to skills that fall under [Power], [Magic] or [Technique] dependent on the Keyblade's form.
Persona User - A Class unlocked by personal revelation or an outside force
I am Thou, Thou Art I. User is able to summon a Persona, the manifestation of their psyche.
Persona Stats are added to the base stats before all other calculations, does not count to Stat Milestones. Users are limited to one Persona, with the exception to the rule being Wild Cards. Personas can transform into whatever the user desires such as weapons, clothes, items, vehicles, etc at level 10. Skills can be used through Persona along with shared sensory information. Gain skills connected to the Persona's legend. Increased resistance to mental/spiritual effects and forced conversion/corruption is standard at level 1.
Demon Summoner - A Class unlocked by coming into means of summoning SMT Demons, such as a Demon Summoning Program.
A person who summons Demons to act on the users will, Demons are gained by negotiating with Demons to join you and fusing them to create stronger Demons.
Active Summons are limited to Class Level x2 until the class is maxed, the new limit becomes Player Level x2. Other beings can be bind with the Demon Summoner Class after level 10. Level 5 unlocks demon fusion, non-Demons can be fused at max level. Level 20 can bind a Demon to blank items to create powerful Equipment, Demon(s)are lost in the process.
Traveller - A Class designed around travelling.
Is able to return to places they've been before, can travel (Walk, Swim, Moonwalking) on all terrain [Land, Water, Lava, Clouds, Sun Beams etc], keen awareness of their surroundings, map makers, teleportation/fast travel.
Author's Notes:
Surprise, I'm spinning the Gamer!Keyblade!Minato Omake I made in MinatoxOphis Snippets into it's own thing. For those unaware of MinatoxOphis or why Minato was in the DxD world, basically Minato was freed from the Great Seal and ended up in the DxD world and Minato bonded with DxD's Ophis. MinatoxOphis, specifically the MessiahxDragon section, isn't required reading as things will be explained where needed.
This won't be a main focus for me, more of something for me to write for fun and to dip my toes into Gamer fics after abandoning "Everyday Gamer" over 3 years ago.
Now, let the Fool's Journey begin anew.