"Both the Persona/SMT Series and Arknights belong to Atlus and Yostar/Hypergryph respectively. If I did lay any sort of claim, then kindly sue me for my crimes."

Whether you know it or not, whether you like it or not, every action has a consequence, as is decreed by the Axiom. And perhaps, someone may take notice of your deeds, and will react properly as said consequence. There are no accidents. All things happen for a reason, outlandish as it may seem.

- The Author

This story is a work of fiction.

Similarities between characters or events to persons living or dead in your world are purely coincidental.

Furthermore, you may bear witness to events that have transpired in the past, ones that are memorable to those who have experienced it, yet dangerously eye-opening to those who haven't. Keep these words in mind.

Only those who have agreed to the above have the privilege of partaking in this new game.

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…If you have agreed, then the contract has been sealed.

This world is not as it should be. Unlike your world that has avoided ruination, chaos has already descended upon this world, one that can be likened to the wrath of nature.

Those who oppose fate, and desire change… From time to time, they were referred to as Tricksters.

You, the Trickster of your world, one who has stood, rebelled, and overcome the coming ruin twice over, know this…

Your valorous efforts have not gone unnoticed. And soon your powers are to be called upon once more. Now, you must rise to face the chaos of a ruined world, and shape its fate with your own two hands.

PROLOGUE

THE TRICKSTER'S ENCORE

Japan, the land of the rising sun. Known to many humans as a hub of delicacies of various tastes, the centerpiece of soon-to-be cutting edge technology, and a source of plethora of entertainment of all forms from games to screen media. Many come from near and far to experience such wonders of the land composed of 7 islands created by the gods Izanagi-no-Okami and Izanami-no-Okami. With the capital of Tokyo as the center of government, Japan can be said as a thriving nation in the eyes of many.

Yet for a certain group of teenagers. The nation they are born on holds an extra special meaning to them, for in the capital of Tokyo, through an otherworldly twist of fate, they rose up to become one of Japan's most famous vigilante groups to ever grace the land of the rising sun. Hidden from the public's common eye like shadow, yet constantly making headlines due to their grandiose and unorthodox heists, for their targets are the hearts of the corrupt. Their bonds can be likened to that of a spider's web, stronger than steel. This organization has long since been gone as part of modern history. But at that time, they were known by this one fitting moniker.

The Phantom Theives of Hearts.

-Take Your Time-

For the leader of the Phantom Theives, Ren Amamiya, those days as he swooped in and out stylishly as he committed those thefts are as vibrant as his other memories of youth in Tokyo. The very first day of his stay in the capital as part of his unjust probation can only described as quite a shocking memory. As he stepped out of Shibuya Station on his trip to Sojiro Sakura's home in Yongen-Jaya, he remembered when he found the Metaverse Navigator suddenly appearing on his smartphone. he remembered when time around him seemingly slowed into a halt. And the memory of him standing across, gazing upon a blue flaming visage with the face of a demon looked upon him was certainly not lost on him.

The following days, the very same navigation app would send him and his newfound friend, the spiky yellow haired runner, Ryuji Sakamoto, into his first experience into the realm of one's distorted heart, known as Palaces. He would then be imprisoned by the Shadow of his despicable sports teacher, the former Olympic star, Suguru Kamoshida. When his newest friend was about to about to be executed through a head lop, the spirit of rebellion deep within his soul awakened to such injustice, giving birth to his first Persona, the Gentleman Thief, Arsene. Through his newfound powers, and his newfound mysterious companion known as Morgana, the 3 escaped the castle, returning them back to the real world.

That event sparked a whole series of events that led to a plethora of dangerous moments and equally rich targets after the apprehension of Kamoshida. Ranging from a master artist rumored to commit grave amounts of plagiarism, to a politician who has masterminded the mental shutdowns that boomed all over the capital and caused the frizzy haired high school student to be sent to probation in the first place. Such a long winded series of events filled with danger and action also has its fair share of heart shattering moments, such as the betrayal and eventual sacrifice of a certain detective that took a very long time to get over. Even now, Ren still has that memory within him, stored away from the farthest recesses of his mind.

All of their heists and getaways eventually led Ren to stage one of his greatest heists in his time as a Phantom Thief, the theft of the heart of a false god of the collective consciousness, known as Yaldabaoth. It was a truly hard-fought battle, a fight that expended every last bit of the Phantom Thieves' strength and mental prowess. Yet the false god was a formidable adversary that fed upon the desires of the masses that refused to see the harsh truth of reality, submitting to stagnation. When all hope seemed lost, a voice cried out in ardent support, which in turn rallied the masses in favor of the Phantom Thieves. With the entirety of Tokyo on their side, Ren broke the chains that held Arsene's true form back. Screeching on the overflow of strength, the Persona erupts, and as the skies grow dark, came the true form of Arsene seemingly from the Heavens, the leader of the fallen angels, and Champion of Freedom of Gnostic faith, Satanael in his full glory to liberate humanity from Yaldabaoth's tyranny. Condensing the full power of the 7 sins into a single bullet, the incarnated demon lord shot the false god on the head, piercing him clean and ultimately killing the false god once and for all.

That day would have been the Trickster's greatest finale in his career, their last job before their powers are laid to rest. However, fate seemed to have spoken otherwise, and dealt a new hand to the Phantom Thieves, when their leader going by the codename of Joker visited his friends and fellow comrades on his next summer vacation. The rise of new Metaverse related incidents prompted them to take up the mantle of Phantom Thieves once more to commit another series of heists aimed towards corrupt hearts with their newest unwitting, yet invaluable ally, Zenkichi Hasegawa, part of the Kyoto Prefectural Police who would end up as a fellow Phantom Thief. The clearest difference is that the one's whose hearts were stolen are the causes. The first heists were aimed towards the corrupt twisted by their own inner sins and animosities, while the second set corrupted ones are the result of painful and despairing pasts along with a nationwide dependency towards an advice app known as EMMA, resulting in another version of a distorted realm known as Jails. The end heist for the second ordeal would have the Tricksters do battle against EMMA itself, who eventually transformed into the Demiurge, a malevolent god who falls under the same vein as Yaldabaoth, fully believing that she is the only true source of happiness for the masses.

Now, however? The leader of the Phantom Thieves can only look upon his past "career" as fond memories, for Ren Amamiya had a better work prospect in hand. The frizzy haired youth, now an honest living man free of any unjust chains, became the new owner of Café Leblanc, the café that belonged to Sojiro Sakura, his caretaker during probation, now inherited by the Joker when the aged man went to retirement. Sojiro himself fully trusted Ren to carry on his legacy of excellent customer service, signature Leblanc curry, and the art of coffee blending. After all, it was Sojiro himself who taught him the ropes, and Ren would be damned before he let the man he was proud to call his uncle figure's legacy go to complete waste. Over time, Leblanc would be known as one of Tokyo's top hotspots for the locals and visitors. With Ren taking the wheel as the new Boss of Leblanc, the café would thrive with lots of customers visiting day in and day out. Though he may not have Morgana by his side anymore, his closest companion who went by the code name "Mona" during their Phantom Thief days, now nothing more than a normal cat, he knows that the feline would smile proudly upon him, wherever he may be now at how far he has come. But that too is also a distant memory for the Trickster, for he is now bedridden, barely hanging onto his thread of life on a hospital bed in Tokyo, yet his face was full of contentedness.

Death brings about nothing but comfort for those without regret, and in the end, Ren Amamiya is one of those people. Knowing his friends have lived wonderful lives earned through hard work, the Joker smiled as he departed from the physical world. He could have sworn that he saw a pristine glowing butterfly fluttering above him before he closed his eyes for good however, but he shoved that thought aside at the last second, yet he kept that memory close to his heart for the briefest of times.

So, even the Velvet Room inhabitants would watch over him in his last moments. The old master of the Velvet Room with a long nose that would make even Pinocchio pity him and the bloodshot eyes that would unnerve those who see him, Igor. And Lavenza, the short long platinum haired girl in Victorian era styled attire, a girl that professed her love for the Trickster much to his surprise, just like her twin form before being fused, the wardens Caroline and Justine after their fight. The former leader of the Phantom Thieves, now with whitened hair and face full of wrinkles can only let out a weak chuckle as he cherished their presence in his dying breath, ultimately passing away in the year 2096.

- Take Your Time -

Truth be told, Ren was not one to delve much into religion, though he did so when proper like in his New Year shrine visits. Irony was not lost on him considering that some of the Personas he negotiated with and fused were based on religious deities like Atavaka, Baal, Mithras, or Lucifer if you want a quick and simple example. If he were to pass away, he expected himself to be sent to the afterlife of Heaven for his good deeds, or be cast down to the depths of Hell for literally killing 2 gods in his bid to overcome damnation by divine hands.

What Ren didn't expect, however, was when he opened his eyes, he was welcomed with familiar chains dangling above him and the feeling of cold metal on his back with a flat rigid pillow under his head. Sensations and sights that were awfully familiar as he slowly rose up from his metal bed hanging on the side of the wall, blinking wearily to make sure what his state was. Perhaps his soul has somehow wandered into the Velvet Room of all places instead of Heaven and Hell, or perhaps he is now a corporeal ghost that haunted the prison halls. Looking at his own flesh and attire though, that has all made certain of his situation.

One, was that he was very much alive, albeit feeling a tad sluggish, perhaps due to him feeling like he slept for ages and the fact that he pinched himself (It obviously hurt).

Two, was that he was somehow still wearing his ragged light green patient's robe that he wore back at the hospital, bedridden and unable to move much due to his greatly aged body. And yet, now his skin is all smooth, yet a bit rough on some parts much like his Shujin days. He was certain he'd be surprised if someone handed him a mirror and told him that his whole body regressed at least 80 years back to his prime of youth, not that he'd complain of course. Ever since he became a Phantom Thief, he made sure to properly exercise when possible, and was always happy to move his muscles, whether in work or just in a simple run.

Three, and the most important issue of all, is when he walked out of his cell, finding his familiar Confidants standing side-by-side next to Igor's desk, the Velvet Room (or Prison, more appropriately enough) lit by a single light on the ceiling. Lavenza was giving him the fondest of smiles plastered on her face as she lightly fixed her headband, in her hand is the trusty Persona Compendium clutched upon her chest. He had known her as the executioner. The one who carries out his requests when commanded by Igor, fusing or itemizing Personas through guillotines, electric chairs, iron maidens, or raw chainsaw action on rare occasions. Ren honestly had to pull his slight fear of the Attendant far back whenever she carries out the executions with a straight face. The fact that Lavenza almost casted Megidolaon on Leblanc out of pure frustration that she can't make anything on his crafting table that one time just added to his cold sweat drops by a large amount.

Next was Igor, the so-called Master of the Velvet Room. The space that resides between dream and reality, mind and matter. Though, the Joker's first encounter with Igor can be said to have happened in the most inopportune of moments. The Igor he had met the first time when he first reached Japan happened to be a false one, who was ultimately Yaldabaoth disguised as Igor. The false god imprisoned the real Igor in the Palace of his creation belonging to the general public known as Mementos. To add even more damage, Yaldabaoth split Lavenza into 2 different entities, Caroline and Justine, both unaware of their creation and served as his wardens until "Igor" revealed his dastardly true form, known as the Holy Grail. That is all in the past however, and Ren can only school his face into a small smile as Igor looked at him with his trademark creepy smile. Despite his looks, Ren can safely say that the aged man is overall an amicable person to converse and seek advice from despite the short time they spent as acquaintances, clothed in a suit with a black tie and a white wad of cloth sticking out of his shirt pocket, along with an awfully slim fit of equally black pants and dress shoes. If Ren was able to speak truthfully about Igor's physical form, he would say that he looked creepy, with a tall, yet insanely thin frame to the point of being borderline anorexic. Such thoughts are stowed away, preferably never to be spoken before the Master of the Velvet Room. He was quite surprised to find Igor actually standing instead of sitting across his desk, however. But that is because of the third person in the room, sitting behind the desk instead.

The closest description Ren can give for the man would be a man in his 30s. His hair was black and long, tied into a single ponytail. His clothes consisted of a black turtleneck and a pair of black pants which is fastened by a belt, along with a pair of black dress shoes. His brown irises stared at him and he held a calm smile, promising comfort for Ren, yet they seemed to have the capability to peer into his very soul. The air permeating around him speaks of benevolence, yet Ren knew not to trust easily based on experience, especially considering the sheer amount of power he's exuding right now. Approaching the three with slow and slightly dazed steps, the man in the middle spoke.

- Take Your Time -

"Welcome, Ren Amamiya. It's a pleasure to meet you at last."

"Indeed, our honored guest. Truth be told, I did not expect to meet you once more, after you departed to the Sea of Souls. But through the grace of our master, you have been summoned here."

Master… The fact that Igor had referred to the man sitting by the table as Master, their Master, was enough for him to direct attention towards the black haired man before him.

"You… who are you? How do you know my name?"

Lavenza began to open her mouth before the man raised his hand partly.

"It's alright, Attendant. I will handle the introductions. My name is Philemon. I reside within the border of consciousness and unconsciousness. I must say, it has been a while since I acquainted myself with a Persona user. Though it is my first time meeting someone who Igor calls a Wild Card. Knowing your deeds however, his opinions of you are not misplaced, and I am pleased to learn of your exploits."

The man known as Philemon's introductions raised even more questions. Deeds? Exploits? His Wild Card status? He was all so utterly lost, his mentality scrambling to form back his memories of his life after passing away, which he was sure he was. He turned to face Lavenza, who in turn faced Philemon. After nodding in approval, it was Lavenza's turn to speak.

"Trickster. Master Philemon can be said as an observer of sorts. He watches the wielders of Personas on their Journeys, and takes in the sight of their achievements, committing them into memory. He is not much for direct interference in the real world, and prefers to watch over the premises. Though there have been rare cases where he was forced to do otherwise."

Ren nodded in gratitude as Lavenza finished her explanation, turning towards Philemon once more who is just flashing his calm smile as if he's in some goodwill commercial.

"So, you are just a spectator of the show, Philemon?"

"To put it simply, yes. But I assure you, Trickster, that I can do so much more. I'm sure you are aware of what your Personas are capable of. Granting your cohorts love akin to God's grace, or sowing chaos fitting for a demon, and a lot of other actions that can be done by your many masks, facets of your various inner personalities."

"What do you mean, so much more?"

That question prompted Philemon to show his palm before Ren as the Trickster went closer. On his hand, a crystalline figure of Arsene, his first Persona, materialized before him. Ren was left in surprise, but that is not all. The crystal figure crumbled, before reforming into another figure carrying a lyre, and then turning into one more figure, clothed in a long coat and wielding a long sword before dissipating.

"You should know that anyone can bear the power of Persona. Anyone who has a firm grip on their identity, along with a soul and ego that can grow and be nurtured, to be precise. There was another Wild Card in the past leading his ragtag group of friends against the coming of ruin, much like you, except his involves death in its purest form. It honestly amused me that a dog actually managed to manifest a Persona, even more so when a robot managed to invoke a Persona on her own. I remember when I personally visited her in her downtrodden state, grieving over the sacrifice of her leader, alone in her room filled with machinery and wires. I gifted her with the power of the Wild Card, so that she may seek the answer regarding his death."

So there are other Wild Cards that existed before him. The one Philemon spoke of happens to have sacrificed himself to save the world from the coming of death itself. The Trickster let out a chuckle knowing that a dog actually has a Persona. His interest grew when Philemon mentioned a robot girl capable of wielding a Persona, even more so when Philemon visited her and…wait.

"I'm sorry. Philemon, what did you say you did?"

"I saw a dog summon a Persona. I believe he was of the Shiba Inu breed? I trust that you would enjoy his presence."

"No. Way after that."

"I gifted the robot girl with the power of the…. Ah, so you have finally caught on."

- Take Your Time -

A smile that can only be described as a shit-eating grin was shown upon Philemon's face that day, which is an awfully rare occurrence in itself. Ren himself is not faring well as sweat began to pour upon his forehead as he began to process the realization bomb that was hurled upon his face, wondering who the hell he just met in the Velvet Room and the power the black haired man before him possessed. Igor had called him his Master, he has the power to gift others the power of the Wild Card, not to mention the aura he exudes, one that exhibits so many virtues. He had to massage his head lightly to snap himself out of his stupor and properly remind himself that he has faced Shadows that take the form of deities and demons before, not to mention actual gods. Lavenza looked upon her beloved worriedly, eventually seeing him frown.

"Are you feeling better now, our dear guest?"

"I… I'm fine, Igor. But can you explain to me who Philemon, your master truly is?"

"But of course."

The skinny aged man bowed in courtesy before speaking once more.

"Master Philemon is the true master of collective consciousness, governing the various values of goodwill in humanity. Through him, the power of Personas is born, in which we, the residents of the Velvet Room, do our best to help cultivate, until they reach of the pinnacle of their powers, being able to live according to their true selves, free from shackles. I was but a mere doll when I was first born, until the Master infused me with magic and giving me life. Even now, I wonder if now I'm still but an animate tool, or living human much like you, dear guest."

"Trickster. You should know that I am a creation of Master Igor, along with my sisters and brother. He created us to assist him in his duties as keeper of the Velvet Room. Like him, I too wondered why I was created. All of us Attendants do, and I cherished the amount of time I spent with you. It helped me realize what my purpose, to live however my heart desires. Though, I hoped you remember my words before you left to face the false god."

"I do."

"And also… my feelings for you. Well, I suppose these are the emotions of two people combined. I love you, my Trickster. You are truly the world's greatest man."

- Take Your Time -

A long time of silence passed as Ren imprinted what is pretty much a massive backstory into the library that is his brain, along with some honestly unnecessary bit of mushy nostalgia as he remembered Lavenza's words from way back then. After committing the whole story to heart and memory, the Joker cleared his throat, getting the attention of the Velvet Room residents and their master.

"Ah, it would seem our dear guest has finished contemplating our words. Perhaps a chair would aid you in easing your legs?"

"I appreciate it, Igor. Thank you."

Igor's words are practically a godsend for the Trickster. His time spent in contemplation has taken a toll on his feet, feeling numbing pain. Lavenza immediately rushed and pushed a wooden chair from one of the cells right across Philemon's chair, in which the chair was immediately sat on. Philemon looked at Ren, his grin replaced with a straight faced look.

"I was worried you would deny Igor's offer, my friend. Even as a deity, I do not wish to stand for too long myself."

"Don't sweat it, Philemon." Ren's face immediately shifted into a sharp glint of wariness.

"Now, I think it's time you told me why the creator of Persona personally brought me to the Velvet Room. I'm not that slow to assume that this meeting is not just for backstories and introductions."

"Straight to the point, I see. Do not worry. for I do not wish to bring harm upon you. Rather, I would like to express my gratitude for saving Igor, my servant."

"Oh…"

Ren remembered the time when he denied the false god's offer to grant him a new reality where the Phantom Thieves are famous all across Japan, constantly viewed and talked among the masses. Yet he refused because a public that is unable to think for themselves and instead relying on the Phantom Thieves all the time would make their creed and goal completely pointless. Scoffing at his denial and leaving behind a threat towards him for his defiance, Yaldabaoth disappeared into the depths of Mementos. His disappearance from the Velvet Room ushered the real Igor into the room in a less than desirable state due to his imprisonment.

"I am flattered you think that way, Philemon. But I have to admit that I did not do much. I have been misled by Yaldabaoth the entire time, and I have been blind to it."

Ren's downplay of his own deeds made a slight frown on Philemon's face, and he shook his head while staring at the Trickster intently.

"Do not sell yourself short, Ren. You embody the values of humanity that I had believed in the very start much like the other Persona wielders I have met. Humanity is gifted with the power of choice, and it is through that power that humanity is able to progress on their own accord when paired with their strength of heart. You could have chosen to accept Yaldabaoth's offer, to live in a reality where everything goes your way. But you chose to deny his offer, and face our true reality as it is, in its good and bad aspects. In turn, you have freed my servant from imprisonment, eventually killing the Warden for his crimes against humanity. For that, you have my deepest gratitude. It would seem I now owe you two favors. One for each false god you have vanquished, wouldn't you say?"

When he thought about it, Philemon's words and logic made some sense for the Trickster. In fact, it wouldn't hurt to be owed favors by an actual, literal god. Philemon seems to hold humanity in high regard, and holds a great semblance of faith in him. Even then, he knows better than to trust a god at face value, so he decided to test the waters.

"I suppose I can agree with you, Philemon. But, how do I know you will not go back on your words?"

"Still being wary? I cannot blame you for that, experience considered. With that said, allow me to make good on my word, and to that end, I ask that you place your hand on the table."

Ren grew quite perplexed at Philemon's minor request, but if the deity wishes to show his promise through actions, then what else can he do other than oblige? The Trickster placed his hand on the middle of the table, palm side up, and Philemon placed his own hand on the top of his hand. Their hands would soon emit a golden light as they joined, garnering the attention of both Lavenza and Igor, the former looking a lot more intrigued with a bit of excitement. Philemon himself kept the calm look, while Ren held complete focus upon the light, feeling power coursing slowly through his palm.

The light dissipated after a few moments, and the Joker found himself feeling something new within himself, yet he didn't feel any different. Philemon let out a minor chuckle as he watched the human before him inspect himself before addressing him.

"So, how do you like the gift I have bestowed upon you, Trickster?"

"I feel…nothing new. Philemon, what did you do?"

"Do you remember back on Christmas Eve that day, when you called upon the great figure of Satanael to bring judgement upon Yaldabaoth, much like in the legends?"

"I remember, all too well."

Who could forget that day? The day when the Fallen Champion descended upon Yaldabaoth's realm in his majestic grace? The day the false god received a bullet straight on his head as the shot pierced him clean? The fact that this was done on Christmas Eve made the event even more iconic. If the public remembered, they would have dubbed that day as "The Day Satan Saved Christmas". A thought that was thankfully not set in motion.

"Wonderful. You should know that what you did that day is no mere manifestation of your Persona. Rather, it is more accurate to say you have summoned an incarnation of your Persona, one that can physically step upon the material plane. My gift is simply a very thorough enhancement of your mental links with your Personas. Now you shall be able to incarnate Personas into the physical world at your command while manifesting another Persona's power normally. Be advised, however. You can only incarnate one Persona at a time. Though with your newly achieved power through the World Arcana, with enough time and practice, you will be able to incarnate more at a time."

"I see. This is turning out into quite a gift. Thank you, Philemon."

"It gladdens me to know that you are grateful, my friend. Though I'm afraid you can do a trial run, so to speak at the moment. Igor can explain your circumstance here."

The once excited look of the Trickster shifted onto a slightly gloomier note as he turned his head to look at Igor. He was actually raring to give this incarnation trick a spin, so hearing Philemon's words disappointed him.

"Our dear guest, perhaps it is proper for me to give you a reminder that you have passed away. Contrary to popular human belief, when you die, your soul will depart to the Sea of Souls where it will linger for a while before fully dispersing into the sea. When our master found your soul, you were almost fully lost into the waters of the collective consciousness. Hence, in our reclamation attempt, all your Personas have been erased from your repertoire except for one. The more lamentable fact is that you have to awaken to your powers once more if you wish to harness them. You have our most sincere apologies."

As if to further drive down their guilt, both Igor and Lavenza bowed their heads down in regret. That made for quite an uncomfortable situation, and a revelation. So Philemon basically slipped and barely caught his soul right when he is about to practically become one with the Sea of Souls. If Philemon is feeling guilty as well, he's doing an insanely good job just by looking at his expression, all straightened out. Ren had to make hasty hand gestures just for the two residents to drop the apologetic stance before turning back towards Philemon. At least he knows his death isn't a fluke now.

"So, I get that you messed up, my soul barely making it as Igor says. But how is my soul now? And why am I even here in the first place?"

Philemon was silent, playing with his fingers with arm resting on the table, his expression was conflicted as if he was mulling over the proper words to answer his question before speaking, and anyone with common sense knows not to disturb a benevolent god currently having that expression.

"I must say that in order to properly answer your question, I will have to ask you for a large favor. It is one of great importance."

"Even after owing me a favor yourself?"

"Regrettably so."

"…So much for virtue and goodness."

The Fool Joker can only sigh at the deity's admittance. Should've known his gracious "rescue" comes at a price.

- Take Your Time –

"Alright. What is it you want me to do, Philemon?"

Not a lot of time passed after the progenitor of Personas known as Philemon asked Ren Amamiya, the Joker for a favor. What kind of favor it was is up to anyone's guess. Judging by the cups of coffee Lavenza had served for the two though, seems he'll be here for a while. At least the petite attendant makes some good coffee at least, but not on Sojiro's level. He has to wonder where she makes the coffee though, considering the layout of the Velvet Room. Perhaps she made it in one of the cells?

"Straightforward as ever, I see. For a start, you should know that the Sea of Souls is open for many souls, in many a world. And as such, it is normal for souls from other worlds to travel from this world to another through the Sea of Souls through life and death. A majority of these worlds are open for the Sea of Souls, for the presence of the collective consciousness is strong and widespread. Well, all except for one."

"All except for one. What do you mean?" Ren's eyes shifted into a stare filled with interest.

"This happened at least 3 decades ago in your own passage of time. While I was watching over the worlds connected to the Sea of Souls, I have encountered a world that instantly piqued my interest. Apart from the constant desolation this world suffers, with examples such as constant natural disasters, oppression of the diseased, and rebellions on concentrated areas. That however pales in comparison to what I have discovered in that world."

"What did you find, Philemon?" The Joker spoke while lifting an eyebrow at his urgent expression.

"Something that will spell doom for our world and potentially others should it not be kept in check. I wish for you to act as my agent, and scout out that world for any signs of my discoveries spreading out."

"Why can't you just step in and wipe them out yourself? You practically brim with power on your own."

The Progenitor let out a sigh as he reasoned out. "As much as I wish to do so, I am in no position to interfere with a world that has its own Collective Consciousness as an Observer. But that is a rule I am willing to violate due to the grave threat "it" possesses." A revelation that made Ren's eyes widen, and he wasn't done. "With that said, I'm afraid the strength of my power is dependent on what humanity calls home field advantage. While in a place residing in the collective consciousness like the Velvet Room, my strength is of divine omniscience, however, in that world, stepping into the very ground would weaken me drastically, to the point where my power would barely allow me entry. And from here, in my place as a spectator, I am unable to do anything."

Ren winced his eyes at the exposition dump as he inquired further. "You sound as if you actually tried doing so, Philemon."

"Well, to divulge on that prospect would mean I have to speak of matters way before the destined time, so I must ask that you halt your line of questioning. Even I have my secrets, my friend."

The rebellious Fool can only shrug at Philemon's smooth way of denial, all done with a straight face and his calm soothing voice. It almost made him envious on how easily he can bullshit his way out of interrogation while remaining transparent with his questioners.

Still, the Joker has come across a piece of critical information. The fact that Philemon's power will dramatically wither if he ever stepped into that world is going to prove invaluable on the rare chance that he incurred the deity's wrath. Not that he wanted that rare chance, because the rarer, the better. Given the information he received, Ren decided to press for more.

"What is the name of that world?"

"The world in mention is known as Terra. Have you heard of it before?"

"I can't say I haven't. I think I heard of it before, but I don't remember when."

A mild surprise caught onto Philemon for a brief moment which prompted Ren to smirk. He actually one upped the deity for a moment! He had to thank Futaba for her gamer knowledge, wherever she is now. However, the smirk quickly shifted into disbelief once the realization struck.

"Wait. Don't tell me Terra is-"

"Reality is often stranger than fiction, my friend. It would be wise to remember it."

With his sentence utterly quashed by Philemon, Ren has no choice but to accept the fact that Philemon's request involved a literal world based on an actual game Futaba actually played back in her high school days. He remembered the time she actually spent money and established her position as a blue whale and had the snarking suspicion of where her Phantom Thief money went. Simply put, it was not a pleasant thought.

"OK… That aside, this still doesn't explain how this whole deal ties in with your favor. Where do I even fit in with this?" Ren spoke after regaining his composure, staring at Philemon in a scrutinizing fashion while sipping his coffee.

With a knowing look and a calm smile, Philemon spoke his words.

"How would you like to be reincarnated into Terra?"

…He probably shouldn't have sipped.

- Take Your Time –

A second bout of long silence ensued as Ren spent a short moment choking over his coffee before forcefully swallowing the dark brown liquid, barely dropping his cup from shock while Lavenza quickly grew distressed over his reaction to Philemon's offer. That time was quickly followed up by the Joker mulling over said offer, gauging the ups and downs of the reincarnation. He was sure he'd be surprised more at himself if he wasn't surprised at all, what with how far out of left field the offer was thrown at him.

For one, he's relieved this offer was given to him when he's already dead. If it was given when he was still living and breathing, he would have to decline the offer on the spot and attempt to skin the deity before him alive if his resignation was denied for separating him from his friends and family. Furthermore, should he accept, his path in the afterlife will be set in stone, to be reborn into a new world with an up and running soul fully attuned with the World Arcana.

But then there are the drawbacks. If he accepts the offer, he'll be cast into a world where he'll have a very limited access to the Sea of Souls, and his Personas in turn. A world where even Philemon, a deity who is rooted to the collective consciousness can't even lay a finger on the earth. Knowing the deity though despite in a short time, he has probably prepared a few contingencies to renew the connection between Terra and the collective consciousness if he had at least 30 YEARS to prepare.

The second issue is the method of reincarnation. The cliché trope of getting run over by a truck is immediately out of the question since he's in the Velvet Room, a place completely untouched by the outside world. Even if a truck were to suddenly come across, the size of the truck would pretty much cause more than one casualty even if the residents are absolute powerhouses. Seeing that the method is still a blur, he decided to ask Philemon about it, but not before Lavenza caught his attention.

"Trickster. Are you really sure you're alright? I fear my coffee isn't much to your liking."

The attendant had a look of pure guilt as their eyes locked towards each other, prompting Ren to speak hastily.

"I-it's alright, Lavenza. You don't have to worry about the coffee. It tastes good, I assure you."

"Really? I'm happy you think that way. You are the one who taught me how to brew coffee after all."

Ren smiled knowing he managed to placate Lavenza's guilt successfully. He turned to face Philemon, who had an amused stare which confused the Trickster.

"So you are the one who taught Lavenza how to make this…coffee, was it? Even if do not hunger or thirst, this drink has an elegant taste to it. You must have been a splendid teacher."

The Joker lightly chuckled at the admittance. "I learned from the best, Philemon. But we're getting sidetracked, how am I going to get reincarnated?" If Sojiro was around though, he would be revered as the god of coffee right now considering a deity praised his brew. For now, he assumed his serious look.

"That falls in line with the condition of your soul. A dispersed soul is still a soul, though it is nothing more than an essence that must be reformed, and the best place to reform the soul would be in a living body, or in the body of one who has recently passed away. Your soul is residing in the latter body, making a quick recovery even as we speak."

"This is closer to a forced possession than a reincarnation, and you did this without my permission?" Ren can feel his eyebrow twitch at Philemon's words, ignoring the number of rhymes he spewed out.

"I understand your concern. But this is the best way to facilitate your reincarnation while rehabilitating your soul. In fact, we're only able to converse because of my actions. I apologize if I did this without your permission however. If you wish, I can take your soul out of the body."

"No. No need. What's done is done. I don't need further complications."

Ren's mood soured knowing that's he practically already reincarnated while being left in the dark. Guess the fact that gods can still do whatever the hell they please even if it's in your best interest is still prevalent even in virtuous gods. Regardless, the deed has been done and no amount of complaining will revert everything back without getting any repercussions. Taking a sip of his coffee, joining his fingers together with his arms on the table, the Trickster continued the conversation.

"Anyway, considering that you've pushed me to the point of no return, I have no choice but to accept your offer. Where am I now?" Ren noticed the brighter disposition that Philemon had after he accepted his offer, gearing himself for any surprises as he listened.

"Your new body is situated in an abandoned facility, stored in a metallic coffin. The coffin itself seems to have the capability of preserving the corpse for an unknown reason, making it perfect for your recovery. If you are worried about looks, do not worry. I personally altered the man's face to make it an exact copy of your youthful looks." Philemon explained clearly with a smile, ignoring another scrutinizing look from Ren considering that he practically desecrated a corpse by performing a magical flash plastic surgery.

"Alright. Grave crime aside, pun unintended, mind telling me more on the threat in question? Never hurts to have a general overview before a mission."

Philemon can only stare at Ren in lamentation. "I'm afraid that due to time constraints, I cannot elaborate on the matter in a detailed manner. What I can do however, is inform that the body that you are inhabiting is chosen for a specific purpose."

"A specific purpose. And that would be what? Think it's best to make it quick."

"I would like you to safeguard the body, Ren. The body once belonged to a person who has a great knowledge of the world you will reincarnate into. Upon discovering him, however, I have found his body decrepit, and his mind withering. I fear in this situation, his memory would no doubt be reduced to a clean slate."

The premise was bizarre enough to make Ren raise an eyebrow. "So you're saying that the body I'm going into is still alive, and said person is going to wound up being an amnesiac."

"Yes. Terra is a dangerous world, and while memories can be recovered in due time, I do not wish for his body and soul to perish before he manages to do so. With your experience in handling such dangers, he may live longer yet, and we can further ascertain this world with his knowledge."

Ren can only stare at Philemon with a look of disbelief. Reincarnating into another form or another body is already common in fiction. But reincarnating into the body of a living person? He wasn't sure if he's ever heard of this kind of situation before. He's not even sure if Futaba has ever encountered this premise in her long-standing collection of isekai mangas and light novels.

Still, with the knowledge of the person still alive, there was one problem which nagged at the Phantom Thief.

"Please tell me you at least got a green light from anyone, or even the owner, to go through with this." The dour silence from Philemon was enough to make him facepalm. "You piece of..."

"I am not proud of committing this deed, I assure you, Trickster. Due to circumstances, I had little choice in the matter, and I ask that you are willing to bear with actions in this endeavor."

Ren's frown persisted as he thought of what he had just agreed to do. After all, he is practically thrust into the role of a guardian by someone who was forced to commit actions due to dire circumstances. He's seen many people commit similar acts, both big and small. Yet, the one that struck most is his time with Counselor Maruki and his actions to keep his other friend, Sumire Yoshizawa, sane for years.

Perhaps now he can put himself in her shoes in this situation, but definitely not to this scale.

"...Fine, fine. It's too late to take it back anyway."

The progenitor breathed a sigh of relief. "You have my appreciation, friend. It is almost time as well, though it may be a rude awakening."

"Rude awakening? What do you mean rude awakening?"

Right when Ren uttered that question out, a sound akin to a recess bell blared all over the Velvet Room, giving Ren a light surprise as he turned his head around before turning towards Igor who seemed to be in the know.

"Ah, it would seem they are already here."

"They? Who do you mean they? What's going on?!" Ren visibly grew more confused, breathing in and out to calm himself down.

"You will see soon enough, my friend. For now, I suggest you quickly return and say hello to your new world before someone forcefully shakes you out of your slumber. You wouldn't want to wake up with a sore body, now would you?"

"Will I at least be able to see you again?" Ren looked at Philemon, who smiled gently.

"Of course. My realm is open for you, as well as the Velvet Room. In fact, perhaps we may be able to meet again in a friendlier circumstance, free from danger. Until then, go forth, Trickster. You may have fulfilled your end of the contract, but your new journey is just beginning."

Holding Philemon's words to heart, the Phantom Thief stood up from his chair, finishing his coffee before returning to his cell and laying upon his metal bed as returned to the physical plane, fading away. Funnily enough he left his patient's robe behind for some reason.

- Take Your Time -

"Master Philemon? What's the matter?"

Lavenza looked at Philemon. The calm façade he had upon him is nonexistent. Instead, he was ruminating over something, covering his face under his fingers as he was left in deep thought.

"Ah, master. Perhaps you are wondering about the contingencies you've set up over the decades ever since discovering Terra. Do you fear our guest has figured you out?"

Igor's inquiry snapped Philemon out of his stupor, assuming his calm look as he addressed the long nosed man.

"I do not fear that case, Igor. Ren Amamiya is a perceptive fellow, so it would be a jest if he is blind to what I've been doing, much less assume that I have not started work on repairing the channel between Terra and the collective consciousness. I am aware that I have violated my role as an observer, but I cannot simply look away from a world that has already been plagued by ruin."

"Do you fear that he may have a hand in that world's current state then, Master Philemon? I fear the Trickster may not survive due to how volatile Terra is." Lavenza chimed in, expressing her worry for Ren. Philemon visibly frowned.

"Do not forget his deeds of the past, attendant. He along with the other Wild Cards serve as an example that humanity is capable of soaring triumphantly against seemingly impossible odds. To answer your question, no. I do not think that he has any hand to play in this matter. Powerful he may be, but as products of human observation combined with humanity's innate attunement to the Collective due to the Star Eater, he, along with myself are confined to the Sea of Souls, only capable of influencing this world directly. What we are now dealing with is a much more serious matter, capable of travel across realms and carry limitless potential on par with this world's humans. Should they reach Earth, no doubt their influence will stimulate his awakening, and he will take control of them to sentence this world into ruin, for he and them fall under the same vein."

Philemon ended his words with a look of urgency as he deliberated over what he has done over the past few decades. The time will come when he must speak with Ren Amamiya once more to guide him further in the ruined world of Terra. Lavenza however still has more to say.

"Master, if I may ask further, what is this sense of trepidation in the world that you have sent my... our Trickster to?"

Philemon caught that slight of affection towards Ren from Lavenza, but it would be foolish if he called her out on it now. "It would seem that the Strength you've earned from the ordeal with the Holy Grail has improved your capabilities, Attendant. Tell me, what do you sense?"

Lavenza fidgeted in anxiety as she went into descriptions. "It... it is a vast presence, as if the world of Terra itself is a living being. There may not be a Sea of Souls in Terra, and their collective consciousness is much weaker compared to our own, but... there is a certain weight in the air that I just can't describe. Master Philemon, could this world be...?"

"Let us hope your fears do not come to light, Attendant. Regardless of whether it is or no, the future is not set in stone in this untitled world, and perhaps through our agents, we may be able to guide Terra into a brighter one." Philemon let out a heavy sigh over the fact. To cool himself down, he turned to face Igor.

"I believe you still have Morgana around, Igor?"

"Of course. Do you have something you need him to do, Master?"

"Well, we can't just leave Ren on a new world blind without a companion, no? And, I believe our feline friend will enjoy this world."

- Take Your Time –

Deep within an unknown facility, a group of people gathered towards what appears to be a coffin. Some of them wore coats that had an emblem on them, a triangle with a rook in the center with a name on the bottom.

Rhodes Island.

The group itself happens to be an extraction team sent to recover an HVI, a man that was once an ally, no matter how inhuman he may be in battle. A man who held intellect over many fields and tactical acumen of the highest caliber. He was stored in this coffin, known as the Sarcophagus, for unknown reasons. The best you'll get out of that line of questioning was that he was stored there for recovery, and they all decided to believe it. Their leader was a young girl with brown hair and long bunny ears, a Cautus under the name Amiya. With her came Dobermann, Rhodes Island's head drill instructor as advisor. Under her command, all entry points towards the Sarcophagus Chamber was put under heavy guard by squads of Defenders and Snipers along with a handful of Casters, with Vanguards taking positions near the Sarcophagus, all done and executed through a neural link that Amiya and Dobermann has.

However, despite the orderly formations set up with ease, they all know that they don't have time to waste. Their intel suggests that the city they're in, Chernobog, part of the Ursus Empire on the North, is about to be hit with a Catastrophe, erratic natural disasters that can range from blizzards to meteor showers. Even though the mobile city was supposed to move away weeks after the news struck, for some reason no amount of movement was made after the warning was issued. That is why they have to retrieve their HVI as soon as possible, preferably before the Catastrophe struck.

With that in mind, Amiya stepped towards the Sarcophagus in a briskly manner, throwing the lid open with a fair amount of strength, she stared upon the person inside with eyes that barely watered. She had been with him ever since she was a child. He was there taking care of her whenever there was no battle for him to lead. Even though she had never seen his face at all, she knew deep down, he was a good man at heart despite the rumors regarding him in the past as a heartless person, viewing every war as if it was a real-time strategy game, hellbent on victory with a multitude of tactics at his disposal and barely any regard for his forces. Looking over to the instructor, who gave her a nod, Amiya carefully clasped her hands around the man's hand and called out to him.

"Doctor! Please wake up!"

- Take Your Time –

What greeted Ren as he slowly woke up from his slumber was complete darkness, feeling a chilling air radiating all around his body, along with the cold metal that he laid upon. Philemon wasn't joking about the fact that he is in a coffin of sorts. He tried willing his body to move, yet no matter how many times he tried to move, he was too weak to even do so. His heart was beating at a slow rate, and his hand felt cold to the touch.

'Dead for a few weeks. He's not wrong.'

His condition can be likened to a corpse that just rose from his grave, and he can't even do anything other than move the features on his face. Right when he thought he was about to be staying there for a long while, the lid of the coffin was flung open, and a dim flash of light immediately invaded his eyes, forcing him to squint. As he regained his vision, a visage of a brown haired girl came into view, clasping onto his hand and seemingly calling out to him. Weakened as he was, he held her hands, letting out a grunt.

"Urkh…"

"Doctor? Doctor! Are you alright?!"

The sounds was on the high-pitched end, yet soft. He blinked a few times seeing the girl. Looking upon her now, he decided to give her a proper response…

"I'm… alright. But…"

…And an equally proper question.

"Who… Who are you?"

And now for the Author's Note.

This will be my first official fan fiction that I've posted on the Net. Why I chose a crossover between Persona and Arknights is gonna take a long explanation. For one, I started playing Arknights back when W's banner popped. I had to pull a few strings to get the WWE pack (No, I didn't use any cheats or hacked. Call it negotiation tactics.) And ever since then, I've been Rhodes's head Doctor ever since. To be honest, the story is quite a complex, but a gripping one that can trigger a lot of reactions. Mostly grief and pain, which is inherently bad, but here, it's good(?)! By the time I published this, Operation Blade has already started. To any fellow Doctor reading this, how did you all fare in the Contingency Contract? Did you get our favorite sloth kid and her trusty bot?

As for why I crossed this with Persona, mainly Persona 5 (as if this game hasn't been milked too hard already, year pun intended), and some Persona 2 folks (Because 1 and 2 need more love. Come on, Atlus!), it has been one series I've always wanted to play after completing SMT4, Apocalypse, and Nocturne Hardtype (I almost regretted playing Hardtype as first taste). Fun fact, while writing this Prologue, I often discussed the nitty gritty of the complications between Arknights and Persona with another writer on this Net. Obviously I won't divulge names just to keep discretion. Real bountiful discussions we had. With that said, I'm not gonna go into this blind to the stories of both series in general.

With that said, even though I'm invested in Arknights' story, somehow I keep forgetting the events that transpire at times. Which means I may have to re-read the canon story as I write this. Dam.

Be advised that I made this on a whim. The time of updates may vary, and I humbly apologize if it takes especially long, along with any rude words I sputtered out. If you have any advice and good criticism, spill it all in the comments!

If you can't tell, Philemon's looks is not like Tatsuya in Persona 2. But rather, his look back in Persona 1!

And as always, take your time.