Chapter 12: The Secret of Butterfly

Yu Narukami

Night – 10/11/2012 – Iwatodai New Dorm, Tatsumi Port Island

The Shadow Operative and Investigation Team including Margaret and Nanako is currently standing in front of the dorm after a minute walk from the monorail station, not far from the old dorm the SEES used to stay. Mitsuru had arranged each of their room for them. But before they enter the dorm, Yu decide to make things clear about Minato's disappearance to the Shadow Operative, not wanting to delay the news any further. Everyone was left in shock to hear the truth from Yu, especially Yukari.

"Why didn't you tell us sooner?!" Yukari shout at Yu, "We could have done something about him!" Yu however, remain silent, refusing to argue with her. "It's not his fault! When Margaret told us about Minato, he has already been stolen and left not trace at the scene, that's why we need to play this song tomorrow, it's the only way to summon Orpheus, Minato's persona!" Yosuke defend Yu.

"I don't get it about this song, but if you want to summon Orpheus, I thought Aigis can do it. She has Minato's Wild Card." Junpei replies with confusion.

Everyone change their attention to Aigis who stood quietly beside Labrys. "You can do it, right…Aigis?" Labrys lean closer to Aigis face to see her expression. Nothing but blank.

"I'm…I'm sorry, I've give Minato's Wild Card to Elizabeth last month. She said she needed it to bring Minato back but…" Aigis stop her word, unable to answer further.

"…Elizabeth is trapped within Nyarlathotep's spell back at the Sea of Soul, she didn't make it in time to resurrected Minato. I tried to save her, but I was weak…" Margaret help Aigis finish her word, Yu take this moment to put his hand on Margaret's shoulder to comfort her. He then proceeds to pull her in close into an embrace. Yu comforts her while patting her back, with her forehead on his shoulder.

"Now I understand why you keep visiting his grave, you knew it all along! I guess I'm just some nobody that you refuse to tell the truth about him!" Yukari shout to Aigis before she rush to the door and slam it hard. Everyone quickly walk inside the dorm to catch up to her. "Takeba!" Mitsuru call for her as she saw her run to the stair and disappear.

As they enter the dorm, the Investigation Team is left amused by the design of the lounge. The floor is cover with turquoise pattern carpet, the wall and the ceiling was painted in pale green with a yellowish light from the ceiling. The lounge was decorated with two triple seat sofa and extra two single seat chair, all of it is placed around a long glass table in the middle of the chair. A fairly large TV is situated at the end corner of the lounge on top of a small wooden cabinet that keep remotes and magazine. (Much like the old lounge, but different design) On one of the sofa, a young boy wearing casual cloth is seen sitting with his eye lock onto Yukari that run up the stair. Beside's him, a white Shiba Inu is seen barking upon seeing the Shadow Operative arrival.

"Mitsuru-san, I heard about you being hospitalized, you should've stay at the hospital to cure your injuries." The boy said as he rouse from his seat and walk toward them with the dog following him.

"I'm alright. I apologize for making you worry, Amada, and you too, Koromaru." Mitsuru replies with a warm smile, "Do not worry about Takeba either, she will recover by tomorrow morning."

The boy, now recognize as Ken Amada(Persona: Kala-Nemi), only nod his head in understanding. Even Koromaru(Persona: Cerberus) bark in respond to her statement.

"Koromaru said he is happy to see you alright." Labrys translate Koromaru's language to the team. "Woah, you can understand dog, Labby-chan? That amazing!"Teddie said, amused.

"May I present to you, our two former members of the SEES and a persona user, Ken Amada and Koromaru." Mitsuru introduce them to the Investigation Team, and they all jaw drop.

"But he's a boy, and he's a dog! They have a persona?!" Kanji shout, surprise by the two persona users in front of him.

"Yes, they did, and they train hard over these past few years." Akihiko chuckles upon the team reaction.

"Oh really? Come here boy." Chie call for Koromaru. Koromaru happily walk to Chie legs and allow her to rub his fur, "Awww, he reminded me so much of my dog, only skinnier and smaller. Right, Yukiko?"

"You right, and he looks very loyal." Yukiko praise Koromaru, which she receives a bark from him.

"Koromaru said he's happy." Labrys translate again.

"Nice to meet you! Mitsuru-san told me all about you after she retrieve Labrys from Inaba. I'm relieved that everyone is alright." Ken bow slightly to greet the Investigation Team, Margaret and lastly Nanako.

"Hello there, I'm Ken Amada. What's your name?" Ken asks politely. Nanako, who standing behind Yu for the entire conversation, steps forward and give a bright smile, "I'm Nanako Dojima, nice to meet you." However, Yu quickly notice that Nanako is getting sleepy after seeing her yawns for a few times.

"You must be tired from today's event. I've prepare each of your rooms, the men's room is on the second floor while the girls' room is on the third floor. Here are your keys." Mitsuru said as she lends out a bunch of key to the Investigation Team, "We have enough room for each of you so you don't have to share with the others."

"Hmm…well I don't mind sharing my room with Senpai!" Rise said before clinging to Yu's arm. Said person just smile in response. "Well I guess I don't mind-" he quickly stop talking, realizing that Chie, Yukiko and Naoto is glaring daggers at both of them. He notice Mitsuru seems to be smiling at him.

"I'm afraid that is not allowed, any male who is caught in one of the girls' room will be personally punished by me." Almost every male there gulp nervously. She then continues, "Please rest for today, we will regroup at the Paulownia Mall again in the early morning for the concert before we head to my office for the second meeting with Nanjo."

With her job finally done, she leave the team and walk up the stair to sleep. "I'll show you the room, come on guys!" Junpei bring the boys to the second floor to their room. "Please follow me." Fuuka bring the girls to the third floor to their room. However, Margaret stood still at the lounge, which grabs Aigis's attention. "Margaret?" Aigis call for her.

"I have retrieved my sister's compendium book, so now I must return to the Velvet Room. If you wish to know something about the 'piece' within Minato's Wild Card, you may come with me right now." Margaret said, walking to the end corner of the lounge.

Aigis hesitate, but eventually agree as she wishes the others goodnight and follow Margaret. In a blink of an eye, a velvet door suddenly appears in front of them. "Let us go." Margaret said, reaching for the handle of the door.

Tatsuya Suou

Night – 10/11/2012 – Second floor, Shirakawa Boulevard, Tatsumi Port Island

In one of the hotel room of the second floor, Tatsuya is seen sitting on a small chair, stargazing outside the window in his night clothes. Maya is taking a shower in the bathroom, her dress is prepared on the king-sized bed. Just then, he heard a knock on his door, and he rush to the door to see Katsuya is standing in front of his room, wearing his casual cloth.

"Need to borrow a lighter." Katsuya said with a cigarette in his mouth. "Hold on." Tatsuya said, reaching out his pocket and takes out his personal lighter. "Thanks." Katsuya reply when his cigarette is lighted, he slowly walks away from the door but froze his feet when Tatsuya stop him with a question, "Brother, have you ever heard of 'Nuclear Chaos'?"

Katsuya turn to him with confusion, slowly walk back to him. "A few nights ago, I had a dream where I meet myself from the 'other side'. He told me that there's someone… or something out there stronger than Nyarlathotep is, known as 'Nuclear Chaos'." Katsuya remain silent for a moment.

"I know Nyarlathotep as the 'Crawling Chaos', but 'Nuclear Chaos'? …Never heard of it. Maybe you should ask Eriko about this, she probably knows more about this thing. Though I can't think of anyone could be more powerful than Nyarlathotep is." Katsuya finally reply, but Tatsuya could swear he can see a look of fear in his brother's eye. "You're right, I should ask Eriko later. Goodnight brother." Tatsuya said and close the door.

Just then, Maya come out of the shower clad only in towel, showing her well-maintained figure. "Who's that?" Maya ask, while reaching for her cloth and dress herself. "It's Katsuya, he was asking for my lighter. Don't worry about it." Tatsuya neatly respond, but Maya know him too well to know that he is lying. "…Tatsuya, tell me what happen." Maya demand him to answer as she sits on the bed. Tatsuya give a big sigh and sit next to Maya, leaning his head on his wife shoulder.

"…What do you think happen on the 'other side'? What do you think 'myself' is doing right now? I just…" Tatsuya try to find the strength to tell her, but it is too hard to explain. "It's okay, you can tell me." Maya said, she then puts his head on her lap, while soothing his head and give him more strength to continue, "Okay Maya, do you know about…"

"…The 'red star butterfly'…"

"Huh?!" Tatsuya rouse from his wife lap upon hearing the strange voice in his head, but the voice can no longer be heard. He can only clutch his head with his hand before dropping his body on the bed. "Tatsuya, what's wrong?!" Maya ask, slightly panicked by Tatsuya's action.

"…No, I-I'm fine. I'm just… tired for today. I promise to tell you tomorrow in the meeting. Now let's just…go to sleep…" Tatsuya avoid the question as he reaches for his blanket and switches off the light. Maya remain silent, but decide to let it slide for today when she sees Tatsuya's condition.

Aigis

Late Night – 10/11/2012 – Velvet Room

Aigis stood still as she observes the new design of the Velvet Room and Theodore besides Igor who sit in the middle of the large room. "Welcome back to the Velvet Room, Aigis-sama. I hope you like our new design for the room. This is Theodore, one of my assistant. Your arrival for today is a part of your destiny. Now please have a seat." Igor welcomes Aigis by introducing Theodore and finally pointing at the row of seven chairs opposite him. 'Too many chair...' Aigis thought, but she ignore it for now. As Margaret walk to Igor side, Theodore give a little lecture to Margaret.

"Sister, you must never leave the Velvet Room again without Master's permission." Theodore said. "I'm sorry, but I've reclaim Elizabeth's compendium book." Margaret said and she turns to Igor, "Forgive me, Master Igor, for my refusal to return to this room. Please secure this book for the time being." Margaret hand Igor Elizabeth's compendium book and Igor put it at the side of the table, returning his focus on Aigis who had sit on one of the seven chairs.

"Now, Aigis-sama, I'm sure you have many question to ask me, so take your time to think. However, I cannot promise you that I will answer your every question." Igor said, waiting for Aigis to speak.

"…What did Nyarlathotep, the 'Malevolent Entity' mean by the 'piece' inside me? Is it Minato's Wild Card or something else?" Aigis begin her first question.

"The 'piece' inside you was actually the piece of Minato's power that he used to seal Nyx. When Minato sealed Nyx with his power, some of that power was sealed inside his Wild Card, which later inherited to you. This is the power that Nyarlathotep desire from you." Igor answers, as he begins to shuffle the cards and arrange all Arcana card on the table. Suddenly, all the cards fuse themselves to reveal an empty card with 'XXIII' numeral number mark on it.

"This, Aigis-sama, is the empty card of Universe Arcana, forged by Minato two years ago to sealed Nyx. This Arcana is the only key to resurrect Minato and the only thing powerful enough to defeat Death, the last rider of the Four Horsemen on the day of prophecy."

Aigis is left in shock by his statement, "You mean… the Wild Card that I inherited from him can free him from the Great Seal?"

"Correct. Thus Elizabeth chooses to take the Wild Card from you and help to return the Wild Card to him. However, Elizabeth knows that if the Wild Card was to return to Minato and the Universe Arcana will be recreated, he will eventually become the Great Seal again once the day of prophecy has end. And so, she has discuss with me about it before she meet you, and finally come with a solution: she had decide to split the 'piece' in half, half for herself and half is put into Minato's Wild Card so that Minato can recreate the Universe Arcana while she regrow the 'piece' within her."

The answer didn't help Aigis understand about the situation, instead she becomes more and more confuse by each statement, "I…I don't understand, why does she want to take half of the 'piece'?"

"Because Elizabeth wishes that when Minato finally recreate the Universe Arcana, she can connect and transfer the 'piece' from Minato to the 'piece' within her, ultimately replace Minato as the Great Seal when the prophecy ends." Aigis gasps, too shocks to accept the truth about Elizabeth from Igor.

"If-If that's true, shouldn't I'll be the one to replace Minato as the Great Seal, not Elizabeth?"

"Exactly, but Elizabeth decide to replace Minato instead of you as she know how much value and precious you are to Minato. Furthermore, the 'piece' inside you cannot grow as powerful as Minato and Elizabeth, and your soul may not be accepted as the Great Seal. Elizabeth, as the resident of the Velvet Room and live within the Sea of Soul, can easily be accepts as the Great Seal in the Sea of Soul and be recognize with the 'butterfly' inside her."

"…'Butterfly'?"

"Yes, the 'butterfly', a better word for the 'piece', the power that Minato used to seal Nyx. That is what we allow to call, the great power that can connect to the collective unconsciousness and Sea of Soul. Nyarlathotep, 'Death', Minato and even my master, Philemon holds the power of the 'butterfly'. However, I cannot speak any further about the 'butterfly' due to my master order."

Igor continues, changing the topic before Aigis could ask anything about it.

"How Minato was able to hold the 'butterfly' power? The answer is simple. He unconsciously gained the power through Ryoji, 'Death' when you seal him inside Minato for 10 years. Strengthen by the bond he forged with his friend and full potential of Wild Card power, he was able to create the Universe Arcana by using the power of fully grown 'butterfly' directed from the Sea of Soul, much like universe itself. Now tell me, Aigis-sama, when you and your friend were trapped within the infinite loop by the power of Abyss of Time two years ago, have you ever saw a blue butterfly before you unlock your Wild Card power?"

The memory of that time suddenly flood back to her, "…Yes, I remember…"

"That, Aigis-sama, is my master, trying to pass down the Wild Card from Minato to you, along with the piece of Minato's 'butterfly' power. It is one of the reasons why Metis, the entity that manifested from your emotional side, was symbolized with red butterflies as her appearance, explained that she was created from the piece of the 'butterfly' power that started to awaken within your soul."

Aigis want to ask more but stop when Igor raises his hand toward the door, "I can explain more about it during your next visit, but now you must return to your world. Your friends need you." Aigis cannot start a word as she felt her body being pulled and dragged to the exit door by an invisible force.

Naoya Toudou

Late Night – 10/11/2012 – Third floor, Shirakawa Boulevard, Tatsumi Port Island

There's a knock on Naoya's gets up from his bed and trip a few times before reaching the door. Naoya open the door to see Eriko is standing in front of his door, wearing a beautiful night dress. "Hello, NaoyaAAAAAAHHH!" Eriko quickly close her eye, blushing heavily when she saw Naoya wearing only his boxer, showing his glorious torso. "Whoops, Sorry!" Naoya said grinning before closing the door. A moment later, Naoya reopen the door, dress in a plain gray T-shirt and shorts.

"Sorry about that, I thought it was the room service. Then again, they'll probably have the same reaction as you. Oh well, I guess I'm wrong then…" Naoya scratch the back of his head sheepishly. "Do you need anything, Eriko?"

"…No, actually…" Eriko hesitate a bit before answering him, "Since there's no one to bother us tonight, I'm thinking if we could take a walk outside. There's so much I want to know about what happen to you for the past 10 years." Once again, she stares at the ground, with a slight tint of red on her cheeks. But Naoya ignore it to check on his watch.

"Ah, sorry Eriko, it's getting late, might as well do it tomorrow." Naoya decline Eriko's offer and slowly begin to close his door, only to feel his wrist being gripped by Eriko's hand.

"But we won't get a chance like this, Naoya! I'm sure you know about my feelings toward you, so… just for tonight…" Eriko plead him to accept his offer.

"…" Naoya remain silent. He then tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear. As his face leaning closer to her, he suddenly become nervous when he check his watch again, which catch Eriko's curiosity, "Naoya, what's wro-"

3…2…1…

Foggy - Dark Hour

Eriko and Naoya froze themselves by the sudden change in their surroundings. The wall is covered in eerie green color and blood. The light and electricity is gone, and the environment is deadly silent and they can feel the heavy fog lifting. Slightly in panic, Eriko jump to Naoya to hug him. He just holds her closer to him and let her hug him.

"What happened?!" Eriko ask as she slowly releases herself from Naoya's body. "…I don't know. Let's wake the others first." Naoya slowly respond and rush through the corridor to knock on his friend's door. He trips his feet a few times, unable to see properly where he's heading due to the heavy fog.

"I thought I'm having a nightmare, but it's real!" Hidehiko scream as all his friends from the third floor assemble at the stair lead that lead to the second floor. Eriko is gripping Naoya's hand tightly with both of hers.

"Would you please calm down? Where are the others?" Yukino ask, realizing that everyone on the second floor is not there.

"Come on, let's check downstairs." Nanjo said, wiping his glass for the fourth time as his vision is blocked by the heavy fog. They went to the second floor to see Tatsuya, Maya, Katsuya, Ulala and Baofu is grouping near the stair with their casual clothes.

"Everyone!"Ulala call for Naoya and his friends when they all regroup. "Is Nyarlathotep behind this?!" Maya ask, but nobody give a respond.

"We should go outside, maybe we can find some clue about what had just transpired." Tatsuya suggest the team before carefully making his way to the lowest floor, followed by the others.

Yu Narukami

Foggy - Dark Hour – Iwatodai New Dorm

Yu wake himself up when he heard a multiple footstep running outside his room and the smell of blood and fog that penetrate into his room. Realizing that this is the Dark Hour, he sprint from his bed and reach out his cloth before rush outside to the lounge.

Upon his arrival, Yu saw all members of Investigation Team and Shadow Operative, including Aigis who are observing the lounge.

"It's happening again! Just like P-1 Climax tournament!" Labrys shout, covering her mouth by the heavy fog.

"Did Nyarlathotep do something?!" Akihiko said.

"Quick, check the TV for any new tournament!" Chie shout, lunge toward the TV that were put in the corner.

Everyone was left in fear to see the TV is not another tournament commercial, instead it showing a blurred figure of a giant sphere shaped creature. The creature true image cannot be seen properly due to the terrible graphic, but one can see carefully the creature has a many hands and yellow eye, currently 'floating' above some kind of tall tower beyond the eerie gigantic moon.

"What is that creature?! And is that Tartarus?!" Junpei shout in a mix of fear and nervousness, "And what's with the fog?! Please don't tell me it's worse outside…"

"Iori's right, we should check outside." Mitsuru commands. "That's not what I said!" Junpei disagree.

Eventually, everyone inside the dorm except Nanako(she has been transmogrified into coffin in her room) rush outside to see the heavy fog filling the entire city. The gigantic moon is close to new moon, the street is filled with coffin and blood and the air is seems to be painted in pale green. But what horrify them the most is the unclear presence of a tall tower piercing the sky in the middle of the Island.

"That's Tartarus, but I don't understand why it returns here." Mitsuru speak, unable to explain its return from Inaba during P-1 Climax tournament.

"Oh yeah, the glass." Yu said, reach for his pocket and takes out his glass. The moment he wear the glass, all the fog suddenly disappear from his sight. "Takes out your glasses, everyone, we can see through the fog with it." The Investigation Team wear their glass and the vision of the Dark Hour and Tartarus become clearer.

"The glass?" Yukari ask, trying to ignore Aigis presence besides her, "Do you have an extra?"

"Over here!" Teddie takes out 8 pairs of glass including one for Koromaru and give it to the Shadow Operative. Everyone begin to adjust their glass and is amazed to see the perfect vision. "This is something." Akihiko observe the glass for a while and wear it back.

"What should we do now? It's not a new tournament, so what is it?" Yosuke ask when he realizes everyone is clueless about what's happening.

"First of all, we need to warn Nanjo's group about not getting near that tower. They don't have the glasses to see through this fog. They could be attacked by shadow without even knowing it. Let's find them first." Akihiko suggest.

It is then decided that Fuuka and Rise will both use their persona to detect the others location. Working together greatly expand their searching range and allow them to search faster.

Tatsuya Suou

Street outside Shirakawa Boulevard

"Everyone, do not get separate from each other." Katsuya warn to the group as they walk outside their motel. Because of the heavy fog, the chance of being separated is very high.

"Have you tried to contact Miss Kirijo?" Baofu ask Nanjo.

"Signal's dead." Nanjo show Baofu his inactive phone.

"Mine's too." said Yukino after checking her phone briefly.

"Hey, do you see that?" Tatsuya said as he points his finger to the unclear image of Tartarus.

"When did that tower get there?" Maya wonder.

In the tense situation, they suddenly catch a glimpse of a group of figure walking their way towards them from the street. "Who's there?!" Katsuya shout, readying his pistol.

"It's us. We came by foot since our dorm is not too far from here." The voice of Yu is heard within the heavy fog. Everyone wipe their eye to see the Shadow Operative and Investigation Team is standing in front of them, wearing glasses.

"You guys! What are you doing here?! And how did you manage to find your way through this heavy fog?!" Tatsuya said.

"Relax. Teddie, the glasses.~" Yosuke reply, turning to Teddie. "Here you go!" Teddie give each of them a pair of glass. 'How many pair of glasses Teddie has in his pocket? Oh well, at least he's helping us with something.' Yu wonder. The group becomes amazed by the sudden clear vision around them.

"Thank goodness you all alright, I detect your presence here through my persona. We're worried that you'll get lost by this fog and go to the tower." Fuuka said in relieve as she glance at Tartarus.

"Thanks for the glasses, but still, what is happening here? And… why did you bring a kid and a dog?" Katsuya impatiently, demanding answer from the Shadow Operative and Investigation Team while adjusting his dark red glass, add with the presence of Ken and Koromaru. "I'm not a kid anymore." Ken mumbles in an annoyed tone.

"This is the Dark Hour, only those with a persona can actively experience this hour. But now is not the right time, I will tell you about this tomorrow and introduce these two to you at the same time." Mitsuru explain, "The Dark Hour will soon end after an hour, so I warn you not to go near the tower and take a rest at your place. Leave the rest to us."

Naoya, who kept silent the entire situation, begin to speak, "…Dark Hour, huh? Why must you stop us from going to that tower? ...Unless, you're hiding something over there. Are you even sure you're the real Miss Kirijo? Just being curious by the way you're speaking." He chuckles at the end.

"Hey! Watch your mouth!" Akihiko scold Naoya, cracking his knuckles, almost readying to punch him.

Yu cough to get their attention. "This is not the right time for a fight. There could be shadows out here, and we don't know about their presence. Mitsuru-san's right, we should go home for now and wait for tomorrow." Yu speak in his leader tone to calm the situation. Almost everyone nod their heads.

"Wait, there's a shadow in this hour?!" Tatsuya join in the argument, "How much you didn't tell me, Yu?" The situation becomes more intense when everyone else joins in the argument, most of them defending their respective leaders. A small fight begins to ensue in front of the motel, where many shouting can be heard.

'At least I tried calming them down…' Yu sigh slowly, wiping his forehead with the back of his right hand. Yukiko, being one of the calmer ones in the group, stood beside him while gripping his left hand, preferring to stand beside her leader/crush than to join in the argument.

"Everyone, enough! We're not a child anymore, stop fighting!" Yukino try to calm the tense situation. "The fog, it's making you unable to control your emotion! We need to calm down, this is what the fog want us to do!" Naoto shouts at them, making them stop fighting. The atmosphere drastically turn back to silent, with everyone realizing that they're being deceive by the effect of the fog.

"I can't believe I've been fooled by this fog. I'm sorry." Tatsuya sigh, rubbing his forehead.

"Huh, I'm so embarrass right now. To think that this fog can easily plays with my manly emotions. I'm ashamed of myself, I shall commit seppuku." Naoya prepares to kneel down, only to jerk back up by his companion sudden pull.

"Please rest for today, we have our time to discuss tomorrow." Mitsuru repeats her reminder.

The situation has finally calms itself when everybody agree to wait until tomorrow to discuss about the Dark Hour. Filled with thousands of emotion about the Dark Hour, they all eventually return to their place. But of course, nobody at Shirakawa Boulevard can sleep until the Dark Hour end. The Investigation Team and Shadow Operative is no exception back in the dorm, the image of the sphere shape creature and the buzzing sound won't stop appearing and making noise on every TV screen in every room until it stop when the Dark Hour end, keeping them awake.

Aigis cannot sleep at all that night, the word 'butterfly' continue to mutter at her mouth. So many questions she want to ask Igor about Elizabeth, but nothing comes in mind.

'…'Butterfly'?' Aigis thought to herself…

? – 10/11/2012 – The alternate realm of unconsciousness

"Yes, the 'butterfly', the piece of the power that had once forged the Universe! It is no longer in that machine's body!" Nyarlathotep scream in anger as his initial form in the dark, empty realm with the white silhouette and Strife, the black silhouette.

"'You said you can sense it inside 'her'." The white silhouette speaks toward Nyarlathotep, correcting his reference.

"We need to find the 'piece' before it returns to the 'messiah'!" Nyarlathotep scream, but is responded with a laugh from the white silhouette. "You dare laugh at me,Conquest?!"

The white silhouette, now identify as Conquest, reply, "Nyarlathotep, you are the most knowledgeable among us, yet you are extremely stubborn and hungry for power. What parts have you not understand? All four man of prophecy and all riders of the Four Horsemen will gather on the Judgement Day, nothing can prevent that from happen. The 'messiah' will return to the world, it is undeniable. Or perhaps, you fear of the 'messiah' power? "

"Don't you dare say that, Conquest! You have no right to speak to me in that way! Without my help, your 'butterfl-"

"My symbol is the 'serpent', not 'butterfly', Nyarlathotep. Besides, I have repaid all my debt to you by creating the prophecy with the other 'riders'. I even fasten the date for the Judgement day on your request. Now just give up on choosing 'messiah' as the vessel, you must already know who could be the perfect vessel for Death…"

"Then let us see on the night of the full moon, I will make sure Yog-Sothoth rips the 'messiah' soul apart before he can get the 'piece'! I will find the 'piece', and then I will give it to Death as the sacrifice!"

"The date for Death's arrival comes only after all other three of us has arrives, no need to rush. What about the sacrifice for… War?"

"That woman? Her body worth nothing for him! I told my people to kidnap her simply to bring back the 'sun' and her memory of the 'other side'! Now, the 'sun' memory has return, and soon, the 'others' will have their memory return as well, and the 'other side' can be connect to this 'side' and bring him here once he awaken!"

"Yes, and I know he has thousands of 'instrument of madness' with him, never forget that we need 'Seven Trumpet' from him for the final seal. He has sleep in his domain far too long since his defeat in the hands of Philemon and after passed down his 'role' to you eons ago, it is now time for him to wake up."

"I don't need you to remind me, Conquest, I know him better than you do! Now, Strife…" Nyarlathotep change his attention to the black silhouette, "Your 'future' vessel told me about your action today with the 'father', EXPLAIN TO ME!"

Strife, who remains silent for the entire conversation begin to speak, "Is it forbidden for me to meet with my opponent?"

"You lie to me, you told the 'father' about Izanami!"

"I told him nothing about her! And I do believe we have an agreement that you will NEVER touch Izanagi and Izanami without my permission!"

"HAHAHAHAHAHA! Are you that naïve, Strife?! If you felt sympathize with them both, you can consider yourself remove from the Four Horsemen!"

"I only agree to join the Four Horsemen for them to be together, to let them start a new life on the next cycle! Because I believe destroying everything can remove the darkness in their heart!"

"And yet the darkness in your heart was the one cannot be removed even when the world has end! HAHAHAHA! Such a fool!"

Filled with anger, Strife slowly disappears from the realm, leaving Nyarlathotep and Conquest.

"…He desire for humanity happiness, like Izanami, but he choose the darkness and dust in human heart to achieve that happiness. He is neither wise nor fool, his heart and soul is full of 'strife', fit for his rider's name…" Conquest comments to Nyarlathotep as he begins to leave the realm, leaving Nyarlathotep alone in the darkness.

Elizabeth

? – 10/11/2012 – Somewhere in distant realm from human world

Elizabeth wake herself up when she heard Ryoji call out her name. She wakes up to find that she and Ryoji had been trapped in some kind of small steel cage similar to a cage for animal, barely having any space for her to stand. When she looks outside the cage, she realizes that they were on a very small Island filled with only green grass on the ground and surrounded by calm dawn-colored water. She couldn't tell whether it's morning or night by the heavy fog that filled the atmosphere, making the boundary of the water invisible from her vision.

"Elizabeth, are you alright?" Ryoji ask with concern upon seeing her clutch her head in dizziness. "Thank you, Ryoji, but where are we?" Elizabeth weakly reply as she quickly checks her cloth, "Where's my compendium book?"

"You lost it during your fight, and I don't know where we are. But it doesn't matter, the Wild Card is safe." Ryoji smile as he takes out the Evoker. "Thank goodness, I thought I lost it too." Elizabeth sigh in relieve and take the Evoker from Ryoji. "Anyway, we need to get out, just a few more days before the Great Seal being broken."

"You can't escape from here." A female voice is heard from the heavy fog. They both turn to see Marie, dressed in a beautiful black kimono, standing in front of the cage with a sorrowful expression."I save you from Nyarlathotep's spell and Erebus attack when I saw you in the Sea of Soul and bring you here."

"Thank you for saving us, ummm… What's your name, beautiful?" Ryoji thanks her before praising her look with a charming smile. "…Izanami, Izanami-no-Mikoto." Marie gives her true name, "You both are now in my dungeon. But under my master's order, I'm not allows you to escape from this sealed cage. You will not break free no matter how much you try."

Ryoji turn quiet, but still decide to persuade her, "…Then… it's good to see you, Izanami-chan! But we both really need to get out, there's something we need to-"

"I know. You want to release the 'messiah' from the Great Seal, which is why I must trap you here under my master order, to prevent you from resurrecting him." Marie finishes Ryoji's word before she turns away from them, "I have to go now, I can't stay here any longer." And Marie slowly walks away from them.

"Izanami, wait!" Elizabeth shouts to her, Marie turn to see her pleading face, "Please, I know you don't want to do this. You are a shadow but you can maintain your human form because you had formed a bond with human, am I right?"

Marie remains silent, which allow Ryoji to continue Elizabeth's word, "I know how you feel, Izanami-chan. I know you don't want to do this. I too, was forced to do something against my own will. We are so similar, Izanami-chan. But sometimes, we are given a choice to do something right for the people we care about. It doesn't matter is we're a shadow or a human. In the end, we were all given a choice. I'm sure you have someone special to you."

Elizabeth and Ryoji immediately see tears pouring from her eye, rolling down her cheek.

'Yu…' She thought about her precious person.

She quickly wipes her tears with her kimono and faces them, "…But I don't have a choice, this is the only way I can be with him. He lives in a better world but I… I'm just a shadow, I can't escape from this curse." Marie breaks into tears and can no longer stop her cheek from being wet by her tears.

"If you wish for it, we can do it." Elizabeth said, "You love him right? Your husband, Izanagi… No, you love 'him', the 'father' in the prophecy, Yu Narukami."

"No, you don't understand! I will be used as my master sacrifice for his arrival! All the essence of my power will be taken from him! I can't…I just can't…" With that word, Marie run to the edge of the tiny Island and sink into the water before disappearing completely.

"…If you are the sacrifice for Strife, then I'll be the vessel for Death…" Ryoji whispers, leaning his head to the side of the cage. Elizabeth remains silent, realizing that they cannot escape for the time being.

A/N: This chapter, my dear readers, marks the beginning of my powerful theory about persona, shadow and the collective unconsciousness in this story. Let me reminds you that this is just my THEORY, nothing else. You must be extremely confuse by my 'butterfly' (that's what I like to call… for now) theory, but please have faith in me, everything will be answer and make sense in the end. About the Universe Arcana, I know it supposes to replace World Arcana in tarot card desk, but I decide to place it in number 23(XXIII) after 22(Fool Arcana second number).

Now some of you who love H.P Lovecraft story and truly recognize Nyarlathotep can already guess who the 'Nuclear Chaos' is. That is why I need my reader to never give spoiler about it in my review section.(It's just a reminder, better if you don't know about it first)

In this chapter, let's just assume that the Investigation Team has already know about the Dark Hour from the Shadow Operative and base on Persona 4 Arena 2 trailer, the Dark Hour and Tartarus did occur and happen in Inaba. A small note to you, Ken Amada is 13 years old in this story, so he's not really a young boy… although he's still short, which is why Katsuya mistaken him for a kid. I won't say anything about Nyarlathotep's conversation with Conquest and Strife, but I'll be glad if that small conversation can give you some thought about the mystery of the prophecy.

To Yami no Majou077, congratulation, your guess are right, the 'piece'…or rather, the piece of 'butterfly' really is the key to revive Minato. Unfortunately, to sarle33321, I'm really sorry, he's not coming back for now and the next chapter.