Chapter 15: Time-space Corruption
Tatsuya Suou
Sunny – Morning – 13/11/2012(Tuesday) – Police Department, Konan, SumaruCity
(1 day before the break of Great Seal)
Inside Tatsuya's office, Tatsuya, Maya, Katsuya, Ulala, Baofu and even Lisa and Eikichi was seen gathering inside the office, each wearing a deadly serious expression. Matsuya and Miyabi were waiting outside on Katsuya request, not wanting to disturb the discussion. Their main topic was the paranormal situation that happened last night, or rather, 'hidden hour' that awaken all persona user in Sumaru City with the loud sound of bell ringing from somewhere in Rengedai. Their other topic was of course, the returned memory of Maya, Lisa and Eikichi of the 'other side'.
"Now explain to me, what do you remember?" Tatsuya asked Lisa and Eikichi who remained silent ever since they step foot into his office.
"…Everything." Eikichi finally spoke with a pale face, "About the fire at Araya shrine, the masked circle, a-and… Maya got stabbed after we beat down Nyarlathotep." Lisa turned to Tatsuya and Maya to speak. "Why did our memory return last night? Why now?"
"…It's because my memory returned first, then you guys followed afterward." Tatsuya explain, "Where's Jun?"
"He's at school right now, I don't want to bother him. We can ask him to come later-" Lisa didn't manage to finish her word when Tatsuya interrupted.
"NO, ask him to come here now. If he can't, we will go to his school and force him to come with us. We got no time." Tatsuya demanded.
"School… Tatsuya, what happened last night?" Lisa asked.
"Dark Hour, a hidden hour between 2 days, only those who had a persona can experience the Dark Hour. So many explanations, we'll talk about that later okay?"
"What about the 'tower'?" Lisa asked again. This time, everyone change their attention to Lisa's. "What tower?" Ulala return the question.
"You see, Seven Sister High is just in front of my house, so I can have a clear view of the school. But last night, I mean, during the Dark Hour, I saw the school turn into… some kind of tower."
Everyone become shocked, curious if this might be the same clock tower mentioned by Orpheus. "Then my instinct was right." Tatsuya said.
"Do you know something?" Baofu asked.
"Think about it. Did you hear the bell last night?" Katsuya begin to start his theory, everyone nodded. "Clock tower usually has a bell that ring every time the arrow struck midnight. Which mean…"
"It might be the same clock tower mention by Orpheus! That mean Minato Arisato's body must be somewhere inside the tower!" Maya shouted.
"I'm sorry, can someone tell me what happened?!" Eikichi screamed, "What are you guys talking about?! Orpheus? Dark Hour? Who's Minato Arisato?"
"You want explanation? Then get me Jun, NOW!" Tatsuya snapped. "Fine! I'm calling him! Then you better explain to us, Tatsuya." Lisa was the one who shouted back, she flipped open her phone and rushed outside.
Tatsuya sighed heavily, but calmed by Maya who stood beside him. "Don't worry, everything will be alright." Maya smile to him, which he finally returned the smile. "I seriously don't know why I raise my voice like that, my bad." Tatsuya apologized to Eikichi.
Just then, the door swing open revealing Shiori Miyashiro, Tatsuya and Katsuya assistant at their office, standing at the door. "Someone wish to see you." Shiori said. "I know, let them in." Katsuya ordered. Shiori then bring along Eriko and Yukino into the room before Shiori left the room. "You come as we requested." Baofu said.
"This is the thing you ask me to give to you." Yukino handed out three pair of Teddie's glass that belonged to Yukino, Eriko and Hidehiko to Eikichi, Lisa and lastly Tatsuya. "Thanks, we're going to need it tonight." Tatsuya replied.
"What's with this glass?"Eikichi curiously asked.
"You'll understand soon enough." Maya answered.
Suddenly, Lisa rushed into the office with a panic expression. "Lisa, what's wrong?" Eikichi became panicked as well.
"Jun, he-he collapsed during his class half an hour ago!" Lisa answered, which in return making the office's atmosphere became intense.
"Come on, let's go to Seven Sisters High!" Tatsuya shouted, reached for his jacket and run outside, followed by the others. Miyabi was left to return to the sushi restaurant first while Matsuya was left in Yukino's care.
"Tatsuya, wait!" Eriko called for Tatsuya just before he started his bike, "About the 'Nuclear Chaos' you ask me to investigate, I found something about it. You need to see this!" Eriko took out a piece of paper from her purse.
"That can wait, Eriko. We can check it later." Tatsuya impatiently wore his helmet and turned the handle. "No, you don't understand! The 'Nuclear Chaos' is-" She didn't managed to finish her word as Tatsuya and the others leave the station for the school.
Yu Narukami
Rainy – Afternoon – 13/11/2012(Tuesday) – Library, Yasogami High, Inaba
(1 day before the break of Great Seal)
Instead of going for lunch break, Yu choose to stay in the library, piling stock of history books about Japan mythology on the table. What Izanagi said last night about Marie never left his mind. He flipped the page in flash, quickly dissatisfied and changed the book again. On his fifth book however, Yu widened his eyes on a few page, the chapter that told about Izanami sent to the land of dead after giving birth to Kagutsuchi, the god of fire.
"Yomi, the land of dead…" Yu mumbled, not noticing the presence of all member of the Investigation Team that slowly walking toward him.
"We tried to find you after class, but we can't find you anywhere." Yukiko said, startling Yu and making him look away from the book. "Yukiko? And everyone?" Yu rub his forehead. "I'm sorry, I didn't notice you guys here."
"What's that book?" Yosuke asked, peeking the content of the page, "…Yomi, leaded by Izanami as the goddess of the land of dead. Why so sudden?"
"The Dark Hour last night, you all must have seen it." Yu stated and they all nodded. "Izanagi said Marie might be in Yomi-"
"Wait, Marie? Where?" Kanji asked, making Yu confused for a second and replied. "Last night? You all see it, don't you? Marie appeared on the screen last night, wearing a black kimono and standing at the entrance of Yomotsu Hirasaka. Well, I'm not sure if it was the same place."
"No, we didn't." Rise said, "There's only a figure of that strange creature we saw back at Port Island. We never saw Marie."
"Well, I saw her, and I use the Contact Card to ask Izanagi about it. He said she might be in Yomi."
"We'll figure something out, let's meet again after school at Junes." Chie said. She then leaned her head closer and put her chin on Yu's shoulder. She saw him holding a piece of paper near the book and read it out loud. "Kotoamatsukami? What's that?" Yu quickly place his index finger on her lips to stop her from disturbing other student, which made her cheek turn bright red.
"Not too loud okay? *sigh* About Strife. Izanagi said Strife was placed in a 'higher position' than Izanagi and Izanami. I'm starting to think that Strife might be some god that existed before Izanagi and Izanami in Japan mythology. Thus, I can't think of anyone other than leader of Kotoamatsukami, Amenominakanushi, maybe because he was the one that created Izanagi and Izanami in the beginning and still be worshiped till this day. I mean, who could possibly understand Izanagi and Izanami more than him?"
"ONE of the gods that created Izanagi and Izanami, but are you sure?" Naoto said.
"No, but let it rest for now. What about you? Has Mitsuru-san contact you about Minato's location?"
"About that, Mitsuru-san said Mr. Suou found something interesting about the clock tower that appeared at Sumaru City, and she said leave the finding to those of Sumaru City."
"That's a relief. Anyway, let's focus on finding this Yomi land. We don't know when Adachi will act again, so let's be cautious." Yosuke said.
And they all left the library, avoiding the stare they received from the students who became curious by their strange conversation.
Tatsuya Suou
Cloudy – Afternoon – Seven Sisters High, Rengedai, Sumaru City
The group barged into the pharmacy room at the first floor to find any presence of Jun. Eventually, they saw Jun, wearing his black teaching uniform with a yellow flower attached to the left breast pocket, sleeping on one of the bed serve by the medical student.
"What happen?!" Eikichi asked the nursing female student who sit on a chair beside Jun.
"I-I don't know! He was in the middle of teaching our class and all of sudden he collapse to the ground! We check the blood pressure and his temperature, but we found nothing. We thought maybe he's just too tired." The student nervously answered.
"Thank you for looking after him. You can leave us." Tatsuya thanked her and she nodded before leaving the room. Finally confirmed that no one else was inside the room, Tatsuya took a seat beside Jun and begin to calling out for him. "Jun, wake up."
Jun slowly open his eye and began to search for the voice that calling out for him. He smiled when he saw Tatsuya gazing his face. "Oh, Tatsuya, I had a painful dream last night, a dream about you." He said as he reached out his hand and put it on Tatsuya's cheek. The atmosphere suddenly became awkward when Jun lean his head closer to Tatsuya, making him slightly shocked.
"Take your time." Katsuya said. Tatsuya turned to the others to see the other backing away from him with raised eyebrows. "NO! IT'S NOT WHAT YOU THINK!" Tatsuya screamed embarrassedly and push the hand away from him.
"Tatsuya, I never knew…you had that kind of relationship before…" Maya said in a soft voice while gazing outside the window. "Maya, I'm straight! I swear!" Tatsuya was giving his best convincing his wife about the situation.
"Lust can be strange sometime." Baofu wisely said. "NOT YOU TOO!" Tatsuya shouted.
"AHAHAHAHA!" Jun laughed as he holding his own stomach tightly, trying to contain his laughter. "I'm joking! You already have a wife and a son, I wouldn't want to disturb your life. You never change, Tatsuya. And that's what I like about you." Tatsuya turned away from him in embarrassment. 'So he wasn't called Joker for nothing.' Tatsuya thought. "Unless…you like it that way.~" Tatsuya blushed again and cursed him slightly.
"Are you all right, Kashihara?" Katsuya step forward.
"I'm alright, just feeling dizzy for some reason. It's just that last night, I had a weird dream, but it felt more like a memory than a simple dream. I was in my room, but the surrounding was painted in red and my watch stop working right at midnight." Jun stated his answer.
"It wasn't a dream, Jun." Lisa turned to step forward, "It was our memory of the 'other side'."
"…So what Sudou said 12 years ago was right. I am the Joker." Jun faded into despair after he said this, "…Nyarlathotep, is he back?"
Jun, Lisa and Eikichi turned to Tatsuya and Maya for answer. "…Yeah, he's back. But this time, we got ourselves a bigger trouble than Nyarlathotep. I hope you guys remember how to summon your persona." Tatsuya said, leaning his body the wall next to Jun's bed.
And thus began the long explanation about the Four Horsemen, the Shadow Operative and Investigation Team, the incident that took place at Tatsumi Port Island 3 days ago, the Dark Hour, Midnight channel with fog and the missing body of Minato. The three of them became horrified to hear such story, more over that the Great Seal will break tomorrow's night, exactly on the new moon.
"You should have let us know." Lisa said, "We're your friend, yet why?"
"I have no choice, I'm the one that hide this thing from you because I don't want you to get involve. But it seems that I can't…" Tatsuya sadly said, but he quickly regained his confident look again, "Tonight, in front of Seven Sisters High, we will all gather along with our weapon." Tatsuya took out a pair of Teddie's glass and hand it to Jun. "We're going to find Minato's body. It must be TONIGHT."
Aigis
Cloudy – Afternoon – 13/11/2012(Tuesday) – Kirijo Main Facility, Tatsumi Port Island
(1 day before the break of Great Seal)
Aigis and Labrys waited calmly for Mitsuru to arrive at the main office, after hearing that Mitsuru brought the latest news about the search for Minato. Only a day remains, and everybody is starting to lose their focus.
Yukari was the most, starting to lose hers on her college study, afraid that he would not be found before the seal break. It's actually painful to watch, although she had finally accepted his death 2 years ago, now knowing that he has a possibility to return, started to miss him again. Mitsuru never showed it anyone, but she was frequently seen staring at the picture of Minato whenever she's alone, even a mature person like Mitsuru would fall into depression if it involved her first love. Fuuka can't focus on her computer report as well, as she always seemed to not hearing anything anyone else was saying. This pained Aigis to see their condition.
However, that feeling was washed away when Mitsuru walked in smiling, and nodded towards them. "I have brings good news and bad news from Sumaru City. Which one do you prefer first?" Mitsuru asked.
"Aigis?" Labrys turned to Aigis for answer. "We let the bad news go first, Mitsuru-san."Aigis said.
"Very well, the persona users from Sumaru City had confirmed that the Dark Hour had occurred last night, added with the rain." Mitsuru said.
"The Dark Hour at Sumaru City, with a rain?!" Labrys shockingly said.
"Correct, the reason is currently unknown, but it seems that a tower similar to Tartarus has appeared at Sumaru City as well."
"What kind of tower?" Aigis turn to ask.
"That's the good news." Mitsuru suddenly smile, "Tatsuya state that it might be a clock tower."
"Then, the clock tower that Orpheus mention is-" Aigis can't contain her little excitement.
"We're still unsure, but it might be possible." Mitsuru confidently said, brightening the look on Aigis's face.
"Then let us place our hope in them." Aigis said, "And may we see Minato again."
Yu Narukami
Sunny – Evening – Junes, Inaba
"Good news, everyone. Mr. Suou found a clock tower similar to Tartarus at Sumaru City." Naoto revealed the news to the Investigation Team at their meeting table. Everyone began to clap in joy until Naoto reveal that it only appeared during Dark Hour.
"Well, at least we have a lead. What about Minato's soul then?" Yosuke speak.
"We can leave it to Margaret, she knows what to do." Yu said, looking down to his paper that wrote 'Amenominakanushi, the leader of Kotoamatsukami' with an arrow to the word 'Strife'.
"Amenominakanushi is Strife? Sensei is a genius!" Teddie said as he peek the content of the paper.
"It's just a theory, but it might be possible." Yu replied. "And I can't believe you actually managed to spoke the name perfectly at first try."
"I'm not sure." Yukiko said, which gained the attention of everyone at the table, "In mythology, Amenominakanushi was the first god that came into existence followed by Takamimusubi, Kamimusubi and two other god which later become Kotoamatsukami, the heavenly group of gods who assisted Izanagi and Izanami in creating Japan. Amenominakanushi is one of the most worshipped god in Japan."
"Whoaa, seems strong." Kanji said.
"Where did you learn that, Yukiko?" Chie ask.
"It's our family tradition to learn about our culture and origin. But Amenominakanushi wasn't bad, maybe you guess wrong? It could be Amatsu-Mikaboshi." Yukiko lock her eye toward Yu, looking for answer.
"Amatsu-Mikaboshi?"
"The god of evil and stars in Japan mythology, he is said to be the dark force that exist before Izanagi and Izanami."
"Yeah, Yukiko could be right! The Strife must be evil, older than Izanagi and Izanami and extremely strong! It must be Amatsu-Mikaboshi!" Chie support her theory of Strife's identity.
"But when I remember it right, wasn't Strife being nice when he talk to Yu's persona? He can't be completely bad, right?" Yosuke said.
"So you're saying Yukiko might be wrong? Even if he is 'nicer', he still one of the Four Horsemen that will destroy our world!"
"Hey! I'm just giving my thought! Izanami tried to destroy our world with fog but she accepted her defeat and praised us."
"Yeah, Yosuke's right! One point for Yosuke!" Teddie lifted his finger and point it at Yosuke, flashing a smile, which he raised a thumb back at him.
As they debated, Yu remained quite with many guess flew inside his mind about Strife. "Who could it be?" Yu mumble to himself.
"Senpai." Yu looked beside him and saw Rise looking at him worriedly.
"Don't think too much of it okay? I don't like seeing you stressed…" She said, frowning slightly.
Yu brightened up a bit, happy knowing that she was worried for him. He ruffled her hair affectionately, "Thank you Rise-chan." He smiled at the idol. She pouted a bit for messing her hair, but smiled nonetheless.
Rise then leaned her head on Yu's shoulder. "Of course, Yu-kun."
Naoya Toudou
Heavy Rainy – Evening – 13/11/2012(Tuesday) –Nanjo mansion, Mikage-Cho
"Go away." Nanjo growled to Naoya who was currently standing in front of his doorstep.
"I have something to discuss about last night, would you hear me out? I promise I won't ask for tea." Naoya smirked. Nanjo eventually allowed him to walk into the mansion and to the living room, accompanied by Nanjo's butler.
"Make it quick." Nanjo said as he took a seat on a sofa opposite Naoya.
"Are you awake last night, during the Dark Hour?"Naoya began his discussion.
"…So you are aware of the Dark Hour last night as well. I have already informed Miss Kirijo about our situation, and I received news from Sumaru City that the Dark Hour occurred there as well." Nanjo stand from his sofa, "if that is the topic you wish to discuss with me, then it's all under control. You may leave."
"Not even a cup of tea?" Naoya asked, which he received a deadly glare from Nanjo, "Okay, no tea. But WHY do you think the Dark Hour occur at here and Sumaru City? Do you have any guess?"
Nanjo turned his eye back at Naoya, and return to his seat. "Your point is?"
"Because the space, the time, everything is beginning to corrupt, Nanjo. My reason? My guess is Tatsuya's memory of the 'other side' returning to him, or probably because Minato Arisato is returning."
"Stop with the riddle, what's your point?" Nanjo harshly said, starting to lose his temper.
"There are no riddles, Nanjo. All I want to say is the time and space is on the brink of destruction right now. The Four Horsemen might have link to Tatsuya and Minato."
"How are they linked?"
I don't know, but I know for sure that we need to fix this time and space destruction." Naoya said as he stand from his sofa, "I think that's enough for today, I shall go home now."
Nanjo frowned, not understand a single word he said, but still lead him to the front door.
"Oh, by the way, Nanjo, have you visited the SEBEC company building?" Naoya asked before he took his leave.
"That building was abandoned for more than 10 years ever since we kill Kandori, I have no reason to visit there." Nanjo answered.
"Well, you should be." Naoya smirked, taking his leave to his silver car.
? – 13/11/2012(Tuesday) – The alternate realm of unconsciousness
(1 day before the break of Great Seal)
Nyarlathotep entered the dark realm with anger and deadly intention. Conquest was the only one in the realm, wondering Nyarlathotep's sudden behavior.
"WHERE IS STRIFE?!"Nyarlathotep screamed.
"May I know your reason?"Conquest replied.
"The Tower of Seven Chain of Time is being revealed at Sumaru City! I want to know where Strife is!"
"He is not in charge of everything in the land of his existence. Perhaps the 'Grand butterfly' is taking his action?"
"F*cking Philemon! All the keys to the 'other side' had been connected, but the 'messiah' location is right before their eyes!"
"We still have a day."
"NO! WE MUST PREVENT THE REVIVAL OF 'MESSIAH'! And so, Conquest, give me Nut and Geb to guard the body of 'messiah'!"
"Children of Shu? Can you guarantee they will be able to defeat the 'sun' group? I want no harm to them."
"You want to think about their safety?! You are just as dumb as Strife! Your job is too-"
Nyarlathotep was heavily thrown backward by the invisible force attack by Conquest.
"Let me remind you that you are currently speaking to the 'point setter of world and universe cycle', I dare you to speak to me again in that manner and I shall banish you myself. I shall allow you to take Nut and Geb to guard the body, but the consequence will be on you."
"Grrrr! Just you wait, Conquest! War shall destroy you with his 'butterfly' power, just you wait!"Nyarlathotep screamed and slowly leave the realm, leaving Conquest to think of something.
"Since the time and space is on the brink of destruction, it sign the return of Chronos's 'true consciousness', perhaps?"
Tatsuya Suou
Cloudy – Late night – Seven Sisters High entrance
Lisa, Eikichi and Jun were the first to arrive at the main gate. Eikichi was ready with his guitar case machine gun, Lisa with her fist and Jun with his… flower (this is true). Shortly after, Tatsuya and Maya arrived at the scene equipped with their weapon. Their son was still in care of Yukino who wasn't allowed to follow in order to take care of Matsuya.
"We don't know what's inside, so our persona is what we need the most." Maya said.
"I know, Hades is begging to be use right now! I never felt such excitement to use my persona again!" Eikichi said.
"Don't get too excited." A voice was heard from behind them. They turned to see Katsuya, Ulala and Baofu approaching them after park their car not far from the entrance gate. "Remember, our objective is to find Minato Arisato's body." Katsuya add.
"Ok, what time is it?" Ulala asked.
"It's about…" Jun looked at his precious watch gave by Tatsuya when he was a child, "…now."
[[[[[.]]]]]
3…2…1…
[[[[[.]]]]]
Foggy - Dark Hour –Tower of Seven Chain of Time
The school that place in the middle of Sumaru City has transformed into gigantic clock tower with possibly 50+ floors. The wall and ground was paint in blood red, the design resemble all about numeral number, hourglass and giant clock. 7 huge steel chains were link into the tower's top floor from the wall connect from the mysterious huge hole that appeared surrounding the tower. On the highest and middle floor, a giant red clock with design of red butterfly and only have minute and second arrow is place indicating the time -:00:36(0 minute 36 second), add with a giant rusty bell above the clock ringing the entire city. A small earthquake happened at the same the school formed into the tower, which almost make some of Tatsuya's group fall to the ground.
"My theory was right, the clock tower is here!" Tatsuya shouted in satisfaction, turning to the others. "Minato's body is here-"
Tatsuya gasp, too shocked to see Jun collapsed to the ground as he breathed heavily gasping for air. "Jun!" Lisa, Eikichi and Maya shouted at the same time, checking his status.
Aigis
Clear Sky – Dark Hour – Iwatodai New Dorm, Tatsumi Port Island
[[[[[.]]]]]
Aigis was awakened by the sudden earthquake in her room. It was the Dark Hour, but an earthquake was more than suspicious. She checked the earthquake level again, and realized that it actually came from the lounge. With uneasiness in her heart, she marched to the door and to the first floor.
The Shadow Operative became pale when they saw the scenery before their eye. Akihiko and Junpei have removed the chair and the table when they saw a glimpse of light beneath the carpet under it. Finally remove the carpet, they found a secret underground passage locked with a mysterious round shaped padlock engrave with the English word 'Abyss' on it. The light come from the open space of the square door, but of course, no one was able to break the small yet strong padlock that sealed the passage.
"The Abyss of time…" Aigis whispered. Everyone except Labrys didn't have to guess what's beneath the secret passage. "Does that mean we're stuck here?!" Junpei scream, marching toward the front door and jump toward it to slam the door open. Surprisingly, the door was able to open, causing Junpei to fall to the ground outside the dorm.
"I guess not." Junpei said, walking back into the dorm. "But the Abyss of time is sealed, it's not like we can get through." Yukari said after checking the round padlock again.
"But why did the Abyss of time return here?" Fuuka said curiously.
"Is it because after we heard that Minato might come back, our feeling of wanting to meet him brings the abyss here?" Ken said. No one can argue with that, what Ken said might be true. They all want to meet Minato, but was it the cause? No one was sure.
They tried to break the padlock with weapon and mechanical equipment, but it was all in vain. Junpei even go as far as using his baseball bat to hit the padlock, result in his bat being destroyed. They continued to wait until the Dark Hour end, which surprised them with another event. The secret passage on the ground suddenly disappeared in a burst of light right after the Dark Hour end, leaving no trace of the square door ever existed.
Clear Sky – After Midnight – 14/11/2012(Wednesday)
(The day the Great Seal break)
They worries grow as they realized that the date change again. Tonight the new moon should occur and Minato should be free from the Great Seal. They can only pray that Tatsuya and his group can find his body before anything could happen.
Tatsuya Suou
Cloudy – Dark Hour – Tower of Seven Chain of Time
Jun regained his consciousness when he heard his name being called. Tatsuya, Maya, Lisa and Eikichi crouch beside him who's lying on the ground by his sudden collapse. "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have make you all worry." Jun sadly said.
"You don't have to follow if you can't." Tatsuya said.
"No, I insist. I must be some help for you." Jun insisted. Tatsuya took a moment to think before he finally nodded.
"…My 'infinity'… is close…"
The strange voice echoed again in Tatsuya's head, but this time, he no longer has the feeling to react to the voice. Instead, he turned to the tower and slowly reached his hand to the gate.
"That tower sure is big. What if we don't make it out before the Dark Hour end when we still inside the tower?" Lisa asked. The others wonder it themselves, no one ever thought of that problem.
"Let's just make sure we escape the tower with Minato's body before the Dark Hour end. We don't want to be trapped in there, do we?" Maya said optimistically.
"You're right, now let's go." Tatsuya said as he slowly open the gate and bring along his group.
They eventually reached the big red two door entrance to the tower, decorated with hourglass as its handles, pattern was two clocks that now indicate -:01:05. "I believe that is our timer." Baofu said.
"Then we better be quick." Tatsuya said, taking a deep breath and push open the door.
1st floor
They went inside and closed the big door behind them to see the giant room was filled with ancient Greek and unknown language written on the wall, the ceiling was high printed with numeral number on it, added with a heavy red fog. The theme was blood red and opposite them, stood one hallway that lead to another door.
"Is this a maze?" Ulala asked, but of course, no one could possibly answer as it was their first time entering such a tall tower. "Who cares? As long as it has one way, we'll just follow it." Eikichi said.
"Okay, but stick together. We don't want to get separate. And…" Tatsuya said as he put on his red Teddie glass, "…put on your glass."
Everyone did the same, which amazed Lisa, Eikichi and Jun. "This is great, it's like the fog didn't exist at all!" Jun said.
They slowly proceed to the second door and open it, only to find another room with two stairs leading to the second floor. They finally notice something when they went up the stairs, the room design actually resembled an ancient castle. Starting to increase their awareness, they proceeded to the second floor.
9th floor
The hallway and the space started to expanded, several doors aligned to the wall opposite a several windows which revealed a gigantic constellation on the sky. Of course, there are many high level shadows along the way, but it wasn't much bother to the group who had their ultimate persona.
24th floor
After a long run through the tower, Jun stop when he stared at the small monument beside the stairs leading to the next floor, stopping the others as well. "Jun, what are you doing?" Lisa asked.
"Guys, look at this." Jun said as he pointed at the English text print at the monument underneath the Greek and ancient language. "Sorry, I don't read English." Eikichi said, embarrassed that he was still weak with his English.
"I can, I teach English as well." Jun said as he slowly read the text. Patiently reading it, Jun raised his eyebrow and began to translate the text to the others.
"The Seven Seal of god, the greatest prophecy that will shatter the lord of time's wheel of fate. All the primal and primal of all will return to the 'core' to recreate the new emotion and reality on seven phase."
"Wait, please let me write it down." Maya said as she took out a journal book and began to write the translation. Jun continued.
"On the first seal, the white rider will create the prophecy of the Judgement day for the world and universe to complete its cycle. On the second seal, the red rider will bring upon destruction and war by awakening from his eternal slumber. On the third seal, the black rider will create the Armageddon battleground for the final battle between two opposite force. On the fourth seal, the pale rider will separate all soul from the body and returning them to the endless sea."
Jun stop suddenly when he read the next text, making the others to lean closer to see the text before Jun finish it.
"On the fifth seal, all the deity revealed or hidden will rejoice and return to their respective Archetype where they belong, be it persona or shadow. On the sixth seal, all the primordial deity will reach their full power and regain their true consciousness, and the grand butterfly will flip its wing for the last time. At last, on the final seal, seven trumpet will sign the cycle is complete, everything return to chaos, the Garden of Eden will rise from the infinite emptiness and the new trail of emotion and inner thought will be recreate from the prime Anima and Animus's consciousness and unconsciousness."
There was a deadly silence, minus the sound of Maya finished copying the text. "Who could possibly wrote such text? Is it Philemon?" Baofu said.
"We can figure this out later, let's not waste our time here, the top of tower is still up ahead and still no sign of any chamber that may hid Minato's body." Maya said.
"Maya's right, come on." Tatsuya agreed, and lunged through the stair.
25th floor, Center tower
Everyone stood amazed by the scene in front of them. The door they just went through was one of many doors linked to a spiral staircase circling in clockwise surrounding the seven giant chains that tangled together from the outside, through the top floor and flow down to the seemly bottomless pit where the end of chain was impossible to see, with the lowest staircase stop right at the first floor. This floor could only be the center of the tower. On the rather wide cylinder wall, hanged countless clocks indicate the time -:43:29.
"We have waste our time reading the text too much! We need to be faster!" Katsuya shouted.
"Maybe we can conclude tonight's search and go tomorrow." Eikichi suggested.
"No, tomorrow might be too late, we have to find it tonight-" Just when Tatsuya about to finish his word, a loud sound of door locking was heard from the doors near the spiral staircase. "Oh my…" Baofu said in low tune.
Panicked, Eikichi rush to the door where they came from and struggle to pull the handle. Everyone begin to repeat the same action, but it was in vain. The door didn't bulge open, and everyone paled.
"Ummm, guys?" Eikichi looked at the others, ready to scream. However, it was Tatsuya who did the scream.
"DAMN IT! WE'RE TRAPPED IN HERE!"
A/N: First of all, I'm not into Yaoi, that little scene between Tatsuya and Jun really comes naturally. The 'Seven Chain of Time' is just a name I made myself, so don't go search for it at other website. Just a few more chapters before Minato return, so please be patient with me.
For your information, this symbol:
[[[[[.]]]]]
…means the time is being corrupt, someone used the time-space power or the past and future being alter. Note to this one, because it is going to be important in future chapter. And again, another mystery is added to this story, maybe I should stop deepen the mystery for now and focus on solving it instead.