Gathering Arc:
Chapter 18: Calm before Storm
Minato Arisato
?/?/? – Rooftop?
Minato opened his blue eyes as if he had just awaken from eternal sleep, and saw he was standing on the same rooftop where he first met with the auburn-haired girl, the Gekkoukan High's rooftop. The atmosphere was the same as the last image he saw before his 'sleep', it was nostalgic. He looked at his surrounding, and realized that he was standing next to the entrance door. He searched around for the supposed girl and narrowed his eye upon the auburn-haired girl standing by the balcony facing the sky, as if she was waiting for him to meet her.
The girl turned to Minato when she noticed his presence and gave a small smile. "You come like we promised." The auburn-haired girl said softly, walking towards him. Minato only nodded, still clueless of what just happened.
Minato gazed her in the eye and could only be amazed by the beautiful crimson orbs. He didn't get the chance to look at her properly before when he was with Philemon. But now, he felt that he was hypnotized when he realized something about her. She was beautiful.
"The others are still at the assembly hall, which means there are only the two of us here." The girl spoke with a small blush on her cheek when she caught Minato staring at her.
Minato blinked his eye, stunned for a moment when she mentioned the others. 'She knows about SEES… Could it be… she's a persona user as well?' Minato thought.
"Oh yeah! By the way, did you hear what Akihiko-san said? Shinji-san will be released from the hospital soon! I'm so happy!" The girl gave a cheerful laugh, but somehow Minato saw a fragment of sadness behind that smile- Wait… Shinji?
"…Shinjiro Aragaki...?" Minato said slowly. He wanted to say that the man was dead, but there was something that stopped him from finishing his word. The girl looked confused at first, but giggled after a while.
"Makoto, are you jealous? Hehe, you can be so cute sometimes!" The girl then blushed lightly. She looked at him in the eyes and smiled.
"But don't worry, you're the only one I…"
"…love…"
Clear Sky – Morning - 15/11/2012(Thursday) – Silverman Residence, Rengedai, Sumaru City
Minato opened his eyes 'again', and realized that the second meeting with that girl was all but another dream. Philemon must have done it, Minato thought. Instead, he found himself lying on a soft bed in a small wooden room. He clutched his head, taking a moment to refresh his memory, and instantly, the image of Elizabeth releasing him from the Great Seal returned to him. He looked at his body and realized that his skin was pale and skinny. He also noticed that he was dressed in a large haori, a traditional Japanese dress for male.
"Good to see you doing well." Minato didn't have to turn to his right to know Ryoji was there beside his bed. He smirked slightly.
"Good to know that you never change, Ryoji. Who changed my cloth anyway? And where am I?" Minato asked, slightly confused.
"Leave that for later, you're still weak after waking from your death. I'm here just to return you this." Ryoji said, walking towards Minato and took out the Evoker from his pocket. "Here, I give it back to you. The bond you forged through your Wild Card remained unbroken, so don't worry."
"Thank you, Ryoji." Minato reached out his hand and took the Evoker before facing Ryoji, "…About Elizabeth…"
Ryoji remained silent, unable to find another word to say. He however forced himself into smile when he looked Minato in the eye, "Don't worry about it for now, cheer up! Show your friends your happy face!"
"Heh, our friends, Ryoji. You're not the same 'Death' that will bring the 'Fall' again, you're my friend too." Minato gave a warm smile. The god of death returned him with an even wider smile before he walked toward the small window that allowed bright light to shine the room.
"I'll see you later, Minato, I need to meet with someone." Ryoji bid his farewell and disappeared behind the brightness of the light in front of Minato.
A few second after Ryoji's departure, the door to the room swung open, revealing Lisa who was dressed in a mandarin-orange kimono. She walked into the room and shocked to see Minato was fully awake in a large haori. "You're awake, thank goodness!" Lisa shouted. She noticed that the boy was extremely good-looking, and has a cool air around him. But as she walked towards Minato, Lisa suddenly took a few steps back away from him while covering her nose with her kimono, "Ummm, could you please go to the bathroom and take a shower, AGAIN? You still smell like… mud."
Minato sniffed his body and realized that he really smelled like a corpse, before remembering his current predicament. "…Mind telling me how did I get this cloth?" Minato asked coolly.
"Well…" Lisa smiled awkwardly with both of her hands behind her back, "When we found you, you were wearing a black suit, the suit that people used for funeral. And you smelled like… you know. So this early morning I had some guy took… off your clothes and gave you a quick bath. Since I don't have any spare cloth for you, I let you use my father's haori for a moment before we find another outfit that would fit you better. But I guess that quick bath wasn't enough."
"Oh…" Minato said nodding slightly, before facing Lisa, "By the way, where am I?"
"You're in my mansion to stay for a night. This is Sumaru City, might not be far from Tatsumi Port Island, actually."
"…What year?"
"15 November 2012. You have been dead for… two years, Minato-kun."
The usually composed Minato widened his eyes in slightly. Two years? Why now? Was it because of the prophecy that Philemon mentioned, then why him? Refusing to waste any more time resting, Minato slowly got up from his bed. "I need to find my friends. Please explain everything to me when I'm done taking my bath, Miss…?"
"Oh, I'm Lisa! Actually, I need to bring you to meet with someone today. They were the one who saved you last night. We need to discuss something with you."
"Okay Lisa-san, I going to ask everything I need from them later. Now…I'm hungry. Do you have any food? Or better, melon bread?"
Clear Sky – Morning – 15/11/2012(Thursday) – Peace Dinner, Yumezaki, Sumaru City
Currently sitting on one of the two chairs with small table at the furthest space in the restaurant, Father Time waited patiently for someone to arrive. Glancing at his beautifully designed watch, he smiled. "He should be arriving by… now."
Timed perfectly, Ryoji rushed from the entrance to the table, stopping right beside Father Time. "Am I late?" Ryoji asked, slightly bowing his head.
"No, no, no. There is no such thing as early or late for me, I'm the god of time after all." Father Time smiled proudly, lifting his left hand and wiped the lion image on his right shoulder with a single swipe. The lion image suddenly brimmed light.
[[[[[[0]]]]]]
[The time stopped as the glow from the lion image faded. Everyone in the restaurant froze like statue, leaving only Father Time and Ryoji who can move freely. Father Time locked his attention on the amazed Ryoji's face and spoke, "Now we may talk, please sit." He gestured his hand towards the chair.
"Thank you, I am more than honor to speak with the proud god of time himself." Ryoji bowed again, this time with full bow before sitting at the chair.
"Nonsense, don't be so modest, god of death, you have inherited your Archetype from your mother, Nyx, which positioned you as one of the great primordial gods. To be called 'Death' as the same title as Death of the Four Horsemen has gain yourself some reputation among gods."
"I didn't desire this power. I only want to aid Minato to defeat the last rider."
"I know, I know, but your desire itself will not be enough to change what has been written for you, Thanatos, the 'One True Vessel' of Death."
Ryoji lowered his head in great displeasure. Not only being known that way by the other gods broke a little inside him, he felt like he's betraying his friends by becoming the vessel of Death. His expression was easily read by Father Time, which he snapped his finger to regain Ryoji's attention.
"Now, now, don't show me that face, I'm not done yet. I have other reason for calling you out today, to discuss something about that girl who saved the 'messiah', Elizabeth."
"Yes, she… she sacrificed herself to replace Minato as the Great Seal."
"Incorrect, she is currently waiting for the Archetype within her to grow until it is powerful enough to become the Great Seal. Now…" Father Time suddenly smirked as he folded his arm together and sank his body to his chair, "What if I told you there is a way to save that girl without sacrificing anyone as the Great Seal?"
Ryoji widened his eye and leaned his face closer, "There's a way?!"
"Let me tell you something. Sometimes a small action of our doing in the past, even the smallest of them all can completely change what ahead of us in the future. Like opening the smallest box, but what lies inside the box can ultimately change everything. Like a phrase said, "to open the Pandora's box". It may seem small and innocent in action, but the consequence is several times far more than we could handle."
Father Time grinned when he saw the shocked expression on Ryoji's face and continued, "Good, good, good, you finally know what you must do. Let me give you a hint, find the Pandora, and it will lead you to the 'box'. The rest will be on you."
"Thank you, Father Time!" Ryoji excitedly thanked him as he rouse from his chair, only to be stop by Father Time's last warning.
"One more thing, Thanatos. About the girl who inherited 'messiah' power, remember, no matter what the danger you may face, do not EVER let that girl regain the Archetype of her, the 'messiah' and most importantly yourself. I believe you already know the consequence. That is all." Father Time finished his speech as he snapped his finger, allowing the time to flow back perfectly.]
[[[.]]]
Tatsuya Suou
Clear Sky – Morning – 15/11/2012(Thursday) – Gatten Sushi, Rengedai, Sumaru City
Tatsuya was seen with Maya, including Katsuya, Ulala, Baofu, Yukino, Eriko and Eikichi who closed the store for today to discuss about the extra text Tatsuya's group found in the clock tower. Matsuya was in school, Jun was at school teaching, Hidehiko was on his usual day as a host of his own show, the others were with their busy routine and Naoya… who knew where he goes. Exchanging papers, Tatsuya read the files about Azathoth from Eriko and narrowed his eye on the profile of the Nuclear Chaos.
"Azathoth…" Maya said when she glance the image of Azathoth.
"It's okay, dear. I'm here." Tatsuya said to comfort her when he noticed his wife was slightly shuddering while he searched for someone among the crowd, "I know Jun is at school right now, but what about Naoya?"
"I'm not sure, but he said he'll be back. Anyway…" Yukino read the text about the prophecy again, "…this prophecy is based on seven seal in 'Book of Revelation', but the word prime Anima and Animus was not mentioned along in it. What could it mean?"
As they continued to discuss about the text from Father Time, there was a knock at the entrance's door. "Coming!" Eikichi shouted as he rushed to the door and opened it. Lisa was seen walking in with Minato (still wearing a haori) behind her. Everyone focused their eyes on Minato's pale body while Minato himself observed each face with a raised brow. He was also munching on a melon bread with a stoic expression.
"Are you feeling well?" Baofu asked in concern.
"Not really, I'm still hungry." Minato replied honestly, finishing his melon bread in one bite.
"You're hungry? Then I can cook something for you! What do you want to eat?" Eikichi asked, reaching for his apron.
"I don't have any money, unfortunately, although Lisa-san was kind enough to give me my favorite food." Minato replied.
"Just think of it as my treat and eat everything you want, a gift for our last hero of prophecy!"Eikichi said.
"We'll do something about your clothes too. Oh! You said you wanted to eat ramen right?" Lisa said.
"Indeed, and a side of sushi would be good too."
10 minutes later…
"Ummm… Tatsuya, can you-" Eikichi begged Tatsuya.
"No, you said it's your treat. I'm not going to pay for it." Tatsuya shook his head, smirking.
"WELL HOW AM I SUPPOSE TO KNOW THAT THIS GUY CAN EAT 10 BOWLS OF RAMEN?!" Eikichi screamed regretfully when he saw Minato finishing his 12th bowl of ramen added with 5 extra plates of sushi.
"Why not? Think logically, Eikichi, he had been dead for two years, of course he's hungry. I even gave him a few snacks before we get here." Lisa said, watching Minato wiped his mouth with a tissue.
"Thanks for the food." Minato closed his palm together with a stoic but satisfied expression and put down his chopstick. Eikichi can only frown when he cleared the table for him.
"I want to send you to the hospital for better treatment, are you fine with that?" Katsuya asked.
"Don't need to, I just need a plenty of rest and maybe a box of Pocky." Minato replied and returned a question, "Which one of you is Tatsuya?"
"That would be me." Tatsuya walked towards him.
Minato bowed his head slightly and thanked him, "I thank you for saving my body."
"No, not me, you should thank my friends." Tatsuya disagreed, pointing his hand to Baofu, Ulala, Katsuya, Eikichi, Lisa and lastly Maya, "No matter how strong I am, without them, I am powerless." Tatsuya smiled proudly.
"You're right." Minato closed his eyes and smiled as he also understood the importance of friends through his Wild Card.
"Oh by the way, we haven't introduced ourselves yet!" Ulala exclaimed. Everyone began to introduce themselves to Minato as well as noting him that they were all persona users. Minato simply nodded and smiled while introducing himself.
"Do you know the purpose you have been summoned back here?" Katsuya asked.
"No." Minato replied.
"Then listen well." Tatsuya began his story. Everything about the Four Horsemen and the prophecy surprisingly took him longer to tell than what he expected. But Minato was a good listener, so it's easier for Tatsuya to explain to him.
"Do any of my friends know I'm awake today?" Minato asked.
"I haven't contact Miss Kirijo about you today, but she should know about you from Nanjo, I think. Oh right, I should call her now." Tatsuya took out his phone, but Maya suddenly stopped him.
"Wait, Tatsuya, why don't we let Minato talk to Miss Kirijo? They have been separated for two years, let him talk to her!" Maya suggested. Tatsuya turned to the others and realized they were also agreeing on it.
"It's going to be a great surprise!" Lisa agreed.
"Alright." Tatsuya opened his phone and searched for Mitsuru's number before handing it to Minato. "Go on, surprise the girl."
"Thanks." Minato said, walking to the back side of the restaurant not to disturb the others and pressed the dial number. Tatsuya and his friends can only smile when Minato placed the phone to his right ear.
Minato Arisato
Heavy Rainy – Morning – Kirijo Main Facility, Tatsumi Port Island
Almost everyone inside the building looked at Mitsuru with a weird expression on their face. It's like Mitsuru was a completely different today, she was happier than most of her day at her work and for the first time, she lost focus on her work.
Fuuka was the only one with her that day as the others were busy while Labrys was busy accompanying Aigis at the dorm who was still tired from last night battle. She tried her best to make Mitsuru focus on her work, not like she was the one to talk when she herself mistyped a few times on her computer, reminiscing her sweet moments with a certain blue haired boy.
Currently sitting at the main office alone, Mitsuru purposely put her phone on the table in front of her, waiting for anybody at all from Sumaru City to call her.
"You're still here, Mitsuru-san?" Fuuka walked in the room, snapping Mitsuru from her daydream.
"My apologies, Yamagishi, it seems that I'm losing my focus for today. I'm well aware of that, but…" Mitsuru explained.
"Everyone is waiting for Minato to return, I understand." Fuuka said, "Don't worry, those from Sumaru City will surely call us."
Like the god had answered her prayer, Mitsuru's phone rang. She took the phone and looked at the number on it. It was Tatsuya's number. Mitsuru quickly answered the phone with excitement.
"*cough*Good to know you're alright, Mr. Suou. How is Arisato doing?" Mitsuru retained her mature voice and directed the main question to him.
"…I'm alright, Mitsuru." Instead of the deep voice of Tatsuya, a calm male voice was heard, making Mitsuru stunned for a moment. She recognized this voice. She had longed to hear this voice again. She felt that her heartbeat beating faster after hearing that soft voice of him.
"A-Arisato…" Mitsuru stuttered while covering her mouth in extreme joy. Fuuka, who was standing next to Mitsuru the whole conversation, curiously leaned closer to hear.
"Don't call me that, just Minato would be fine…How are you, Mitsuru?"
"I'm…I'm fine Minato. How… how are you?" Mitsuru answered nervously.
"I'm with Mr. Suou here and his friends. He told me about everything that had happened."
"A-Are your body…"
"I'm good, my body is a little weak, but I'll manage somehow… I heard you're now the leader of Shadow Operative. I hope the others are doing fine."
"They all fine, but they miss you…" She stopped for a while, before smiling slightly. "…I miss you…"
"Two years had passed since I last saw your face, are you getting prettier… Mitsu-chan? *chuckle*"
"S-Stop that!" Mitsuru blushed and raised her voice, completely losing her calm attitude. "How hard do you think it has been for me?! Ever since your death, I tried to move on but I find myself looking at your picture every single day and-" Mitsuru covered her mouth as her face was now bright red when she noticed Fuuka was looking at her. "I-I want to see you!"
"Thank you, Mitsuru. I miss you too, I miss all of you. I can't wait to meet with everyone again."
"Arisato, I'm… I'm so glad to hear your voice again…" Mitsuru smiled as she tried to hold back her joyful tears and turned to Fuuka who was intrigued to hear Minato's voice as well, "Fuuka want to speak with you too." And she handed Fuuka the phone.
"Fuuka, how are you?"
Fuuka composed herself and answered. "I-I'm alright, I have been helping Mitsuru-san with her schedule. When will you come back?"
"Not sure, but I'll be back soon. Wait for me, Fuu-chan."
Fuuka blushed at the nickname Minato gave her. He was the only who called her that. "I always do, Mina-kun." She quickly passed the phone back to Mitsuru before taking a few steps away from her and turned her face away, blushing brightly. 'That was quick.' Mitsuru thought curiously.
"Arisato…"
"Mitsuru, is Aigis there?"
"No, she's not. Everyone is busy, but they're waiting for you."
"That's alright. Tell her that I'm grateful for her help last night. I'm going to hang up the phone now, but don't worry about me. I'll meet you soon."
"Promise me you'll return." Mitsuru said.
"I promise." And the line was off when Minato hung up the phone. Closing her phone, Mitsuru felt slightly proud as she was the first of the friends of Minato to hear his voice. Her smile widened, but stopped when she saw Fuuka looking at her.
"*cough* Do not tell anybody about what I said, understand?" Mitsuru warned her, which made Fuuka shivered nervously before answering.
"I understand, your secret is safe with me." Fuuka said before hurriedly walked out of the room, leaving Mitsuru alone.
"Arisato…" Mitsuru smiled, her blush evident on her face again.
Yu Narukami
Foggy – Evening – 15/11/2012(Thursday) – Hospital, Inaba
Currently walking down the hallway towards Dojima's room, the Investigation Team tagged with Nanako was talking about the news they received from Mitsuru a few hours ago. Not enough with that good news, Yu heard from the doctor that his uncle had greatly recovered, which was the purpose for their visit today to check on him.
"Man, must be great for him to come back to life." Kanji commented.
"Don't say like that! He wasn't actually dead, he's 'sleeping'." Rise objected.
"Mitsuru-san must be happy right now." Yukiko said.
"You're right, to have someone we care to come back to us is a miracle." Chie added.
"Anyway, we're close." Naoto said, stopping at the front door of Dojima's room.
"Alright Nanako, don't make too much noise." Yu said, pulling Nanako close to his side.
"Okay!" Nanako said. Yu opened the door and everyone sweat dropped upon seeing Dojima.
Dojima, instead of resting in his bed, was stretching besides the window. "Ahhh, feels good. Oh." Dojima said when he noticed the others presence at the door. "How are you guys doing?"
Yu rub the bridge of his nose. "Uncle, you should be on the bed!" Yu scolded him, supported by Nanako.
"Daddy, you're so stubborn!" Nanako shouted, but sounded adorable instead.
"Hahaha, I just can't lay on the bed for two weeks. I still have a lot of work to do-"
"NO. You are not allowed to work until you're fully recovered." Naoto joined the conversation. "Your mind will not function perfectly even if you go to work. It will disturb your deduction as a detective."
"An advice from ace detective herself, see?" Yosuke said, giving Dojima the stare.
"Okay, you got me." Dojima chuckled, walking to his bed and laid his head on the soft pillow before asking. "How is the case going?"
"Fine, don't worry about it. Get some more rest." Yu said, turning to Nanako, "Nanako, the bento~"
"Okay big bro!" Nanako took out a bento from her small bag and opened it before using a chopstick and picked a small shrimp towards Dojima, "Daddy, say 'ahhh'.~"
"N-Nanako!" Dojima turned away in embarrassment when he saw the others staring at him and Nanako with raised eyebrow.
"Nanako, feed me too! Ahhh…" Teddie lunged to Nanako's side and opened his mouth.
"Here you go!" Nanako feed Teddie the shrimp and took another one for Dojima, "Your turn!"
"I-I can eat it myself!" Dojima felt embarrassed when the others are now smirking at him.
"Come on! Yu-sensei's food is the best! Give me the chopstick, Nana-chan!" Teddie took the chopstick from Nanako and began to feed Dojima. "Say 'ahhh', Dojima-san!"
The room was filled with everyone's laugh, especially Yukiko who can't seem to stop her hysterical laugh. Despite that, Yu felt happy to see his friends and family was able to enjoy a moment of fun and joy. Teddie can indeed make anyone happy with his happy-go-lucky personality.
"…just like Teddie have his own memory as a shadow?"
"…but it is incorrect in the case of Teddie to have the 'butterfly'."
Yu snapped out of his thought. Why did his conversation with Igor about Teddie yesterday suddenly flooded back to him? But because of this, he's now won't stopped his eye from staring at Teddie. Yu turned to Yosuke who stood beside him and whispered so that the others may not overhear it.
"Yosuke, have you ever wonder where Teddie came from?"
"Huh? What are you saying? He's a shadow from the TV world of course."
"But from whom shadow is he from? How was he able to carry a persona as a shadow?"
This time, Yosuke didn't answer him. Instead, he locked his eye on Yu with curiosity. "…Yu, you sure you're alright?"
"…Never mind, forget what I said. I was just thinking about Marie right now." Yu lied to change the topic.
"Oh yeah, we're still clueless about her. Still no luck with Izanagi?"
"Still no, but I'm sure he will soon enough." Yu answered, but even he was not sure when. 'Izanagi, where is Izanami?' He thought to himself, but he swore that he felt Izanagi responded to his question, although it's faint.
? – Praying Hall, Izumo Castle, Yomi
Although the outside was a nightmare, the inside castle in the middle of Yomi was surprisingly brighter and has a warmer scenery. The light source was the candle, the structure was made of strong wood, the wall was painted in gold yellow and the design greatly resembled an ancient Japanese shogun castle.
The large praying hall at the tallest floor was the most attractive in the gigantic castle. It was simple, yet a line of statue that was decorated perfectly surrounding the hall along with a few ancient Japanese's words printed all over the gold wall has increased the warmness in the hall. It's like a palace for a king and queen, but the throne was instead replaced with a large scroll painted with a few gods image above the large gold table with bouquets ofred flowers on it. In the middle of the hall, Marie was seen in her black kimono and was on her knees.
"Forgive me, lord Strife." Marie suddenly spoke after a while. She bowed until her forehead and hands rested the floor, begging for forgiveness in a manner that she really done a big mistake. Just then, a black fog began to fill the hall before it combined into one black silhouette that stood in front her.
"You are not to be blame, it is a part of our path, Conquest has predicted and spoke from the beginning."
"…Lord Strife, please spare the 'father' on the day of prophecy." Marie raised her head.
"Erase him from your memory, Izanami. It is impossible for a mortal to escape the end. Your only desire is to be with Izanagi, and you may. The 'father' will be your greatest hindrance."
"I cherish him just the same as my dear husband, why must we-"
"Nah, forget about that idiot. Look at me instead." A male voice was heard from the entrance door. Marie turned to see Adachi, wearing a black suit, was standing by the door while smirking as he gazed at Marie.
"What do you want?" Marie replied harshly, turning her face away from him.
"You know what I want. Hehehe…" Adachi slowly walked towards Marie and slipped both his arm around her waist, tightly hugging her from behind.
"L-Let me go!" Marie struggled to release herself from the sudden hug. But Adachi tighten his hug.
"Why? Don't you want me, Izanami?" Adachi smirked as his eye turned bright yellow and his voice changed.
"I said, LET ME GO!" Marie screamed as her voice changed to her Izanami voice and pushed Adachi far away from her with a powerful force. Her voice became eerie and her eye turned to yellow. Adachi regained his consciousness and stared at Marie like a ghost.
"That is enough!" Strife scolded, which Adachi replied with a shock.
"Huh? Oh sh*t! What did I just do to her?! H-How did I-"
"It is not you."
Just then Adachi realized that Strife was staring at the figure behind him. Magatsu Izanagi was floating with a spear on his left hand, staring at Strife with clear anger aura around him.
"I need a permission to touch my wife?!" Magatsu Izanagi shouted in anger.
"Using a mortal body is forbidden."
"Then why do you choose this psycho as a vessel, me as the source?!"
"The requirement of 'One True Vessel' is non-Archetype user, which is inside your 'hope' self. And you absorbed half of this man's consciousness upon your awakening on this world. Why must I not choose this man?"
"So you prefer my 'hope' self to be on the ceremony, but not me? I know 'myself' more than anyone. My 'hope' self is the same as my 'despair' self, a coward! Guilt by 'our' sin in the past! But I'm not anymore, I want to be with Izanami again."
"I will be at the ceremony, but I will never accept you as my husband. My true husband is with the Yu!" Marie said with death stare at Magatsu Izanagi then shifted her eye at Adachi before finally turning to Strife. "I have nothing more to say to you. I'm not even allowed to speak your real name…"
Marie stood on her two feet and left the hall with sorrowful expression. Adachi simply stood there, didn't even bothered to chase after her.
"I'm just doing what I need, am I?" Adachi said, worried that he might angered Strife.
"…Please rest for now." Strife said before disappeared from the hall. Adachi turned to Magatsu Izanagi and shouted.
"You make me look like a pervert, asshole! Am I going to regret having you absorbed half of my consciousness?!"
"HAHAHAHA! Fear not, you will feel no suffer!"
Naoya Toudou
Clear Sky – Evening – 15/11/2012(Thursday) –Hiiragi Psychotherapy, Konan, Sumaru City
Maki was seen giving her last customer a treatment in her therapy room before she called it a day. As the head therapist, she was the last person toclose the , after the last customer left though the entrance door, another bell rang signing a new customer entered her clinic.
"I'm sorry, but we are closed. Please come back tomorrow." Maki said politely while packing all her stuff.
"Really? That's great. We need your help anyway." Maki turned quickly to see Naoya at the front door, crossing his arms. "Busy today huh, Maki?"
"Naoya? What are you doing here?" Maki asked.
"You must be so busy with your work that you forgot about what happened last night. Minato Arisato just returned."
"Really? I'm glad."
"My reason for coming here today is of course, need you to 'check' on him since he doesn't want to go to the hospital." Naoya turned to the door.
From the door, came in Tatsuya and his entire group bringing Minato inside, now joined with Jun who had just finished his work at school. Maki gasped after seeing the blue haired boy in front of her. Minato was wearing a long sleeve white T-shirt with grey trims, his hands inside his blue jean's pocket. His skin was now in healthier condition and his face was calm. His blue hair reached above his shoulder.
"It's pretty hard to find an outfit for you. Does this shirt suit you?" Ulala asked.
"I'm fine with it. Well I just missed my headphone." Minato replied, feeling down without his signature headphone.
"Oh come on! You're still look cool without it, 'messiah'." Naoya teased, "But I thought you were supposed to be more 'holy' or innocent."
"Hmm? What does that supposed to mean?" Minato asked, raising his eyebrow while keeping a composed face.
"Don't lie to me, Tatsuya told me about your conversation with Kirijo this morning. You sounded like a long lost lover when you talked over the phone. Quite the playboy, aren't you?" Naoya shifted his eye to Tatsuya and smirked.
"That doesn't mean you have to tease him." Tatsuya growled, as if he was the cause.
Minato smiled slightly. "Its fine, I don't mind." Minato said, without denying the statement.
"Oh, what are we waiting for? Go on, Minato-kun." Maya said as she pushed Minato to the chair beside the white table. "Can you check on his condition? He doesn't want to go to the hospital."
"You don't have to repeat that." Naoya laughed when he saw Minato's eyebrow twitched.
"Alright." Maki smiled, taking a seat in front of Minato and opened her hand, "Lend me your hand."
The therapy last for about a few minutes for Maki to check Minato's condition. Killing time, everyone else was discussing about the Four Horsemen while Naoya was seen talking to Eriko at the furthest side of the room.
"What do you think about Azathoth?" Eriko asked.
"He's Nyarlathotep's father, and he is strong." Naoya answered swiftly.
"But what is his connection with the Four Horsemen?"
"Well, if you asked me, he might be War. He's the least information we have among all four."
"How can you be so sure?"
"Instinct. What else you want to ask?"
"One more thing, I've been curious about the Garden of Eden on the last sentence. I know it was the place where Adam and Eve lived before being banished by god to our world for eating the forbidden fruit that grew from the forbidden tree. But I'm still not sure how it is related to prime Anima and Animus."
Naoya suddenly turned silent when Eriko mentioned about it, turned away from Eriko before he mused something to himself.
"...They are Adam and Eve…"
"…What did you said?" Eriko asked.
"N-Nothing." Naoya lifted his head to Eriko, only to notice that every eye was now focused on him. Even Minato and Maki stopped when they overheard his word. 'Crap, I blew it. Sorry Philemon.' Naoya thought, keeping a suspicious smiley face.
"How did you know prime Anima and Animus are Adam and Eve?" Tatsuya's turn to ask him.
"…Okay, look at the text." Naoya find a convincing reason to lie, "The last sentence goes like this:"…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." When you think about it, if the Garden of Eden comes before prime Anima and Animus was mentioned, then it is only obvious for prime Anima and Animus to be a new Adam and Eve."
"Why?" Katsuya asked.
"Well, Anima referred to male's psyche having feminine personality while Animus referred to female's psyche having muscular personality. Anima is male while Animus is female, so prime Anima could be Adam and prime Animus could be Eve. So they're like a new Adam and Eve after the world repeat its cycle. Get it?"
The atmosphere became silent for a moment. It was not that they didn't believed his word, but rather how was he able to give the most convincing deduction when everyone else was completely clueless about it.
"That… might actually be plausible." Tatsuya said, "But maybe we should push it aside for now, if what Naoya said is true, then they only appear after the world has end, and we are not going to let it happen." Everyone nodded.
"Okay, that should be enough." Maki said when she finally done checking Minato, "His body is still pretty weak, but he is recovering fast. A night rest should be enough for him. Here's some medicine." She handed out a few bottle of pill.
"Thanks, Maki. How much for the pills?" Naoya asked.
"Save your money, I won't ask for it. Good luck on the day of prophecy, Minato-kun." Maki turned to Minato.
"I will." Minato replied with a small smile.
"Okay, that should do it for today. Want to go home to your friends?" Tatsuya said.
"Taking the train should take you about two hours. Don't worry, I'll give you some money." Maya said.
"I'll repay you one day, probably." Minato said. "Yes, I want to go home to-"
[[[[[[A-T]]]]]]
An extremely strong earthquake rumbled the thick ground of Sumaru City, shocking the entire group. The glass bottles on Maki's table fell to the ground and broke. The glass on the medicine cabinet shattered to piece. The earthquake continued for a minute before it stopped.
"…What the hell just happened?!" Eikichi said as he recovered his stance.
"This feeling, it can't be…" Tatsuya said. Ignoring the others presence, he dashed outside leaving the therapy.
"Tatsuya!" Katsuya shouted. Everyone began to catch up to him and dashed outside.
At the first sight, everything seems as ordinary as it can be, for Minato. Until Minato himself saw the two gigantic orbits marked with an ancient symbol circling the entire Sumaru City.
Minato however remained silent. Situation like this was always something that he would expect to happen in a city with persona users. The others probably knew what happen. He looked around the others face. 'Jackpot', he said to himself when he noticed Tatsuya looked like he remembered something.
"This is… it can't be…" Tatsuya shivered in fear when he remembered the moment he met his 'other side'. "This is…"
Late Evening – Ameno Torifune
"Ameno Torifune." Naoya finished Tatsuya's sentence.
Philemon
Late Evening – 15/11/2012(Thursday) – the Realm of consciousness and unconsciousness of all soul
"My, my, my, Yog-Sothoth is really angry. But who would have thought that a quarter of Universe power is powerful enough to lift the entire city?" Father Time said, standing alone with Philemon in the dungeon owned by the butterfly deity himself.
Philemon remained silent, facing away from Father Time as if he's hiding his face. Father Time noticed this, and decided to continue.
"Why won't you look at me, Philemon? It is not even your own face, yet you refuse to face me for something."
Philemon remained silence.
"Look at me, Philemon. Look at the god whom you sacrifice half of your power to."
Slowly, Philemon turned his face and revealed a blue butterfly mask that was originally covered his entire face has now lost right half of it, revealing a young face of someone familiar. Father Time chuckled, pulling down his top hat hiding his laugh from him.
"You must be so desperate that you, the deity worshiped even by gods himself to give away half of your Archetype power for me. And for the first time, Philemon, you will hate me for this, but let me tell you something." Father Time walked towards Philemon and walked passed him along with a word…
"You are afraid of War's awakening. No, you are in FEAR of Azathoth."
"I believe you have other things you must do in this moment." Philemon finally spoke as he turned to Father Time with an unpleasant half smile of him. Father Time however, chuckled again with even wider smile.
"I owned half of your power, Philemon, which includes fragment of your emotion and memory. So please do not avoid the main topic. Let me ask you two questions, if you wouldn't mind."
"As long as it benefits the humanity, I wouldn't mind." Philemon answered.
"Here's my first question: Why 'him'? Why did you choose him as the prime Anima?"
"I don't see your question benefiting at all."
"Yet you choose him. So allow me to repeat my question, why?"
"Simple, Conquest choose him and I find it advantage for us. He accepted his fate it as well."
"In conclusion, you rather sacrifice him for the world?"
"Like I said, as long as it benefits humanity."
"Very well, second question: As far as I concerned, the 'sun's memory of the 'other side' returned to him along with four others. I suspect no one else but you, the one who returned him to the 'other side' as well as the only one who can bring his memory back to 'this side'. Although as far as I know, the only way to bring War to this reality is to return all five memories of them. Ironic, isn't? To think that we once worship someone like you who would lead our enemy right to our front door."
Philemon remained silence, signing that Father Time was right.
"I know your true intention, Philemon, most of the gods do. Kotoamatsukami was no exception, which is why they refuse to be on your side from the beginning. It never bothered me what you do, but remember, Tatsuya trusted you, but what you desire the most by making his life miserable?"
Suddenly, Father Time forcefully grabbed Philemon by his collar and pulled his ear as close as possible to his mouth and said in a growling tone.
"You are a coward, Archetype of bond user. No, EX-Archetype of Creator user."
"You have said enough, Kairos Chronos. It is time for you to return to your 'master'." Philemon said with a small tone of anger, releasing Father Time's hand with his own before pushing him away.
"You can't escape forever, Philemon." Father Time said as he readjusted his hat, "You desire your true Archetype, and you sacrifice anything for that purpose."
Father Time disappeared instantly in a form of light. Philemon chose to remain silent again, this time with a worried face. He had been expecting this from Father Time, yet he felt fear that was shown in his right blue eye.
A/N: Sorry for not update for almost a month, I'm very busy now days. Since Minato has come back, I think it's time to get serious. See the arc above the chapter's title? Yes, I will start using arc now so it will be easier for me and my readers to mark the 'checkpoint' of the story. About Shinjiro, relax first. The mystery about him won't appear until… I'm not sure but maybe halfway through the story. The 'A-T' means Ameno Torifune, don't get confuse. About Philemon… Well, just stay with me in this story.