War Arc:
Chapter 61: The Last Train Station
Tatsuya & Maya
Heavy Rainy - Night - 200? - Train Station
(A few years earlier)
"An older woman who acts childishly, I felt like I have known her for a long, long, time..."
He knew of the voided past during a certain period when he was 18. But nobody told him anything of it, not even his brother, who hushed a quiet life upon him as a student at Seven Sisters. He wanted to be detective police like his brother when he grew up, that was his sole purpose for living the stranger's life he encountered that year. But there was a part of him he swore missing, eternally begging to whisper some truth to him. The voided memories, what are they? Who was that strange woman that kept haunting the empty spot beside him? He suppressed those emotions for the sake of adult days and prepared to move on with his life.
The day he saw her at the train station began the series of confusion beyond his wildest imagination. That young woman with her smile so beautifully pasted on her look was the key to his voided memories. But he couldn't approach her, not without reason enough to answer the stranger's question like him. Every day, that woman was the only one that came to mind. But most of all, his chest ached deeply when he saw her.
The three strangers, whom his brother has mentioned as friends of his voided memories, were strangers of different cases. When he met them for the first time, he couldn't hide his discomfort. But they were favorable youngsters, where he saw no reason in disdaining their warm manners. There was barely attachment among the three, yet they accepted each other with totality. Despite the awkwardness, he remembered them as Jun, Lisa, and Eikichi.
But that girl was the sole insanity of his mind. He wanted to meet her so desperately. That day wasn't long when he saw her face again on the magazine for Kismet. Katsuya's lies cannot deceive his eyes upon the strange reporter. Finally, he reached out to his brother and asked: "Do I know her?"
A partner in crime, or a precious friend; that wasn't enough to describe their relationship. What his brother told him was disappointingly few of Maya Amano. The look on his brother's eyes told of his unsureness of the relationship between them. His friends spoke vaguely of her, but he wasn't satisfied with it. There's something more, closer than a mere friend between them.
As if the god had shown a light for him, Tatsuya's first day as a police chief turned out to be the first day of his opportunity to rekindle his relationship with Maya. Maya turned out to be one of the most incredible people he ever saw, with determination so massively powered by her optimism, that she can put a smile on him every time he saw her. She filled the void in him when she spoke with her soothing voice, and Tatsuya's purpose of life took a turning point.
However, gazing into her eyes proved him wrong. The pain that he felt before has deepened far worse than he thought. For in her eyes, Tatsuya saw a suppressed desire to express something too great to be sealed. She was enduring something agonizing, something that she had to keep her smile always to make sure she won't collapse and break apart. Seeing it tortured him inside, wondering if he's regretting his decision to enter her life.
On the other side of the story, Maya was long aware of Tatsuya's gaze upon her since the police station. In truth, she was in a panic. There were so many ways she had to think of to keep him away from her. But by the time he began to frequently visit her, she realized that pushing him forcefully will only worsen the situation. But that doesn't mean she wanted to meet him. She was finding another way to keep him at bay, that's what she told herself. That's why she limited the distance. Tatsuya never stopped waiting for her at the train station. She was reluctant to even leave a gaze at him, but soon she realized there's no point in keeping the desperate man outside, and she was not cruel enough to file for a stalker report. Things were 'mutual', that's the lie they both told themselves. But how long will this estrange connection continue? Many had spoken of their relationship. Katsuya and Lisa had started to notice as well, but they shoved it aside as nothing at first.
From meeting at the police station, then the daily visit to the train station. Until one day, something that they both had long expected had changed their routine. It was nighttime, and Maya left her umbrella in the office one day. It must have rained suddenly while she was boarding the train earlier. Her apartment was 10 minutes away from the station, though there was an important document she wouldn't risk drenched in the rain, despite covering with a thick leather bag she had. Many like her were taking shelters, though a while later, a relative came and pick up not long after. A thought crossed her mind to call someone, but then she remembered about the possibility of that man waiting for her at the train station again today. 'No, it couldn't be. He wouldn't wait like this, especially with a bike.' Maya thought, but then second doubt began to grip her.
When she reached the parking lot of the station, she was half surprised when she saw him again, waiting for her under the canopy as he busied drying his bike jacket that was drenched wet. He noticed Maya and smiled just as Maya began to smile as well.
"Even today?" Maya asked, crossing her arms together and was unable to resist a small chuckle.
"The rain is heavy, even with your umbrella," he answered.
"Which I left in my office, though I doubt if you can fetch me home with a motorbike," She glanced at his bike drenching in rain outside. There was an awkward pause for a while, but they both laughed.
"Okay, I admitted. I was here before I thought of all that," Tatsuya confessed, "Sorry that I can't help you."
"I never ask you to go through all this."
"Yet I did."
"Why? What am I to you?"
"I..." Tatsuya paused, attempting to speak again, but ceased to open his mouth for good. Luckily, Maya didn't pursuit this answer and soon afterward, silence returned. They watched as a few men were sheltering the girls from the rain in the distance. When Maya saw that Tatsuya's eyes were on them too, she started the conversation.
"You never had someone like that?"
"Like what?" Tatsuya turned to her.
"You know, someone to care for?"
"You mean, like..." Tatsuya opened his mouth slightly as a sign of realization, "I guess... my only family, my brother."
"I see..."
Then came another pause that Tatsuya refused to allow it to continue. He began to start a topic regarding a romantic relationship. Maya was single, but he knew his brother was strangely fond of her.
"What about you? Do you have someone to care about?" Tatsuya asked.
"I do," Maya answered with an outburst, "My good friends, Ulala, Yukino, even your brother-"
"That's not what I... Nevermind," Tatsuya halted himself, but this time, Maya didn't let it slide.
"Come now. You can tell me."
"Do you ever want to be in a relationship?"
"You mean..."
"Romantically?"
Such a daring question, but Maya answered regardless.
"No, I'm not interested, Suou-kun. Don't tell me you're interested?"
"Curious, that's all... Let's just say you do want to. Got anyone in mind?"
"I'll tell you my secret once you did. What about you, do you have anyone in mind?"
"Fine, let's forget this conversation."
"I am willing to share, you know? Besides, aren't you the one who wants to know me better? Here's your chance. I mean after you told me yours first. Come on."
"..." Tatsuya paused. He took out his lighter, but never tune up the flare. After fidgeting it for a while, he returned it to his pocket and answered, "I do."
This is his honest thought. At first, what he felt was to protect her, but it had rooted in his heart into something bigger. Maya wasn't stunned before his words, but he noticed there was a slight discomfort in the way she wiggled her fingers.
"Is it Lisa? She's been heed over you for so long."
"No."
"Is it someone I know?"
"You do, very well even."
"Do you want to give me a hint, like: What kind of girl is she?"
"I don't know how to do that."
"Then how do you like her in the first place?"
"I don't know. I just... felt like I know her, but I don't remember her. I look at her and I want to protect her. But the more I look at her, the more I realized I didn't just want to protect her. I want to meet her. But when I did meet her, turns out I didn't just want to meet her. I want to be with her, I want to stay with her always. That's when I found out I want to be more than a friend with her."
The discomfort in Maya he sensed earlier was no mistake. Maya looked extremely pale when she heard it before she asked another question.
"If, for argument sake, she's standing right in front of you right now. Think of me as her. What would you say to her? How would you confess your feelings right now?"
Tatsuya blinked a few times, thinking her words as a jest at first. But she was dead serious.
"Let's not get ahead of ourselves, shall we?" Tatsuya hurriedly changed the topic. Maya wasn't satisfied, but she was in truth relieved, as colors began to return to her face.
"Good idea," She said.
Then, a long, awkward silence began a silence that they were accustomed to. The rain eventually faded into a drizzle a quarter-hour later, but none of them moved, and no one spoke out.
"I can't."
"Pardon?" Tatsuya immediately reacted to Maya's sudden word.
"You ask me if there's anyone in my mind should I chose to involve romantically with. I do, but I can't."
"And why is that-" Tatsuya quickly cut his sentence, "...If you don't want to talk about that person, I understand."
"It's not that I don't want to talk about it," Maya said, combing her slightly wet hair with her fingers, "I just don't know how I should talk about it. I want to experience that, but then I don't. It's not worth it."
"The feelings?"
"The heartbreak," Immediately, Maya's eyes became sad, "Sometimes it's better to just walk away for both of us."
"But if you truly love that person, won't you fight the world for his sake? That's love, am I right?"
Maya finally turned to him, and it was not a pleasing look. "Would you? Would you risk the whole world for that? Are you willing to throw away all lives for yourself?"
She was angry now, and that alone made him stopped, only for a while.
"I didn't mean it literally, about the whole world stuff, you know?" He answered, "But if you ask me truly, then the answer is: I won't walk away and pretend to be fine with it. If you want to move on, then you need to face your past properly."
Maya looked at him with a softer look. 'So innocent and clueless,' Maya thought. How is he so stubborn? Perhaps, deep inside, he was not so different from the 'other' Tatsuya, and that was the scariest part. When will this mask of hers be removed? How long will she pretend to be okay with talking to him like this? How stupid of her, she thought. Why take this risk at all?
"You need to grow up a bit more to answer that," Maya commented on his immaturity with humble words. "Tell me, is this person you talked about the love of your life?"
"I told you, I don't know," Tatsuya answered instantly.
"Then how can you tell you truly like this person?"
He leaned closer to her, shoulders facing her body. His face was filled with confidence, but as soon as he opened his mouth, he sighed.
"It's not that easy."
She knew it, it was her from the start. She was the one he wants.
"Imagine I'm her. Prove to me that I'm wrong to walk away. Now confessed."
Maya held his hands, and his faces suddenly turned red. He took a deep breath.
"I would say... 'I know I don't know you too well. I know this is sudden, but I feel like I have known you for a long, long time. I feel like there's something I need to tell you desperately. When I met you face to face, I know you're crying deep inside, and that you know me much more than I know you. I feel like I have wronged you something massive that scarred you forever, and I want to make it up for you. This time, if I need to be somewhere, I want you to come with me. I want to take you somewhere only for us'... M-Maya?!"
Without she realized it, she was crying.
Matsuya Suou
Cloudy - Afternoon - 30/11/2012(Friday) - Red Harbor, Sumaru City
(Friday of War)
"They're here," Shiori stood up from where she sat waiting with Matsuya. He turned to the broken pier, where out of the white portal, he saw both of his parents in weakened states, which relieved him instantly. Then he saw Jun, and he was glad. There was no need to lose another life again today.
"Mom! Dad!" He shouted, running across the dirt without holding his tears. His father was the first to notice, then his mother's face spread into a smile.
"Matsuya-kun!" His mother screamed, tugging her legs weakly towards him before she fell to her knee, allowing Matsuya to dive into her embrace. He had seen his mother's tear, but never as loud as now. Her arms were tight around him, his head was kissed multiple times, and he lost count of how many times she said: "I love you". His father came afterward, locking them both in his embrace. He was happy; a moment he longed dreamed of happening was now among his memories forever. He didn't mind if the time stopped here for good. But then, his father left the embrace.
"Where's everyone?" Tatsuya asked Shiori.
"Most of them left on the train and was deported to the next city," Shiori said.
"Most?" He raised an eyebrow. Shiori hesitated at first.
"We don't know where Ulala is."
"And Lisa?"
"Safe with what remains of our force."
"Remains of our force?" Tatsuya raised narrow his eyes.
"We got a retirement holiday forever, remember?" Out of the corner, Katsuya came but paused abruptly as he eyeing Matsuya's father closely. "Shiori explained to me briefly, but... you truly are a year older now, aren't you?"
"Brother..." He immediately rushed to him and gave a tight hug, "You had no idea how much I want to meet you all this time. It's been too long for me. I remembered now, we were fired by the higher up."
"Fired?" Maya gasped, "Who made that decision?"
"Takaya and the bootlicker mayor of the city," Shiori said. She leaned closer to Maya and tilted her head slightly. Matsuya could tell even aunt Shiori had started to notice. His mother had a different aura about her.
"What do we do now?" Katsuya said, "We got nothing left. The government here still works. It won't be long before we were arrested."
"Not quite," Shiori said, revealing her phone, "A video just came in minutes ago, directing to the people of Sumaru."
They all locked their attention to the video and gasped.
"Nanjo?!"
It was the face of Kei Nanjo, surrounded by many guards, talking to the camera, possibly a phone camera. Still wearing his hospital garb, he was talking with all his might.
"People of Sumaru," Nanjo said in the video with heavy breathing, "I know this is a dark day for you, but you cannot trust your governor to protect you. They are part of the terrorist who attacked our beloved city. Prove will be given shortly, and I will provide anything for the loss."
"He's alive! I knew it!" Maya smiled, "And look, he provides evidence for the crime of the governors too!"
"That must be Kirijo's doing," Jun said, "Unfortunately, that's not going to save your job, and Takaya is still a saint in their eyes."
"Then you do your jobs. I got a place to go," Tatsuya said, turning to Maya and Matsuya, "Before that... Where's Eriko?"
They went to a small bus, where medics were healing the patients. Some were already administered with the antidote for Limbo Recall, which might, hopefully, halt the spreading of Limbo Recall for good. Except for a pair of women, everyone else was moving to the next city with the rest of the evacuated citizens. Only Eriko and her twin who was in her arms were left. Erio looked in a much worse state compared to the last 5 minutes Matsuya checked on her. 'The pain she had was too much...', Shiori would tell him, but he knew better.
Eriko saw the former vice-chief walking towards them with empathy. She looked away immediately at first but made a second glance when she saw the bottle in his hand.
"The cure for your sister, as Naoya promised," Tatsuya said, lending her the bottle filled with greenish liquid. Hope began to color her face as she snatched the bottle from him.
"Gently now..." Eriko opened the bottle and made Erio opened her mouth slightly to drink it. It took a while, but she finished it despite being brain dead. After a few moments of waiting, Erio began to blink, and Eriko smiled for the first time for today.
"Thank you..." Eriko said to Tatsuya as she hugged her crying sister. But Tatsuya remained serious, as there was a message left unsaid.
"You own it to Naoya Toudou."
"*Chuckle* He's not even brave enough to come here and face to me. How can I thank him?"
"Because he's not here anymore, Eriko. He never was."
Tatsuya didn't even let Eriko the chance to ask. It was Jun who calm the baffled Eriko about the fate of the missing man. Matsuya left afterward with his mother, and oddly he never heard a single weep from Eriko's direction. It seemed that something happened to Naoya, but he was probably too young to understand.
"Where are you going?" Maya asked.
"Someplace. There's something I need to take from there, hoping that the cannon from the submarine didn't destroy that place."
"Do you mind going ahead first? I'll need a rest."
"...Good, you earned it. And Matsuya-kun?" He turned to him, "Prepare to say goodbye to your mother. We're taking you to another place."
"Huh?" Matsuya voiced out a confusion, "Without mom and dad?"
"No, we'll be transporting the children first. Even your classmate, Takashi Kido, is already on board. Your dad had a job to do first."
"And," Maya instantly spoke, "And I need to rest here first. Your mommy is tired, Matsuya-kun. Surely you can be a good boy and ride the train first?"
Matsuya, at first, grumped with a loud sigh. But suddenly, a sense of uneasiness gripped him, for his mother never let out a chance of being close to him. But he complied, for he trusted that his parents had a good reason.
"Can you at least escort me to the train station, mom?"
"Only for a while," She smiled, "But first, fetch me a water from the medics. My throat is dry."
For a moment, Maya was finally alone. She believed it was time for the final notice. She flipped open her phone, preparing the message.
Tatsuya Suou
Old Apartment, Hirasaka
"Why are we here at all?" Katsuya asked as they walked to the old apartment. The right half of the apartment was destroyed by one of R'lyeh's cannonball.
"I said there's something I need to find," Tatsuya answered as he stopped in front of the building, after checking the old room he stayed years ago (days ago, to be exact), Tatsuya hurriedly ran up the stairs and entered. Even Katsuya was no fool enough to know his destination.
"I don't recall you leaving anything in that room," Katsuya said.
"No, because I left it there about ten years ago."
Katsuya was quick to catch on, "You mean when you traveled back in time to-"
"Yes," Tatsuya answered before he finished his sentence. Tatsuya kicked down the wooden door, not bothering to take out the key. The room lacked dust, due to it being occupied by them earlier. But Tatsuya turned to the small table at the center of the room and cleared out everything on it. He dragged it to the corner of the room and stood on it. He was reaching for the ceiling tiles. The table was short, but luckily Tatsuya brought a few inches from his one year of extra growth.
He pushed open the ceiling tiles and took out his torchlight. Dust began to fall on his white coat. To see a dress so formal with Tatsuya in it still gave a sense of alienation for Katsuya. Tatsuya paid little attention to fashion, and rarely the one to initiate conversation. Back in the old days, when the five of them had all the time before facing Nyarlathotep, Maya and Katsuya was the one with the loudest mouth. Suddenly, Katsuya found out the question he's been meaning to ask.
"Tatsuya?"
"Hmm?"
"If you came from one year earlier, then is there a possibility for you to save Baofu?"
Tatsuya temporarily paused his movement, yet he never turned to his brother.
"Because I didn't," Tatsuya answered without the slightest hesitation.
"What do you mean?"
"Do you see me diving to save Baofu when the ship sank that day? As in, today?"
"You were nowhere."
"Exactly. And I will change nothing until this moment. No more world must be created because of the change in the past. I know that more than anyone," Tatsuya finally turned to Katsuya with a comforting glance, "He was dying, and will die, regardless of my action."
Those words made him appeared ice-hearted, but Katsuya knew most of it was true. Suddenly, from the corner of his lips, Katsuya was able to see his brother's lips curved with satisfaction.
"It's still here, after all this time..."
He took down a broad rectangular object wrapped in old papers and dust. Gently, he placed it on the ground and began unwrapping it. Katsuya, who was watching the scene unfolded at his back, raised his eyebrows with amazement.
"It's that painting you told me about," Katsuya said.
And it was, for it was the painting of a man and a woman connected by a red string. Time had eaten the corners of the painting, the colors had faded to a yellow hue, and the black lines on it were jagged. But it was worth it. He had faith it would remain here.
"Now, she should already feeling it by now," Tatsuya said. It hurt to even think of it, but there was no escaping.
"Who?" Katsuya raised his eyebrows. He turned to his clueless brother.
"Limbo Recall, no matter how much we perfected it, there will always be flaws."
Maya Suou
Cloudy - Afternoon - 30/11/2012(Friday) - Train Station
(Friday of War)
"We're here," Maya said. The train station was nowhere as full as earlier. Some people were rallying the others to enter the train, but it will not move until a few minutes later. She recalled how much this place truly meant to her, how much memories went through this place. The first encounter with the deja vu young man, the first encounter with the man whom she would fall in love with, and the first place she recited her love with the man who would be her spouse for a lifetime. It will never be antic, no matter how old this place was, yet stepping into this location seemed to lead her back to the past.
The past that leads straight to that man.
In her thought, she failed to notice a small hand was twitching her right arm. She looked down, and a familiar face resurged in her consciousness.
"Mom, are you okay?"
"Huh? Oh, right. The train station. Come now, child."
"Eh?" The boy jerked slightly backward upon her speech, baffling her as well.
"What's wrong, the train is up ahead."
"...Umm..." The boy hesitated, but he slowly nodded. They climbed up the staircases, and there were not many left outside in their view. She remembered, there never was anybody that night either. They could have the world to themselves. Did that man wish for time to be frozen still that night? Why didn't she ask him? Did she forget?
"Mom, you're not okay. I can stay for a while if you need me."
She heard the young boy said with a face full of concern.
"I feel just fine," She smiled, "This place just brought a lot of memories to me."
"I know. You said it all the time. This is the place dad proposed to you."
"I said that?" She laughed, but her smile faded, "Dad? Where's your dad? He should be here with you."
"Mom?" The young boy looked terrified. He intuitively removed his hand from her and examined her. "Mom, you just saw him this morning, and you told me to move away first."
"I said that?" She looked confused.
From the corner of the station, they heard the sound of speakers, "All passengers, we will be leaving for the next town in a minute. Please board the train."
"The train, of course!" Maya giggled, "You need to board the train to the next station. I will see you there."
"Mom!" The boy spoke with a stronger tone. He looked angry. No, desperate. "Tell me, what's my name?"
"What?"
"What's my name?!"
She was taken aback by the sudden shout. What a simple question and yet... Wait.
Who was this child? Why does he resemble the face of someone she recognized so much, yet could never recall. Call?
Her phone. She flipped it open and found one entry she almost forgot writing it herself. A sense of dread began to befall her. No, she couldn't forget her own child.
"Of course! I could never forget you, Matsuya-kun!" Maya said, hugging the young boy.
Matsuya finally calm himself, but not fully as he extended his hug to her, "Then why do you act like that?"
"Like what?"
"Like you forget dad."
"I..."
'Don't cry, not this time, Maya...'
"I will never forget him, I never want to. Can you please board the train, Matsuya-kun? I'm begging you..."
'Don't let him see this happen, Maya...'
"...Alright," Matsuya, her child, said, "I love you, mom..."
Matsuya left her hug and ran straight for the train's door, never looking back. And slowly, the last train began to move. She saw Matsuya through the window staring at her, muttering something.
'And now, we wait...'
The voice inside her spoke. Like a burden being lifted from her shoulder, Maya dropped to the ground.
Tatsuya & Maya
Clear Sky - Night - 200? - Train Station
(A few years earlier)
"Stop following me, Tatsuya-kun," Maya scolded as she walked past Tatsuya who was waiting for her at his usual spot, "Or I'll report you for stalking."
"You can report me once you tell me what's going on," Tatsuya insisted, quickening his pace as he caught on to her, "I know it was something that I said that night, so I'm sorry. But you're the one who insisted I told the truth about my feeling."
"And now I insisted that you leave me alone," Maya left the station and went to the street walk area. However, Tatsuya immediately jumped in front of her and stopped her track.
"You are one stubborn woman."
"Hypocrite."
"Same goes for you. Not even talking through, you just walk away without confronting your problem."
"It's call letting go and moving on, not chained down by the past like a kid. You got rejected by the one you like, and now you blame her?"
"I never said it was you, and I never told you who she was."
They didn't realize their conversation was being watched by many passengers on the street. But the frustration they felt vanquished their shame. They were angry, heartbroken, regreting and wishing for some other path. But the point of all this argument came from within themselves, not each other. And they couldn't see it. How could they? The love in Tatsuya's heart had been marked like an old rune, while the numbness to the loneliness in Maya's heart was gradually failing her. They feared each other's presence and scorned them, but they couldn't accept it.
There's one thing that Maya knew was correct, that is to let go. And there's one thing that Tatsuya knew, he is not ready to let go.
"I know, I know it wasn't me," Maya said, "And I have no more reason to be in your life."
"...Alright," Tatsuya narrowed his eyes as he said it, "Hope you had a happy life."
And there was not a single word. Maya crossed the street, and Tatsuya ceased to follow. And he ceased to follow since. He never went to the train station again, and she never looked for him again.
Morimoto Sanitarium, Mount Mifune
Kazuya Toudou had yet to reach his cell when he was brought to an office room, probably supervised by the guard's head security. He was sat on the big couch in front of a big office table, though there lacked many items on it. It's been almost an hour since he's here, but he hated it already.
"Why are you bringing me here? Where's my cell?" Kazuya voiced out his thoughts to the escorting guards, but none of them speak a word. But then, from the other door, he saw Takaya Sasaki barging in with a few guards of his own.
"Hello, Kazuya."
"Keep you long enough, Takaya? How long will I be here?"
"Not for long," Takaya revealed a disturbing smile. Then, the escorting guards left the room, leaving Takaya with him alone, "Come, I want to show you something."
Kazuya followed him to the window, where Takaya's finger pointed at the light blue sky. It was fading, but there was a hint of dispersing storm.
"The Nuclear Chaos had awakened," Takaya said, nudging him forward to the window from behind, "And Maya Amano used the Limbo Recall to spare herself."
"They perfect it? How nice."
"It will never be perfected, just like everyone. Neither are you."
Click!
Kazuya could feel the barrel at the back of his head.
"...The hell's going on, Takaya? Why?"
"We kept you alive in the hope that you can be the prime Anima. But there's also another motive, it was to test your qualification in becoming the new 'Adam'. But professor Juugo was correct. It's a failure. Plus, Kei Nanjo leaked our spies in the government. Which means you have no use to us anymore."
"You bastard..."
The barrel pushed his head towards the window's glass until he slammed his head to it.
"Seeing as you're about to die, I think it's fine if you spare some answers for your curious boss. Nothing personal, but which 'version' of you that was sacrificed to Conquest?"
"None of your business."
"Even after this far? I heard that if a part of you was sacrificed to the horsemen, it will wipe out any fragment of the personality of that particular self in the main body, even memories. You look fine, but are you?"
"NONE. OF. YOUR. BUSINESS!"
"Fine."
Takaya pulled the trigger, splattering the windows with blood, then dust, then fog. And there was not a single trace left.
Tatsuya & Maya
Clear Sky - Afternoon - 200? - Police Station
(A few years earlier)
It was one 'normal' day without meeting Maya. There was not even a hint of what's to come. Tatsuya's department received an emergency signal from the direction of Kismet building, where Maya worked. Worried, he begged to tag along. There was a huge flame bursting from the fifth floor, and many had escaped with the help of fire marshals and firefighter. Despite this, Maya was not on sight. Something happened, Tatsuya knew. One of her colleagues finally mentioned that Maya stayed behind to save the survivors, but Maya herself never came out. Firefighters failed to find her due to the huge flame covering the floor. "She was on that floor filled with fires," He heard.
Upon finding out that she was trapped in the flame inside the building, Tatsuya went feral, trying to save her. Firstly, he disobeyed his superior's order regarding the formation and procedure. Second, he sneaked into the building by himself without the supervision of his brother. Third and lastly, he charged into the heavy flamed building armed with only his handgun, madly calling for Maya.
On the other side of the story, Maya was originally tried to escape after letting everyone out, but during her escape, one of the boulders crashed upon her back. By the time she came to her consciousness, her feet were stuck beneath the debris, in the storeroom at the furthest corner of the floor. No way out, no chance of fire, this event reminded her of a forgotten past. She was trapped in the Araya shrine in another world. She believed it was a hallucination caused by the thick smoke. She reached out her hand for Artemis's power, but the smoke was too much. Her consciousness was fading.
As Tatsuya climbed the staircases, he found the rest of the victims, but still found no trace of Maya. One of the survivors informed him that she was last seen near the storeroom. Like mad, he ran to that side of the building.
Only to see it had already covered in flame. Behind the crisped door, he saw Maya lying unconscious on the ground. No matter how many times he screamed, Maya wouldn't respond. There was no way he could cross the flame.
"Maya!" He screamed but to no avail. No matter how many times, Maya will never be able to listen. Was this it? The end of their relationship, reduced to cinders and ashes? He would die if he tried, he knew without a second guess. Then what is her salvation?
One voice heard his pleading. A voice long ago abandoned him and his other self called for his name. This raging power was not from his other self, nor was it his from his lost memories. It was his own, and for the first time, Tatsuya of this world unlocked it.
"Thou art I, I am thou..."
"Come forth then, Vulcanus!"
Above him was a figure of myth, clearing a path for him as he split the fire in half leading to Maya. Any thoughts about his persona were left behind as he reached out to her. There was a fainted memory of a shrine as he crossed the flame. But he turned away from that vision too.
"Maya!" He reached the laying Maya on the ground, checking her pulse and her breathing, only to see that she was almost suffocated. Desperate, he carried the girl and hoarded through the fires leading outside.
His brother and a few other cops waited outside and were shocked to see him burst out of the front door to the outside, carrying Maya.
"What the hell are you thinking?!"
"Forgive me brother, but I could not wait."
Katsuya was enraged, but upon finding out it was Maya as he laid her down on the ground, his rage was vanquished in instant.
"Rest, you did good," Katsuya said, but Tatsuya wasn't done.
"Maya, can you hear me?!" Tatsuya screamed, checking her pulse and breathing. There's only one way left to do: the CPR. Embarrassed but desperate, he took a deep breath and kiss Maya. Katsuya was left stunned.
"Do you even know CPR?!" Katsuya screamed, but he was too focused on saving her. But Katsuya quickly pushed him away, knowing that a rash CPR would injure the victims further.
"We wait for the medic," Katsuya comforted, but he ignored him.
"Come on, Maya. Wake up. I need you," Tatsuya begged. The soft lips of hers slowly faded into coldness, but there was no way he could ever give up.
In sudden shock, Maya opened her eyes and coughed hard. She was sure she had died, only to see the face of familiar men up close.
"Maya, you're alive!" Tatsuya hugged her, much to her still confused mind. The last thing on her mind was trapped in the flaming room. She still wondered if it was Tatsuya who had saved her. Perhaps not.
But she remembered the tender kiss on her lips. Then she remembered the same, passionate kiss years ago from the man she deeply cared for. Katsuya, seeing the scene from the side, remained silent. There was no stopping this encounter, this he knew with a sight.
"My brother jumped into fires for you," Katsuya said, but with no hint of smile and satisfaction, "You own him a proper parting. Yes, I know you two were fighting, but try to keep yourself civil this time." He left without looking back.
"You save me?" Maya asked the worried Tatsuya. He merely nodded, but his eyes told of the hellish pain he went through just to save her.
"I got power, you see. A guy named Vulcanus. He just... appear from thin air."
Maya's eyes widened in shock. She quickly pushed him aside in panic.
"No! No! Don't tell me..." Maya said stutteringly, "Stay back! You shouldn't get close to me! You shouldn't remember anything! The whole world relies on this!"
"Maya, calm down! Maya!" He grabbed her wrist. She was trembling so heavily.
"This is all my fault, this all my fault..." Maya muttered hysterically, "We must not meet. Our relationship is cursed. For now and ever, we must never be close. I should have stopped, but I didn't. Now you remember. Now you remember... Everything is lost..."
"Maya!"
Tatsuya screamed louder, this time he was able to grab her attention, "I don't know what memories you have seen of me. I don't know what happened to us in my forgotten memories, but I remembered none of it!"
"No!" Maya began to remove his hand from her wrist, "You lie! You lie to me! You said you feel like you have known me for a long, long time! You knew I was in pain, that I wanted to follow you, but you can't! I know it was me!"
"And yes! The woman in my mind is you. But I know this not from the memories, but your eyes, your tears, your voice! You didn't steal my heart because I remember. I need you because I need you! This is my genuine feeling! It was my instinct that drives me to save you! It was what I feel for you now! "
That moment, she saw something different in Tatsuya. All this time, she believed that Tatsuya is nothing more than someone who was once closed to her, someone she needs to remember.
"But..." Tatsuya looked saddened, "If you truly don't want to see me again, if my presence brought you so much pain, then I would gladly leave you forever. But know this, you're in my heart, now and ever. And I am glad to have this curse."
To him, Maya is a woman who won his heart. To her, Tatsuya managed to reopen her heart and mind. Those eyes made her felt something she never felt before.
He wondered obliviously as to why Maya looked so stunned and quiet now. Gently, Maya caressed his hand, and Tatsuya removed his hand from her wrist, seeing as she was finally calm.
"if you want to leave, then you better let me go with you this time," Maya said, "Don't leave me again."
Tatsuya Suou
Cloudy - Evening - 30/11/2012(Friday) - Train Station
(Friday of War)
"She should be here," Tatsuya said as he climbed the stairs to the main station. Katsuya, who was following from behind, was eyeing him curiously. There was something about Maya that he kept to himself. There was no doubt that it will be hard to convince him, but Tatsuya had to do it. He brought the painting with him -between his left armpit- for this exact reason alone.
"Tatsuya, what did War did to Maya?" Katsuya asked again, this time matching up the pacing.
"Exactly what it stated, to 'sacrifice' a part of yourself, killing it. Maya had to deal with depression for years. Took that away from her and what would remain? An empty space, wondering why she was even despairing in the first place along with her memories," Tatsuya explained, finally reaching the top of the train station. A few more steps and he'll reach where Maya was. "I won't deny that I was part of her life, but also part of her depression. Took away depression of me would mean..."
"No..." Katsuya finally understood. He clenched his fist in anger, "So she's alive, but-"
They both paused. On the small bench not far from the railway, Maya was sitting exhaustedly with her back on the wooden seat. She didn't turn around and noticed him. This was where the most important part of the day must end. Tatsuya turned to his brother with pleading eyes.
"Brother, please leave this place empty for a while, I need to... talk to her..."
"...I understand," Katsuya nodded. He took out a cigarette and rest it on his lips, preparing the lighter. "Good luck."
Tatsuya nodded. Katsuya descended the stairs, puffing a cloud of smoke on the air. There was no word to be said. They're brothers, they know more than they think. The former police chief failed to find the strength to smile. There was a melancholic emotion swelling in him. But he endured it as an adult should.
"I'm glad you picked my brother, Maya, and not me," Katsuya let out a small chuckle, despite no humor in his heart. It was then he realized. Since when the afternoon of Sumaru City had been so dark and cold? Then, he finally laughed for real, "I forgotten to take off my sunglasses." And the humor faded for good.
At the center of the train station, Tatsuya approached Maya with as gentle pacing as he could to not startle her. When he finally reached the bench, he let out a cough.
Tatsuya & Maya
Late Night - 200? - Train Station
"Hello."
"Huh? Tatsuya?" Maya turned to her back and saw the man whom she's been dating for two years, "What are you doing here? Aren't you supposed to prepare for your brother's promotion tomorrow?"
"Police chief or not, he's still my brother. He'll understand," He smiled as he quickly sat next to her on that empty bench. There was no one left on the train, and the ticket attendant had closed the counter minutes ago, "The question is, why are you still here? Do you know how dangerous the night is?"
"Says the man who jumped into flaming buildings."
"After two years, you still won't stop mentioning that, do you?"
"I guess. By the way, I can take care of myself, thank you. But if want to join me..." Maya crossed her legs and let out a huge sigh, "I'm just enjoying the night and might need some company."
"Then I guess I need to be a good companion," Tatsuya smiled, "Don't walk anywhere."
"What if I did?"
"If you did, then..."
Tatsuya took something out of his jacket pocket and revealed a small red ribbon. He tied it on his wrists before turning to Maya, "Your hand, please."
"Why are you keeping this stuff?" Maya laughed.
"Well, I need to... give out some gift to someone, and I had extras," He answered cautiously, then quickly changed the topic, "Your hand, 'ma'am'."
She laughed as she lent out her hand. Tatsuya tied the end of the ribbon on her wrist. Satisfied, he laid back down on the bench, "Now, you can't go anywhere without me knowing."
"How original," Maya teased, "Just like a red string of fate."
"You still believe that thing?"
"Why not? It just shows that some people are meant together, even if they don't realize it."
"...I see..." Tatsuya said. His smile disappeared and was replaced with anxiety and nervousness. Maya noticed this, "What's wrong?"
"...I... uh... I know this is weird, but..." He found it hard to talk. Slowly, he took a few deep breaths and, without breaking the red ribbon, he stood up in front of her.
"I need to talk to you."
Tatsuya Suou
Evening - 2012 - Train Station
"I need to talk to you real quick," Tatsuya introduced himself to her. Maya seemed curious at his presence but she replied regardless with a smile.
"Yes, are you looking for someone?"
It felt like a sword just stabbed him in the chest upon those words. After years of marriage, it was revealed in front of him that secretly, Maya saw him as a form of her depression. And he thought he was good enough for her as her husband. No, that's not right. It was the memories of his 'other self' from Xibalba that haunted her. She never truly hated him. He simply wearing the face of the man she wanted to forget. But he remained calm and continued.
"Can I sit next to you? I'm waiting for someone."
"Really? Me too, I'm waiting for someone," Maya answered, sliding to the right side of the bench, "Please, don't be shy."
He sat beside her and laid the wrapped painting next to him. Maya glanced and asked, "Is that for that someone?"
"Yes."
"You made it?"
"We made it."
"That's nice."
"Who are you waiting for?"
"I..." Maya paused and stared at the front, "I... I'm not quite sure myself, but I'm waiting for someone."
"Who is he to you?"
"He's my... friend? Geez, that's weird, how did I forget about that? I need to ask my son later."
"You had a son?"
"Seven years old."
"Me too. As a matter of fact, I promised my wife and son that we'll go on a holiday after all of this is over."
"Awww..." She said, but then she widened her eyes in surprise, "Oh, are you waiting for your family, perhaps?"
"Only my wife, my son is already on board."
Maya nodded with a smile, then she tilted her head and observed him, "Have we met before?"
"Maybe," Tatsuya smiled, "You know, I've been asked that question a long time ago, here in this train station."
"Is that so?" Maya was rather uncomfortable to let a stranger talk about his life, he could see that. But he didn't stop.
"This place... there's a lot of memories in this place. I met my wife for the 'first time' here, I waited for her every day from work here. Which is why I thought it would be... poetic to propose to her here."
"That's..." Maya spoke, but paused suddenly, "...I feel like I know that too. I remembered! This place is important to me..."
Then, all of a sudden, her tears began to flow. Panic, she quickly wiped her tears away. But no matter how much she tried, it never stopped flowing.
"That's... strange. Why won't the tears stop? I can't remember, I'm forgetting something, but...!"
"It's okay..." Tatsuya said, approaching her with a handkerchief. She took it with a blush and wiped clean her face.
"Tell me, ma'am. If you're meeting with that person you're waiting for right now, what would you say to him?"
"What would I say, if I can't remember him?"
"Then speak what's on your mind."
Maya, taking a deep gulp and a few coughs, she spoke.
"I would say... 'I know I don't know you too well. I know this is sudden, but I feel like I have known you for a long, long time. I feel like there's something I need to tell you desperately. When I met you face to face, I couldn't hide my tears, because I know you much more than I know myself. I feel like I have made a choice that scarred us forever, and I want to make it up for you. This time, if you need to be somewhere, I want to come with you. I want you to take me somewhere only for us. But not just us. I mean all of our family, and be together.'"
Tatsuya smiled. He grabbed the painting at the side and handed it to her. "What's your name, ma'am?"
"Maya."
"Maya-san, for you."
"Are you sure? Isn't this belong to you and your wife?"
"You would understand it well. Take it."
She grabbed the painting gently and placed it closer to her chest in her arms.
"If you can listen to my request, then I'll accept the painting."
"Name it."
"Can you lend me your shoulder?"
Tatsuya sat slowly next to her and stretched out his arms. Like a cradle, she laid her head on his right shoulder. For a moment, the world stopped for them.
Tatsuya & Maya
Late Night - 200? - Train Station
"T-Tatsuya..."
Maya gasped hard. A while ago, they were laughing about tieing their wrists together with a ribbon, but now, Tatsuya was down on one knee in front of her. He revealed a small box, add with an uncleaned cut of red ribbon on top of it. He looked away in embarrassment, seeing as adding ribbon himself to the box was pointless and ridiculous. Thankfully, Maya was never bothered by it.
"Maya, I know this seemed a little too sudden- Okay, I take that back. This is too sudden. But I..." Tatsuya revealed the small, ruby ring in the box, "I can't wait anymore."
"Tatsuya, I..." Maya was too shocked to speak another word, but she mustered her courage and answered, "I don't know if this is right. I mean, we're dating for two years, but..."
"But I have no more doubt," Tatsuya said, "I never question this feeling anymore. So *cough*"
And then, they heard nothing outside the world. Mixed feelings were resurfacing. They both were scared of the unknown future, but if these things come to pass, they knew they will regret it. Tatsuya began.
"Maya, will you be my soulmates, bound by the red string of fates for a lifetime?" Tatsuya said but began to feel that the script Eikichi written for him earlier was too dramatic.
Maya remained silent, but she smiled, then followed with tears. She nodded.
"I do."
Tatsuya placed the ring on her finger, and they shared a long, passionate kiss.
"I love you."
"I love you too."
And their bond became a beacon that lights up the world soon to come.
Tatsuya Suou
Evening - 2012 - Train Station
As Maya fell asleep on his shoulder, he reached for her phone in her left pocket and checking it. There was one new entry, short but meaningful, direct to him, but never send in time. How he wanted to scream in pain as he read it!
"By the time you read this, I'm no longer the same woman you love. But forgotten or not, I will love you always.
So don't you worry, Tatsuya. I'm fighting my war. So go fight your own.
This time, We'll win this war together."
-Regard, Your soulmate, bound by a red string of fate
Philemon
30/11/2012(Friday) - The realm of consciousness and unconsciousness of all soul
There was no need to check the source of an intruder. The amount of negativity it emitted made it obvious enough the identity of the mysterious figure barging into his domain. The mask on his face had cracked beyond description. So fragile was the once-mighty mask that a single sudden motion would shatter the mask for good. He observed his once beautiful domain, his paradise, with a look of disdain and sorrow. There was no hint of a domain at all. All surrounding him was nothing but floating debris, akin to a shattered mirror sinking in the water, or a destroyed house trapped in zero gravity. Was this the price for his action? Philemon had the wisdom to answer, but he would not say it. There was nothing left to say. He felt the presence of the Blind Idiot God from miles away, and he found no shame in admitting that he shuddered greatly at the resurrection of his old rival.
It's been millions of years -perhaps a hundred years to the human world- since the great war between him and Azathoth. There was no such term as persona and shadow at the time, only collective unconsciousness. The war never seemed grand in real life, but in the Sea of Soul, the great war ravaged so much of humanity's souls that it echoed into reality in a form of the black plague, world war, the great depression, and many more. His original power seeped away after sealing Azathoth, hiding it from the world and the rest of the gods. Now, he had come to regret it for not holding on to that power. Never would he imagine that the power would be stolen.
"If only I still had that power..."
His thoughts were cut short when the intruder entered his domain and landed at the cracked floor a few steps away from him. The tall figure looked up, and Philemon saw the face of Tatsuya Suou, but the eyes of Nyarlathotep. This was the True Nyarlathotep.
"Look at you, Philemon," True Nyarlathotep said with a broad smile, "You looked so pathetic. How low have my rival fell into ruin."
"Are you here to mock me, or fight me? Make your choice, I don't have much left."
"Mock you? Hahahaha!" Nyarlathotep began to dance for a moment in front of him, "Oh, Philemon! There's just so much of you I hate, but I admit you have second to none in your flaws for me to mock you. But to fight you... Hehehe..."
He revealed the cursed book of Azathoth and flipped it open as he said, "You would die sooner or later. Why don't I make it more instant for you? Considered it a gift for my honored rival. All you have to do is-"
"I don't have it."
"I know you don't have it. But you know how to get it. That power, it attracts to Prime Anima and Animus. So I suspected as much that there's a certain spark in Naoya Toudou and Eriko Kirishima. I don't doubt their annoying love story, but Naoya seemed particularly emotionless. The version of him that love Eriko Kirishima, you took him away. You made the Naoya 'that love Eriko' into a sacrifice for Conquest, preventing me from getting that power earlier..."
Philemon said nothing, but Nyarlathotep snickered at this.
"I have to say, that was a brilliant idea, but if necessary, I might have to redo the ceremony for 'Conquest' again. I might force Conquest to pick another sacrifice, seeing as that Chizuru, the most potential 'sacrifice', died. But you're probably thinking, 'You don't have much time.' Well, you're right, Conquest is one secretive god. He won't agree to that. But you're forgetting that if what I said is true, then I knew exactly when I can get that power from Conquest. And you, Philemon? You serve no more purpose."
Nyarlathotep took out the Judgement Arcana card from the book, revealing one huge arrow aiming at Philemon. He didn't budge but turned to his back, accepting his end.
"Then you have won."
"Yes! Yes, I do!"
The arrow stabbed Philemon in the back, destroying most of his torso. The mask destroyed, and Philemon laid motionless on the ground and the realm slowly faded to darkness. Only Nyarlathotep's laughter can be heard.
"Soon... Soon...! Th power of Creator will be MINE!"
He disappeared, not realizing that Philemon, in his last breath, prayed to the men of prophecy.
"You can win, everyone..."
With the face of Yu Narukami, the 'father' of prophecy, he smiled before fading away into a swamp of butterflies.
Yu Narukami
Cloudy - Night - 30/11/2012(Friday) - Dojima Residence, Inaba
(Friday of War)
Yu Narukami was awakened by the sound of knocking on his room's door. It was a stressful day, but the rest of the details will have to be shared tomorrow on the last day of the exam. He was still studying at the moment, trying to forget the heated conversation the Investigation Team had today. Shu's purpose was shockingly simple, yet curious.
"He was running away."
He repeated Yukiko's words as he left his bed. He reached for the door until, full awareness, he took a quick step back. What if it's an enemy? Dojima seldom knocked on his door unless necessary. But to let silence pass through after a few small taps on the door will make Yu reached for the sword he hid under his bed.
"Who's out there?" Yu said.
But then, he sighed in relief, for a woman's voice was heard.
"Yu, it's me, Margaret. I need you to bring the Contact Card with you to sleep."
"Margaret?" Yu responded to the abrupt request, "Why are you here? I have an exam tomorrow. But if you want to cuddle..."
"It will be a short moment, extremely important. Understand? Just bring it to your bed."
"Do I need to bring you to my bed too?"
Margaret took no heed to his humor, "We need it in the Velvet Room right now. See you there."
He heard the sound of footsteps fading away. Curious but comply, he took out the card and brought it to his bed. Perhaps Margaret has done something to him, for he fell asleep the moment he laid his head on the head pillow.
Velvet Room
It was only a few days, but there was a strange sense of security and protection that he longed for when he entered the room. Perhaps because he knew Igor was a formidable opponent, and also because he saw Tatsuya and Aigis seemly waiting for him. Aigis was standing on the left side of the table, but Tatsuya was leaning on the chair, facing him. However, he couldn't pull his eyes away from Tatsuya for some reason. There was a strange... aura that made him appeared like an older man but in a sense of wisdom and experience. Tatsuya noticed his long stares but lent out his hand before speaking.
"The Card," He said briefly. Yu wasted no time to return the card to him.
"You can keep it for good."
"Not in reality. We may converse and contact in dreams, but physically you still have the card in Inaba," Tatsuya said, "I need it one more time to talk with 'Apollo'. High chance that I won't be able to summon him anymore after today."
"What happened?" Yu asked curiously, sitting on the chair next to Tatsuya, but still, Tatsuya remained standing.
"Too much," That was all he could muster as he finally moved away from the chair and faced Igor. Igor was still sitting on the chair in front of them, but Margaret and Theodore were loyally standing next to Igor without a word. There was an obscure object covered with blankets on the table, but he ignored it to listen to Tatsuya, "And I believe I deserve a little 'scream' inside this room. May I?"
"The room is for your convenient use," Igor said. He never broke a smile.
Tatsuya dragged one of the chairs to the far end corner of the room, away from them. He began to hold out the card.
"If he can't use his persona anymore, then how can he fight?" Yu asked the quiet Aigis. Aigis, who appeared exhausted and lack of willpower, answered him still.
"All he lost will just be one persona," Aigis said. Yu almost blinked at her answer. Had she forgotten about Tatsuya's status as a persona user?
"And also his only persona."
"Not anymore. He is capable of only one Arcana, but believe me, he had expanded his arsenal beyond measure."
Yu leaned away from Aigis and left his mouth agape.
"When?"
"I really cannot explain it to you without sounding odd and insane."
"I've seen God trying to wipe clean the world with fogs. Nothing fazed me anymore. Try me."
"He became a Wild Card today, but also a year ago. And..." Aigis began speaking for a while until Yu had to pause her. Time travel, world travel? The mass evacuation of Sumaru City? If it wasn't for him knowing her, he would thought she was lying about it happened in a single week.
"I'll take that back, I don't understand."
Suddenly, from the corner of the room, they heard Tatsuya began shouting on the Card.
"I'm going to say this once, so you better listen… Riots are everywhere, people are mad… They corrupted these people… We already lost a friend, and it's chaos… So, the question is… WHO AM I TALKING TO RIGHT NOW, huh? Apollo, or is it you, you bastard? Guess what? We have the 'Adam', we have the Prime Anima and if you're listening right now, come… come, and I'll show you my madness."
Yu immediately turned to Tatsuya with a bewildered expression. "Hold it! What did he just say? Riots? Lose a friend? And Prime Anima? What's going on?"
"Riots are happening everywhere in Sumaru City," Aigis answered, "After Kei Nanjo announced that the government is the one pulling the string behind the submarine attack, some volunteers are spreading fires on the streets, demanding the government to surrender. Cops are arresting people. And chaos, just as Nyarlathotep wanted."
"I saw about the attacks on the news, but rioting?"
"Government controlling the media is common."
"And who died?"
"Do you remember the old man with sunglasses and a suitcase? He was killed today. Ulala Serizawa just went missing following his death. Maya Suou still remembered the prophecy, except everything else in her past, which made things worst."
"You're kidding me..." Yu muttered. All of this happened while they were at school taking exams? "And Prime Anima, refresh my memory again about what that is? Have you mention it to me, because I don't really remember."
"I'll spare you the explanation," Tatsuya said, returning from the corner of the room. His expression showed that the Contact Card was a failure and returned it to Yu, "Prime Anima is the one who we need right now, that is, Naoya Toudou. We need the Prime Anima as soon as we can before Nyarlathotep. That is our priority. Which means, Yu Narukami, I will send a few friends to your town. I will be tagging along shortly after a visit to Tatsumi Port Island. I heard Amagi Inn provide incredible service."
Yu Narukami looked sideways at Tatsuya. "We only have an old shrine if you want to pray, but I'm not sure that shrine can give you any answer you want," Yu said, "There's nothing 'here'(Inaba) that will lead you to Prime Anima."
"Oh, believe me. I think I do," Tatsuya answered swiftly. He walked to Igor's table and removed the blanket covered an object on the table. It was an old cassette player, with rust covering the left side of the speaker. However, it did look functional. Tatsuya took out a cassette tape with a label on it from his back pocket. Yu eyed the label attentively.
"Second Verse?"
"You heard this once and you will understand why many risked their lives to hide this from the Revelation," Tatsuya explained, "After everything that happened today, my brother and I finally took the time to listen to it. We listen, we listen, and listen until there's nothing more to squeeze out. Let's play it, shall we?"
He played the tape. Soon, there was a sound of buzzing, following by the voice of a man. There was an echo tagging the audio, but he couldn't be certain where the man truly was.
"...*bzzz*... I promise... I promise that I will keep this a secret..."
"That's the voice of Takahisa Kandori, the 'vessel' of Conquest," Tatsuya revealed. They continued to listen. Then, all of a sudden, he heard another voice. Familiar, yet not familiar. Soft, yet firm and gentle. Old, but also young. The voice gave a straightforward response.
"The Prime Anima and Animus cannot fall into the hands of the enemy... And please keep this recording on until I said otherwise. You can hear me over this, I assume?"
"Loud and clear, miss."
Yu immediately turned to Tatsuya and Aigis. They merely placed a finger on their lips. The recording continued.
"Now, I want you to listen to my message as clearly as you can since I don't have much time. And don't tell anyone at all! The men of prophecy must have this message at all cost."
"Then, I suggest you hurry with your words."
"Oh. Apologies, Kandori-san. This verse is crucial. I need to make sure. You are not followed? Eavedrop? Tailed?"
"No, not at all. If anyone comes close to this tomb in the middle of nowhere, then I would have seen them. You have my word, for it was the word of Conquest himself."
"I supposed you're right. Very well, here goes. *cough*"
Tatsuya and Aigis leaned closer. Yu, seeing this, unconsciously copied their move. The girl in the recording began:
"Aged in years when stars yet to fade
As told by the Creator and its mistake
At the Limbo where the gnawing Fool asleep
the Friday sought by the blood sheep
In dreams and reality blurred by winter fall
And another three awaits the princess's chiming call
Where time pause for the new creation
Reflect in the hourglass the twin butterfly
From the Animus who birth a new world with her cry
And the moon shall be forgotten but unbroken
Yet what is left but the air of love taken
At the rabbit's garden where four men sat brothers akin"
For a while, there was a peaceful, yet harrowing silence. Yu blinked, but the room remained motionless. There was a slightly more recording voice.
"I got everything recorded, loud and clear."
"Good. Now hurry. Burn the evidence. Your work is done, and so do I. *bzzz* I'm losing you. Send it to-"
The cassette tape ended abruptly, just as floods of question burst out of Yu's mouth.
"Who is that?" The first question, as he rummaged his sleep hair and repeated the question, like he was barely awake, which was impossible because he was inside a dream, "Who is that guy talking to?"
"I'm a detective, not a psychic," Tatsuya said, "Though, from the conversation, it was obvious that the recording was made during a telephone call. We heard winds from it, and I strongly believe it was where Kandori was. He is in the desert somewhere, which I believe to be Egypt. The woman though..."
"I cannot say I do not recognize that voice," Aigis said, "She sounded young, slightly high pitch voice, and was rather-"
"No, that's not what I think," Tatsuya interjected. All eyes were on him. "I'm trying to say that Kandori held those verses preciously. There must be something that Nyarlathotep didn't know in it. And why was it called the 'Second Verse'? What about the first one? And how was it this woman knew about the prophecy more than everyone else, including the Crawling Chaos? I think, based on my deduction, this woman is our enemy."
Yu and Aigis turned to him with a surprised look, which he added again, "For now."
"I have a question, if I may," Yu said, "How does this link to our town again?"
"Because of the word rabbit," Aigis answered him, "As in 'Inaba'."
"That's it?" Yu blinked and narrowed his eyes.
"There's another reason," Tatsuya continued, resting his laps on one of the chairs, "Who's the next horsemen after Conquest and War?"
Yu wanted to speak further, but he paused. He finally understood. He remembered mentioning that Strife seemed to know Izanagi.
"Strife is next, and you believe him to have some lost connection with my persona," Yu nodded, "I'll tell the team."
"You might want to check out that place that you said was blocked weeks ago. Jun relayed a message from Father Time to me that a path in Inaba is 'opening up'," He began reaching for his lighter, but stopped when he remembered something else, "After your exam tomorrow. Until then, there will be a tour for us in the morning."
"Morning sharp."
"Yes. Not to brag..." Tatsuya finalized, without the slightest hint of proudness, "But I never gave deduction unless I'm more than 99 percent sure. Right now, I'm more than a hundred percent sure that Strife, the black horsemen, will be at Inaba."
War Arc - End
A/N: And that's the end of the War Arc. Sorry for the late update. With this arc fully closed, I will return to Paradox Arc and finished Minato's path. What is the Second Verse? Who is that woman talking to Kandori? With the death of Philemon, the mystery will close in soon.