"Well, inmate?" asked Caroline, one of the twin guardians of the Velvet Room. "Is this the Persona you want?"
Ren nodded, visualizing what would be one of the strongest spirits he had ever wielded.
After confirmation, the twins covered the two materials with the already typical blue sheets, which would give rise to the execution that would merge them.
The guillotines fell, decapitating those soul fragments to entwine their energy into a more powerful manifestation. Seeing the process, a shiver ran down the spine of the young trickster; he began to feel how that new being was trying to connect with him.
Kaze no koe hikari no tsubu madoromu kimi ni sosogu...
(The voice of the wind sheds drops of light onto you as you doze off...)
Once the energy took shape, Ren managed to make out the image of his new partner; it was a fairly tall and slender figure dressed in black. His left hand carried what looked like a row of coffins while his right rested lightly on his chest. He had a plaid print scarf and long ash hair that covered his facial expression quite well, however, the leader of the Phantom Thieves could feel that he was giving off an overwhelming sadness, even nostalgic to a certain extent.
Wasurenai yasashii hohoemi kanashisa kakushita hitomi wo...
(I won't forget your kind smile or your eyes hidden with sorrow)
"Hm... curious..." Justine said, admiring this manifestation with the same curiosity as her sister and the inmate. "It seems that he has changed his physical form to suit your personality, but this Persona is definitely from someone else's heart" before continuing, the jailer girl's face changed, looking confused, "someone who shared a fate similar to yours ."
Negau koto tsurakutemo tachimukau yuuki kimi ni moratta...
(Even though it hurts, I received the courage to fight from you, so I will go)
Instead of introducing himself as the rest of the entities he created did, this new Persona remained absolutely silent, maintaining constant eye contact with Ren.
The young trickster was taken aback by this for a few seconds, but then he could see it; the bright blue eyes of that being teared up buckets, expelling that nostalgic feeling that was making him reach his new master so much.
Dakara yukune yume no naka mezametara mata aeruyo...
(If I awaken, from a dream, I'll be able to see you again)
As the Personas are reflections of the soul, it is normal for them to transmit certain emotions depending on their origin. But in this case it was different, something all too real. And as if it were her own memory, Ren closed his eyes for a moment so he could experience it.
Everything was too blurry to have anything clear; he was sure he was leaning on something, but he was too weak to sit up and check.
Tooi kioku mune ni hime utau
(I will hide my distant memories in my breast and sing)
There it was again; that melodic voice he had been listening to since the merger took place. She seemed like she was singing, but in a slow and comforting way, like a mother lulling her child to sleep.
Hakanaku tayutau sekai wo kimi no te de mamottakara...
(Because you protected this ephemerally floating world by your own hand)
No matter how hard he tried to focus his eyes, Ren could not distinguish anything more than a blonde figure that contrasted with the clear sky, apparently what his head was resting on was this person's lap.
Imawa tada tsubasa wo tatande yukkuri nemurinasai...
(Now simply fold your wings and sleep restfully)
Yes, it was definitely the golden haired person who was singing, but... for what reason was he doing it? And why did his voice sound so melancholic but cheerful at the same time?
Eien no yasuragi ni tsutsumarete love through all eternity...
(Be wrapped up in an eternal tranquility, and love through all eternity)
He wanted to resolve this matter, but when he tried to articulate any words his voice broke instantly, making him emit only small meaningless moans. The young trickster was beginning to get frustrated by this, he seemed to be trapped in the body of a newborn... or a dying one.
Yasashiku mimamoru watashi no kono te de nemurinasai...
(Sleep, by this hand of mine that gently watches over you)
In one last attempt, Ren managed to slightly raise his hand, trying to reach the blonde girl who was singing that sad song. Apparently she noticed this, for she immediately took the wobbly hand that reached out to her and returned it to her place. Instead, she with her own hands began to caress her face.
Waratteta naiteta okotteta kimi no koto oboeteiru...
(I remember you laughing, you crying, you angry)
The hands that now ran over his face felt strange, as if they were made of something harder than flesh and bone. However, the comforting and warm feeling of peace that they transmitted to him was undeniable. They had even made him forget how weak he was.
Wasurenai itsumademo kesshite until my life is exhausted...
(I will never forget for all time until my life is exhausted)
So strong was the state of peace he was in, that he began to feel sleepy. And more by reflex action than by his own decision, his eyelids began to converge almost automatically, closing the window that led to this nostalgic memory.
Mabayuku kagayaku hitotoki minna to issho datta...
(That brightly shining moment, I was with everyone)
"Wow, he definitely has a lot of inherited potential." Back in the Velvet Room, Caroline was still admiring the strange aura this Persona was giving off, turning for a moment to hit the cell behind her. "You better show some gratitude, inmate!"
Ren used to flinch every time she did this, but this time there was no response, disconcerting her.
"Inmate?"
Kakegae no nai toki to shirazuni watashi wa sugoshite ita...
(I spent that time without knowing it was irreplaceable)
Leaning against a wall, the young man with black hair found himself staring into space, staring into infinity while the occasional tear timidly rolled down his cheeks. Despite the fact that this memory was not his, and that the girl's melody had no meaning for him, he felt they were too close. It was a feeling so unknown, yet so familiar, that he couldn't help but get frustrated at not understanding its meaning.
Imawa tada taisetsu ni shinobuyou I will embrace the feeling...
"Inmatee? What's wrong?" she asked Caroline again, scratching the back of her neck, now both she and her sister were looking at Ren, who seemed to be in a very peculiar state of shock.
Kimi wa ne tashika ni ano toki watashi no soba ni ita...
(You were definitely by my side back then, you know)
"I…" still confused, the young began to slowly come back to himself, touching his face as if he had lost something there. "I feel... warm."
The twins turned to see the Persona again; the spirit stared with teary eyes at his inmate, and the latter returned the same look, sharing his sentiment.
Itsudatte itsudatte itsudatte sugu yoko from waratteita...
(You were always, always, always smiling right next to me)
"And that voice... " Ren said, now submerged in melancholy. "I could hear a beautiful voice that... sang to me..."
Nakushitemo torimodosu kimi wo I will never leave you...
(Even if I lose you, I'll get you back. I will never leave you.)
... fuck... It was painful, sad, melancholic and any feeling that generates all that ... I recommend giving play to the song with the same name of the fic to make the experience more pleasant or sad.
