Persona 5 Royal-Our Light
"Hope is being able to see that there is light despite all of the darkness."-Desmond Tutu
Deep in the realm of spaces lies a sea of stars. They weren't actual stars but the light that they luminate from a distance gave the impression of a starry night sky. This was the Sea of Souls, a realm where all human souls reside in before life and would return to after death.
But within the Sea of Souls lies a special resident. He has been the safeguard between two supernatural entities in order prevent the end of days on Earth or what is commonly known to those who know their existence as The Fall. His life essence is still bound to the golden door behind him, forever fated to remain humanity's guardian angel.
But for today(or what counts as present since time doesn't exist in the Sea of Souls) he has a guest standing before him. She was a frequented visitor, coming back year after year to pay homage to her most dear guest. But that wasn't the only reason for her visit. No, at the same moment in time was also when...It returns to the seal.
Elizabeth stood in front of the Great Seal as she saw dark, red clouds vast approaching her position. Despite how ominous the scene was, the elevator attendant stood her ground. By the time the clouds rolled over her head, the creature reared its ugly, horned head...or rather two. The shadowed entity known as Erebus roared at its opponent who stood in its way between it and the Great Seal. Despite the clear threat, Elizabeth smirked.
"My, is it that time already?" She spoke while foundling the book in her arm. Erebus growled as it prepared to attack with one of its paws. Despite landing the blow, its paw bounced back when Elizabeth had her ardent ally, Thanatos, reflect the attack with its sword.
"Normally I would take my time with you, but I'm in a bit of a rush to meet someone." Elizabeth glared as Thanatos hover above to face Erebus. Then gathers a large amount of energy to its hands and unleashes an almighty purple explosion that engulfed Erebus's entire body. Under normal circumstances, this would leave a mark but under Elizabeth's command, Thanatos's Megidolaon was a one shot kill as a Erebus was atomized to cinders. With that, the Great Seal was safe and so was he.
As Thanatos coverts back to a tarot card back into Elizabeth's book, a beam of light emits from the Sea of Souls as a great presence emerges from it. Elizabeth regains her composure and felt lucky that she defeated Erebus just in time, for this was a moment to make a good impression.
The being's appearance consists of a suit consisting of a black shirt and tie, a white blazer and white pants with black dress shoes. He also has long, black hair tied up in a ponytail. On his face was was eggshell colored masked that covered his eyes but not the left side of his jaw. On the right side though displayed an orange multicolor pattern of a butterfly wing. With his arrival the being known as Philemon approached his servant.
"You summon me child." He asked.
"High Father Philemon, please excuse the mess present before us." Elizabeth bows.
"No apologies necessary, I'm aware of when one does battle with humanity's manifestation of grief and death yearning, things can be left rather filthy." Philemon explains.
"So my request is confirm? Can it be done?" Elizabeth asked.
"What you ask for isn't so simple. Overall yes, the Messiah before us can be freed from his chains. But the Seal must always have an occupant to safeguard Nyx. I won't allow it to roam free within the Sea of Souls." Philemon explains.
"Then allow me to take his place. I am willing to give my life essence to the seal so that he can breath freely again." Elizabeth said.
"There are more pressing matters at hand. Another game has begun some time ago and Nyarlathoep has sent another agent of chaos to Earth to suppress humanity." Philemon said.
"I'm aware of the conflict and how this new force has rigged the outcome but this also presents a new opportunity." Elizabeth said.
"Then you are also aware of what became of the Velvet Room, of Igor." Philemon asked.
"I am, but all the more reason for his return. The Trickster has proven to be formidable thus far but Yaldabaoth has prepared for very contingency to ensure his victory. The Trickster will need the Messiah's guidance to make it through this game." Elizabeth pleads.
"Which brings us back to you asking for his release but are you certain you desire this. Because once you're jointed to the Seal. there is no going back." Philemon said as Elizabeth simply nodded.
Once everything was set the first thing to do was to free his body from the Seal as Elizabeth summons the twenty-two arcana cards from her book as she performs a special spell. One by one the spell manages to dissolve the chains that he was bound to. The spell also broke down the marble cocoon his life essence was encase in and returning color back to his body. At last, he was back to his normal state as his body fell from its elevated position until Elizabeth caught him in her arms and laid him on the floor.
"He's merely unconscious, but it appears the ritual was a success. Now you must take the next step." Philemon said as Elizabeth nods so. She took a deep breath knowing that bounding herself to the Seal will surely end her life. But a moment of clarity dawned in her mind for it was some time ago that she thought this was the Answer to Life the Messiah had found. The bonds of friendship and trust bloom ever greatly that he gave his life for them to live. For her, this is her Answer to Life: From the start of his journey to his time as the Great Seal, she has always watched over him and dedicated her time to secure his wellbeing. Now she takes the next step to watch over him.
That least that was the plan...until.
"Stop"
Both Philemon and Elizabeth turn to see a young man with swept black hair, a school uniform, and most notably a yellow scarf around his neck present before them. "There is another way." He said.
"The Vessel for Nyx." Philemon spoke. "Ryoji Mochizuki." Elizabeth added.
"I wasn't much as a vessel so much as being literally Nyx herself. But the circumstances have changed now. I see you finally manage to free him from his burden Elizabeth but I won't allow you to replace him as the Seal." Ryoji said.
"You won't stop us. You're both outnumbered and outmatched." Elizabeth said.
"You misunderstand, what I mean to say is I won't let you. Perhaps I should elaborate, Minato here is going to need your help back on Earth so what I'm saying is allow me to take your place as the Great Seal." Ryoji explains.
"So...what you're saying is that you want to be the safeguard between Erebus and...yourself?" Elizabeth asked.
"I have mention that the circumstances have changed. Over the years my consciousness has been able to separate from that of Nyx's. Thus allowing me to become my own being as the person you see before you. When you completed the ritual to free Minato, you also gave me a door to go through along with him." Ryoji explains.
"But why? You freed yourself from Nyx's grasp but only to return to her." Elizabeth said.
"Aye. For my reason is as you believe you found your Answer to Life, I believe I found mine. I've always felt guilty for the role I played in Minato's life. The death of his parents, the toying of his apathy throughout his life and his burden as the Great Seal. But despite all of that, he has shown me friendship, care, concern and I couldn't pay that back once I became the Avatar for Nyx. That is until now. " Ryoji said.
"You think your Answer to Life is penitence?" Philemon asked.
"Let's be honest, it's no different than Elizabeth's here. We all want what's best for Minato. I know just as you have, I'll be watching over him. Plus I always figured my destiny would always be connected to Nyx. As the term to describe Siamese twins, "we'll always be joined at the hip." comes to mind." Ryoji said.
"If you do this, you won't be able to come back." Elizabeth said.
"I'm aware of the sacrifice, so are we just gonna keep arguing or are we gonna do this?" Ryoji asked annoyingly.
With no more words Ryoji prepared himself as he gave Elizabeth his blessing. Elizabeth then precede to do the ritual spell in reverse as Ryoji felt his life essence merge to the Great Seal. In his final moments, Ryoji gave a final look at his unconscious friend and smile. With this, Minato will finally be free. What was Minato's Answer to Life was to always live from his parents' death to his own, perhaps now Minato can truly live free.
Elizabeth then sets the chains around the still Ryoji as the ritual was complete. "sigh, I didn't expect any of this." Elizabeth said. "Neither have I but for now let us return to proper lodgings. The Messiah must have a proper rest." Philemon said.
Slowly his ears were beginning to fill with familiar opera music as he stirred in his sleep.
"Ah, it appears he's waking up." He heard a familiar voice as he slowly opens his eyes. "groan, Where am I?" Minato rose from the sofa he was laying on.
"At last, he has risen ladies and gentlemen." Elizabeth said in glee.
"Elizabeth darling, your humor is as daunting as it's unorthodox." Philemon spoke from the behind the desk he sat behind.
"Forgive me High Father. I merely can't contain my excitement for this moment." Elizabeth bowed.
"I think her unorthodox humor is still the best quality Elizabeth has." Minato said groggily. Elizabeth couldn't contain her excitement and gave Minato a bone-crushing hug.
"Elizabeth...can't...breath." Minato said as Elizabeth suddenly lets go.
"Oh sorry, I just glad you're back." Elizabeth said.
"Yea, speaking of the realization that just fell on my head. How am I alive?" Minato asked. "I believe it's best to let my master explain." Elizabeth pointed to Philemon who eyed Minato with curiosity.
"Welcome back to the land of the living Redeemer of Man. I must say this is quite the surprise." Philemon said as Minato eyed the mysterious being but just couldn't put his finger on it.
"I'm sorry but I don't think we've met." Minato spoke but he really wasn't sure of his response. His memories were still the foggiest.
"On the contrary, we have though not directly at least. Perhaps you seen this before." Philemon spoke as he luminated his body in a blue light, transforming in a blue, spirit butterfly. There Minato had an epiphany where he saw that insect.
"You're the blue butterfly." Minato said.
"Correct, allow me to introduce myself. I am Philemon, the true master of the Velvet Room." Philemon said.
"The true master? Is Igor not the the real master of the Velvet Room?" Minato asked.
"Igor is a humble servant as much as the other residents of the Velvet Room like Elizabeth here. I can't directly involve myself with humanity's affairs without risking open war. Hence I created Igor and the residents of the Velvet Room to be my representatives and to be the gatekeepers between it and the human world." Philemon said.
"At least until recently." Elizabeth added. "What do you mean?" Minato asked.
"I'm afraid Ruin is upon the horizon for humanity once again. My rival Nyarlathoep has sent another force of darkness to Earth much like Nyx and Erebus before it." Philemon explains.
"This particular force is known as Yaldabaoth, The God of Control , who at this moment grows stronger by feeding to humanity's wishes and desires. In turn they willingly give their will of freedom for his control." Elizabeth said.
"That doesn't sound good, but I'm sure there has to be someone out who Igor picked to fight this. Someone with a small more honest soul." Minato spoke.
"Indeed but I'm afraid when Yaldabaoth and Igor started this game, Yaldabaoth had already rigged the odds in his favor." Philemon said baffling Minato.
"To elaborate the Velvet Room has fallen, Yaldabaoth first attacked the Velvet Room and imprison Igor away." Philemon said.
"What?" Minato asked.
"Yaldabaoth also manipulated my youngest sibling. Lavenza maybe a runt, but not even she deserved this fate." Elizabeth said.
"And with the Velvet Room in his control, Yaldabaoth controls both sides of the game. He's has already selected the newest Wild Card, the Trickster, to blindly play the side of humanity who yearn for freedom but only for the right moment to then yearn him into despair and that Man would fall to Ruin." Philemon said.
"So this Trickster's entire journey is nothing more than a façade only to be discarded when his role is over." Minato concluded.
"Precisely, this is truly an unjust game with slim odds of victory." Elizabeth said sadly.
"There is hope in this current path nonetheless, but with you Redeemer of Man, we can carve out anew. Philemon asked.
"All this sounds too much to take it, but what about the Great Seal?" Minato asked.
"Ah yes, if you look outside the window you'll see the Great Seal with a new occupant." Philemon said as Minato rush to the window in shock. They couldn't be crazy enough to put someone else in the seal or anyone crazy enough to sacrifice themselves to the seal.
He look see someone was bound to the Great Seal and was shocked. "Is that." "Yes, originally the plan was for me to take your place in the Seal, but Ryoji Mochizuki arrived and pleaded be bound in my place." Elizabeth said.
"Elizabeth, I won't never ask you to do such a thing nor I would've never wanted Ryoji or Nyx or whoever to take the burden from me." Minato argued. Elizabeth was surprised but her former guest nobility to carry such heavy weight and wouldn't share it.
"What if I told you that he said by doing so, he found his Answer to Life? How his destiny was always connected to Nyx and that by doing this, he knew you get to relish in your Answer to Life. To live." Elizabeth asked as Minato felt tear began to pool and fall down his cheeks. Under great sadness, Minato suddenly embrace Elizabeth as he sobs into her shoulder.
Elizabeth continues to be surprise by her former guest as by instinct she rubs Minato as he continues to cry. As for Minato, in his mind he was tired. Sure he was always physically tired due to his apathy condition but now he was tired of people telling that one word before leaving him forever.
Live
Minato sniffed. He was tired. Tired of people leaving him but now he must regain his composer. He always dislike showing his feelings out in the open and has always maintained a cool and level head. "You alright?" Elizabeth asked as Minato nodded.
As Minato let go of Elizabeth's embrace, he noticed how he slightly towered over his attendant. "Is something wrong?" Elizabeth asked.
"Have I gotten taller?" He asked as he turn back to the window to see his reflection. There he did noticed how smoother, and sleeker his face is but the most change was that his arms and legs stretched out the school uniform he had on.
"If by you mean by gotten taller meaning you've aged then yes." Philemon said.
"I've aged. How much time has passed?" Minato asked.
"Here in the Sea of Souls and in the Velvet Room, virtually no time passes through." Elizabeth said.
"Okay? Let me rephrase the question: How much time has passed in the human world?" Minato asked again with emphasis.
"Oh, well at least six years have passed in the human world." Elizabeth replies. Minato then took a moment to sit down and absorb all the information. Six years is a long time to be gone. For the first time since being resurrected his mind went to his friends. The friends he had gave his life for so that they may live from Mitsuru, Akihiko, Junpei, Fuuka, Ken, Koromaru, Aigis, and lastly was Yukari. The last whom was the love of his life before he died. Tragedy brought them together in the beginning and from the summer trip at Yakushima natured feelings between the two promising to always be there for one another. From festivals to errands to even helping Yukari bridge her relationship with her estrange mother did the two finally admitted their feelings to one another.
Besides, it wasn't just Minato helping her out. He remembers how Yukari helps him break out of his shell by bighting his mood and making him less apathetic. By showing he had bright life to live with making everlasting memories were some he would cherish. But that doesn't mean they didn't have bumps in their relationship like in combat when Minato's reckless headfirst mentality would leave him injured and Yukari scolding him time and time again. Or the time throughout the Winter period when the Fall was near and their efforts seem fruitless to prevent it so everyone fell to a state of hopelessness.
Minato smiled now for what was now merely a memory. But surely in the last six years Yukari would've moved on from now. Married with children, a good steady job and a place to call home. As long as she was happy, Minato would support that.
"Is something on your mind?" Elizabeth asked. "Just wonder how my friends have been for the last six years." Minato said. "Ah yes, with your return I'm sure they will be filled with joy." Elizabeth said.
"Let us get back on track shall we?" Philemon said as the two gave the entity their attention.
"So...with your return, Elizabeth would like to present a unique opportunity." Philemon said.
"Right...your mission, should you choose to accept, is to return to the human world and provide your aid to the Trickster and his fellow allies. Your assistance will surely even the odds in our favors." Elizabeth explains.
"Have you been watching action movies?" Minato asked.
"You mean the motion pictures? Oh yes, it's fascinating how you humans conscript a story using pictures with these huge explosives so big that they seem to match my own attacks during battle." Elizabeth said.
"Child, stay on track." Philemon said.
"Right forgive me, so with your aid the Trickster will surely prevail as will you. You will get your life back on track." Elizabeth said.
"Be mindful of your interference however, you shouldn't be no more than a guide for the Trickster, not a crunch. While his journey is fixed, it's still the his and his alone. The last thing we need is Yaldabaoth to change the rules drastically in the middle of the game to ensure a quick and easy victory." Philemon explains.
"Also don't let the Trickster know of Yaldabaoth's existence, that's a very important rule." Elizabeth said.
"Yaldabaoth can be prideful and arrogant. In time he will reveal himself to carry out his final goal. When the time comes is when you break from these restricts." Philemon said.
"How is Yaldabaoth acting though. How is he accomplishing his plans?" Minato asked.
"It's very simple, he has constructed a Shadow Nest in an urban settling that impacting certain high class individuals to act out their deepest desires." Elizabeth said.
"There is another issue of the Yaldabaoth's doing. Like selecting the Trickster, he has select a pawn of his own. This enforcer will rival that of the Trickster's ability and wit, causing havoc to the masses and driven by his power to madness." Philemon said as Minato was in thought. The idea of this enforcer reminded him of Strega, rival persona users to SEES. If there was someone out there who use the powers of Persona to hurt others then he won't allow it to keep happening.
"Is there anything else?" Minato asked. "If you desire you let your friends in on this mission, we won't mind. Just keep their influence to a minimal." Philemon said. "I'm sure I can come up with some sort of plan." Minato said.
"So, you may want to peak into your pocket." Elizabeth pointed as Minato reached into his pants pocket to reveal a old key from the old days.
"Only those who fulfill a contract can freely visit the Velvet Room and use its services. Your old Contractor's Key will allow you to visit here while on your mission." Elizabeth said.
"Wait I thought the Velvet Room was taken over." Minato said.
"It is, this room is an emergency room for situations such as this." Philemon said. "Or as I like to call it, the Situation Room." Elizabeth giggled.
"Yet everything is still covered in velvet." Minato thought.
"This room will disperse once we regain the Velvet Room. For now, just go with the flow of this game until then." Philemon said. "I'll let you know of locations where I set entrances to get here later on." Elizabeth said.
"Also I'll be gone by your next visit, I've been away for too long. So Elizabeth will be here left alone to handle the fusions you require." Philemon said.
"Which reminds me, aside from Orpheus and Messiah in your arsenal, you'll also need this little guy." Elizabeth said as she handle over a tarot card containing Thanatos which Minato absorbs into his soul.
"I figure you'll need it more than I do now. Plus since it originally belonged to Ryoji, it'll be like keeping a part of him with you." Elizabeth said making Minato smile.
"He'll definitely will Elizabeth." He said.
"Once I set up shop, you can come at anytime to fuse any Persona you've gather." Elizabeth said.
"What about the Persona Compendium?" Minato asked. "I still have the Compendium filled on record from your previous journey. You can summon Persona from there but it will cost you." Elizabeth said.
"Last time I check, I'm broke and I've been wondering this for a long time. Why do you need money if you don't have used for it." Minato asked.
"Well nothing in existence is free, and besides." Elizabeth inch closer to whisper in Minato's ear. "Now that I'll have this place to myself, I'll use the money you give to add some...renovations to this place. The human world has some interesting things that caught my eye." Elizabeth giggled. Minato simply rolled his eyes in response over Elizabeth's quirkiness. Still this has always been the rule so he's shouldn't complain about it.
"Nonetheless, you'll have to pay a fee for the services of the Velvet Room." Elizabeth said.
"With all this information, are you ready to begin?" Philemon said as he open a door behind the two to reveal a white void.
"Where will this lead me?" Minato asked.
"Right into the fire. It's best you meet up with the Trickster as soon as possible...Oh one more thing, this new Shadow's Nest comes with new rules than what you're used to so don't be surprised if you have another Awakening to it." Elizabeth said.
"I was always good at adapting anyway." Minato smirked as he rush out to the door and disappearing. Elizabeth felt pride, seeing a new lively mood on her guest's face unlike before.
"Well...I believe my work here is done. I'll leave everything to you Elizabeth dear. Just don't do anything reckless and be mindful of how the game's going." Philemon said as Elizabeth nods. With that Philemon beams out of the Velvet Room, leaving Elizabeth alone.
"Now...how am I gonna get one of those fancy picture boxes in here?" Elizabeth schemes about while she looks around. This was gonna be an interesting adventure.
First chapter is done. First let me just say hi to everyone and thanks for reading this beginning chapter. Now to give you all the details about this story.
First off yes this is a Minato revival story and he joins the Phantom Thieves. Second is that unlike other stories, time has caught up to him and he did age over six years so he's around twenty-four, twenty-five years old in this story like his friends. Speaking of friends, yes they will be involved but as the chapter states, it'll be at a minimal not just for reasons that were stated in this chapter but also for...legal reasons involving red tape later on.
Third is that this story begins right in the middle of Kaneshiro's Arc so by that point, Makoto (Queen) would've already be recruited into the Phantom Thieves just to establish a timetable into this story.
Now I have several favorite stories that I took inspiration from to try coming up with ideas on how I want this story to go. The first is Ace in the Hole by eiranerys to which in my opinion is the trendsetter of how you can involve the Shadow Operatives into Persona 5 and make it work really well. Another story is Phantom Stardust by TheWabbajackX which while it doesn't focus much on action like palace infiltration and battles, it does have some of the best plot development and character interaction I've read and it's a favorite of mine. Newer stories are coming out which I'm reading today and my hope is to see what can come up with.
Now to describe Minato's role into all this: Minato will have more of an adviser position than being up front in battle. The best way I can describe it is...he'll be more of the 'Mitsuru' of the group who hangs back to see how the new kids on the block will handle themselves. Now this doesn't mean he won't jump in from time to time with a sword in hand ready to kick some ass, he'll just be at the ready should the Phantom Thieves need any help.
"Help and Support" will be his primary role throughout this story, especially with Joker who he will take under his wing. One way he'll do that is by teaching him Fusions Spells. Yes, that's right, Fusions Spells will be making a comeback in this. Now there will be times where even Minato will need help, and mostly that come from his friends like Mitsuru or Yukari.
One thing I should point out right now is that this story is based on Persona 5 Royal so yes Sumire will be involve in this.
I know I'm making these notes too long because of large amounts of information so I'll save the rest for later. One thing I do want to ask is one question to you guys though and it involves Minato's codename. I do have an idea for how his Phantom thief outfit looks like and I prefer not to just take someone's artwork from the Internet. But I'm having trouble coming up a codename for him.
So the question I want to ask everyone is what should his codename be? Now I don't want any cliché suggestions like Fool or Messiah because I think those are used way too much. If you have any ideas then please comment them.
One last thing is and this is to my Pokemon readers. To those who are still waiting for my next chapter, it is getting there. Progress on my part has just been slow for many reasons like school, job hunting and a family emergency that requires my attention. Shifting a bit to something new really helps me take the edge off. I won't make any promises when I'll get it out there because I'm not sure I can keep them but I'll eventually get it done.
That all for now. This is Paradox signing off.