Without the exit and a long corridor in front of them, the three students had no idea on what to do or where to go. They started to knock on the labyrinth's walls but they were all solid.
¨S-senpai… where are we? ¨
¨This has to be a prank of some sorts¨ Roka's hands went everywhere, trying to find a hidden button or something that could get them out of there ¨Hello! This prank has gone for too long now, we surrender! ¨ Roka shouted atop of his lungs but there was no response ¨Dammit, this has to be some sort of escape room, right? ¨
¨I don't think so¨ Tetsuya looked at the ceiling but there was no giveaway that they were in an escape room or something similar but they did feel that someone or something was watching them ¨I'd say we should be moving, maybe the exit is somewhere else¨
¨Yeah, let's go¨ The other boy gave up on his attempt to find a secret in the wall and decided to walk along with Tetsuya and Hitomo.
Nothing changed, long hallways that led to even more hallways, no sign of an exit or even a door that could lead to a different place. This maze seemed to have no end and even though they were there for some minutes their walk felt like hours.
¨Was your plan to trap me in this place? ¨
¨No it was not! ¨ Roka was angry already ¨This never happened! Or… uh… actually this is the first time I went to the temple¨
¨Wait so why did you bring me here in the first place?!¨
¨I don't know okay! I thought you might like shrines and temples of Kyoto just… I just never thought this would happen¨
¨Senpai, can you hear that? ¨ The two students remained silent after the girl voiced her concern.
At first there was silence, the only sound they were able to hear was their footsteps and their own breathing but then something else surfaced. It was like screaming.
¨Someone is in danger and is coming this way! ¨
The three students ran in the direction of the screaming but before they could even turn at the next hallway Tetsuya crashed against something and fell to the ground. Both Roka and Hitomo were surprised at what was the thing that the new student crashed into they didn't even try to help him.
¨What was that? ¨ The dark haired boy was on his back and saw a strange blue-flaming orb that was `looking´ back at him ¨Huh? ¨
¨What?! Who are you?! Doesn't matter, they are coming¨ The voice of a female came from inside the sphere itself.
¨Wait, who's coming? ¨ Hitomo asked, feeling already a bit scared of what that thing was or who could be chasing.
¨Shadows, they found us! ¨
¨Shadows? What are those? ¨
The group turned to see three blobs that were wearing a strange theater mask. At first they were looking at the blue sphere but then they focused on the three students. From their slimy bodies they threw sharp knives that surprisingly didn't hit any except one that was now stuck in the girl's bag.
¨Run away! ¨ The sphere screamed and started to float away in the direction the young ones came, Roka then helped Tetsuya back on his feet and the students followed the orb in hopes of outrunning the slimes that attacked them.
As they kept trying to escape from the monsters the group found themselves in a problem, the path they took led to a dead end, despite them using it before and taking the same route.
¨Wait what?! We just came from here! ¨ Roka's voice gave away that he was annoyed and scared, that place was going to be their tomb.
¨We are trapped! ¨
The four of them turned and saw the shadows were able to catch up to them.
Awake to your true power, confront to your true self much like others did in the past
The voice of Igor struck in the student's head, remembering his visit to the Velvet Room and then a pulsating headache that made him kneel.
¨Tetsuya-kun! ¨ Hitomo said and when she tried to help him get back up one of the shadows threw another knife to which she blocked with her bag.
Is this how you planned things to go? Escape from your miserable life just to die like a rat?
W-what… who… who are you? ¨ Tetsuya answered to a new voice that appeared, his whispers were only heard by himself and this new entity that spoke.
I am the true self, and I know you don't want things to repeat themselves. You feel guilt, sadness, you want things to change, you want to redeem yourself.
¨Redeem… redemption…¨
Release the truth. Show everyone who you truly are and fight!
¨Fight…¨ Tetsuya blinked and noticed that the headache disappeared and that in his hand there was an orb, smaller than the one that they found, slightly smaller than a basketball. The student stood up slowly and held the ball in front of him; it shone with a white and gray light.
¨What… what is he doing? ¨ Roka asked, trying to stay away from what the other student was about to do, the girl did the same but the sphere remained there, looking at Tetsuya.
A smile appeared on his lips, in his mind a word was branded in flames, a button as he would call it. His fingers started to press on the ball of light and small cracks appeared at the base. He opened his mouth and recited a word that would change the tide of everything.
¨Per… so… na¨ A whisper, a word that made no sense but as he kept pressing on the sphere it broke into million pieces and the smile on Tetsuya turned to a grin as something started to manifest behind him.
It was like smoke at first and eventually the figure started to grow arms, legs and a head. A muscular person with a golden armor, a sword and a round shield. The protection it was using resembled to the ancient Greece and the helmet he wore was not allowing any of them to see his face.
¨I am thou. Thou art I. From the depths of your soul I came to aid you, to release yourself from the guilt and to the path of redemption. I am Theseus, Slayer of the Minotaur! ¨ The ominous voice of the warrior made the shadows take a step back and the other students were both amazed and scared of what Tetsuya did ¨Allow me to share my strength with you and we will defeat those who oppose you! ¨
¨Yeah... let's do this. Theseus, GO! ¨ As the boy commanded the greek warrior swung his blade creating fire and causing some of the shadows fly away, the one that remained there tried to attack once again but the sword from the Persona cut the creature in half.
¨That's how you do it! ¨ Roka cheered from behind, still not understanding what was happening but enjoying the battle.
¨Boss, watch out! ¨ The orb warned about one of the shadows returning, ready to strike ¨Use your weapon! ¨
¨My weapon? ¨ Tetsuya looked back for a second and when he eyed the shadow another light appeared in front of him. It was a handle, he grabbed it and a bronze sword appeared ¨What is this? ¨
¨Tetsuya-kun! ¨ Hitomo yelled and the student immediately paid attention, the shadow was charging at him in an attempt to make the boy fall, however he was quickly to react and was able to stab the creature, albeit falling to the ground. Just like dust the slime disappeared and it dropped a bag that was now resting on top of his chest.
¨Boss, there is still one more out there¨ The orb moved and was now floating close to Tetsuya ¨That shadow uses ice attacks, use fire to counter it! ¨
¨Fire? ¨ The dark haired was confused at first and then looked at the Persona who was still standing against the lone shadow ¨Theseus, burn that thing! ¨Without any words the warrior swung his blade once again and fireball flew at high speed, hitting the shadow and destroying it.
With the battle over the entire group was able to catch a breather. Tetsuya laid his head on the ground and Theseus disappeared. He thought he could have a moment to relax but Roka was already by him, his face could only be described as excitement.
¨THAT WAS SO AWESOME! How did you do that? Is there any way you can do it again? ¨ Roka wanted to ask so many questions that he forgot about the maze.
¨Senpai, we should let him breathe for a minute, he looks tired¨ And she was right, Tetsuya was drained, that battle while it lasted very few minutes it took everything from the student. With the help of the other two he was able to get back on his feet while using the sword as support as well ¨So… what was that? ¨ Hitomo asked.
¨I… don't know¨ The young one was confused as well, he fought against strange creatures in a place that should not exist and with the help of a spirit that was supposed to be his true self. The more he thought about it the less sense it made and the more questions it generated. He turned his head towards the flying orb ¨So… who or what are you? ¨
¨Me? Well, my name is…¨ The sphere remained silent as it looked to the side a bit ¨I… I can't remember unfortunately. I've been in this labyrinth for years, actually let me ask you this, what period are we in? ¨
¨Period? ¨ The three students looked at each other ¨Uh… this is not… we are in the 21st century¨
¨21st century?! Wait, I remember, someone told me the same a hundred years ago but I didn't believe his words. Guess he wasn't lying¨
¨Wait, there is someone here as well? ¨ Roka was surprised that they weren't the first ones in the maze.
¨Hold on, you asked for the period. You were here in this place for centuries, what do you remember from that? ¨
¨Well… last I remember the Clan Oda was becoming very powerful ¨
¨Clan Oda?! The Clan Oda led by Nobunaga?!¨ Hitomo's eyes widened at the response of the orb ¨You have almost five hundred years! ¨
¨What?!¨ Both Roka and Tetsuya looked at the girl, almost as if they couldn't believe that the thing they had near was very old.
¨What truly matters is that all of you are safe now and so is the Boss¨
¨Boss? ¨
¨Anyway, how do we get out of here? ¨ The brown haired asked, looking at the walls and the path they just used.
¨What do you mean? The door is just right behind you¨ After those words the trio of students turned around and saw a door that was similar as the one they just entered ¨You should leave, there are more shadows in this place and the Boss doesn't look like he is in condition to fight¨
¨Why am I the boss? ¨ Tetsuya asked but got immediately dragged by Roka who was also dragging his friend.
By the time the three students crossed the door it disappeared and the orb was alone once again in the labyrinth.
¨I hope he returns; this place needs to find peace…¨
Once outside of that cursed place the three students found themselves back on the shrine but time passed for them, the sky was starting to darken and when they checked their phones it was almost 7 PM.
¨So... what we saw… did it exist? ¨ They turned towards the play they entered before but now the door was closed ¨It felt… so real, and that thing… Theseus you called it¨
Tetsuya looked at his hands, he still had the sword despite first appearing on that strange world. His body was feeling slightly numb, tired and in need of rest. He almost fell to the ground but his new two friends helped him stay back on his feet ¨Yeah... my Persona, my power… my true self¨ He now looked at both Roka and Hitomo ¨Would anyone believe us if we told them what we saw? ¨
¨I know I believe you, no way what happened was a dream or a prank, it felt too real¨ Roka immediately grabbed one of the knives that were still stuck in the girl's bag ¨Look at this, this is enough proof that we were attacked and-¨ But his words were cut off the moment the weapon turned into dust and the sword in Tetsuya's hand disappeared in a flash of light ¨Well… there goes the proof¨
¨Senpai, we should leave now, some of the monks are looking strangely at us¨
¨Right, we should leave you at your dorm first. Let's go¨
The three students decided to remain silent about what happened but the problem was that no one knew what to say, the class at the school was not that interesting despite being the first day. When both Roka and Tetsuya left Hitomo at her dorm building they kept on walking to their own; they were in the same building but on different floors.
The walk took minutes and once inside of the building they found a lot of students in the lobby, there was a meeting and the president from the student's council was in front of everyone.
¨Good, you both arrived. Please stay here for a minute, there is something that you all need to hear¨ The group of students was talking to each other, there hasn't been a meeting like this in years and they were wondering why would this happen ¨I am sure everyone is wondering why I called you here for this meeting because there is… a situation: One of the students has been reported missing after school and now the authorities are looking for this person, her name is Ikari Romi and was a person from this dormitory. If you have any information, anything that could help by finding Romi-kun, please report it to the police. That is all¨
Everyone was shocked, the disappearance of another student was something that had never happened to this scale. There were some worried faces while others were just shrugging it, they didn't care about this missing person. The two boys didn't have anything to say about it and went for the stairs however it was Roka who followed Tetsuya to his floor. Now that they had a more private moment the brunette finally spoke up.
¨You know… this might sound weird but... I feel there is a connection between the thing we saw at the temple and the disappearance of this girl¨ Roka looked at the other students who were in the floor and tried to lower the tone in his voice.
¨How so? They seem like two unrelated things, besides what happened to us is far more… mystical you could say¨
¨I know but… it's a weird feeling y'know? I'd say we should explore that place again¨
¨Wait, hold up. We barely escaped, we don't know what we will find next in that place or if there will be an exit¨ Tetsuya pointed at himself ¨Look at me, I fought against those things and I can barely keep myself standing¨
¨Oh, yeah, your body needs some rest so I better leave you then. I'll talk to Hitomo-kun tomorrow and we'll discuss again about this¨
The two students waved at each other and Tetsuya entered into his room just to leave everything on the desk and to collapse on the bed. He would describe that what happened at that labyrinth was amazing, fighting against those Shadows and summoning a Persona was something he would never have thought, that it was all a dream but unfortunately it was not; despite being awesome there was the risk of being killed, of being trapped in that madhouse. However, there were more questions to be answered and he felt that the next time he visited the Velvet Room the amount of questions he had would double.