The darkness of his bedroom was replaced with the blue of the Velvet Room, Tetsuya was already seated and in front of him was the long-nosed man, his grin was still there and was terrifying as always. However, the boy was surprised at the first thing Igor did, he clapped.

¨Well done, Fool. Against all odds you were able to fight against guilt and awakened your Persona¨ To the left of the old man the assistant came with a silver plate that had details in gold and left two glasses full of a dark liquid in the table, then she returned behind the counter ¨However this is the first step towards redemption, and an enemy is in the way. I must say that you have found interesting people already, the bonds you form with other people will be crucial to get to the end of the path, allies and enemies¨

¨How will I find those other people? ¨

¨In time you will know¨

¨The Velvet Room will open the functions for you as you advance in your path, I will explain them to you when the time comes¨ Silvia spoke up, filling a glass of the same dark liquid

¨For now¨ Igor raised his glass and so did the assistant with hers ¨It is time to celebrate. To your first step, Fool¨

Tetsuya was confused but decided to do the same thing, he grabbed the glass and raised it just so he could drink it afterwards. One long drink, the flavor was non-existent but it made him drowsy up to the point he fell asleep on the table.

…

- April 9th -

The student woke up and found himself back in his room, the alarm of his phone started to ring and noticed that this time he wasn't late for classes. Since he didn't change his clothes he tried to tidy himself before leaving the dorm.

Once on the main floor there weren't too many students, before he decided to go through the main door someone stopped him.

¨Tetsuya-kun! ¨ It was a familiar voice ¨You are not going to leave without me, right? ¨

¨Good morning Roka-kun¨ He looked up and down to the person he met yesterday and noticed that his uniform was untidy, probably slept with it but unlike the Persona-user he just left the bedroom like that ¨Maybe you should clean your clothes before leaving¨

¨I'll do it on the way, listen we need to talk¨ He looked around ¨But not here. Let's start walking and meet up with Hitomo, ok? Oh, by the way¨ From his pockets he pulled a bag with some metallic sounds inside ¨I picked up all the bags from the Sh- things and forgot to tell you, but they all have Yen in it¨

¨What?!¨ Tetsuya took the bag to confirm what Roka said and it was in fact true ¨Why would those things be made of money? ¨

¨Do I look like the type of person that knows an answer to that? Let's go or we are going to be late¨ After they left Tetsuya stopped to use his well-earned money to buy some breakfast.

As they were walking towards the school the silence from the two about the labyrinth had to end eventually, especially since there was no one nearby that could hear them talk about it ¨So… what do you think about my theory from yesterday? ¨ The student took a bit but didn't answer to Roka's question ¨You know… the missing girl and that strange place we were yesterday¨

¨I don't know; why would they be connected? ¨

¨That thing that called you boss said there were people there, what if this girl stepped into the temple by accident and well… disappeared? ¨

¨We would've found her; don't you think? ¨

¨Yeah but…¨ Roka looked away, a bit sad that his theory might end up being nothing but then he came up with an idea ¨Hey, do you think I'll be able to get my own spirit too? ¨

¨Spirit? Oh you mean Persona? I don't know¨ While Igor did mention there would be people allies in Tetsuya's path he was uncertain if those ones will also be able to have Personas just like him¨ They kept walking until the loud student decided to stop in place, looking everywhere but he seemed not to find what he wanted ¨What is it? ¨

¨Hitomo-chan is not here, she never wakes up late…¨ Roka sounded a bit worried that his friend was not there.

¨Maybe she is already at the school. Yesterday was brutal, we were tired and maybe she woke up late¨

¨Yeah…¨ He once again smiled after hearing the Fool's words ¨Yeah I'm sure she's already at school, we'll meet her during recess. Let's go¨

The first half of the day went on normally, classes were boring and still meeting new teachers. It would be just another day for Tetsuya but the moment he left the classroom during recess he found Roka, he looked worried and the usual smile on his face was now gone completely.

¨Meet my behind the gym, we need to talk¨ He whispered to the student and immediately left without letting the Persona-user to reply.

They didn't have much time before the next period started to Tetsuya sped up and went to the meeting point. Unlike the other areas of the school this one seemed to be more secluded but there was a shed where the staff kept the tools for taking care of the gardening. Usually there are no students there but this time there was one waiting and it was walking back and forth, talking to itself.

¨Why did you need me? ¨

¨It's Hitomo-chan. She's missing¨

¨You sure she-¨

¨No. Another student from her floor came asking me if I knew where she was but of course I didn't. She also told she never entered her bedroom¨

¨That's impossible, we walked with her to her building, how can that be possible?!¨ Not even Tetsuya could believe that, they both made sure for Hitomo to enter but there was no room to doubt the words of the other young boy ¨Maybe…¨

¨First that girl disappears and now… Kyoto was a quiet city, ever since we entered into that labyrinth weird things started to happen. This is no coincidence; I can't find a way to connect that place with the girls missing but we have to try¨

¨So what do you suggest? ¨

¨As soon as classes end we'll meet at the shrine; I need to pick something up. With your Persona we should be able to get through those Shadows and find Hitomo-chan¨

¨What if she is not there? ¨

¨Then at least we'll find more about the place, that labyrinth exists for a reason and we might get the answer to it¨ Roka was determined with his plan and dragging Tetsuya was just making his idea fail-proof, of course he was certain it wouldn't be easy.

And so the rest of the periods were a long wait, Tetsuya wasn't able to see Roka at the end of the classes and assumed that the meeting at the shrine would still happen. All of the students were returning to their respective places but the Fool took a detour and headed directly to the rendezvous point. Up there was the other student with a bigger backpack and with a sledgehammer that was poking out.

¨Good, we are ready for the rescue¨ The two of them looked at the entrance of the temple, the strange spiral was there ¨I know I was excited earlier but now I'm thinking this is a bad idea… dammit, it's my fault¨

¨No it's not, you can't back out now! Hitomo is your friend¨

¨Yeah… you are right, let's go¨ And with those words the two students ran towards the temple and just like the first time they ended up in the mysterious labyrinth but this time it was different, behind them was a very big door that led outside ¨This is different¨

¨Boss! ¨ A familiar voice was heard and the young ones turned back to the front and saw the `soul´ floating around a corner and moving towards the two of them ¨I am glad you both came here, there is a problem¨

¨We do have our own problems as well¨ Roka said, pulling the sledgehammer from his backpack ¨I'm sorry but we can't help you¨

¨That's the thing, ever since you entered weird events happened and there have been new people coming into the labyrinth, including your friend with red hair¨

¨Red hair- Hitomo! ¨ Both Tetsuya and Roka looked at each other, there was no doubt that they found where she was ¨Where is she? ¨

¨Somewhere in the labyrinth, but if we stay here we should be safe. The connection between the mortal realm and the Dark Road is weak and the Shadows cannot survive in places like the entrance¨

¨Dark Road? ¨ Tetsuya was the one who talked this time, while these type of questions should've been answered back at the Velvet Room, Igor decided to keep it a mystery and for the Fool to discover.

¨The Dark Road is a realm different from the ones of the living and the dead, an in between you could say¨

¨Like a purgatory? ¨

¨Similar but no, the main difference is-¨

¨Enough chatter, Hitomo-chan could be in danger¨ Roka was not patient about it, he started to go run into the labyrinth but before the others could follow a wall suddenly appeared and the path for both the soul and Tetsuya was cut off, forced to take a different one.

¨Oh no, he is trapped! ¨

¨Is there any we can reach him? ¨ Tetsuya opened his hand and the same handle from the first time appeared, he gripped it and the rest of the blade materialized.

¨I can sense him but the labyrinth is changing. If we move now then maybe we can get to him before the Shadows do¨

The soul led the way while the Fool was following from behind, they were now in a dangerous place but even more for Roka who was cut off and with no Persona he wouldn't last long.

…

¨Damn damn damn damn¨ Those were the only words that came out of his mouth, no point in turning back as a group of five shadows were chasing him. Roka did try to fight back but the moment he was able to destroy one of those shadows another one appeared almost instantly, replacing the fallen enemy.

The hallways looked infinite unlike his stamina which already took a toll on him. The student's legs finally gave away and he fell to the ground, the sledgehammer slipping away from his hand and far away from him. He turned around with his back against the ground and tried to stay away from the Shadows but unfortunately they were faster.

¨I'm such an idiot…¨ There was venom in his voice ¨If Hitomo-chan was here she would've told me not to run in alone… If only I was able to do the same as that guy…¨ He clenched his fist and punched the ground, he was angry and powerless, unable to do anything but to accept his death ¨It's my fault she is in this mess…¨

¨Is it truly your fault? Does guilt control your life? ¨

A strange and unfamiliar voice rang inside of his head ¨What? Who said that? ¨

¨Will you let the mistakes of the past drag you down? Redemption is possible but one must fight for it¨

¨Redemption¨ He laughed at that word ¨I cannot get redemption, losing Hitomo-chan was the last nail in my coffin¨ This time Roka grunted ¨This mission was nothing but a failure…¨

From within the labyrinth another voice was heard, it was loud but unlike the one that was talking to him he did recognize it.

¨SENPAI! ¨

It was a cry for help, Hitomo knew that Roka wouldn't abandon her but even if she was nowhere to be found this gave some strength to the student. He grabbed the sledgehammer and used it as support to get himself back on his feet ¨I can't give up, for me… for Hitomo-chan… I may have made mistakes in the past, but it's time to make things right¨ Roka said out loud at the Shadows whose knives were ready to attack the student ¨If Tetsuya won't show up then I'll have to do the entire work myself! ¨ A smile appeared on his face that got immediately replaced by pain, a throbbing headache that felt like something was piercing his skull.

¨Let your mistakes from the past disappear and forge a path. I am thou, thou art I, your redemption is what will make us form a contract ¨

Roka stood up, the pain still there but there was something else as well, a gray orb floating in front of him ¨Hitomo… I'm coming for you… come forth! ACHILLES! ¨ He grabbed the sledgehammer with two hands and did a wild swing to destroy the orb. Behind him a spirit stood, wearing armor similar to Theseus but this time he used a spear and a shield, his face hidden behind a helmet but two small white lights acted as eyes. With the appearance of this new entity Roka felt a surge of power coming to him ¨This… my Persona… now I can do anything, I can save Hitomo¨

¨Roka! ¨ From behind him it was Tetsuya who finally arrived, he looked tired due to the Shadows he had to face however he was surprised at the spirit behind the student ¨Is that? ¨

¨Oh yeah... listen, I heard Hitomo-chan's voice, we need to clear this and get a move on! ¨

¨Sounds like a plan¨

With the two of them finally reunited they started to fight against the Shadows, the sledgehammer seemed more effective now as it destroyed the enemy rather than see it reform in front of themselves. With fire coming from Theseus' sword the other Greek hero was not behind when it came to magic, from the tip of the spear a light green glow appeared and then an almost-invisible slash cut two of the opponents, making them disappear and dropping a couple of bags, similar to the ones from the previous day.

¨That… that was…¨ Roka couldn't finish his sentence and had to sit on the ground, giggling at this victory ¨I did it… my own Persona¨ He looked up and saw Tetsuya's hand open, waiting to help his new friend back on his feet but the student waved it away and used the sledgehammer to stand up ¨We have to move on, Hitomo's voice was not too far from here¨

¨The labyrinth changes constantly, she may sound closer but for all we know she could be very far away¨

¨Let's go then¨ The boy took a step forward but felt a lot of pain as well as his body being tired, he needed some rest and summoning his inner power did nothing but to drain a lot of his stamina ¨We're so close…¨

¨We don't know¨ The soul added to the conversation ¨I can sense she is here and she is not in danger, or rather there are no Shadows with her¨

¨The more reason for us to keep going¨

¨You can barely move, much less hold up a fight. I won't be able to carry you and battle at the same time, we should return and properly search tomorrow. If you die here then Hitomo won't forgive you¨

The words of Tetsuya were right, but he hated them ¨Fine…¨ Roka stood up, using his weapon as a cane so he wouldn't fall.

¨Have you finally decided? Let's get out of here! ¨ The soul yelled and the three of them left that area and abandoned the labyrinth. It was a victory; they knew where the girl was but their search would have to be delayed for a day.

…

The two students walked away from the shrine and left the area. Not a lot of time passed since they were in the labyrinth and before heading into the dorms they went to the nearest Big Bang Burger to rest. Despite the time the place was almost empty and those who were there were mostly business people and very few students. Tetsuya was sitting by one of the empty tables and saw how Roka came with two big cups.

¨I think I must thank you for what you did. Showing that there was something we could do, despite being powerless people¨

¨I… no problem? ¨ Even though he was glad the other one had a Persona, he didn't do anything directly.

¨However I am still angry, we know where Hitomo-chan but we still have to find her¨

¨At least that soul told us that she was not in danger¨

¨I know… but she must feel alone there, we can't wait too long. Tomorrow is going to be the day we rescue her¨ Roka gave one of the cups to Tetsuya as he raised his ¨I guess we can do a small celebration. To our new powers and our goal to save a friend¨ With a smile on his face the Fool also raised his cup, he found a new ally and a friend in Kyoto.

I am thou, thou art I… Thou hast acquired a new vow.

It shall open a path and break the chains from the past.

With the birth of the Chariot Persona, you acquired new power that will lead to redemption.

¨Anyway¨ from his backpack he pulled some of the same bags the Shadows dropped back at the labyrinth ¨Some of those things were carrying money, let me invite you some fries at the very least¨