- April 10th -

The sound of the clock echoing in his ears, every tick and tock was each second that passed and it was the only thing he was able to hear. His mind was somewhere else, the memories of the labyrinth and the battle against those Shadows but there was something else, the words of his new friend. It was a promise they made the day before.

After classes they would go back to that cursed place and rescue Hitomo once and for all; they were rested and prepared to fight any enemies thanks to their new powers. However, Tetsuya had a lot of questions that were still unanswered.

The student looked to his left, the window showed a clear sky with birds outside, the sound of the other kids and even the professor were muffled as the constant tick from the clock was keeping his brain distracted. Or at least until one of the other students tapped his shoulder, bringing him back from that trance. The Persona-user turned back to the front of the class to notice an angry professor and part of the classroom looking back at him.

¨Mister Hayashi, this class was made for learning, not fantasizing about being free outside of class. Now if you would please get to the front and solve the exercise number 6? ¨ Tetsuya nodded silently and grabbed his notebook with the exercise already solved and stood up from his chair. The voices of the students were heard again, he took the marker from the professor's hand and started to do the math problem, taking a look at his notes to make sure there were no mistakes.

As he was writing on the board the door to the classroom opened and the attention of most of the group went immediately there ¨Excuse me, professor¨ It was a familiar voice, one that the boy heard before ¨I was told to take Tetsuya-kun to the student's council office¨

¨Huh, so that's where they decided to stay…¨ The old man looked at the student and frowned ¨Finish the exercise and then go with the council president¨ A nod was enough for him as a reply and the dark haired one wrote the last bits of the equation, then went for his desk to leave the notebook and headed for the door where Chika was waiting.

¨Please, follow me¨ The happy demeanor from the girl was gone and instead it was replaced with a more serious look from her.

It was confusing, not knowing where he was going exactly or why gave him a bit of anxiety ¨Uhm… president… Taniguchi-senpai, why was I taken out of the classroom? ¨

¨You don't have to worry but… have you heard we had another person missing? ¨ His eyes widened up, so far there were two girls who disappeared and this gave him the impression that there was a new one ¨I am sure you know her, Wakamura Hitomo, she is a year below you and is usually seen with Oishi Roka¨

It was a relief that no other person was taken but Tetsuya didn't show any sign of it, he still kept a serious face ¨Yes, I know her, although not that much¨

¨I would not be surprised ¨Chika said, still guiding the second-year student ¨Still, the members of the Student's Council were asked to give the names of associated people. All the girls have been interrogated and there was only two left in that list¨

This actually meant trouble, if he was forced to answer questions then there might be a chance he could say something about the labyrinth, or his newfound powers. What if he does mention them by accident and because of that he would raise suspicion that he might be the culprit. Tetsuya's heart was starting to beat faster. By the time they got there the door to the office opened and Roka came out, almost angry but his face immediately changed after seeing his friend.

¨Hey Tetsuya-chan! ¨ It was almost as if that anger he had when leaving the room was completely gone, he walked past him and opposite to the president ¨Don't forget after-school¨ The Chariot whispered and left the scene, returning to his classroom but earning a frown from Chika who was slightly suspicious about what Roka said.

¨Next one! ¨ A voice came from inside the office, it was of an old man.

¨I'll wait here, go¨ She said and sat by one of the chairs near the door.

Tetsuya took a deep breath from his nose and walked inside of the Council's office. Inside there were two officers, one of them writing down on a notebook and the other one looking at one of the files, the one he was looking at had Tetsuya's name on the front.

¨Please take a seat¨ The officer with the file turned the page and waited for the young one. The student obeyed and sat in front of the old men ¨Alright, write down. Name: Tetsuya. Family name: Hayashi. From the town of Inaba¨

¨Done¨ The other policeman said as he put down the pen.

¨Alright mister Hayashi, do not be afraid, you are here to answer some questions. Answer truthfully and you will be back in class in no time¨ The one talking looked at his partner who nodded, he was ready to write ¨Alright: Where were you yesterday after school? ¨

¨Around the city, I was still going around and trying to get my bearings¨ Clearly a lie but if he told the truth then Tetsuya would be done for sure.

¨Were you lost? ¨

¨No, I arrived at Kyoto last weekend and I am still very new around here¨

¨I see. Next question¨ From one of the other files he pulled a picture ¨Do you know this person? ¨ It was Hitomo, the photo used from the file was probably taken recently since there was no noticeable change from the girl. The other student nodded and the officer grabbed another picture from one of the other files, it was Roka but he looked younger in the picture, most likely taken from the previous year ¨What about this one? ¨ Once again he nodded ¨What is your relationship with Oishi Roka? ¨

¨We are friends, he showed me part of Tokyo the other day along with Hitomo¨

¨Do you believe Oishi could be capable of kidnap¨

¨What?! No! ¨ Tetsuya reacted to this, he couldn't believe that Roka was suspicious of kidnapping someone ¨He is friends with Hitomo-kun, the last thing he would do is kidnap! ¨

¨Do you think someone else can be guilty of it? ¨

¨I'm sorry but I don't know much about the people here¨ The Persona-user had his hands beneath the table but his fists were clenched and slightly shaking, afraid that the cops might suspect anything.

¨Alright. You got everything? ¨ A confirmation sound from the other adult put an end to the interrogation ¨Very well, that's all we wanted to know, there is no point asking you more about it since you recently arrived to Kyoto. Your answers seem true as well so there's no point in suspecting you had to do anything about it, neither the Oishi kid. Thank you for your cooperation, now get back to class¨

¨Thank you, sir¨ Tetsuya smiled, he survived the interrogation and not only he was free of suspicion so was Roka. The student bowed and left the office just to be met with Chika once again.

¨So, how did it go? ¨

¨Uh… it went well, the officers got all the answers they needed¨

¨Good, now head back to the classroom¨ Tetsuya started to walk back but ¨Wait¨ He turned to see the president ¨Is there… something you want to say? Something you couldn't say to the policemen? ¨ Unlike before the girl did show some worry on her voice, whether it was for the two missing students or for Tatsuya himself was uncertain ¨You know that you can trust on the council's president…¨

¨I… no, there's nothing¨ The Fool shook his head and headed back to the classroom.

…

The classes were over and some students were already heading back to the dorms, others were still staying around the school, despite the warnings of two students missing. Behind the gym both Tetsuya and Roka met with the latter having his lunch, almost in a hurry.

¨I can't believe they suspected of me! ¨ The Chariot said with his mouth still full ¨Hitomo-chan and I are long-time friends, she would not be in this school if I didn't recommend it to her! ¨ Clearly Roka was angry and the way he was waving his sandwich from side to side made it clear that he was pissed.

¨At least both of us are in the clear now, if we told them about the labyrinth they would definitely mark as culprits or something¨ Tetsuya turned to the side to see some of the students leaving the main building ¨By the way, what did they ask you? ¨

¨Nothing out of the ordinary, what was my relation with Hitomo, if I knew where she went… wait they did ask me about you¨ The black haired immediately turned his head towards the other user ¨But said that I didn't know much so they just leave it there¨ Roka looked up and tilted his head ¨Huh? What are you doing here? ¨

Tetsuya once again looked to his left and saw Chika standing there, her worried look repeated once again, her fists clenched and slightly shaking ¨I don't know what you two are up to but I know you are involved in this¨

¨Huh?!¨ Both Roka and Tetsuya reacted to this and were ready to run away.

¨P-prez, we didn't do anything, we are just two students hanging around here and-¨

¨Please, I don't know nor care what you do but promise me that you will bring those girls back¨

¨W-what do you mean, we are no-¨

¨We promise¨ Tetsuya interrupted his friend with a reassuring smile.

¨WHAT?!¨

¨Thank you… I'll be in your debt if you do¨ Chika turned but before leaving a whistle from Roka made her look back at the two boys ¨Yes? ¨

¨Prez, do you really think we had anything to do about Hitomo's disappearance? ¨

¨I would have my doubts about Tetsuya-kun since he is new but something tells me he didn't do it. On your case Roka-kun I know you couldn't do it¨

¨Oh, that is very kind of you, prez¨ The Chariot replied although his tone did sound a bit sarcastic. After that answer the third-year student was still there but this time she had a smile on her face, and surprisingly she giggled ¨What? What's so funny? ¨

¨Nothing, I'll leave you be but for the next time, try to use the school's facilities, this is no place for students to be¨ And finally Chika left, leaving Roka confused for a bit.

¨Alright, it is time. Are you ready? ¨

Roka took a huge bite from his sandwich and threw the wrapping paper away ¨Let's hit the road! ¨ His mouth was still full but that didn't stop him ¨Let's go boss! ¨

…

The blades cut the different Shadows, with flames and wind also flying and destroying everything in their path. Both students celebrated the victory along with the orb that was following them.

¨That's how we do it! ¨ Roka smiled and allowed the sledgehammer to rest on top of his shoulder ¨You know, have you noticed any change in you? Like getting stronger? ¨ Tetsuya looked at his hand and shrugged, he didn't feel anything strange.

¨The Dark Road does seem to empower both of you, aside from giving those powers known as Personas¨ The soul spoke and turned to see something else ¨Look! One of the Shadows is still alive! ¨

The last Shadow was in fact trying to crawl away from the Persona-users but was heavy damaged and its movements were very slow. Tetsuya took a step forward to land the final blow but something stopped him, he couldn't tell what it was but he couldn't move.

Do not see Shadows as mere enemies, they are in the Dark Road because much like you they are looking for redemption. Extend your helping hand and they shall assist you back.

When the Fool came back from that trance he saw Roka with his weapon already running at the enemy.

¨Take this! ¨

¨No! ¨ The voice of Tetsuya stopped his friend who nearly missed the hit ¨Let me try something¨

¨You serious?!¨

¨Shadow! ¨ The student yelled, getting the attention of the almost-dead monster ¨We are both in this place for many reasons, and I know one of them is redemption¨ After saying that last word the obscure enemy slowly turned to face the dark haired boy ¨I am offering you a second chance, a way to survive this place. Help me and I will take you to redemption¨

There was silence at first, almost as if Tetsuya's words didn't do anything but the Shadow mysteriously reacted, startling Roka in the process.

¨Redemption…¨ An old grumpy voice came out from the insides of this blob as it dropped the knife ¨I remember now…¨ The Shadow started to glow, almost blinding the two students who had to cover their eyes. It was just a few seconds before the light disappeared and in front of them was a strange sight; it was a floating pumpkin wearing a robe and a wizard hat, he had a hand coming out of the dark blue clothing and held a lit lantern ¨I am thou, thou art I. My name is Jack O' Lantern, I will follow you on your journey to achieve redemption¨ The Persona started to dematerialize until it turned into the same orb that the Fool uses to summon Theseus. The moment he tried to grab it the sphere moved at high speed, crashing at the boy's chest and disappearing, making it a part of him.

¨Wait, what did you just do? ¨ The Chariot was slightly confused ¨Did you just absorb that Shadow? ¨

¨I… I think I did¨ The boy looked at his hand, he couldn't describe the feeling he was having but he knew something changed, he clenched it and looked back at his companion ¨Let's go, Hitomo is waiting for us¨ The trio resumed their walk on the labyrinth, following the instructions of the soul that was guiding them towards their missing friend.

Next chapter will be interesting as they advance more on the labyrinth and discover the power of Tetsuya as the Fool.

So I've been re-reading the previous chapters and noticed that there were some mistakes here and there so I'll be looking to update them over the weekend.

As always you can hop on the Discord server for some chat about Persona, the story and even other games: discorddotgg / 7ZUptrJ (of course the dot should be replaced with a . )

Hope you enjoyed the chapter, don't forget the always and as I leave I tell you:

See you in the next chapter ;)