As his mind slowly faded from the Velvet Room Tetsuya returned to the real world only to be met with a water splash on his face.

¨What?¨ He wiped the water from his eyes and looked at the two people on front of him, both Roka and Hitomo. The three of them were in a park and the Fool was laying on a bench ¨Where are we?¨

¨We're at a park, we had to drag you out of the labyrinth because you fell unconscious and the Shadows were coming¨

¨Is everyone alright?¨ Tetsuya asked as he slowly started to sit on the bench ¨Hitomo, how are you feeling?¨

¨I'm tired, I can still go on but I really want to take a shower and get back to bed¨ The redhead looked down, biting her lip ¨I… thank you, Tetsuya-kun. Without you or senpai I don't think I could've lived there for much longer¨

¨What matters is that you are safe, that we all escaped and just like us you got a new power!¨ Roka smiled as he placed a hand on her shoulder ¨I am glad that you are back¨ He then turned to face his friend who grabbed his backpack ¨However not all are great news, you see…¨ From his own bag he pulled a broken stick, at first Tetsuya couldn't understand what it was until the Chariot pulled the metal head of the sledgehammer ¨Our weapons broke, apparently the soul said that they ran out of vital energy so we can't summon them or whatever, we are going to need new weapons¨

¨New weapons…¨ Hitomo whispered, placing a finger on her chin.

¨There are still some things we need to discuss. People will ask Hitomo-chan where she was and stuff like that. We can't let people find out about our secret either¨

¨What about the labyrinth?¨

¨We will have to return there eventually because-¨

¨You can't be serious! Tetsuya-chan we found what we were looking for, there's no point in going back there¨

¨That labyrinth is a threat; we have to find a way to close it. If we don't then more people might get kidnapped¨ Tetsuya stood up, letting his backpack hang from one of his shoulders ¨We are the only ones who can stop whatever is causing this. Let's go, it's getting late¨

The trio started to go back to the dorms, there were few people on the streets but surprisingly they saw more police patrols walking around.

¨You know Tetsuya…¨ Roka started speaking, turning his head at the dark haired ¨You were the first one who got a Persona and you got more experience than us so I thought that it would be a nice idea to name you the leader of this group. Besides you suggested to go back¨

¨What?¨

¨Oh yeah¨ Hitomo nodded, agreeing with the idea that her senpai suggested ¨You were able to handle against the Shadows and even my other self, I can take orders well so just tell me what I need to do in combat and I will follow¨

¨Same… although we need to get some new…¨ Roka saw a police officer walking nearby and had to change the subject immediately¨…materials for the school trip, we can't go empty handed¨

¨I think I have an idea but let's do it tomorrow, yes?¨ Hitomo suggested to which the rest did agree.

By the time they got to the dorm where the girl resided they split up, Roka stayed with her while Tetsuya kept walking back to his own. There were some students which were returning to the dorms as well, talking about their day at the school and even about the missing girls, it did seem that the rumor of Hitomo missing did spread out.

Once he arrived the usual scene was there, lots of students all over the main floor. Tetsuya felt tired already and didn't wanted to hear any rumors or talk to anyone else so he immediately headed for his room. ¨I need some rest¨ He whispered to himself and changed into his pajamas, falling to the bed and looking at his phone; he expected to fall asleep fast but something kept him awake, it was the knocking on his door that made him leave the comfortable bed.

¨Hey, Tetsuya do you have a minute?¨ The person on the other side was no other than Roka.

The Fool opened the door and saw that his friend still had the uniform and bag, probably just arrived from the other dorms ¨Sorry I'm bothering you this late, had to make sure Hitomo-chan was safe¨ Roka was silent for a moment ¨I know I haven't said this before but thanks for helping me with the labyrinth thing, even though I have a Persona I think you played a big part into this so… yeah, thanks for that¨

¨Is she safe?¨

¨Arrived at her dorm with no problems but it seems she will have a long talk at school tomorrow with the police and probably teachers or the student council. As for us we should meet again, although I think the Big Bang Burger near the school should do as I want Hitomo-chan to come as well¨ He looked down and saw that his friend was in his pajamas ¨Did I wake you up?¨

¨What? Oh no no, don't worry I was still awake but sure, we'll meet after school¨

¨Then it's a deal, oh also give me your phone number, that way we'll easily communicate¨ Tetsuya gave Roka his number and so did the Chariot ¨Alright, we'll be in touch or well, tomorrow morning. Good night¨

- April 10th –

A new day started and the morning was pretty much the same as usual, Tetsuya met up with Roka and now with Hitomo's presence as well, however the moment she arrived at the school some police officers wanted to ask her some questions about the disappearance but thankfully both boys were spared as they were told to head to their respective classrooms. There was no doubt that Hitomo reappearing after the rumors of her going missing generated a lot of talk in the hallways.

Eventually lunchtime arrived and Tetsuya was in his classroom with the cheap breakfast he bought, unfortunately killing Shadows was not very lucrative and thought about getting a part time job eventually.

¨Tetsuya-kun?¨ He wasn't paying attention to his surroundings until he heard his voice and when he turned the student saw the council president along with pretty much all the students in the classroom looking at her ¨Do you have a moment?¨ He nodded ¨Good, let's go to the council's room, we'll have more privacy there¨ It was a mystery why Chika wanted to talk to Tetsuya even more why she wanted a more private talk¨

The eyes of many students were fixed on them as they walked to the council's room and closed the door behind.

¨I will go to the point due to the time that we have¨ Chika sat in one of the chairs ¨It is certain that Wakamura Hitomo disappeared yesterday and she returned today with no injuries or anything of the likes, the police interrogated her and according to her responses she fell asleep on a bus and had no easy way of returning. I have no reason to believe she is lying for I am glad she is in fact safe¨ The president looked at Tetsuya, her lips now forming a smile ¨I don't know what you or Roka-kun did but I have to say thank you, for… whatever you did¨

¨I…¨ He nodded ¨We did what was right, we found Hitomo-chan and brought her back to her dorms, that's all we did¨

But Chika just smiled, almost as if she didn't believe what Tetsuya said ¨I am sure you did, but I am not here to question your methods, it was just to say thank you and if you ever need a favor, anything just tell me and I will be glad to help. Now go, lunch break is not going to last much longer¨

¨Understood¨ The Fool turned but before opening the door he stood there, slightly turning his head to look back at Chika ¨President I do have a question¨ She tilted her head ¨Why do you think Roka and I are innocent? Hitomo said she fell asleep yet you don't sound too certain that she told the truth, and now you are doing the same with me¨

¨I thought it was obvious. Roka and Hitomo are long-time friends, they are like brother and sister who keep out for each other, especially after what happened to them¨ This caught the boy's attention ¨There is no way I could accuse him of something like kidnapping. Now you are a different case, someone who came from a distant town and is new to the city who became friends with those two students… yet you volunteered to look for her and call it female instinct but something tells me you are not here to cause trouble¨

¨Yeah… you're right. Thanks president¨ Tetsuya finally opened the door and headed back to the classroom but on his way he noticed that he got new messages on his phone, all of them belonged to Roka:

ORoka: Hey, there's people talking on the hallways that the prez called you to the council's office. Is that true?

Me: Yeah, she wanted to talk about Hitomo, basically that she is safe as well as saying thank you. If we ever needed something she'll return the favor.

ORoka: The student's council president owing us a favor? I am sure we can pull something from that. Did she ask anything about the labyrinth?

Me: Nothing at all, but she knows that Hitomo's excuse to the police was not entirely truth and also has some suspicion but doesn't seem like the type of person who would sell us out.

ORoka: I wouldn't call the prez a person to be trusted but I'll follow your instinct then. You still meeting me and the kouhai after school?

Me: Count on it.

ORoka: Nice, we'll see you there.

And so the rest of the day went smoothly, the fact that they didn't go to the labyrinth that same day gave the students a day to relax, however if they wanted to take on that same place again they would have to get some new weapons and even better equipment. As the hours passed so did all the periods that finished, the students were wandering around but no sign of the other two Persona-users so the Fool thought that they were already at the meeting spot.

A walk in that direction and he was right as both Roka and Hitomo were already sitting outside with a couple of drinks. The Chariot waved at Tetsuya.

¨Hey what kept you from coming? The prez wanted to talk to you again?¨

¨No, there was a lot of people by the school's entrance, was stuck there for a few minutes¨

¨Ah, I see. Oh by the way I gave Hitomo-chan your phone number, hope you don't mind¨ Tetsuya shook his head ¨Alright now that we three are here I guess we can discuss our next move¨

¨Before we do that I want to say something to our leader¨ Hitomo interrupted the conversation and turned towards the Fool ¨I know I said this before but I want to repeat it again: Thank you for saving me yesterday, if neither you or senpai showed up I would not be here talking to any of you. No matter what happens now I will follow your orders and help with this labyrinth, we must not let any more people to get kidnapped!¨ Tetsuya saw Hitomo's resolve, she was determined to help both him and Roka with her newfound power.

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 Hermit Persona, you acquired new power that will lead to redemption.

¨With that done¨ Roka interrupted ¨We need to find a way to close the labyrinth, we don't know if there is going to be another kidnapping and if there is when¨

¨Yeah but we can't go back in without weapons or better gear¨

¨I have an idea for that¨ The two boys turned at the third student ¨There is a forge not too far, the man there makes weapons and armor, mostly for decoration but from what I've heard they are usable¨

¨Then it's decided, tomorrow we'll check on that forge¨ Tetsuya looked at one person that was looking back at him in the distance but he paid no attention, instead he kept focusing at the two other students ¨Perhaps we should talk about the labyrinth now, address at what we are facing¨

¨We should talk to the soul when we have the chance, it would know more about that place¨ Roka laid back on his chair ¨Do you think there are other people who can summon their Personas?¨

¨I don't know¨ Tetsuya remembered the talk he had back at the Velvet Room, he wasn't the first Fool and probably not the first one who summoned a Persona.

They remained silent for a minute before Hitomo turned, looking at someone who was now close and definitely looking at the trio ¨Yes? May we help you with something?¨

¨I found you, all three of you!¨ It was a girl around their age with long brown hair and blue eyes, almost outerwordly. She wore the school's uniform but surprisingly there were some red stains in some parts which caught the attention of the three of them.

¨Excuse me, who are you?¨

¨I thought you would recognize me¨ But none said anything, they just looked at each other ¨Boss, tell them who I am!¨

¨Wait a minute, that voice…¨

¨That energy…¨

¨Boss?¨ Tetsuya tilted his head, there was only one person (or rather thing) that would call him that ¨You… you are…¨

And with that Tetsuya formed a new contract with someone, got the favor from the president and then this new person appeared, but who is she excatly?

Whoever she is I am sure she does have some answers for the group.

With this chapter done I bid farewell for this year. No more Persona chapters in 2019 (no more chapters for anything this year to be honest) since I am taking vacations and will not return until February, however I will be able to answer reviews, PM, anything so don't forget to also follow and fav the story.

This is the last one of the year, I promise: discorddotgg / 7ZUptrJ (of course the dot should be replaced with a . ) Chances are I'll make a new invite next year so I can replace the link.

Hope you enjoyed the chapter, there's more coming next year with more fights, party members, Personas and mystery because that is one thing that I love about the game.

This was Tourvelix to remind you that P5Royal will be released march next year but above else, Merry Christmas and a happy new year, I bid farewell and as always:

See you in the next chapter ;)