¨You… you are… that soul¨ Tetsuya hesitated at first, the fact that the thing was not in its usual form made this conversation a little uneasy, especially since everyone was able to see a person with red stains on their clothes that resembled blood.

¨I do have a name! ¨ The other three were expecting an answer but the new girl just looked sad ¨I… I still can't remember it¨

¨That doesn't matter right now, what matters is how you got here¨ It was Roka who spoke this time, trying to get answers out of this confusion.

¨Oh it's simple, I walked through the door, just like you people did¨ The soul said with a chirpy tone.

¨I think senpai means how you got a body, if you don't mind us answering¨ Hitomo asked, looking both at Roka and Tetsuya before turning her eyes back at the newcomer

¨Well…¨ She placed a finger on her chin ¨The labyrinth had many visitors many years it seems, I found one that was dressing as Hitomo-san and decided to use it. Then I walked out and came out like this…¨ There was a pause, they could see that the soul was not feeling that well ¨Ugh… keeping this form takes so much energy. Might as well turn back¨

¨What?! NO! ¨ The group stood up immediately, getting the attention from nearby students ¨Let's go somewhere less crowded¨

They had to move fast and away from any eye contact because if any student would spot a sort-of normal girl turn into a floating orb then the amount of reactions in that place would be massive and they would definitely try to record or even take pictures of it. Fortunately for them the amount of people was very scarce as they were getting away from the fast food area. They found themselves on an empty park and decided to rest there, making sure that no one was nearby.

¨Alright, you can turn into that thing again, there's no one around¨

¨I can do something similar! ¨ The soul said and smoke started to surround her. After a few seconds the smoke dissipated and the girl that was in front of them disappeared, or rather turned into something different ¨Here we go¨

¨You… uh…¨ The three of them looked down at the ground in front and then at each other ¨You turned into a rabbit? ¨

In front of them was a small and cute rabbit the size of their palms ¨Yes! Taking a human form was taxing already but as a rabbit I don't need to worry. Besides a small animal won't attract as much attention, right? ¨

¨That is… true¨ Tetsuya said, kneeling opening his hand so the rabbit could jump ¨Do you want us to take you to the labyrinth? ¨

¨What?! No! I came here to warn you about that¨ The cheerful voice of the rabbit changed to a more serious tone ¨You three have stirred the labyrinth's owner, it is going to make a move soon¨

¨How soon? ¨ I'd reckon we have around two weeks before it happens¨

¨Yeah but without weapons or supplies we aren't going to get too far¨ Roka remembered that all of them were unarmed when it came to combat.

¨Well there was the forge that I mentioned…¨

¨But can we really trust it? Like you said it was for decorations but usable¨ The leader did remember but wasn't sure how long would those things last, especially if they were going to be fighting constantly ¨We need a reliable place to get our gear, and asking the smith in the forge to make us real weapons is going to look suspi-¨

¨I got it! ¨ Roka said with enthusiasm in his voice ¨I remember someone said there is a shop in town, during the day it's a regular supermarket shop but during the night it sells special items such as weapons armor and the likes¨ He smiled ¨So what do you say? We should go look into it¨

¨I suppose it won't hurt looking into but…¨ The Hermit was not too keen on going with that idea, fortunately it was two options to explore ¨What are we going to do with her… uh… it? ¨

¨Well if you can't remember your name I suppose we can give you one? How about…¨ Roka looked around, Hitomo was searching for names on her phone, Tetsuya on the other hand…

¨Letho¨

¨What? ¨

¨We'll call her Letho¨ Tetsuya said with a smile ¨How does that sound? ¨

¨Mh, I can't remember my name and probably wasn't the one I had but if it's easier for the boss to remember then I'll use it¨

¨Very well! ¨ Roka placed a hand around Tetsuya and Hitomo ¨Letho-chan joins Hitomo-chan and Tetsuya-chan¨

¨Can you not use chan with me? ¨ Roka's face changed when the leader grabbed his arm and took a step to the side.

¨Is kun alright then? ¨

¨Just Tetsuya¨

¨Tetsuya-san! ¨ But the Fool sighed ¨Oh speaking of, what are we going to do with Letho-chan then? ¨

¨Oh, that is simple¨ The rabbit jumped to Tetsuya's shoulder and then into his bag; after trying to find her way out again she only poked the head out ¨Since I am technically not a living being I don't need oxygen, food or water¨

¨Eh, wait, why should I bring you with me? ¨

¨Isn't it obvious? You are the leader; you take care of the group¨

¨I suppose…¨

¨It's getting late¨ The girl looked at the sky ¨We should leave everything for tomorrow¨

¨I'll go to this shop and see what's all about¨ Tetsuya suggested and his friend immediately started searching in his pockets.

¨Here¨ He gave him some money, although not a lot ¨If you do find that they are selling gear there buy something, yes? ¨

¨Alright I guess that settles it, let's go back to the dorms, we'll talk over the phone¨

With that the group went to their respective dorms. As the night was getting closer and the sky darkened, the leader was already changed into a more civilian outfit, he had a dark blue jacket and a white shirt underneath, he was carrying a small backpack that had very few items inside, but most importantly Letho who decided to join him in his mission for the night. After asking Roka for directions he went to the commercial district, on his way he found very few students but mostly adults who were already going to work or leaving.

¨Boss, do you think there will be weapons for you all in that shop? ¨

¨I don't know, that's why I'm going there¨ He looked slightly to the side and noticed the white ears from the rabbit ¨The dorms do not allow pets so if anyone sees or even hears you then I will be in trouble so try to remain as invisible as possible¨

¨No problem boss! ¨ Letho saluted with her tiny rabbit paw although the leader pushed her head into the bag again ¨Hey! I'm fragile¨

¨Here we are¨

What Roka painted as a place that sells gear it looked like a normal supermarket except that the doors were closed, surprisingly there was still some staff inside. Tetsuya got closer and knocked at the glass, the man behind the counter yelled at someone else that was inside, however the Fool recognized who it was the moment he got closer to the door and opened a small window to talk.

His `tough kid´ look disappeared the moment he was wearing the uniform of the supermarket, however his face did show some annoyance, he had a mop in his right hand, around his neck were a pair of headphones which Tetsuya could hear was some very loud music.

¨Yeah? Wait, have I've seen you before? ¨ The young person looked Tetsuya up and down but could not recognize him.

¨Kazushige-senpai? ¨ The moment he heard that he immediately turned around to look at the man behind the counter and then back at Tetsuya ¨We met a few days ago at the dorms, I'm the student from I-¨

¨Shut up¨ he immediately silenced the Fool ¨I remember you… what are you doing here? ¨

¨I was told that at night the supermarket sold weapons and such¨

The look on the council member was unnatural, almost as if Tetsuya wasn't supposed to know that ¨Who told you? ¨

¨Uh… I heard it on the streets that at night this place sold unusual items to the public¨

¨I see¨ He took another look at the old man ¨Listen, I don't know where you heard it or who told you but this is no place for a guy like you. Do yourself a favor and don't come here, oh yeah… don't even tell others that I work here¨

¨What? Why? I came here to buy-¨

¨I know what you came here for! ¨ Kazushige raised his voice but trying not to draw any unnecessary attention ¨Look, this is not the time nor place to talk. If the president sent you tell her we don't sell anything like that, alright? ¨

¨Yuko, is there a problem? ¨

¨Eh, nothing to worry uncle, just a student looking for directions¨ His angered look changed to a face that the boy outside did not expect to see, a happy one but that lasted very few seconds before the council member looked back at him, his anger returned ¨Look, I don't know what you want those things for but if you want some answers go to the shop to the left before night, and of course, do not tell anyone, not even the president¨ He pointed with his thumb at a red colored shop that was completely closed ¨Now scram!¨ The employee closed the window and went back to talk to his uncle before continuing to clean the floor.

Tetsuya was curious, he looked at the shop near the supermarket, the walls were red and had many mannequins by the window, all of them were wearing military uniforms, including a samurai armor. The name of the shop was lit on with neon tubes despite not being open.

¨The Soldier's Specialty! ¨ Tetsuya whispered and noticed how Letho left the bag, apparently she hid the moment he knocked at the supermarket's door.

¨Seems that you found a place to get your gear, we'll look into it tomorrow¨

¨Yeah, let's go back to the dorms¨ With a smile on his face Tetsuya turned around and started to walk back to the dorms.

¨Say… mind if I ask a favor? ¨ Letho looked at the Fool, her ears twitching.

¨Depends, what is it? ¨

¨Since you all got your personas and are willing to take the labyrinth down maybe you can help me. Help me remember who I am as well as giving me back a life¨ She looked at the different buildings around them ¨I am willing to bet life in this country changed over many years¨

¨Oh yeah… do you know what an ice cream is? ¨

¨No, but now I am curious to try it, maybe tomorr- Watch out! ¨ Letho cried out as she hid inside of the bag.

Tetsuya couldn't react in time and crashed against another person, this was another boy who dropped a lot of pictures. Even though Tetsuya did not fall the other kid did; he was wearing a school uniform but it was different from the Fool's, he had a dark blue jacket with red accents and buttons.

¨I'm sorry¨ The stranger said, trying to get back up.

¨No, it's alright, I didn't see you¨ Tetsuya kneeled to grab the bag that this student dropped but noticed something off, he had lots of photos from the shrine he and the other persona users visited. He then gave them back to the stranger ¨Here you go¨ There was a moment of pause before the leader spoke again ¨Just wondering, are you a photographer? ¨

¨Huh? Oh, because of the photos? No, I am… what you could call an investigator¨

¨A detective? ¨

¨An amateur investigator, mind you. I suppose you don't go to Sakura School. I'm Sekien¨

¨Tetsuya, I go to Sagano. Mind telling me what the photos are for¨

¨Oh, these? ¨ He pulled the same ones from his bag and showed them to the dark haired ¨There's something odd at going around the city and the rumors are that the shrines are key for it¨

¨I haven't seen many people looking at the shrines¨

¨Well… it's more of an online rumor and I'm trying to find an answer to it¨

¨If that's the case then good luck¨ Tetsuya gave him the pictures back.

¨Anyway sorry for crashing into you but now I must get home, it's getting late¨ Sekien ran away, holding his bag close and making sure not to fall again.

¨Rumors regarding the shrines¨ Letho came out of the bag and looked at the leader ¨Could it be that more people know about the labyrinth? ¨

¨Don't know, but let's just call it a day¨

After exploring for some more minutes Tetsuya decided to return to the dorms. When he got to his room to check messages he noticed that he was added to a group and made administrator, the only other members were Roka and Hitomo.

ORoka: You think he is okay?

WaTomo: I think so; you gave him the right address?

ORoka: Of course I did.

Me: I'm here

WaTomo: Have you found something?

ORoka: Have you got us some cool weapons?

ORoka: Or guns?

ORoka: Perhaps some armor?

Me: No luck but I was told to visit the store near the supermarket, apparently they might sell what we need. I'll go tomorrow after classes.

WaTomo: Remind me to give you some money as well.

WaTomo: I'm going to bed, gn!

ORoka: Night

¨Your room seems comfortable¨ Letho said, resting on the bed ¨This is better than the labyrinth already¨

¨How was it over there? ¨

¨After seeing Shadows everywhere I was barely able to rest, if you could call what I was doing resting¨ The rabbit looked at the Fool ¨So you never answered me: Are you and the rest willing to help me recover my identity and get me a proper body? ¨

¨You can count on us! ¨

Letho released a happy squeal ¨That's what I wanted to hear… perhaps I can teach you people some tricks from my time, let's call this our pact, shall we? ¨ Tetsuya nodded.

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

¨Now it's time to go to bed, you have a weapon store to look into¨

Everyone will be asking: Wasn't there a chapter 8 before?

The answer would be yes, I made a chapter for Christmas but the more I read it after I posted it the less I liked it, some characters acting differently from what they acted and some other things that wouldn't make sense in the future. So I deleted it and changed how it went.

So after months of not writing this story I am back with a new chapter, Tetsuya making a new bond and now Letho will act as the mascot of this group/story.

Here's a little story, back in January I had the idea to revive a Persona RP a friend made, worked on a new story, characters and a system for it to work on an RP setting. I took inspiration from this story but unfortunately while the RP started and it worked for a bit that project is on hiatus, so for that matter I decided to use the characters I made there and see how would they work in Path of Redemption and some of them do work.

And that's it for today, I'll try to keep both stories that I'm writing active but for now I have to go for an exam but not before I drop this discorddotgg / 7ZUptrJ (of course the dot should be replaced with a . )

Hope you enjoed the chapter, don't forget to follow, fav, review, I'll be reading PMs and even be on Discord. Until then:

See you in the next chapter ;)