Before we start, I should make one thing clear, to the guest that was talking about Nyx being a goddess of night, you are correct but I will explain my reasoning. While Nyx is the goddess of Night, before she gave birth to Thanatos, she was the one who dealt with death or a short while but it was a small trivial fact, which it why it is not known to many people. She had such a strong affinity with death that Zeus himself feared her (among other reasons to fear someone like her). It was then after Thanatos was born she was then more commonly known as the goddess of Night. And with the theme of Persona 3 dealing with death, I thought of would be appropriate to switch the title to death. So for that I apologize for any confusion I may have caused. It does not matter to me, but I'll change it to night if it bothers you guys that much. (You'd think I would catch on to that back in 2009. Man that sucks.)
Chapter 2: The Truth
"Minato." Nyx said as Hamuko and I walked towards the dorm, I turn to see her farther back. "I need to talk to you about something." Does she have a plan on what to do? We haven't had much time to talk since Hamuko apparently didn't know how to get to the dorms.
"Alright." I turn my head to my other companion "Go on ahead, we'll catch up." Hamuko nodded her head and went inside the building, Nyx lead me out to the streets, far from the dorm. We kept walking in silence until she decided break the ice.
"Do you know a place where we can both stay?" Nyx asked "Other then your dorms?" Just as I opened my mouth.
"Is there a reason why we can't go to the dorms?"
"You mean other then the fact that others can't know what we are doing because they have enough things to waste their time at?" she sarcastically replied "There is a chance that we could be watched there, reducing our time to meet and strategize our plans." She has a point, the dorm has a command room that can see every room in the dorms. Plus, if I were to join SEES, it would leave me no time to maneuver my time solving this situation.
"I do know one place that isn't too far." I answered, remembering a hotel that I've been into a few times. I got a strange feeling about the hotel for some reason, but it does not matter now. "It's over there, I'll lead the way." Besides, what could happen anyways?
"Oh right..."I sighed, this would happen, Nyx and I where I standing in front of the infamous red-light district known as Shirakawa Boulevard, let's just say I have uncomfortable memories here among fighting the arcana shadows. Nyx how ever doesn't even mind what the hotel means or not even cares as she took a step forward to the entrance.
"Are you coming or not?" Nyx asked "I don't know what has you standing there like a dumbstruck fool. However, if you don't get inside right now, you won't be able to assist me in Tartarus, let alone go to school tomorrow." Ugh, she has point, swallowing my pride, I booked a room for the two of us, trying to ignore the look the receptionist gave us and headed to our room. It looked very similar to the room that Yukari and I were in during an awkward operation. Pushing that thought away from my head, we both sat down near the bed to plan our next move.
"So what do we do?" I asked
"Until the Dark Hour arrives, there nothing at the moment."Nyx replied "Until then, you are pretty much free to do what ever you want when school is done." That's good, I plan to regain my limited social life with this is operation is done and I might as well get an early start. "On second thought, how about you show me around this place instead."
"I don't mean to be rude, but is there a reason you can't do it by yourself?"
"Because your males won't leave me alone." she sighed "Every time I try to investigate outside the Dark Hour, your males would try to get me somewhere with them." Was Nyx getting hit on? That kind of funny. "I'll keep telling them I am I not interested, but they are insistent so I gave them Apathy Syndrome." Wait what?
"You gave them Apathy Syndrome? How?"
"Oh relax, I knew you would play hero and save them." she waved it off like nothing is wrong here. Well it did explain why there were a lot more lost then usual last loop. Sighing, I got off the bed and head to the wash room carrying a pillow.
"Never mind that." I shook my head "For now we should get some rest."
"I agree." she nodded "But does not explain why you are going to sleep in the levorotary."
"I thought that you might want to sleep alone, comfortably." does she not know the implications of a boy and girl sleeping in the same bed?
"One, this bed is large enough three people, so the two of us will be fine. Second, your human customs mean nothing to me, you don't rest well enough to fight in Monad I will make you regret it." Once again, she has a point, but I am not going to lose this one.
"I know what you mean, but-"
"Get. In. Bed. Now. And. Rest." her face leaves no room for arguments.
"Yes ma'am." I crawled into bed as far as can from her, luckily for me I didn't have to think about it as I quickly drifted to sleep.
I woke up, finding myself sitting in the Velvet Room, a place where dream and reality, the consciousness and unconsciousness meet, a place where I can make use of multiple personas, fusing them together to create more powerful ones. It looks different from usual, but I don't have time to observe because there is someone else here. Sitting across from me is an old man with an incredibly long nose.
"Greetings." the man said "My name is Igor, once again welcome to the Velvet Room." Igor is a resident of the Velvet Room, he helps me with my journey by allowing me to fuse personas. I thought that because the Velvet Room is in separate plan of existence that he would remember this loop, however with the information I gained from Nyx, Igor is not a divine being thus won't remember... what did he just say?
"Igor, did you remember?" It seems too good to be true.
"Unfortunately no" he shakes his head, I knew it. "I was told that you have been here before."
"By who?" who other then me could have access to the Velvet Room and remember the time loop?
"That would be me." A voice rang out, a person came out of nowhere, standing next to Igor. He is a rather tall individual wearing a black turtleneck shirt and black pants, but what stands him out is that butterfly mask he wears, it hides his face but it reminds me of something I have seen before. "My name is Philemon, I am an observer and creator of the Velvet Room."
"You can remember the time loop?" I asked
"Of course, after all only those with the power of the universe and..."
"Divine beings can remember the time loop." I finished it off.
"Correct, that is why someone like Igor can't remember the time loop." we both turn our heads to Igor.
"I must apologize for not being able to assist you on this matter Master." Igor bowed his head.
"There is no need to worry my old friend." Philemon said "This is something that no have no control over." If he is a divine being then what is he doing here now of all times? As if reading my mind, he turned to me. "In order to explain what is going on here, I have to start from the very beginning, do you mind?"
"Not at all." I am getting answers to what I am looking for, I have no reasons to complain at this point.
"Very well." he chuckled "It started as experiment with another being to see if humans, can become enlightened beings, rising above their nature. Or to completely and utterly destroy themselves." One sentence, and my mind is already blown. An experiment? To see if we can surpass ourselves, or to kill each other. The Fall makes a lot more sense now that I think about it, people longing for death, not caring for anything, with Nyx's arrival we would have definitely be destroyed no question about it.
"Were we really that close to destroying each other?" I asked after a lengthy pause.
"Indeed." Philemon grimly said "Had you not discover the power of the universe, he would of won this experiment."
"He?"
"A being know as Nyarlathotep." Nyarlathtep?
"You mean the Outer God?" They are not just stories?
"Correct, he and I were basically at war to see how humans would end up. While I would stay back and observe, he would break the conditions of the experiment and interfere and manipulate events to ensure the destruction of mankind."
"If he were to violate the conditions, they why would you still observe!?" I asked, getting angry that he would allow such a thing.
"Because despite the fact, humanity still manages to over come those events." he calmly replied "Number of times, two I can remember of the top of my head he has been directly involved in recent events, yet people like you still manages to succeed with only me guiding them. Most of the time, my direct involvement was not necessary."
"Then what about now?"
"Nyarlathotep is now using beings like Nyx and Erebus to do his work for him, while believing they are doing what humanities' wishes, the desire for death." I gaze to the floor, information very difficult to process, Nyx and Erebus were manipulated by Nyarlthotep, to allow mankind to be destroyed.
"So he is the cause behind the time loop?" my fixed on Philemon, not letting anything else between me and him.
"He is the cause of this but he is not causing the time loop."
"Then who is?" I can only think of one god possible of doing this.
"You once again correct." he is reading my mind "The one behind the time loop is Chronos: Father Time" Chronos isn't the only divine being with the power to control time, but he is the most likely candidate behind this.
"Where do I find him?"
"I do believe that your partner has the key to that." who? Nyx?
"But she had no contact with him since the fall of ancient Greece."
"Well that maybe is true, she also the closest thing you have to a clue." So even if she does not know it, Nyx still is able to tell where Chronos is, perhaps that Tartarus has the clue after all...
"Well this is unexpected." Igor suddenly said, I actually forgot that he was here, he was looking at me, no, behind me. I turn to see a familiar girl fading in and out, it was Hamuko!
"Wait, what is she doing here?" I asked panicked.
"Something earlier then usual, but nothing to be worry about." Philemon interjected, I before I could respond, Igor had gotten up and moved towards her and did something with his hand.
"You are quite early child, I am going to ask you to come back later" Igor said, Hamuko started fading until she completely disappeared, but she was looking at me the whole time, did she recognized me?
"What did Igor mean that she was early?" looking at Philemon.
"While you are searching for Chronos somebody has to take your place you know." he answered
"But then she would-"
"If you were to fail this task, but you would be free from this burden would you not?" All I could do at this point is to stare at him, I could be free? That's all I ever wanted, let the burden to someone else and live my life free, could I do that?
"Of course not!" I yelled "Why would you even suggest such a thing to me? I will find Chronos and put an end to this time loop! I'll even do it myself if I have to." No one should be forced to repeat their lives in an never ending loop.
"I was expecting you to say that." Philemon smiled "However, as strong as you are at this point, you can't fight those that are even stronger then shadows can you?"
"Even then I will find a found way though." My choice had been made, nothing, not even the offer of freedom will detour me from this path.
"Then I shall give you this?" Philemon handed me a book, the book is blue with a unique style of decorations on it. it look very familiar.
"What is it?" I can't open the book for some reason.
"Tell me Minato, what personas do you have with you at the moment?" Philemon suddenly asked
"I have all 12 of course." My personas are Messiah, Helel, Lucifer, Satan, Alice, Beelzebub, Abaddon, Kohryu, Odin, Daisoujou, Cybele and Orpheus Telos. It is a good combination, it does not have every skill I need but it gets the job done, wait...
"That is correct once again, you are a sharp one." Please stop reading my mind. "That book is your persona compendium, it has all the personas you have and will be able find more that have yet to be discovered. Not only that you will be able to use personas to help you in battle, you would also manifest their powers as well with out needing them with you. This is not something I would give to just anyone for free you know?"
"There is something you want me to do." I did not asked, because with something this powerful you would a fool to give this away with no strings attached. I see something stuck to the back of the book, a loose leaf? Taking the sheet out, I read the only sentence there: This fate of mine, I will see through to the end no matter what... Well that does not sound that bad but then again, it is the last part that has me concerned.
"Oh, that part?" Philemon said "It just means that If you were accept with power, then you have to see the incident to the very end no matter what." So basically no backing out huh? The first contract I signed before would of worked but I feel that the last part has severe consequences if I go back on it or even fail. That won't stop me though, taking the pen beside me, I signed the new contract and handed to Philemon.
"Looks like our business for now is concluded. he says as everything starts turning black, Times up huh?
"It was interesting meeting you." I said to him clutching the book
"The pleasure is mine." he nodded, I turn to Igor.
"It was great meeting you again, even if you don't remember."
"I'm sure it was Master Minato, but remember now time marches in your world, we shall meet on your own accord." that the last I thing I heard before complete darkness took over...
My eyes open up, to a familiar room, back among the awoken huh? Getting out of bed, I head to the wash room to wash my face, going through all that I learned so far. It was too much to process all at once, my head actually hurts, splashing water didn't help much. Philemon and Nyarlathotep, the potential of mankind, Nyx, Erebus and Chronos involved in this mess.
"Sounds like you are in quite the mess as well there."
Don't I know it, sighing, I looked at my reflection, man I looked like slept in years and the idea of fighting those that are more powerful then shadows terrify me.
"Look on the bright side, doesn't it excite you that you get to fight something powerful and new?"
Well, I would be lying that I won't enjoy using my new found powers.
"Which is why you should rest and enjoy your time until then. After all, you still have school to go to, even if you have done it multiple times before."
...I must be very desperate to ignore to throbbing in my head to resort talking to myself like this.
"While you are technically right in this regard, are also wrong as well."
Somehow I get the feeling I will be getting that a lot someday, but for now who am I speaking to specifically then?
"Thou art I... And I am thou... From the sea of thy soul I cometh... I am Orpheus, master of strings."
Orpheus, he was my first persona. He was with me from the beginning, helping me through all the trouble I have been in. While it is great to see you again, why are you doing here? Talking to me now of all time?
"I have been always been with you. It was only now when you gain the power of the Compendium that I was able to talk to you".
The Compendium! Like my sword, I tried to will the book into my hand, light appeared just above my hand, soon replaced by the book. I could only open to Orpheus, Thanatos and Messiah at the moment, I would only assume as more personas I unlock, the more the pages that I would have accessed to. A horrible thought came across my mind, If Orpheus can talk to me in the mind, then I would actually would go insane if a lot of them would talk to me at once.
"I was thinking about that actually." A new voice? Common sense would tell me it would be ether Thanatos or...
"Messiah is what I am called, it is on honor to speak at last master."
You don't have to be so formal Messiah, what was that about talking in the mind anyways?
"I would suggest that you could restrict to just three of us until you get used to us, and slowly lift that restriction until the pain in your head until subsides."
Couldn't I just block you guys completely so I don't have to deal with the headache? No offence.
"None taken, besides you can do that if you want, but you won't be able to adapt to the new sensation."
I see, well I am slowly getting used to the pain, so I guess I can deal with it for now.
Finishing up my business, I went out of the washroom an oh, I completely forgot about her. Nyx is sleeping in bed, looking quiteat peace. Most of the time I often see her annoyed at me most of the time, I would like to see that face more often, what am I thinking?
"Don't be getting any ideas there now." The third voice emerges, Thanatos I presume?
"That's right, so stay away from mother with those thoughts I you know what I mean."
No actually, I don't.
"To be honest, I don't know what he means ether." Orpheus said, I could Messiah chuckling somewhere, I guess he knows what he is talking about.
"Hmm?" Nyx stirred from her sleep shocking me from my thoughts, I decide to prepare our stuff for school. "You are already up?" she said getting up.
"Morning, sleep well?" I asked, preparing our bags, finishing up mine.
"I won't complain." she sighed getting out of bed, I handed her bag. I checked the time, we are still early to school.
"You know we still have time." I said, opening the door to our room. "Do want to get something to eat?"
"As a goddess, I don't necessary need nutrition as you humans do." she said briefly, leaving the room. I was slightly disappointed, I closed the door and followed her out the hotel. "However, that does not mean I won't try new things while here on Earth."
"Well I do know a good place to get noodles." I smiled, leading her to The Beef Bowl place.
"I see." she nodded "I would be interested to try some to see how they are different from pastas from Greece."
"You have pastas in ancient Greece?" curious about the topic.
"We called it pastos, it ether means "sprinkled with salt" or "salted". There was another time where Vulcan was pushing dough in to a device that turns it in to thin threads." she chuckled, as if remembering a time before all this.
Nyx and I where sitting at a table, eating our noodles, Nyx may look like acting neutral about it but I could tell by the way she ate she was enjoying it.
"I see that you two are getting along."
I know what you mean Messiah, if we are going to work together, we need to trust each other.
"I agree, it was because your trust in your friends that we were able to prevent the fall." Orpheus said.
"As long it does not grow more then that, then everything would be fine" Thanatos interjected suddenly.
Is there a meaning behind that?
"Yeah." Orpheus agreed "It's almost like you are implying-."
"Shut your face Orpheus!"
"What will you do if I don't?"
They are actually arguing in my head, I could even feel them pulling out their weapons at each others throats.
"That is a problem." Messiah sighed.
I know, but part of me is curious to see how personas fight. Wow, using magic like that, I should take some notes.
"Well there is that, but I mean the problem in front of you." Wait what? I now realized I was staring right at Nyx, with her looking back confused. However that is not the problem, the problem is that people are talking about us, Getting up I grabbed her hand.
"H-hey!" she exclaimed in confusion.
"Come on, school is starting soon" moving her away from the store, after leaving some yen at the cashier.
"Please don't give me that look." I said to Nyx as we head to the faculty office, she is giving me that annoyed face again.
"Humph." yah she's not happy, like always but I am the direct cause for it this time. "I was starting to enjoy myself with the noodles. When I turn to you, you were staring at me, and everybody started talking about us. The next thing I know, I was dragged out without finishing my meal."
"I apologize for that, I'll buy you another bowl when school is over."
"If you think that would be enough to earn my forgiveness, then you are very mistaken." great.
"Then what will it take for you to forgive me?" prepare for worst...
"You will definitely show me around this place and deal with any annoyances that come to bother us."
"Aright? Sure I'll do it" That is not that bad actually. Opening the door to office I saw my old teacher, Ms. Toriumi.
"Oh, are you guys new students?" She asked, we both nodded our heads.
"Minato Arisato."
"Amaya Nyx."
"I see, 12 grade both of you correct?" before I could correct her, she handed me an envelope. "Here, I was told to give this to you when you arrive." while flipping pages through her file. I was still about to correct her when I notice something on the envelope, a blue butterfly. It reminded me of a certain man in a mask, I tore open the letter and read it's contents:
To father encourage you on your goals, I took the liberty to changing your grade and among a few other things within ten years. After all, you surely must be getting tired of 11th grade by now with your supreme intellect, so here is a change of pace.
-Philemon
I don't know weather to annoyed that he would do that without my permission or to be glad I don't have to sit through the same lessons again, heck I mean I have aced all of my test while asleep once. At least I won't have to sleep a lot in class now, but I will miss that advantage.
"Wow, you guys just arrived from Greece, Foreign exchange program? You were there for ten years before coming back here." just how much did Philemon did change and how did he do such a thing? "Oh I'm sorry... I've been so busy, I didn't have time to read this beforehand."
"It's quite alright." I said "I'm sure we are not the only new students you have to look over."
"How did you know that?" I've said too much, I didn't think this through.
"We had both heard during our way here, that there are a number of transfers this year." Nyx chimed in, glaring at me.
"Of course, I had forgotten that our students like to talk about rumors a lot." Ms. Toriumi smiled, "Anyways, I'm Ms. Toriumi. I teach composition. Welcome to our school."
"A pleasure to meet you."
"Nice to meet you."
"Well, aren't you polite students." Ms. Toriumi chuckled," More students like you should be an example to others, it's a shame you aren't in my class. You are in 3-D, Ms. Ounishi's class, but first, we need to go to the auditorium. The Welcoming Ceremony will be starting soon." She walked out of the office. "Follow me." Nyx and I went with Ms. Toriumi, to the ceremony, beginning my life as a twelfth grader. I let out a small smile, looking forward to this, maybe it was because of Thanatos, but I am exited for the adventures I am about to have.
"You seem to be in a good mood." Nyx whispered to me.
"I guess I am." I am not letting this chance go to waste.
I have nothing to say this time, other then there was going to be a different scene at the Beef Bowl place. You would have learn more about something, but I feel like I had given enough things for Minato to worry about, so I will save it for later I guess. Alright I have a few more things to say:
First off, Nyarlathotep is unique among the outer gods. First, while most others are exiled to the stars or dreaming and sleeping, he is mostly active on Earth. Also, while the outer gods prefer death and destruction, Nyarlathotep enjoys causing madness to others. The part why I think he is awesome, he is the most human-like of the outer gods, he can have an appearance of a human and deliberately deceptive and manipulative, he can trick a lot of people to do work for him.
I don't think I need to cover anything else do I?
I do have one more thing to say, I think I went overboard with this chapter, do you guys think I need to cool off a bit?