Chapter 3: Welcome Home

Warning: Spoilers and language.

Disclaimer: I don't own Persona 3. But I do own Dark's personality, if that counts.

Sitting around reading a language book I 'acquired' on my way to the train station, I really couldn't help but notice a particular stench in the air that wasn't part of my room or something normal during free-time. A few exploratory sniffs later, I realized that I never actually went through with the promise I made myself regarding the bandages on my left arm. Judging from the fact that the translation-dictionary was about a quarter-way finished, I probably had fifty sum minutes left. The twins are probably asleep, door didn't open so the Jap-albino still didn't come back yet, bathroom is down the hall, but since I'm below the girl's room, I should hear Yukari. Fuck it, I'm actually starting to taste the smell. Unchaining my wallet, removing my keys and socks, rolling up my pants, and tucking my pendants into my shirt, I take slow deliberate steps toward my backpack to remove my travel medkit. Strapping it to my back using my belt and tossing on my duster for added stealth, I had barely taken two steps out my door when two noises told me how screwed I was. The first was a click that told me that taking off my keys and leaving them behind was a very bad move. The second was how squeaky the goddamn floorboards were this late at night. Lowering myself to the floor, I resorted to the tried-and-true sniper method: crawling on my stomach four "G.D." inches at a time.

I'm not going to pretend I knew I how long it took me; only God, Satan, Father Time, and every sadistic omnipotent being that was watching and laughing at me could know, I was finally a bit outside of Minato's door, meaning there was only another fifteen feet or so left. Apparently the same beings watching and laughing wanted a bit more amusement, and made the odor from my left arm dense. One inhale, a gag, a choke, and a cough the volume a mouse could make Minato threw open his door and starting scanning the hallway with a look of disapproval saved for only those poor souls that he caught holding his sister's hand.

Despite his animalistic hearing, he proved himself human by not looking at his feet and grumbled back into his room. I didn't even bother to exhale until I wormed close enough to the bathroom to barrel roll in. Closing the door, flicking up the light switches, and opening any windows I could find, I got into the unpleasant work of changing out my bandages.

Apparently the last few times I showered and forgot to a) keep my left arm dry and b) forget to dry it out properly. These two bits of idiocy caused the unholy reek. The old bandages looked like someone dumped half set gelatin on it. Giving an involuntary shudder, I flushed that crap down the toilet. Mental note: if the toilet backs up, blame the girls for flushing their feminine hygiene products down the toilet.

Looking at my arm in the moonlight, I am partially convinced that the doctors and surgeons just amputated my old arm and stuck a mechanical prosthetic in its place. Granted it looks like a half-melted wax figurine's arm with real fingernail...

"Look son, that arm is burned beyond repair. If you leave, if we allow you to leave it, it will cause necrosis and-"

I know he was trying to help, I knew what he was saying was right. But I didn't care. I just glared at him from the only eye that wasn't bandaged up. "You know what else will go necrotic? ME! IN THE MORGUE! AFTER I SLIP MY OWN THROAT RIGHT IN FRONT OF THIS HOSPITAL! IT'S MY ARM. I swear. If my arm isn't where it is when I wake up I will kill myself. I already have plenty of options: chewing through my tongue, hanging, jumping, air through these injection tube-things. You fuckers don't even know whether or not I'm allergic to anything!"

"Son-"

"DON'T YOU DARE CALL ME SON! YOU'RE JUST SOME DOCTOR! ... Please... I've lost enough today, don't take any more from me... Please?"

I have no idea why I even thought that. I swear. I should just start making coffee with energy drinks again. Granted it came out green and despite having only a shot, my at rest heartbeat was eighty something plus... Shaking my mind back into focus, I put on a single rubber glove on my right hand before retrieving a palm-size piece of obsidian and placing it on the sink. I take my time searching for any bit of tissue that might have died and probing for areas that lack sensation. Letting out a sigh of relief, I heard the buzz of electricity that told me my free-time ended. Glad the lights were back, I turn on the vents with plans to scream 'occupado' at anyone open pack-after-pack of alcohol towelettes, I finally purged the smell from my arm. Deciding to hold on on wrapping it up again, I reseal the waterproof bag and hid it inside the toilet's water reservoir and just rested my back against the bathroom door and enjoyed the droning of the vents until the first rays of dawn reached me.

Creeping out of the bathroom, I found my way into the kitchen. Deciding that anything not label makes it communal, I started to raid the fridge. Finding an absurd about my take-out leftover. Being the kindhearted person I am, I go for the back of the fridge where the food is the oldest. Surprisingly I only had to throw out one box of, what I guess is shrimp scampi in a clear tub. Note for future generations: sauces for scampi and Alfredo doesn't last more than an hour, after that point, there is no technique by any chef on this Earth that can restore it back to its original texture slash consistency. And if food goes from whatever color it was to the colors that Naruto wears, it's time to toss.

Twenty minutes of preparation and cooking later, I ended up with a mammoth portion of my ever famous "Leftover Fried Rice Surprise Omelette". Setting outside on the dining table, I was working on the ketchup sauce when I hear footsteps down the stairs. It was too heavy to be female and too light to be Minato's, but considering I was in my environment, I wasn't worried.

"Whoa! What happened out here?" The door opened as I gripped the handle on the saucepan filled with napalm. Oh yeah. I forgot about Jap-albino. Oh well, least I don't have to waste this. Offering a friendly wave, I give my sauce a small dash of pepper to even out the sweetness. "Did you cook all this? Uh."

"Dark."

"Are you serious? Is that really your-"

"If you finish that statement, you have a choice of me pouring this saucepan filled with napalm down your pants before swatting at you with the pan itself, making your own breakfast, or both."

"Akihiko Sanada. Nice to meet you," He probably extended his hand out for a handshake, but when I didn't so much as move, "Excuse me while I set the table."

"There's a good lad." Giving the sauce a quick sniff and wishing the dorm had something in the way of herb or seasoning, I let out a sad sigh as I take it out to the table. Only to find Minako and Minato seated there with a grin. Shaking my head, I divvy up the omelette and started ladling the sauce when Mitsuru showed up and sat down.

I didn't need to be a psychic to know this was not going to be a quiet meal, and Minako was the first to prove me right.

"Phatiamos-san, this is soooo good! You made all this by hand?"

"Yup."

"I must agree with Minako-kun. But I must know, where did you find the ingredients to make the fried rice."

"I didn't sleep well so I went out for a quick jog. Decided I should do something for my dorm mates."

"Is that why I head the bathroom going early in the morning?" If that was the only thing you heard, I hope you are blessed by the gods Minato.

"Ignore onii-san. I wanted to know how you knew who was going to be eating today?"

"Honestly? I was planning that to be all for myself."

Sanada was dumbstruck, "You're kidding right? I had already portioned everything out by the time the twins got here and even then, there's extra. How could you possibly eat that much?"

Pointing at the twins, the two of them recounted how I at twelve double-fist-sized buns just yesterday. Finishing the last bite of food, stood up and headed for the door, "Since I cooked, I'm exempted from cleaning the dishes. Later everyone!"

Since it was still early, I decided to take a scenic route to school and make a quick stop at the pastry place. Shelling out a few yens, I was the proud (temporary) owner of six meat buns.

I had arrived to the school gate just in time for The Rush, which was quite different from America in the fact that, there were student walking and gossiping. Still don't like eavesdropping, but I heard something about a bathroom, whether it was about Hanako, Red Shroud, or the Hand, I have no idea. But what interested was the last two bits. The first was something about a student staring at a wall and whispering the approach of some Elder One, interesting but since I don't know the person, who gives a damn. The second was about the ghost haunting the second floor dorm. Fistpump for becoming an urban legend.

During composition I learned three things, Ms. Toriumi likes Fuyuhiko Yoshimura, Junpei doesn't pay attention, and the Japanese favors the smart kid who bails out others because he's smart and not because he bails out others.

At the end of class I had an awkward moment with Minako when I asked her for her dorm room key. I swear, Minato just swore a vendetta against and would have turned into a revenant if he was here. Of course, after reminding her how to breathe again and explaining my situation, she lent me her key though with some confusion. Swearing that I would bring it back before she made it back to the dorm, I headed out first.

My first order of business after class was finding a hardware store to get a duplicate of the key made and then sprinting back to school. My luck was good, the hardware store was a few blocks away and since it was common enough, they just saw my school emblem and asked for the key to be copied. Apparently it never occurred to these people that that might not be my key. Whatever. I made it in time to catch Minako at the lockers by herself and was able to return the key moments before Minato returned. Last thing to do was sprinting up to the shop class and using one of their grinders to grind down the copied key. Yeah, I know its illegal, but if I don't get caught or use it for the wrong reasons I can't get arrested. On my way out I had to double back to 'borrow' the small wooden mallet right by the door.

Smiling at my good fortune today I decided to take the long route again. I ordered another bag of twelve but got a baker's dozen. I gave the baker and the owner the Bro Nod, which they returned. Polishing off the deliciousness, I ended up back in the dorm way earlier than expected due to the spring in my step. Grabbing the doorknob and thankful that Minako remember to leave the door unlocked for me.

Upon entering Yukari greeted me with an, "Oh, he's back."

Before I could make a snide remark, I notice the twins are seated across from some dude wearing a black turtle-neck in a nasty yellow-brown/tan suit. That aside, his glasses is nothing to talk about, but I really like his hair. There is good waviness in that hair.

"So, this is our new guest... My name is Shuji Ikutsuki. I'm the Chairman of the Board for your school. 'Ikutsuki'... Hard to say, isn't it? That's why I don't like introducing myself. Even I get tongue-tied sometimes... Please, have a seat."

Considering he didn't even pause long enough for me to introduce myself, I just shrug and plop next to Minato.

"I apologize for the confusion regarding your accommodations. However, it may take a little while before any of you receive the proper assignment."

Minako immediately seemed uncomfortable, I didn't need to see it to know that she had at least a finger on Minato's hand. Granted, I didn't owe them anything, but they were family and I could tell, even here, the one floor separating the two was too much. Raising my hands in a nonchalant shrug, "No, there's no need to rush or concern yourself with that. I'm kind of glad that I'm here, I got Mitsuru-senpai and Minako-san to help me with my homework. Not being able to read and all. Though too bad Minato doesn't have his sister's brains. Don't give me that look, you think I don't hear you asking to see her notes after dinner. Poor Minako, she never going to be able to study at this rate."

Granted, it definitely wasn't my best, but at least when Minato and I literally butted heads, the Chairman believed it. The feral growling probably helped too.

"Alright then." He smiled and adjusted his glasses. The glint from the overhead blocked out his eyes for a moment, "Is there anything you'd like to ask?"

"No, sir.
"Nope."
"Nothing I can think of- Actually, I have one. When was the last time you had the wires in my room checked?"

"Not too long ago, why do you ask Dark-kun?"

"If you are sitting where my computer table would be, every so often I would hear either a buzz or a whirl behind me. Roughly where the clock is in my room."

"Hmm. I'll have someone check on that right away. If there's nothing else, you guys should probably get to bed then." He stood up. "As they say, 'The early bird catches the bookworm!'" Chuckling only to himself, "...Please forgive the pun." Giving us all a quick nod, he heads upstairs and the three of us slowly and simultaneously turn our heads to look at Yukari with our deadpan faces.

With the weakest smile I've seen to date, "... You'll get used to his lame jokes."

"For all of our sakes, I hope not. I'm heading up to shower first. If I don't see you. Good night, Yukari-san, Minato-kun, and Minako...-chan." Winking at Minato just to keep irritating him, I went upstairs first.

For some reason, my usual cold shower felt colder than normal. Meh, it didn't bother me.

Heading back to my room, I insert the shaved down key into the lock before giving a quick whack with the mallet. In I walked without any trouble. Vulgar as hell, but that's the best I could do with one and no picks.

Hanging up my duster, I plop down into my chair and started up my computer. Turning around I could hear that annoying whirling sound again.

Elsewhere:

Some dude's face melts into a puddle of black ichor.

Elsewhere in the dorm:

Three figures were gathered around several monitors.

"Hmm... As you can see, they're still sleeping. The Dark Hour occurs everyday at twelve midnight; you could say it's the 'hidden' hour. During this time, an ordinary person transmogrifies into a coffin, and is oblivious to all that occurs."

The two of us turn to look at the chairman, the look of discomfort was evident on Takeba's face, "Then all three must be..."

"As you two can see, Minato, Minako, and Dark has retained his human form. They're asleep, but they're definitely experiencing the Dark Hour. The only question that remains is whether or not any of them has the potential. Although, in theory, they must. ... If they didn't, they would've prayed on all of them by now. And quite the buffet it would be too."

"Scary..." Takeba, being the most expressive, actually shivered, I was only able to suppress it down to a tingling sensation in my back. The chairman turns to face me, "In any case, we should continue to monitor him for a few more days."

"I feel kinda bad, though, spying on him like this..." A sentiment I shared. This was not the first night I spent spying on them like this. But what was strange to me, was how this was the first time I've actually seen Dark asleep. Granted, he's asleep at his desk, but with the amount of tea he drank... Shaking my head to clear away distracting thoughts, I had my duties to perform. Bidding Takeba a good night, I took my seat and continues to monitor the Arisato twins while providing support to Akihiko while he was on patrol.

Opening my eyes, I found myself in an actual dream for once. Surprised I even fell asleep, I take a look around. I was seated in a rather comfortable chair located in the world's largest and classiest elevator. There was a grandfather's clock, a small bar, and everything was in a lovely blue hue. For the first time in a long time, I hoped this dream was repeatable. Noticing something peculiar about the sheen on the floor I ended up leaning over the arm of my seat to touch the floor. It was velvet. Looking around again, I notice the similar sheen and fuzzy texture. Everything in this room is covered in blue velvet.

"Welcome to the Velvet Room, my dear young man."

Snapping up in my seat, I finally notice a large marble table in front of me. Across from, seated in a rather comfy, blue velvet sofa was an old, dapper-looking gentleman. Granted he was balding, his nose looked like a foot-long from Subways, and his eyes looked like someone pulled a Clockwork Orange for too long before macing him. But damn, I love his suit. Dapper as all shit. Beside him stood a rather cute girl, about my age. Petite figure with hair blonde to the point of being gray and yellow eyes. Her outfit reminded me of the pictures of the old elevator attendants, but completely sleeveless up to and around the armpits with medium-size bulleyes where buttons would be. I think she might have been wearing knee-high boots, but I couldn't tear my eyes away from the empty space to the right of the old man. I could tell there should be someone, but... just empty air.

"My name is Igor… I am delighted to make your acquaintance…" He gestured to the girl "This is Elizabeth. She's a resident here, like myself."

His voice is giving me goosebumps, but goddammit if it isn't on par with Morgan Freeman. They could be slowly murdering me with a butterknife and yet their voice would still calm me down.

Snapping out of that daydream within a dream of me dreaming, the girl, Elizabeth, bowed slightly toward me, "Pleased to meet you."

Her voice was what I expected: cute, mysterious, alluring, and completely out of my league. Returning my attention back to Igor, who's smiling at me, "This place exists between dream and reality, mind and matter… It's been years since we've had a guest. And yet... What an intriguing guest you are. Now…" Waving his hand above the table, the contract I signed... however long ago, appeared. Running a finger across the sheet, he stops and begins to tap my name. Not the spot where my name is, he tapping my name! I didn't think it was possible, but that grin of his just got wider. "Only those who have signed the contract can enter this place... Henceforth, you shall be welcome here in the Velvet Room. You are destined to hone your unique ability, and you will require my assistance to do so. I only ask one thing in return..." Not my soul. Not my soul. "That you abide by the contract, and assume responsibility for the choices you make." ... Why couldn't it have been my soul instead...

"I'm not going to bullshit you Igor, but I... I'll try."

"I'm sure you will do more than that my dear guest. Here, hold on to this." A glimmer in the air caused my reflexes to kick in. Holding out my hand, an old fashion skeleton key with a two-face motif, and the same blue hue as the velvet landed like a dainty butterfly in my outstretched palm.

"Until we meet again..."

Sitting up from my chair, I felt... refreshed. No aches or pains, no feeling of impaired judgement. I felt, good. Standing up, a solid metal clang caused me to flinch. Looking down I can see an old fashion blue skeleton key with a two-face motif, staring at me from the ground. Not feeling creeped out in the least bit, I carefully add the key to the my keyring before clipping it back to my beltloop.

Foregoing breakfast after freshening up, I headed straight out the door and onto the train. I didn't even have to wait a minute before Lady Luck proved that she still thought about me, turning to my left, I spotted Junpei amongst the crowd. Weaving my way toward him, I greeted him with a smile. "What's up, Dark? Man, today is a perfect day! The sky is blue...we're young...what more could we ask for?"

"Nothing I don't already have right now."

Literature with Mr. Ekoda may have just killed any potential love I might have had for Japanese literature. Shaking my head, I resorted to the hidden-headphone technique to endure the rest of the lecture about Monogatari.

Grabbing another baker's dozen, I was giving serious consideration about buying some sleeping pills in hope of seeing that Velvet Room dream again. Granted it was creepy, but their presence in combination with the room felt nice.

In the end I didn't buy the sleeping pills, but I also abstained from the caffeine pills tonight as well. Staring out my window, I quietly let my consciousness wander.

...

Opening my eyes, I found myself in another room, not the Velvet, it looked more like a study. Three blurry figures was looking at something, I think. They were talking but all the sounds and even gender of their voices was muddled. The dirty-yellow figure was addressing the red blur, while the pink one said something about a pig. Something beeped, now that I could hear clearly and a forth voice started talking about something huge, chasing, and on his way. A flurry of action was halted as they turned toward me, but a loud bang snapped me out of my dream.

Whatever woke me up, must have woken up the others, I could hear Minako above me moving about. Against my better self, I decided on investigating the noise, just as I threw open the door, Yukari whacked me in the collarbone. If it wasn't for the fact she had a bow slung around her, a sword in one hand, and a gun strapped to her thigh, I might have said something.

"I'm so sorry, but we have to go! I'll get Minako and you Minato! Where are you going?!" Turn around I had right back into my room. Grabbing three of my black pens, stuffing two into various pockets, before swiveling the cap on one and jamming it into my glove hand, just behind of the index finger. "Sorry Yukari, but I don't use swords!"

"NOW IS NOT THE TIME TO BE PICKY!"

Remaining as calm as I could, I finally opened my emergency package, "Now is the perfect time to be picky." Reaching under all the ball bearings, I pull out... a thirty inch long knife. "Not a word Yukari. Not a word." Like I had planned, Yukari's hysterics brought Minato and Minako out of their rooms and toward us. I could see their fear, I didn't like it but I had to take charge, "No time to talk now, Yukari, give them each a sword and start leading us. You know the layout better and I'll be right behind you to support your gunfire. Minato, you've got rear while Minako's got the bow. Yukari! Where do we go?"

Handing out the weapons like I had commanded, "Huh? Right! Downstairs and out the back."

Heading downstairs in an orderly fashion, I could see Akihiko lying against the front door. Torn between him and the group, I breakaway from the group and headed toward Mitsuru and Akihiko. I may not have a medical degree, but I've been hurt enough to recognize injuries and the worst was on his arm. It looked like something cut it, turning to Mitsuru, "First floor bathroom in the toilet's... reservoir, you will find a thick, brown bag. It's a waterproof medkit!"

Giving me a grateful nod, she places a hand on her ear, "Takeba, do you read me? ... Be careful! There's more than one enemy! The one we're fighting isn't the one Akihiko saw!" Looking confused at her, I could hear a loud bang where the others went along with screams. Giving Mitsuru a quick pat on the shoulder, I chomp down on my Bowie and grabbed a chair to drag behind me. Where once a backdoor stood is now a splintering mess. Everyone took a look a me, the chair, the splintering door, and reached the same conclusion. As Yukari gave the order to pull back, I wedged the chair into the door. Stopping for a moment, I gently touch both inanimate objects with my gloved hand, "I'm sorry. I really am. But please. Hold on a bit longer so we can live. Thank you." It was the probably the adrenaline, but I could have sworn that my hand felt a bit of warmth as I took off.

As I sprinted up the stairs, I found the group waiting for me. Dumb move, but bless them all the same. As we kept ascending, I couldn't help be reminded of one of the horror movie survival rules: when trapped in a house, move on the 'x' plane and never the 'y'. At least we aren't begging or trying to bargain with it.

By the fourth floor, the ground- no, the building itself shook along with the sound of something breaking.

"What was that?!, Yukari sounded like she was going to puke. Minako was clinging onto her brother's arm, while he looked defiant, "We don't have a choice, we keep moving up. At least on the roof, they can only come at us in one direction. Minako. It's alright, I'll protect you." I hope that doesn't go under the 'famous last words list'.

Making it to the roof, Yukari quickly closed and locked the door, letting out sigh, "It's okay guys. I think we're going to be fine." Famous last words. Minato, on the other hand, back up away from the door, with his hands gripped tightly around the sword. I was just worried that if he keeps backing up, the ledge would break with a touch. It had so many missing chunks... Those aren't gaps! Those are fingers!

Yukari, Minako, and I watched as a writhing mass of arms finally made it's way up the roof. Whipping out a blue mask with the Roman numeral 1 on its forehead, I could tell it was scanning the roof for something. Spotting Minato as he turned around, the monster pulled out a knife for each hand and pointed all of them at him.

"NII-SAN!"

I have no idea why, but I ran forward with the first thing I fished out of my pocked and threw it right at Mr. 1. Granted it was the dart I used every free-time since I got it. It wasn't poisoned or exploded on contact, what it did have, was an owner who never missed. Even from my angle, the narrowed eye-slits was too large to miss. While I was hoping to distract it, the dart embedded itself in the slit rather than flying out. The pain caused the monster to keen and thrash wildly, giving Minato time to bail. Diving out of the way as one of the arms buried it's knife into the ground, I could see Minato clutching his leg as blood pooled around his fingers.

Slowly the keening stopped, and the creature slowly looked up at us. Bellowing, it charged at us. Beside me Yukari stepped forward, "Those monsters, we call them shadows…" Unholstering her gun, she takes a few deep breaths, "I can do this" She whispered to herself and placed the gun to her temple.

I could see the look of horror on the twins face, trying to stop her, "Don't!'

She pulled the trigger, and several pillars of energy shot up but Shadow 1 serpentine passed all of it and backhand Yukari and the gun landed near the twins. The creature was still distracted by Yukari. With Minato injured, Minako would stay behind, I could get away. I could live.

All I had to do was walk away. That was it.

Removing my Bowie from my mouth and resting it in my left hand, I planted my foot on the gun before either twin could reach it. Rolling it onto my foot, I kick the gun into the air, and caught it with my finger in the trigger guard. Giving the gun a few twirls until my hand rested on the grip, I pointed it at the shadow.

Beside the monster was the boy from my first day here, "Go on." Pointing his index finger to his temples before giving his thumb a twitch, "Bang."

I've always wondered what it would feel like... Standing up to my full height instead of my usual hunch, I could feel the muscles on my face forming a maniacal smirk.

"Per... " Give me the prompt to play for you.
"...So..." UNCHAIN ME!
"...Na!" Pray for my release and together we shall bring light to this dark and weary world.

I heard the bang and felt something bore into my head but rather than a splatter, the sound of tinkling glass was heard. Motes of blue light whirled around me, whipping my hair and jacket about.

"THOU ART I! AND I AM THOU! FROM THE SEA OF THY SOUL, I COMETH! I AM ORPHEUS, MASTER OF STRINGS!" As my smirk turned into a grin as a pulse in my head brought me to my knees. Looking behind me, I saw Orpheus convulse as something tore him apart from within. This new being wore a long black trench coat with a metal helmet that resembled an animal skull. Thirteen coffins surrounded him as he drew his sword. Looking down at me, the new being charged forth, slammed into the shadow before a quick flick of his blade cut the mask in half. I was pretty sure the thing was dead, but Undertaker there just kept snapping and stomping and chomping. When the shadow was nothing more than a puddle of black goo, 'Taker floated up into the air and flickered back into Orpheus. Rolling into a seated position, I finally started breathing again as Yukari started tending to Minato's wound.

I never saw the mask move, but I did hear the sloshing of liquid. Looking up, I watch the shadow reform. This time the arms gathered and merged together. In moments, what was a multi-arm monstrosity is now a lean male using the masks as shoulder spaulders. Shaking off the black goo, it splatters and hangs in the air around us, forming a dome.

"Zeroes who has freed me, I am grateful. But! I must kill you now."

Author's notes: Wow. I must admit, I'm surprised anyone is following my story, let alone favorite it. It wasn't until the second chapter when I realized I could find out how many people read my story and it's stats. To everyone reading, thanks you for your support. I hope to keep your attention until the finish.

uub: Thanks buddy. That really means a lot me.