Chapter 5: Sympathy for the Devil
Disclaimer: I do not own Persona 3, work at Atlas, or own the myths and legends mentioned in my story
Warning: There will be strong language, graphically detailed violence, crude humor, dark angst-y moments, deep thought, and the occasional feminine joke. The list will potentially change to reflect changes in the story. You have been warned.
I'm not sure how long I was lying on the ground, but apparently long enough for Lucifer himself to mix me a drink. The gentle clink snapped me out of my stupor, turning a bit, I spotted a champagne flute next to my head with a purple bendy straw. Looking thoughtful for a few moments, he heads back to the bar before returning with a blue one so he can attach them together. As grateful as I was to be offered a drink, "Um..."
"There's no alcohol in it. Just honey, ginger beer, and some sparkling cider. Simple but revitalizing."
"Oh." Nodding, I chomp down on the straw and give it a few sips before finally sitting up. Taking a few more sips, I notice the sly grin on Lucifer's face, "What?"
"You know, I could have been lying or, for all you know, added poison."
Shrugging, "Eh."
"Really? ... No concern whatsoever? I come up to you, introduce myself as the devil, hand you a drink, and you just drink it?"
"I don't drink alcohol because I don't like the taste, not because of some religious principle. If you wanted to kill me, I'd be dead already. I mean, what's the worst that can happen? You're not Lucifer and I end up getting murdered. You are Lucifer and my soul gets sent to Hell, where I probably belong anyways. Seeing how you didn't rape or teabag me in my helpless state and I haven't started coughing up blood. I really don't have much to worry about."
"Dream, hallucination, or coma-state?"
Nodding my head, "Considering what happened to me leading up to now? Yup. Reality is cool too, but regardless. I've seen enough tonight to start believing."
Walking to his poofy chair, I grab my drink and take the opposite seat at the table. "Well. Like I told you before, I am Lucifer, fallen angel and overlord of Hell. This is the Satin Room and my job is to help you summon demons. As a gesture of faith, I will answer any questions you may have in full honesty."
"Um... Okay..."
"Alright then."
"Okay..."
"Any question you may have."
"Got it."
"Answered in absolute honesty."
"Heard you the first time. ... *sips* ..."
"Well?"
"What?"
"Aren't you going to ask me anything?"
"I can't think of anything at the moment..."
"Are you freakin' serious?! Here I am, Lucifer, Overlord of Hell, offering to answer any questions you may have and you can't think of one?! Why not ask what the cure for cancer is or the meaning of life or what the lottery numbers will be for the next century?!"
"Sorry, not that interested in that stuff. I'm perfectly content with my life. I don't know anyone close to me who has cancer and even if I knew the cure, I lack the means to synthesis it. Lottery winnings aren't gifts so they do get taxed. And why would I want to know what the meaning of life is? Know it and then telling anyone will end with either me getting committed to the mental ward somewhere or I'll be forever hounded with questions I may not have the answer to."
"Not bad. That was some good responses. But you are seriously the most dreamless person I've ever met."
"Fine! Seeing how I'm sitting here talking to you, does that mean god with a capital 'G' actually exist?"
"Yes and no."
"Oh thanks. You totally answered my question there."
"Hang on there! Sit down and let me finish. Oh come on! I'll explain! I promise! Get comfy, this is going to be a long one. God as you were referring to, does in fact exist, but he was created by something else. To explain it in mortal terms, it's more like a giant mind reader. When enough thoughts intersect, this being can, in fact, create a deity. In turn, these deity only exist so long as they are remembered by mortals. Through concentrated mortal thoughts in the form of worship or prayer they gain power to affect this world. When their worshipers diminish, so to do their power. These entities only vanish or die when no one remembers them."
"Okay. But what about personae-"
"Personas."
"Not doing this with you. What about what the twins summoned? I'm pretty sure they went by the names Apollo and Artemis. Does that mean they could summon gods too?"
"Not really. What they summoned is more akin to an avatar. It embodies what it represents, but really contains none of the personality and less of the original power. In reality, they are manifesting a portion of themselves in a figure that best resembles them. But that is neither here nor there. With me, you need to worry about summoning. All you have to do with summoning is envision the being you want, pay the toll, and then open the gate for them to pass."
Laughing dryly, "Ah ha ha. Is that all? And here I thought I had to start up a cult to bolster my strength."
"No. No cult needed. But you will have to strengthen yourself. As-"
"WHOA WHOA WHOA! Are we really going to skip right by the fact you said I had to pay a toll?"
"Well ya. Summoning is less like calling a friend over for a favor and more like hiring a mercenary. If you don't pay, they probably won't even respond to you. After you hire them, you are free to have them hang around until you let them go or they die."
"And what the hell am I paying them with? AND MY FREAKIN' SUMMONS CAN DIE?!"
"For a lack of a better word: your soul."
"Fuck that!"
"Oh stop being a baby! You've never seen you soul."
"I've also never seen air, but I know I need it to live. I've also never seen the three variants of the Black Death, but I'm pretty sure any one of those stages will fuck me over big time."
"Look, calm down. Gimme a moment to think of how I'm going to explain this to you... D&D!"
"D&D? Dungeons and Dragon?"
"Yes. It's like D&D. You have a character with levels and experience, that represents your soul. Most people don't know what experience is, but horde it anyways because it serves a purpose. Despite that experience is lost regardless but you can gain it back. Judging from your face, you're not buying... No? Okay... Think of your soul as a bank. Every time you summon, you withdraw a given amount from the total, when the total hits zero, you die. BUT! But, you can a deposit increase your total. AND! It doesn't require and sort of sacrifice on your end. Deposits are made every time you do something that's 'good for the soul'. Things like hanging out with friends, playing video games, enjoying a meal, sex, whatever! That creates a deposit for you to spend on future summons. I mean, you can just as easily stand around and breath, but I think you're bright enough to figure out what will make bigger deposits and not chump change."
"Fine. Say I buy that. Why? Why do these demons need bits of my soul anyways?"
"Simplest answer? To survive. When you pay them, they take that amount, mix it with their innate magics, and create a physical body in this realm for them to interact with. The body can heal its own wounds so it's really a one time payment. They also don't die in the way you think of it. See how I went back to one of your questions, didn't forget. Anyways, so long as they have the temporary body, if it should receive a mortal wound or get blown to bits (Same thing...), their essence safely float back to the limbo they came from. But! On the other hand. If you somehow get a summon to help you with no payment, that will be their real body and death in that case is absolutely permanent. With me so far?"
"Yeah. What about this 'gate' thing from earlier? Do I actually have to draw symbols or something?"
"Nope. You don't have to memorize symbols, carry chalk, or even speak another language. Gates are usually items of significance that turn into a portal for summons."
"So I don't need to get a tattoo or anything but instead I have to rob a museum?"
"You can, or you can just use that crystal bead bracelet you have on. What? You thought that was just some plastic gold strands some glass-maker tossed into his final product? Nope. That's actual, physical ley lines set inside crystallized lifeforce and held together with strands of aether."
"..."
"Cooler news? The two crystal pendants you have dangling around your neck, the one where everyone keeps thinking there is moss growing inside them? The green oval one indicates how much soul you have left to spend while the pentagonal prism siphons excess emotion and soul around you. How cool is that!"
"..." It was perfect. All those times I used to tell the other kids how my ancestors were summoners for the emperors of China, and it turns out I can make it true. Everything fell into place perfectly and all I could do was caress my twin crystal pendants. The soft sound of the silver ring chiming against the crystals kept my mind grounded.
"..."
"That is way too much coincidence and good luck, even for me. It reeks of predestination."
"... I can tell you right now that it isn't..."
"Then tell me. Why me? What makes me so special?" Looking up at Lucifer, establishing eye contact for the first time, I could see he was hesitant. Whatever he was about to tell me, he didn't want to.
"... Honestly? ... It's because you survived. Don't say anything yet. This time I need you to let me finish. In the interest of full disclosure. This is the first time you and I met. Beings like me? The demons I send out to summoners? Igor and his Velvet Room? We exists on multiple planes and honestly, we have seen it all. With the events now, the one you're in, you're going to face a lot of hardship and success or failure depends on the guest that shows up. So far, we have not had one success. At this very moment, I'm just watching as Igor greets his guest for the second time after the rooftop fight at the dorm. For that guest, it's their first step in their journey, for Igor, he's lost count. I've grown tired of losing, I talked to Igor and he agreed, this time we will find the winner, even if I have to personally guide them. But with you, it's different. In every scenario we've been to, you were either at home in America with your family or you died in the car crash ten years ago. Even now, I saw you die against Magician on that roof at various points. You are-"
"The Quantum Immortality theory." Seeing Lucifer wide-eyed and shocked? That uplifted my spirit by all the way. "It's the theory that explains how action heroes like McCain from the Die Hard series survived everything. Does this mean I'm the perfect scenario?"
Lucifer just shrugs, "I really wish I could answer that, but for you, the events only unfold as they occur. I don't have the ability to perceive the future. Whoa! Look at the time! If I keep you any longer, someone might pull the plug on you."
"One more question. Who were the ones before me? If this is the only reality in which I survived, who-"
"The twins. At least one of them. In most realities, only one of the twins survive, there are only a handful in which they are together. Even so, Igor is trying to guide them while I work behind the scenes."
"..."
"Buck up! Look at it this way, if you feel bad about stealing their spotlight, me and Igor hedged our bets. If you die, the Arisato twins automatically take your place and all the cool stuff that goes with it."
"Wait, what cool stuff?" I know I sound like a giddy kid. But... COOL STUFF!
"Ah ah ah! One question only! Now then, time marches on in your world, I really shouldn't keep you here any longer. The next time we meet, you will come here of your own accord, and will leave through the same. And I promise, Igor and I will have something cool for you." With a wave of his hand and another lurch, I'm back in the Velvet Room.
"Well my dear guest, I see you've met your other helper in your endeavour." Igor holds up a hand to silence me, "As I'm sure he's told you, next time we meet. Until then, farewell..."
Seriously... Lucifer teases me with a future gift, only to send me to Igor where he trolls me... OH! I'M HOME!
Seeing something bright beaming through my eyelids, I let out a groan before opening my eyes only to be greeted with the eye burning rays of the sun! Feeling some pressure on the right side of my body, I turn to find Minako asleep. She looked so adorable. Asleep right next to a complete stranger she met only a few days ago. So completely helpless and open to whatever I may want to do... Feeling a bit stiff, I gathered as much of the top layer of blanket as I could with only my fingers and draped it over her shoulder. Letting out a soft exhale, I quietly laid back down and proceed to stare at the white ceiling all the while wondering where I was and why I felt so numb.
My quiet contemplation didn't last long. Hearing footsteps, I turned as slowly as I could toward the doorway as Yukari walked in.
"Oh, you're awake." Dammit Yukari!
I almost let out an unmanly coo as Minako flinched and scrunched up her face before staring sleepily into my eyes. Letting out an eek, she quickly scrambled to her feet while blushing up a storm, "Ph-Ph-Phatiamos-san! I'm sorry, I didn't know you were awake and I! I was suppose to."
Bless. She was completely flustered. Smiling I started wiping the side of my cheek. Stopping like I knew she would, "You still have some drool on you."
As Minako busied herself, Yukari walked over toward me, "So... Um… How do you feel?"
"Considering how I just realized I'm in a hospital? Not too bad. Getting better every second as two beautiful angels stand within my vision. How are you guys feeling?"
Giving me a rather confused look, "We're doing fine."
"That's good. How's- booof!" Never got to finished that line as Minako slammed into me and started crying on my shoulder. As the tears pooled, I realized there's a bandage around my neck.
Between sniffles Minako was able to bawl out, "Thank goodness you came to… How much sleep do you need!? You've been out for an entire week! I was so worried about you…"
"Whoa! I was out for a week?! I thought that was all last night! The hell happened?!"
Seeing as how Minako was still crying, Yukari took over the explanation, "Right after the fight, the three of you just passed out. I was freaking out because you were bleeding all over the place. Seeing how Tatsumi Memorial Hospital is just a short walk from the station. We brought you here. The doctors thought there was a murder. Minato was bleeding from his leg, you were bleeding from the neck and face, and Minako was covered in your blood when she passed out beside you!" That got a chuckle from me and a hiccup from Minako. "The doctor couldn't find anything wrong with any of you. He said you guys were just exhausted. The twins woke up after two days. But you! You kept sleeping and sleeping... you know how worried I was? You saved my life, you know… I just couldn't leave you here. Minako drops by more than I did and even though Minato acts like he doesn't care..."
Sniff up a bit of snot, "Onii-san has been going to the shrine every day before class and every night before bed to pray for you to get better."
Flashing a smile at Yukari and giving Minako a gentle pat on the head, "Your brother? Is an idiot. The last thing I need is another omnipotent being watching and laughing at me. But all the same. I appreciate the concern." Looking at Yukari, I could see she was about to cry. As lovely as it would have been to have Yukari weep on my shoulder, I think my shirt... Taking a look under the covers to double check. Yup, this is my shirt and not a hospital gown. Has enough snot and tears for a while, I had a quick fantasy of Yukari embracing Minako as she cried. Oh yeah! Totally a good morning. I quickly took action, "What's wrong?" Smooth as whip cream.
"Um… I'm sorry I couldn't do anything… Even though I was supposed to be the one protecting you…"
"Look. As far it's all concern, I'm an old chauvinist. Far as I'm concerned, woman need to be protected. I hold out doors and chairs for them. Men and women will only ever be equal in my eyes in death. I'm a pig like that." Giving the ladies a wink, Yukari quietly giggles as Minako playfully pouts.
"Thanks for cheering me up. But honestly? Your power? it was amazing! ... And the way you fought-"
"'But'."
"Excuse me?"
"'But the way I fought.' There was nothing amazing about it. I fought to survive and so long as I survived, I could protect you guys. There was nothing cool or great. What I did was gruesome and should never have been seen by you guys. I'm sorry about that. YARG!"
Apparently Minako was pouting the whole time and since I didn't look at her and stopped apologizing, she chomped down on my pinky! "WHAT THE HELL WAS THAT FOR! LEGGO!"
Magically pouting at me while glaring, "You should stop apologizing. It's not manly I understand what you did but you stopped- And if you interrupt me I'm biting you in the face... Your arm and shoulder is too hard... Anyways! Yes, I wanted to ask you to stop, but I didn't need to ask. That's what matters."
Knowing full well that I wasn't going to be able to keep going without teeth marks on my face, I quickly change the subject, "So. Yukari... Shadows and Persona. Kinda Freudian isn't it?"
"Not my pick in naming them but that's what it is. Shadows are what we fight and Persona is the power we have to fight against them."
I didn't realize how cold my arm was until I sat up. Reaching toward it, I gave it a quick rub and realized that the bandages were missing. To say I might have overreacted was like calling the Desert Eagle just a handgun. I burrito-ed my arm under the covers and was on the verge of flipping the bed on myself too before the girls stopped me. I wanted to run or fight or toss myself out the window. But like I said, the girls stopped me. They held onto that mangled mess and just looked me in the eyes. I settled down, mostly out of confusion. The look they gave me wasn't fear or disgust or rejection or even the usual pity.
As soon as I was settled Yukari was the first to confess. Despite the me having a nasty case of 'slit throat' syndrome, the wound was shallow, but I lost quite a bit of blood. Not enough for them to give me a transfusion, but enough to start an IV.
Minako knew saw it the day she visited me right after her brother and her got released. At some point I started thrashing and screaming in my comatose-state. She was there to help hold me down as the doctors sedated me.
I was just sitting there staring at my knees. The girls accepted the arm, didn't ask about it, and promised not to tell anyone. Me? I finally understood why those people on detective dramas go from manslaughter to multiple homicides. You really don't want the risk of your secret getting out. But, I owed it to these girls to give them a chance.
"Dark-san? I wanted to tell you that I'm sorta like you…"
"Really Yukari? I don't see any mangled limbs on you." I meant it to be scathing, but somehow it ended up sounding more like I was hinting to see her naked. I guess I am overreacting a bit...
Minako cuffed me a gently on my head as Yukari walked over to the windows. Presumably to gather her thoughts and not to create a dramatic pause.
"My dad died in an accident when I was little... And my mom and I aren't exactly on good terms... You're all alone too, right?" Yukari found her shoes to be pretty interesting, didn't need to see her face to know she was looking guilty. "To be honest, I already know about your past... and you and your brother's too Minako-chan. But, it didn't seem fair, so I wanted you to know about mine..."
Yup, totally cool with that. I am kinda nutty. Hell, if I got notice that some kid with a psychiatric note was going to be sharing a dorm with me, I'd do as much research on him as I could too.
She turned toward us but was still looking at the tiles, "It was back in '99... There was a big explosion in the area. Supposedly, my dad died in the blast, but nobody really knows what happened. He was working in a lab run by the Kirijo Group, so I'm hoping if I stick around long enough I'll learn something. That's why I'm going to Gekkoukan High, and why I was there when this happened to you."
I just listened quietly. I knew what I wanted to hear wasn't from her story but from her. Something to indicate that telling me helped her in some way. Inhaling deeply, Yukari let out a heavy sigh and I could see that some part of her was unburdened. Smiling inwardly, I was glad to take some pain away.
Her shoulders slumped as she shook her head in shame, "Of course, I panicked and wasn't much help... It was my first time fighting them, too. I'm sorry... You wouldn't have to go through all this if I wasn't such a coward..."
Poking her hand, I gestured her toward me. She kept leaning in as I kept gesturing. When she was about right... I reached out with my right hand, grabbed her by her pink sweater-thing, and planted a quick kiss on her forehead before landing a light headbutt. Recoiling in shock, I just smirked as she blushed, "Look. I already told you, I'm a chauvinistic pig. It was my duty to protect you. Buuut... If you feel you owe me, you can totally start making out with Minako over here and escalate it to full- YOW!" This time Minako bit me in the cheek.
Rubbing my face a bit and hoping it doesn't swell after finally getting Minako off my face, I turn to look at the amused Yukari, "Look, it's not your fault. Like you said, it was your first fight. You're bound to freeze up. It's going to happen on your second, third, and fourth fight as well. The trick is to not hesitate for too long."
Rather surprised, "Really? But still..." Shaking her head, "...And here I am telling you all this right when you woke up. While I was waiting, I thought to myself, 'I've been hiding so many things from him, from them... and when he wakes up, I'm going to tell him the truth. After that, after I tell him, I'll tell the twins as well.'" Letting out a relieved sigh, she smiles at me. "So, thanks for listening. I've been wanting to share that story with someone for a long time."
"And you're going to have to do again. Remember? It's Arisato twins. Her brother isn't here to hear it."
Both girls started slapping my shoulders, "Thanks for ruining the mood Phatiamos-san!"
"Anyways, it's probably time Minako-chan and I left. I'll tell the others you woke up. Take it easy okay?"
"Be a good patient Phatiamos-san! And don't hesitate to call the nurse. I'm sure she'll take good care of you." So many inappropriate comments there. So little time.
Author's notes: Well, that's the whole bit of beginning stuff up and outta the way. Now the juicy parts can come in. Let's get it going!
uub: (^^)-b