Chapter 13: Intermission

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 without advance notice. You have been warned.

This and the next chapter were written while I was on the month-long trip and represents a bit of a filler. Sorry.

Stumbling out of the device, I ended up landing into the outstretched arms and waiting bosom of angel, who immediately embraced me and began sobbing. An instant later, I could feel Amy and lilim join angel in the hugging, Minako joined not long after, only to take massive bites out of my shoulder and neck.

At this point, I would like to take some time out to discuss an emerging trend with me as the leader of this little group. With each excursion into Tartarus, the party, as a whole, grows stronger. I, on the other hand, do not grow stronger but instead grow more flexible via the various personae/demons I can carry.

Now. Inversely, each time we head into Tartarus, some major event happens, henceforth dubbed 'plot twist' or 'ambush' (haven't put too much thought on which I'll use nor a better name yet): I end up looking heroic, garnering the respect of my male teammates, make a few of the female teammates cry, get bit by Minako, and then get lectured by Mitsuru. So far, all of the listed happened in that order.

And today started off so well too.

Oh, before I forget. Apparently, even as you teleport, the Reaper can take a potshot at you as long as you aren't totally gone.

I got lung-shotted.

Gotta make sure I secure the area before porting...

Coughing up a small cloud of blood, I could feel my body go slack in angel/Minako's arms.

"Aw shit, dude! I forgot he stabbed himself! Yukari!"

Coughing up another cloud of blood as I tried to speak, "Stabbed... spleeny b-bits. R-Reaper..." Nope. Couldn't finish that sentance, so I just poked the new air-holes the Reaper gave me under my lungs. Fuuuck! Still tender...

Thankfully, Yukari and Amy got the message and immediately went to work. In the end, it took a few castings of dia for my lungs to go from ruined to usable.

"Takeba-san. Amy. I want the two of you to heal Dark-kun up to one-hundred percent-"

"Aww. You do care-"

"That way, when I execute him, he won't die midway through."

Insert a very nervous chuckle.

"What, may I ask, were you thinking? If you were thinking at all."

I'm really wishing Mitsuru had just yelled at me. The threat of physical violence combined with her glare and low whisper is scaring me more now than the Reaper, "Uh... how to get everyone else out alive? Maybe discover a new power." Sweet! Timed that perfectly as Amy lifted up my shirt. It wasn't completely healed, but it didn't look like I jammed a spike in my side just minutes ago.

As they were crowding around to see the miraculously healed wound, I was rapidly phrasing and rephrasing what I was going to say in my head. I had to try and distract Mitsuru so she could diffuse her anger so it didn't have time to brew into an execute-Dark rage. "Look. You lot remember that time when Lucifer told me, when I got Apsaras, that she and Orpheus would do something cool, but only if I was able to figure out the command for it? Well, my only clue was 'musical terminology'. Anyways, I didn't put too much thought into it until my recent acquisition of Apsaras's card. Of course I was still slacking off until the Reaper showed up. I'm sure Mitsuru will be able to tell you what happened."

Blushing a bit, "Actually... I stopped monitoring you just stabbed yourself. As unprofessional as it sounds, the thought of having to watch you stab yourself made me nauseous."

Pursing my lips a bit, I ended up shrugging with a grin, "Oh well. In that case, the ability is called 'Cadenza'. It requires Orpheus and Apsaras, though I'm not sure if they have to be persona or demon or if I'm allowed to mix-n-match. We'll-, I mean, I'll do some tests. Any who! From my current understanding of Cadenza, either it does some healing or I was injured far worst than I first thought. It also seems to distort time."

That got Minato's attention. Can't blame him. Who hasn't dreamt of some form or time manipulation? All the same, he feigns indifference, "Isn't that special? How are you distorting time?"

"I was either going faster than the Reaper or he was going slower. Either ways, I'm adding this on top of the stack of 'things I don't know about Cadenza'. I also don't know if Cadenza only works on me or if I can use it to target someone else."

"It could also be a party-wide spell."

"Good point there Yukari! I need to run some tests at some point. One more thing, I figured out something."

"What's that Darky?"

"Cadenza took a bit out of me to cast, dunno how many times I'm gonna be able to do it. Also! Dia, the heal spell that Amy and Yukari uses? It heals the wound, mends broken bones, and repairs busted joints and stuff."

Scoffing a bit, "So? We know that."

"Oh really Albino? Then perhaps you should have shared that with the group! Then should also have known that dia doesn't replenish lost blood. HA! That part you and Mitsuru didn't know! How do I know this fact you must be thinking? Because I'm suffering from a bloodloss based exhaustion slash high! Good night!"

And like that, the world went black.

"I'm so sorry. But it must be you, child..."

Waking up from a weird dream, I was surprise to recognize the ceiling. "Ya know, judging from the fact that I'm in my dorm room is it safe to think that I didn't go into a coma again?"

Cue dogpile.

THe jumble mess of shouts and tangled limbs took ten minutes, Mitsuru's threat of execution, Akihiko's right-cross, and angel's gentle (pronounced: useless) tugging.

From their explanations, seems I babbled something about losing blood, proceeded to bid them good night, struck a victory pose, and then passed out. That was the bad news. Good news? I've only been asleep for about four hours and nobody bother to call for a doctor or anything. I guess it may have to do with explaining the bullet wounds on my body...

By the way, I'm thankful I'm alive and not comatose, really, I am. But most importantly, I'm thankful the Reaper shot me in the chest. Why? Since the shot wasn't a through-and-through, it means my duster is still in one piece.

"I'm sorry, but could you repeat that last bit? Can't hear you!"

"Oh,this is ridiculous! Dark-kun, would you rather finish cooking first?"

"And explain everything while eating? No thanks!" Humming to myself while my music is playing, I had just finished pan-frying the steaks and just set them aside to rest. I have no idea what cut it is, but since Mitsuru paid for it, I don't care. Apparently, getting shot and bleeding out means Mitsuru treats you to steak, not the fact you saved you team... Fuck it! Free steak is free steak!

Back on point. While I was sauteing some mushrooms and making some creamed spinach as a side, I was seriously considering what to tell them. On one hand, I could be honest. I could tell them about how I didn't just figure out Cadenza. How Orobas, an Archduke of Hell, a demon capable of seeing events of the past, present, and future has been helping me. How I apparently have a memory palace that nearly made Lucifer shit himself...

{How does my existence and your memory palace have to do with anything, Summoner?}

I'm sorry. I forgot about apsaras's involvement.

{Hm?}

That sixth grade memory isn't something I think about on a regular basis. Especially near-death like I was. You two live in my mind, only one of the two, or both of you, could have accessed it!

{...}
{...}

That's what I thought! Initiating mental singsong voice! Orobas.

{Please don't...}

Who accessed my memories? Remember, not answering is a form of-

{I'm so sorry! Apsaras did it, but Orpheus taught her how!}

{OH THANKS A LOT ASSHOLE!}

{I'm sorry! But when the Summoner asks me a question, I cannot lie or deceive him.}

{... That doesn't make you any less of a snitching asshole!}

Orpheus. You're grounded for the rest of the night.

{But!}

If you want it to become tomorrow's Tartarus run and morning after, keep talking and making excuses!

{Dark, don't you thinking you're being a bit harsh?}

The rules were clear. Last thing I need is for you guys to be punished by Lucifer or my shit karma because I was too stupid or incompetent. Oh, and nice try. I remember you involvement as well. You're grounded too.

As the voices in my head went silent, I decided to go with half-truths. Plating the spinach and pouring the mushrooms on top of the steaks, I took a breath and headed to the dining room. Plopping down the dishes, I headed back to the kitchen for a pot of hot water and my tea leaves. It didn't take any effort to hear the struggle going on outside. Chuckling to myself and grabbing some extra cups, I headed back out.

Junpei and Minato both looked miserable. Pouring everyone a cup of tea, "Would you guys like some eggs too?"

And that was all the urging they needed. I watched as Junpei snagged the closest slab of meat and tore a chunk out of it with his mouth. Speaking through a mouthful of half-chewed food, "Dude! Why ask Mitsuru-senpai to buy all this-"

Recoiling a bit as a piece of projectile flew at me, "Please don't talk with your mouthful. It's gross. And to answer your question: originally, I was just trying to mooch a meal, but, since you guys were watching over me, I may as well make breakfast. No point sleeping if you're just going to wake up in a few hours from now."

"So, Dark-kun, about Cadenza... What can you tell me about it?"

Scratching my head and then giving the stubbles on my chin a rub, "Obviously, I'm the only one that can pull it off. Uh. I need both Orpheus and apsaras but only need to have one of them active."

"Speaking of that, how many personas can you hold Phatiamos-san?"

"At present time? ... Let's see... Orpheus, pixie, apsaras, and nekomata. So, four. Not sure of my limit, but I think I can hold a few more if I can find them.

"Dude! That's beastly!"
"That's freakish!"
"That's incredible!"
"That's impossible!"

Looking slightly dejected, "Everything I wanted to say has been said."

"Wait! Hold the phone." Pinching his nose bridge a bit, Minato tries to gather his thoughts, "If you can carry that many at a time, how many can you have active?"

"Uh, one?"

Staring me dead in my eyes, "You do not sound sure of yourself there, Dark-kun."

"Honestly, it's hard to say."

Finally finding something to say since the start of our meeting, Yukari offered up a pretty good point, "Why not try and activate more than one right now?"

Can I do that Orobas?

{Honestly? I have no idea. Lucifer thinks it should be possible since persona is quite similar to demon summoning. Igor agrees but warns against it due to potential strain on your psyche.}

"I mean, in theory? Yes, I can have more than one active, but having my mind pulled in so many directions could cause irreversible and irreparable damages. Moral of the story: treat it like my ability to rage." They all flinched but nodded in understanding.

"Shelve it under your 'oh-shit-button'."

"Pray we never need it."

Zoning out a bit, a thought occurs to me that made me giddy, "I got it! I'll have code names for it!"

"That sounds stupid." ... Shifts to Orpheus, as Minato sighs, "Why bother having code names?"

"Well. Someone calls out a code name and when two other people agree. That way, the party decides when is a good time. No arguments, just three people."

Minako just stares at me with concern in her eyes, "You're going to trust three of us with a power that can, essentially, kill you?"

"If you put it that way... Yes. It's brilliant! Isn't it?! Look, there's five of us out on the field, plus Amy and any number of summons I may have, add in Mitsuru and Akihiko and summons I am working attunement with!"

"Dark... I can't believe I'm saying this. Mostly because it's not Apollo's influence. But. I'm siding with my sister. With that list alone, the odds are not in your favor."

"Seriously, dude! Any one of them might chicken out and not agree."

"Or! More importantly, Stupei! Any one of us might panic and call it!"

"You unattuned could also call it for fun, Dark-kun, as leader, you should consider that too."

"Thank you all, but I have thought about it and I think this is the best course of action. Anyways! Code names!"

Throwing his hands up into the air, Minato let's out a scoff, "Seriously?! Like we never said a thing! Just in one ear and out the other!"

Popping up into existence beside Minato, Apollo places a comforting on Minato's shoulder before shaking his head sadly, {I now worry greatly for the safety of my son.}

"SO! SNAFU is level one."

"SNAFU?"

Grinning in amusement, "It means Situation Normal All Fucked Up, Yukari-san."

Deadpanning, Yukari was not amused and thanked me sarcastically.

All the same, I shrugged and moved on, "Any who. SNAFU means for me to summon additional help, usually, in the form of a healer or supporter. I might a list, some point in the future. Level two is TARFUN. It means Things Are Really Fucked Up Now. At this level, I'm to use Cadenza or any duo personae spells."

Mitsuru was nodding her head, but she had that squinty look with the furled eyebrows, "Other than all the swearing, I can agree thus far."

"Sweet! Thanks Mitsuru. I'm thinking of adding offensive-minded summons on that level too. Finally! Level three. Code red. On such an occasion, I feel the need to dub it as... FUBAR!"

Minako was practically bouncing out of her seat, "Oh! Oh! I know what that means! It means Fucked Up Beyond All Recognition. Though, I've hear Repair is used as well." Materializing besides Minako, Artemis wrapped her arms around Minako's head, {How do you know such vulgar terminology Huntress?} To which Minako just shrugs innocently.

"Don't glare at me! I didn't teach her that! Moving on! Level three means it's time to rage or call in some big summons, which I don't have right this moment. Thought I could just activate multiple personae."

"A desperate maneuver."

"Then let's make sure that we never get to that point."

"Kirjiro-san, Phatiamos-san. Let's make sure we never get there to start."

"And how do you purpose that Minako-san?"

"We make runs into Tartarus every chance we get."

Oh boy... gonna have to shoot that down... fuck..., "While that sounds great and all, and it really does have multiple benefits, I don't think that's a good idea."

"WHY NOT!?" As she starts pouting, I can totally see her eyeing spots on my arm.

"First off, I'm looking out for your grades. I can totally fail in school and be fine for the rest of my life. You guys sure as fuck will not hold me responsible for failing anything." Cutting off Mitsuru before she could say a thing, "Second! I know Tartarus is taxing our bodies for each moment we're in there. But, you should know that pretty well, don't you Minako?"

Staring at me, Minato turns to his sister, "What is he talking about?"

"I-I have no idea-"

"Even if you don't cough out in the open. Even if you start buying vitamin C boosts." Clicking my teeth to emphasize the point, "I know when someone is sick." Looking over the group, they all shuffle a bit, Letting out a sigh, "Relax after school. I have some vapor rub in my desk. Somewhere." Holding up a hand to stop anyone from talking before they could start, "No one needs to saying anything or apologize. I pushed everyone this hard. I think it's time for a well earned break. Anyways, you guys are on clean up. I'm heading out early to clear my head."

Despite having faced the Reaper and nearly dying, I didn't go to the temple. I was scared, no doubt about it, but I did good. Nope, I went to the mall. Broke in is more the word. Picked two locks, gave up on the third and had Amy and lilim fly in and open the doors for me.

Skipping past the stores, I had to sprint to the back when a guard spotted me. Just making the corner, I had Amy wait as I fished out the Velvet Room key. Popped right through the door just as the guard's hand showed up.

"Good morning my dear guest. Aren't you a bit early to be showing up here?"

"I would show up at a more reasonable time, but the only place I can get here is located in a mall. Plus, it's not like there's any way for them to stop me. I wanted to ask about having multiple personae active.

Nodding his head in his sagely way, "I had figured you would, just not at this hour. All the same, it is, to my research, possible."

Circling my hand for him to continue, "But? There's going to be some kind of price?"

"Less a price and more like a strain. In our research, personas of the same arcana can be activated with each other with minimum discomfort and no aftereffects. The same can be said if they belong to the same pantheon.

"Like angel with other angels or apsaras with some Hindu deities?"

"Indeed. But there is a limit. My advice to you is this: pay attention to the lore."

Pursing my lips a bit, "Okay... sounds good..."

"Anything else my guest?"

"Cadenza?"

"A fair question. Cadenza is one of many 'fusion spells'."

"... You're not going any further unless I ask will you? No? Fine..." Shaking my head with an exhausted sigh, "What, Igor, is a fusion spell?"

"A fusion spell, my dear guest, is a persona spell that requires two personas. The effects vary by spell, though the cost is based on a fixed percentage. Cadenza, for example, will cost you about fifteen percent of your overall spiritual energy."

"So, while the rate remains the same, the cost goes up as I get stronger."

"Indeed."

"I ever tell you how awesome you sound whenever you say that?"

Nodding in his all-knowing fashion, "Flattery will get you everywhere. If you have any questions, you need only ask."

"Fair enough. But I meant that bit about your awesome voice. I wanted to know if I can lessen the cost of Cadenza. I'm not looking to spam it, but heal plus time warp will always come in handy."

"Unfortunately, persona spell costs are set in stone."

"Lucky for you, demon spells are not." Slowly, the Satin Room door opens and Lucifer walks into the Velvet Room. While not apparently angry, he did not look pleased.

"Hi Lu-"

"A time stasis was placed over the world from the moment you entered. The guard is a seventy-five year-old atheist, happily married to his high school sweetheart for twenty-five, has five kids, thirteen grandkids, and waaay too many great-grandkids. I know I'm forgetting something... Oh yes! He has a heart condition."

Sitting there while Lucifer places a drink in front of me, we just allow the awkward silence to settle in. Clicking my teeth, "Well! Here I thought you were going to be pissed."

"I am."

"Oh."

"Yep. At first, I thought about punishing you, but all I could think of was physical pain. That's no good. Then I thought about punishing apsaras and/or Orpheus. Can't touch Orpheus, he's a persona and you. And if I go maining apsaras, the time it'll take her to heal means you can't use Cadenza. So, no good there. I also entertained the idea of sticking a high-level demon on you, but knowing you, when shit hits the fan, you're just going to summon it anyways and risk getting ripped apart."

"So, instead, you're going to risk me getting arrested?"

"Force you to reevaluate about how lucky you are whenever the pressure's on. That, and a few days in holding never killed anyone."

"PLENTY OF PEOPLE HAS DIED IN HOLDING!"

"Nah. You'll be fine. Holding won't kill you. It's what Mitsuru will do to you when she finds out."

"Cripes... So... Demon fusion spells..."

"That's right. You need have both demons summoned. Of course having both summoned lessens the cost. I guess you can just have one summoned, but you will need to fulfill the other half of the payment."

"That doesn't sound too bad. I can summon Orpheus and apsaras already."

"Actually... you shouldn't try and summon Orpheus. He's your core and you'd be lucky if coma or death is the only thing that happens if you forcibly rip him out of you."

"Oh."

"Anyways, have apsaras get used to Cadenza here while Igor and I connect pixie with her card." Placing what looked like gum next to my drink, "It's called 'chewing soul' and it restores a large portion of loss spiritual energy. I don't know if that's a generic name or a proper noun nor have I any idea if its even real soul. And no, I have no idea who named it either. But that's four things worth of chew. Since you can't summon Orpheus, you'll be paying for it. Do the math on how to divide it up on your own time. But only use it after you or apsaras have completely burned through all spiritual power." By the time you're done, what was a fifty-fifty should be twenty-five-seventy-five in your favor and even then, apsaras should be paying less."

Nodding my head, I could only muster out a slacked-jaw, "Okay..."

"My dear guest, please hold out your right hand and focus on the pixie card. Very good. That's it." Steading my breathing, I watched as a glowing blue card slowly emerged from my hand. When the card freed itself from my flesh and began to hover, Igor nodded once before plucking it like a trout. And just like that, all four residents of the Rooms head off somewhere with Amy.

Looking around and surprised on how empty this place felt, I shuffled over to the big, poofy chair of Igor's. For a while, I was seriously going to pop a squat, but ultimately, I decided my curiosity was not worth the potential repercussion.

"Orobas, how should I go about doing this?"

{Just call her out from the door, that way, the room pays and you can summon them for free.}

Opening the door to my memory palace for the first time, I can honestly say that I am both impressed and disappointed. The thing was a massive spire that went beyond the clouds. WHY THE HELL ARE THERE CLOUDS IN MY HEAD?! Though the thing that bothered me was how simple the directory was. Just a massive block of stone right in front of lobby just past the entrance. Each floor and subbasement that was etched onto its surface was linked to a specific point in my time. An example would be floor five-hundred and... something. That one is linked to all my eighth grade memories.

I take it back. The directory is totally made of win! Turns out that it isn't just stone plus carvings, but it's interactive like a computer. Granted, I discovered this because I had a hard time reading some of the floors, but it turns into a holographic map of each of the rooms on the selected floor! AND WITH EACH MEMORIES TOO! Ooo! I can discover who's on what floor and I can actually enter a query and it'll give me a list like a search engine. Looking around, I typed in music and found two occupants in my eighth grade memory, specifically the first time I saw Les Miserables.

Hey, I can broadcast messages too, "Attention lovebirds in the theater watching Les Mis, I would like to remind you that I can see and hear you. Please remember that this is my mind. So please clean up after you're done."

Apsaras was all too happy to be summoned for something, even if it was just training. Three Cadenza later, the novelty still hasn't worn off, by this point, I doubt it ever will. By the time of the fifth casting, apsaras had to take a small break, by the tenth, she was lying on the table trying to catch her breath. "You want to stop for the-"

{"I-... I can... keep... going!"}

[+]

Smirking to herself, lilim wraps her tail around my thigh and presses up against my back, whispering seductively into my ear, "Seeing apsaras lying down on the table, sweat running down her exposed skin, breathing hard. Doesn't that give you ideas? Maybe some urges?"

Apsaras, who apparently has much better hearing that I had thought, let out a sharp gasp and immediately crossed her legs before flipping onto her belly to try and slide off the table.

I just stared as apsaras's tight clothes started to move in a direction that was less... quite flattering of the view I had. Without looking at lilim, "Honestly? Urges. Lots and lots of urges."

Laughing a bit, {"Go on then. Act on them. We are here for your sake. We won't fight back. Unless you want us to."}

I watched a while longer. At least until apsaras's feet touched the floor. She never heard me approach her. She made no noise as my right arm snaked around her back and came to rest on her hip. Yeah, I could feel the muscles in her hip tense up, but she really didn't do anything to resist.

...

Letting out a drawn out sigh, I wrapped her left arm around my head and picked her up bridal-style and placed her down on my chair. Yes, that bloody chair is mine now! I have armed it as my property and I expect to be buried with it. Taking out a stick of the chewing soul... which is comprised of entirely one stick! What a fucking gyp! Placing the stick into apsaras's hands, I watch her unwrap it, place it in her mouth, and begin to chew.

{"Aww."} Lilim moaned, {"You had her! All you had to do was- Ack!"}

Spinning suddenly, my hand found its way around lilim's throat and I didn't stop as I lifted her up and slammed her on top of the table. Pressing down with my body weight, I watched as she flailed a bit. As blood began to pool and run off the sides of the table, only then did I realize that she landed on the glass Lucifer gave me to drink. Easing up on her throat as her eyes began to roll back, I leaned in with a low hiss, "Listen here. You. Little. Bitch. I have been kind and have given you a lot of freedom. I didn't mind the jokes or the humiliation or even the flirting. But when you charm me into raping someone, you crossed a line."

{"P-please... I'm sorry."}

"No. Not yet you're not." Grabbing her shoulders and forcing her on her stomach, I began to dig into her flesh for the biggest pieces of glass I could find. By the time I found whole shards and the base, her voice has grown hoarse from all the screaming. Running the jagged edge of the base against her wings, I could feel her body tense up. Smiling, "Ya know, what I'm doing to you is tantamount to rape. It's really not about the sex, yes, that's part of it, but it's really the position of power."

Surprisingly, after only a few moments of sawing at her wing with a piece of glass, I got bored. Giving it one last pull, I waited until her mouth opened for another scream. squeezing her jaw to keep it from closing, I forced the entire glass base into her mouth. Holding it close, I began to hammer punch after punch into her face.

I only stopped to catch my breath, at which point lilim rolled off the table and started to cough up tiny slivers of glass. I watched as she started to crawl away from me. Slowly. Stomping down on her back, I wrapped her tail around my arm, "I've always wondered what would happen if I tried to pull the tail off of something. Would it snap part way or will I be able to rip out your entire spine Mortal Kombat-style? Want to take a bet on what will happen?"

As blood began to splatter on my face, a horrible screech resonated in my head and my world shattered like glass. A slow clap drew my attention behind me, turning around, Lucifer is there with the grimmest expression I have ever seen on him, "Congrats kid. That was the most thorough attunement ever. I mean, you have absolutely broken her. She is so terrified of you that if you reach for now, she won't even flinch. Go on. Try it."

Looking down to find lilim curled into a ball, no amount of shaking or apologizing drew any form of response. Gently turning her head toward me, I felt my stomach turn when I saw her lifeless eyes.

[+]

Shaking my head, I scan my surroundings only to stop on at the figure of a gasping apsaras lying on top of the table.

{"I-... I can... keep... going!"}

Stunned. More like stupefied, I just watched as Orobas kicked open the door leading to my mind. Feeling the world shift beneath my feet, "Orobas? What the fuck is going on?!"

Author's notes: Woo. Been a long while since my last update. Sorry about that guys. Came back from a trip only to have classes start on you takes a bit to get used to. Hopefully this cliffhanger will keep you for a bit as I get the last of my filler in. Enjoy.