What does it mean to truly love?
That statement has the implication that there is indeed such a thing as "true love," a kind of love elevated above "regular love." But love cannot really be classified into subtypes. What are the boundaries between true love and regular love? When does something stop being a regular kind of love and transition into true love? And for that matter, how would you know if you feel love, or simply admiration, or infatuation?
Perhaps true love can better be defined if we go by non-romantic standards of love, such as platonic and familial love. The question has now shifted a bit: "Can true love be achieved without any sort of romantic attachment?"
Familial love differs, however, from both platonic and romantic love, as both at least require a bond to be established between those involved. However, in familial love, the bond itself has already been established in the form of those involved already being members of the same family. This can lead to questions like, "Can it be considered true love if you love someone whose connection to you is determined by blood?" or "Is familial love true love because that connection has been established by blood alone?"
It can also be argued that platonic love, where celibacy has taken center stage, can be considered a "true" form of love. After all, if the basis of sexuality has been removed altogether from the equation, all that's left are the emotions felt between those in the relationship. And is that not admirable? Can that not be considered true love?
The Bible says that true love is God's love — compassionate, selfless, all-encompassing, pure, heartfelt, fearless. However, once these terms are broadened, technically all forms of love (romantic, platonic, purely friendship-based, familial) have these characteristics.
Most forms of love (mentioned above) in and of themselves can be considered "true," at least in the sense that your affections are genuine and real. Trying to quantify a certain way to love someone or something as "true love" implies that this way to love is much greater than another, when really, love is great in and of itself, in any way, shape, or form. Really, it all depends on what people prioritise; some people put family above all else, others put God above all else, others still prioritise their significant other above all else. It's not a question of what is a "truer" kind of love.
Love is a feeling that incites endearment from one person to another. It spurs kindness, compassion, strength, hope, and power. It is not selfish. It is not impatient. It is not untrue.
The woman wondered why she was thinking of all of this, now of all times.
"I'm considering showing them the movie trailer, too," she said to the sky, sitting on the edge of a neighboring rooftop. She then narrowed her eyes and smiled, "I thought the films were very charming. Most of us were written very much in-character, weren't we? At least you were able to star in films, as opposed to your counterpart."
The sky continued moving at a snail's pace.
And suddenly, the woman sighed. "Your love for them is palpable. I do not believe your shame is warranted. In the end, you saved them, and that, ultimately, is what truly matters. Isn't that enough?"
And she received her response.
"I suppose not. Not for something such as this."
Chapter Ten - Hello Darkness, My Old Friend...
[Shuji Ikutsuki: ...starting tonight at 12:00 AM, I'd like to commence the exploration of Tartarus.]
Aigis' fingers twitched.
Junpei crossed his legs and his arms, keeping his eyes on the screen. Yukari and Fuuka started eating the junk food they'd brought in at a quicker rate. Mitsuru and Akihiko stared impassively at the scene about to unfold.
They were about to go back into the night.
[Junpei: Sorry... I asked this yesterday, but what's this Tartarus thing again?]
[Yukari: You haven't seen it, Junpei?]
[Junpei: Hm...?]
[Shuji Ikutsuki: It's no surprise...since it only appears during the Dark Hour.]
The arena of their misfortunes was about to come back to them. Just like it had, way back when. Back in Inaba, where that Grand Prix had been held. For a brief moment, Aigis wondered just how she was going to explain all of this to Labrys, if she was ever going to have the chance...
Akihiko's cutout grinned and his voice took on a daring tone, [Akihiko: Just like the Shadows... Interesting, huh? And it's the perfect place for us to train. You can think of it as a Shadow nest.]
In wonder, Junpei gaped, [Junpei: Whoa... Their nest, huh...?]
[Yukari: But, Senpai... what about your injury?]
Amusedly, Mitsuru said, [Mitsuru: Since Akihiko hasn't fully recovered yet, he'll only come as far as the entrance.]
Disappointedly, Akihiko muttered, [Akihiko: ...Yeah, I know.]
"Say, why didn't you guys just heal Akihiko-senpai up from his injuries back then?" Junpei asked. "I forgot."
Mitsuru pondered that question herself for a little bit. "I can't remember, either. I suppose I had something to do with what the doctor said. Akihiko?"
"Been so long...," Akihiko chuckled. "I don't remember what the reason was." But he did remember something else. The thrill of the fight. The sensation of going into battle against the Shadows and always getting stronger, getting better, fighting harder. And how much Shinji had humbled him. Still, though...even to this day, Akihiko had to admit that there was still a sense of thrill in the thought of bettering himself through his fists.
Perhaps some things would never change.
[Junpei: Relax, I've got your backs.] Junpei said, his cutout grinning confidently.
An uneasy Yukari mused, [Yukari: I'm not so sure about this...]
[Mitsuru: What about you, Mr. Chairman?]
[Shuji Ikutsuki: I'll stay here. As you know, I can't summon a Persona...]
Was the specter of the Dark Hour bound to follow them for the rest of their lives?
But, Mitsuru realized, maybe that was the whole point.
After all, the game focused on one whole year of their lives. Out of everyone in the world, it had to focus on their lives. On his life. Perhaps the events of the game were what the concept behind their existence had been founded upon. What if they had been created for the game? Were they just meant to be supporting characters, whose purpose was to hold up the story of a single, main character? Were they born just for this one single year alone?
Had all their lives been planned out specifically for this one game, this one year, for one main character? In another universe, that was what exactly had happened, wasn't it? To another universe, they were all just fictional characters. Meant to fulfill the whims of developers who wanted to create a story-based game that lasted more than seventy hours.
Their lives only had meaning in the face of the Dark Hour. In the face of Personas, and Shadows, and their unquenchable madness and glory. Without those things, did they even really matter at all?
Were they real people, even as they were? Or were they just following the whims of some omnipresent writer or artist, doomed to fulfill some purpose they had no say in at all?
Mitsuru recomposed herself when the scene shifted to Junpei.
Late Night
[Junpei: This is it? THIS is the place? Why HERE?]
Rather understandably, Junpei seemed perplexed as to why this Tartarus, this nest of Shadows, seemed to be exactly where their high school had been.
[Akihiko: Just wait a few minutes... It's almost midnight.]
And then a cutscene.
Akihiko's digital watch took over most of the frame. Ticking noises, seconds counting down the last minute before midnight. Tick, tick tick. And then once the watch ended its noise, the dark blue of the skies faded to an emerald green, the moon crescent and having decayed. The music turned esoteric as the tower began its violent rebirth into the dark.
With a horrible grrrinding noise,structures rose up from the school, suddenly cutting back to the heroes watching the madness unfold with fright in their eyes and sweat trickling down the sides of their heads. The tower continued climbing upwards from structures that had used to be their school, the shadow of the dark structure painting itself over the five teens who were simply far too small.
Rumbling, crude, violent, the building folded in itself yet continued to rise, various shapes and forms and figures all meshing into each other in a cobbled and indescribable mass of stone and crystal and dark matter. Like it was alive, like it wanted to reach greater heights, like it had nothing to live for but the climb.
And when it had all been over, the tower stood above the five Shadow-hunters who would bring about the world's end. Macabre, vile, beautiful, overwhelming.
This was Tartarus. The Tower of Demise.
Their old friend had come to talk with them again.
Yukari stared at the scene with more anxiety than anger or fear. Although it was a safe assumption to say she had felt all three at the same time. Fuuka merely gave an impassive yet wide-eyed look at the screen, her hands in her lap as she sat straight. Mitsuru put a hand to her mouth in cold examination. Akihiko gave a sour gaze, leaning back in his seat as he crossed his arms. Ken kept a stalwart expression, Koromaru restraining himself while bristling. Junpei removed his cap out of some sort of weird respect for the year they'd spent trying to figure out the tower's secrets.
Aigis' shoulders lowered as her expression tightened into one of insecurity, one of unease. She remembered something like terror gripping her once she had truly seen the tower rise from the structures of their school. After Ikutsuki had revealed his true colors. After she had almost shot Minato square in the face. After she had felt that little spark in her that Minato had called humanity. She was seeing all of that, experiencing all of that, once again. Once more.
She might as well have been locking her sights onto his blue fringe all over again.
And so the scene continued on. With our heroes gazing into the abyss once more, and the abyss gazing right back at them with love light in its eye.
Dark Hour
The five Shadow-hunters stood at the front gates of their school, Tartarus having come alive right before their eyes. In the place of Gekkoukan was a malodorous tower of cosmic proportions, ruining the sanctity of the Earth with its presence alone.
[Mitsuru: This is Tartarus - the labyrinth that reveals itself during the Dark Hour.] Mitsuru said that statement as if she was secretly telling the newcomers that they had better get used to the sight they had before them.
[Junpei: Labyrinth...? What are you talking about!? What happened to our school!?] Junpei, rather understandably, exclaimed.
[Mitsuru: Once the Dark Hour passes, everything returns to normal.]
[Junpei: This is the "nest" you were talking about!? But, why!?] Junpei cried to Akihiko, [Why'd our school turn into a giant tower!?]
"You know, it's kind of funny that he didn't really react at all to this," Junpei noted.
"You're sure he didn't?" asked Ken.
"He didn't even really say anything about it," mused Akihiko. "I thought he was quiet before, but at that point I was just impressed."
"So he literally had nothing to say when he first saw Tartarus rise?" asked Fuuka.
"Not a thing," said Yukari, before breaking out into a sardonic smirk. "As usual."
But their wits ran dry somewhat with only three lines of dialogue.
[Mitsuru: ...]
[Junpei: You don't know, either?]
[Mitsuru: ...No.]
Yukari turned to Mitsuru. Sure enough, her senpai seemed more than a little on edge. It was sobering for her, to confront the sins of her grandfather once again, and in circumstances so blunt, so outrageous, so ridiculous it all might as well have been proof that the multiverse had quite the twisted sense of humor. At least she could take solace in the fact that this time, she would face the tower again after having truly ascribed to the motto of the Kirijo Group.
"Two in harmony surpasses one in perfection," indeed.
Mitsuru turned to Yukari and smiled assuringly, placing her hand on hers. Yukari gave a bit of a bashful smile, and the two of them turned back to the screen. Somewhat ready. Somewhat nervous. But willing to press on.
[Yukari: I'm sure it's complicated.]
At that, both Mitsuru and Yukari gave a dry chuckle.
[Yukari: Who cares anyway? It's not like it would change our minds about fighting.]
Contemplatively, Akihiko spoke to his kohai, [Akihiko: Well, maybe now we'll find out. Mitsuru and I have only gone in to take a peek; this will be our first time exploring it.] His cutout grinned, and his voice turned eager. [Exciting, isn't it? There has to be some sort of clue in here about the Dark Hour...]
Luckily, Mitsuru had his leash. [Mitsuru: Akihiko. I respect your enthusiasm, but you won't be accompanying us today.]
[Akihiko: I know... You don't have to remind me.]
"Did you guys ever notice the people who thought you two were a couple?" asked Junpei.
Akihiko narrowed his eyes, "Excuse me?"
Yukari said to Mitsuru, "A lot of people in the student body thought you and Akihiko-senpai were an item."
"Really?" Mitsuru stammered, looking just a teensy bit flustered.
"Well, you two hung out a lot," Junpei said. "Even outside of Tartarus and your clubs..."
Akihiko gave a Hmm and said, "Personally, I'd prefer if we'd stay friends."
"Agreed," sighed Mitsuru as she leaned back in her seat. "Where had they even come to that conclusion...?"
Yukari, Fuuka, Junpei, Ken, and even Aigis looked massively disappointed in their senpais' lack of intuition.
"Wh-what?" Mitsuru asked, noticing the sudden drop in the atmosphere. "What's wrong?"
"Nothing at all, Mitsuru-san," Aigis sighed, a bit of a smile dancing upon her lips.
Mitsuru's unawareness reminded the android somewhat of her earlier days with Minato, how she had been awkward and fidgeting and not normal. But he had touched her heart all the same. And so the game continued on.
[Junpei: Whoa... It's just as cool on the inside...]
The five Persona-users stood at the base of a gigantic staircase. They were within Tartarus, on its first floor. A gathering of Ionic pillars encircled them as the world shifted far off in the background, the story continuing on and our protagonist remaining as silent as ever.
[Yukari: But, it sure is creepy...] Yukari noted, her cutout rather uneasy.
[Mitsuru: This is only the entrance,] said Mitsuru, all business-like in her proceedings. [The labyrinth lies beyond the doorway at the top of the stairs.]
Readily, Akihiko told his kohai, [Akihiko: First, we'll have you three get a feel for this place. Why don't you go have a look around?]
A frightened Yukari exclaimed, [Yukari: What!? By ourselves!?]
[Mitsuru: We're not asking you to go very far, and I'll be feeding you information from here.]
[Junpei: So, you two didn't plan on coming in the first place?]
[Akihiko: That's right. We're also going to appoint a leader to make any necessary decisions.]
Ah, Junpei sighed. The moment of truth.
[Junpei: For real? ...One of us? Oh! Oh! Me me me! Pick me!]
"Do we have to listen to this...?" Junpei groaned, grinning at himself in embarrassment. "This is brutal..."
Ring.
"Oh, come on..."
Yes, unfortunately for you.
In good judgment, Akihiko knew exactly who to choose for the job. [Akihiko: ...You're in charge.] he said to Minato's cutout.
[Junpei: W-Wait! Why him!? He doesn't look like a leader!] Junpei cried out.
"You guys realize I had a point there, didn't I?" Junpei said. "I mean, c'mon. Did you guys take one glance at him and think he'd be a good leader from his looks alone?"
Fuuka blushed, somewhat unwilling to answer that question.
Yukari simply said to him, "Looks don't matter."
Junpei chuckled, "It's what's on the inside that counts...but it's what's on the outside that matters."
"You're a very sad man, then."
"I'm not sad. I'm realistic," he retorted.
[Yukari: But, he has fought them before...]
Incredulously, Junpei asked Minato, [Junpei: Seriously?]
[Akihiko: That's true, but there's another reason. You two...] Akihiko pulled out his Evoker, Yukari and Junpei's attention drawn to him. He put the gun to his head and asked the two of them with the utmost urgency in his voice, [Can you summon your Persona without any difficulties, like he can?]
Trying to showcase some bravado, Junpei stammered, [Junpei: Y-Yeah, of course I can!]
The much less insecure Yukari merely admitted, [Yukari: I think so.]
Akihiko brought the Evoker back to his side, coldly addressing the newcomers, [Akihiko: These are Shadows we're talking about here. Without your Persona, you're screwed.]
[Yukari: I'm aware of that,] Yukari said, the unease of the Evoker still refusing to leave her.
Junpei put a hand to his chin and jokingly wondered if the game would allow the player to simply stare at Tartarus' walls in blank nothingness, like how Minato had, years prior. That would've been the perfect way to immerse them within his world. But that simply wasn't a fun thing to do. And in game production, one must make the game as fun as possible.
Still, it would've been nice to have had the option.
Everyone moved towards the stairs, but Minato heard a strange shattering noise, turning his head to the side. The camera shifted, Minato having spotted a freestanding door right in front of him. Yukari's avatar had a question mark popped over her head, expressing her confusion at his sudden motion.
You see a strange door...
And everybody knew what that meant.
"That's why he always stood in the corner!" Junpei exclaimed.
Minato walked over to the door, his allies watching him closely. You used the Velvet Key.
And then the door opened to a flash of white.
Akihiko gave a bitter laugh. Ken just raised his hands to his head. Junpei and Yukari stared at the screen, beyond flabbergasted. Fuuka, Aigis, and Mitsuru had already deduced why Minato had always been so preoccupied with staring at Tartarus' walls so often. Fuuka and Mitsuru had figured it out themselves mere minutes before the Room had been shunted into frame. Aigis had figured it out once she had gained his abilities, his powers.
The aria of the soul.
Igor and Elizabeth, still in their same spots. As they had always been. Minato standing before them, in front of his lyre-shaped chair.
[Igor: I've been waiting for you,] Igor said eagerly, before his tone of voice turned for the dramatic, the bombastic. [The time has come for you to wield your power. The tower that you are about to venture into... How did it come to be? For what purpose does it exist? Regrettably, you are not yet capable of answering these questions. That is why you must be made aware of the nature of your power.]
{The nature of my power...?}
{About that door...}
{I don't want to know.}
Nobody had seen this occur before. Nobody knew what Minato had said. So it came as a great shock to virtually everyone when the caller had sent them one simple number.
3
"You're...serious...?" Junpei muttered to himself.
Yukari stared at the phone in aggravation. Fuuka, in resignation. Mitsuru, in contemplation; Akihiko, in uneasiness; Aigis, in disappointment. In pity. In sadness that she hadn't met him sooner and perhaps alleviated his pain somewhat at a much earlier date. At this single text, they truly couldn't help but wonder anymore how much of Minato was just one big lie. But they had to press on.
[Igor: Please, you must understand... It is of the utmost importance.] Igor said, not in disappointment but in urgency. [Besides, this shall be the last time I beckon you here... Your power is unique. It's like the number zero... It's empty, but at the same time holds infinite possibilities,] he said, almost like he was trying to encourage the blue-haired Wild Card to fight further in his task. [You, my boy, are able to possess multiple Personas, and summon them as needed. And when you have defeated your enemies, you will see the faces of possibility before you. There may be times when they are difficult to grasp... But, do not fear. Seize what you have earned. Your power will grow accordingly... Be sure to keep that in mind.]
This could not have been.
Minato was one of the kindest souls any of them had ever met. If he had been so...depressed, so troubled, so disturbed, they'd have known it. He'd have told them. Wouldn't he have? He'd have said at least something to them. Anything. They were his friends, were they not? And wasn't he theirs? Weren't they part of a Social Link already?
He would never have kept it hidden to himself...not with them around. Not when all of the women of the team had fallen for him. Not when all of the guys had fought alongside him in battle. Not when they had all needed each other to stay alive during fights against Shadows and Floor Guardians.
Not when they had faced the end of the world together. Not when he had died to protect them all.
None of this made any sense.
[Igor: My spare time will soon be scarce. But, please come again of your own accord. I'll tell you then about my true role... the manner in which I can best assist you. Until then... Farewell.]
A/N: I am ashamed. Merry Christmas. Shorter chapters it is. If I take too long, I'll die before I finish this. I hope to not put in another Intermission anytime soon. Even I'm sick of them. Didn't write out the battle scene yet because the tutorial is filled with so many descriptions it's enough for another whole chapter.
Happy new year, everyone. Let's hope things get better in 2017.
*sees poster for the Emoji Movie*
EDIT: Caller's dialogue was edited a ton.