10 years.

10 years since the accident.

10 years since he lost his parents.

10 years since he lost his sister.

Ever since then, he was alone.

Minato Arisato was a boy not liked by many. Growing up, he always feared moving to new schools, thinking the other kids would pick on him. He often remained on his own, which only worsened his mental stability. There were days when he would stand by the side of a bridge or the pavement of the road, wondering what would have happened, had he taken that last step. Being the only survivor took a toll on him, one that left an impression on him for the rest of his life.

4/7/2009 - Late Evening

(Minato's POV)

Minato sat alone on the train, listening to the various songs on his mp3 player. He thought about what he was told by that representative of the Kirijo Group.

"You will be transferred to Gekkoukan High School on Tatsumi Port Island, and you will stay in the Iwatodai Dormitory."

The Kirijo Group had always kept an eye on him after the accident. He had always wondered why, but he never asked. He knew they were a massive trading company operating in many countries, so the fact that they had always checked up on him was odd. Why would a company that large care about an orphan like him?

It was getting late. Almost midnight.

"Iwatodai Station. This is Iwatodai Station." The announcement was barely comprehensible, but the signs on the station platform confirmed that this was his stop.

As he disembarked from the train, Minato cycled through the songs on the mp3 player strung around his neck until he found the one he was looking for.

Burn My Dread

Minato was always fond of this song. He was unsure of its symbolism, but he appreciated the song's rhythm and style.

Minato walked through the turnstiles to finally meet the streets of Iwatodai, but then...

BONG

The sound of a single bell, and everything fell silent. Even Minato's mp3 player stopped. The moonlight changed from a glistening white to an ominous green, red pools of liquid began to form, and the appearance of coffins from where people once stood. This experience would make anyone terrified. Minato, however, remained unfazed. He had already experienced this, day after day, for the last 10 years. After embracing this change of environment, he began to walk in the direction of his new place of residence.

55 minutes later - Iwatodai Dorm

He made it. Iwatodai Dorm. This was where he would be staying until he eventually gets moved around again, as is his normal. Accepting this new life, he opened the door and took 2 steps into the dorm, only to find no one there.

No one, except for a boy suddenly appearing in front him.

"Hey there." The boys voice was raspy, as if he spent his whole life coughing. "I was hoping you'd come back."

Before Minato could process this, the boy vanished, only for him to appear again behind Minato, placing a piece of paper and a pen on the counter beside him.

"Sign here." The boy motioned his finger towards the contract he placed. "And accept that all the choices you make are yours."

Minato was unbothered by the boy's choice of words, as he began to sign the contract placed before him.

Minato Arisato

The young boy took the contract from the counter and stared at Minato.

"Thank you. I hope to see you again soon." The boy vanished again from Minato, but didn't return.

As he processed what had just happened, he noticed a girl standing by the stairs infront of him.

"What are you doing here!?" The girl shouted towards Minato, her right hand hovering over... the holster of a gun? Despite Minato's stoic nature, this somewhat shocked him internally.

Before getting a chance to answer, another voice came from behind her.

"That's enough." As soon as that sentence was finished, the lights flicker back on. "You must be Arisato, correct? You are here later than expected." The voice came from another girl, walking towards him "My name is Mitsuru Kirijo, a third year at Gekkoukan High School. And this is Yukari Takeba, a second year like yourself." She turned around slightly and motioned her arm towards the brunette behind her. "Welcome to the Iwatodai Dormitory."

Kirijo? Like the Group? Minato was not told anything about who he was sharing the dorm with, so this came as a slight surprise. The Kirijo girl was about the same height as him, although that could be because of those shoes she is wearing. Her hair was a bright and vibrant red, swaying behind her head and covering her left eye, with eyes and lipstick to match. The expression on her face was almost as stoic as his, but he noticed a slight amount of... concern?

"You are probably exhausted. Takeba will show you to your room." The way Kirijo-senpai spoke seemed extremely formal, which was to be expected, considering her family.

"Thank you." Minato responded, bowing slightly and with a facial expression not too dissimilar from a smile, but enough to show that it wasn't.

Kirijo-senpai smiled slightly back at him before walking back upstairs, assumingly back to her room. Takeba-san turned toward Minato, with a neutral expression on her face. "Alright, follow me."

After making it to his room, Takeba-san gave the ground rules of the dorm.

"This floor is where the boys sleep, and the floor above is where the girls sleep." She looked distressed, perhaps regretting how she and Minato first met each other. "Did you see anything weird coming here? Anything out of the ordinary?"

Minato had nothing to respond to that. What he experienced was ordinary to him, apart from the boy that appeared, yet he didn't know if he should share that detail.

"Well, okay." Takeba-san continued to look distressed. "Sorry for earlier by the way." She began to walk away before turning around again. "Hey, could you not mention this to anyone at school tomorrow?"

Minato responded with a simple "Alright", which calmed Takeba-san's nerves. She gestured a good night towards him before heading upstairs, and Minato went to sleep in his room, exhausted after the day he had.

Iwatodai Dorm Control Room

(Mitsuru's POV)

Before heading to bed herself, Mitsuru Kirijo wanted to read the file she had on Arisato one more time.

Arisato, Minato

Father (DECEASED), Mother (DECEASED), Sister (DECEASED)

REASON: Incident at Moonlight Bridge, 1999

Reading that made her expression worsen, for this boy had his life ruined by the Kirijo Group. She had considered numerous times to reject him staying at the dorm, just so he could stay away from the mess her family caused. But he had the potential. As much as she wanted to keep him safe, she knew that the Group needed him more. She wrestled similar emotions regarding Takeba's joining. Her father was the lead researcher behind the experiment that caused the incident, and he did not survive the explosion. Why was it them, who suffered from the Kirijo Group's actions, when it could've been anyone else? Why did they have to clean up her grandfather's mistakes?

She knew her feelings on this matter, but she couldn't deny that without them, they wouldn't be able to fix what the Group had done.

After reading the file one more time, she stored it away and went to her room.

4/8/2009 - Early Morning

(Minato's POV)

Minato never slept well. The reoccurring nightmares surrounding that fateful day haunted him. He remembers the position his father was in, impaled by some metal debris. He remembers the face of his mother, lifeless, staring right at him. He remembers the blood of his sister on his hands and face as he clutched her in his arms. No matter how much he cleaned himself, he could never get rid of that feeling. He always wished he was taken with them, and wished for God to give him a reason why they were taken, and he survived. But he never got an answer.

Minato wiped his eyes from the tears he thought he felt, but there was none. He had never cried after that day, 10 years ago.

He turned his body to the side so he could see the clock on his nightstand. It read 5:27. Knowing he wouldn't be able to get any more sleep, he went to the lounge and made himself breakfast.

2 and a half hours later*

Minato was in his room, changed into his school uniform. He was listening to the songs on his mp3 player before he heard a knock on the door.

"Hey. It's Takeba. Are you up?"

Minato got up from his bed and opened the door to greet Takeba-san.

"Senpai wanted me to show you the way to school. Are you ready?" Takeba-san had enthusiasm in her voice, as she was excited for the new school year. Yukari Takeba was a few inches shorter than Minato, but not enough to make him have to look down with his neck. Her brunette hair was cut short, by the shoulders, and her bangs covered her forehead, but not enough to block her eyes. She wore a pink sweater and a pink choker together, giving Minato the implication that she likes the colour pink.

Minato responded with a short and simple "Yeah", and followed Takeba-san to school.

On the way there, Takeba-san told Minato about what the school was like, and how the days normally were. As they rode the train, she made sure to point out the view of the ocean. She mentioned to Minato that the Kirijo Group funded Gekkoukan, and that they built the area it was on, Tatsumi Port Island. Minato wasn't used to someone talking to him like this, as normally the second someone tries to chat with him they usually back away as they didn't appreciate his company. Takeba-san was different though, at least at first glance. Perhaps she was trying to make up for how they first met each other last night.

After making it to Tatsumi Port Station and walking a few minutes, they approached the gates of Gekkoukan High School. Takeba-san ran in front of him and turned around, wanting to give him a first presentation of the school.

"Welcome to Gekkoukan High School, Arisato-san. I hope you enjoy it!" She had a smile on her face as she said that, making Minato reciprocate with at least an imitation of a smile, enough so that she doesn't suspect anything. She said to Minato that he should go to the faculty office on the first floor to find his homeroom teacher, and left to find her friends.

Minato walked through the front entrance and made his way to the faculty office. He received some glares from students, assuming it was because of his demeanour. He caught an eye of the sheet which shows what classes everyone will be located. Minato glanced at it only so he can find his name. He saw he was in Class 2-E, and, coincidentally enough, Takeba-san was in the same homeroom, with the teacher Ms. Toriumi.

After going to the faculty office and greeting Ms. Toriumi, Minato made his way to class, catching even more glares in the process.

Class 2-E

Minato found his homeroom, and upon entering it, he continued to receive stares from classmates. He wasn't bothered by it however, at the very most he was just curious why.

Not many people had sat down yet, so he decided to take an empty seat close to the front of the class. As he pulled out his supplies, someone entered from the door infront of him, in a quite overly eager way. He was a taller student, taller than most of the other students. He wore his blazer and shirt unbuttoned, revealing a dark blue undershirt, which matched the baseball cap he was wearing. This student noticed Minato sitting on his own, so he went to introduce himself.

"Hey! The name's Junpei. Junpei Iori. You can just call me Junpei." He held out his hand in the shape of a fist, assumingly wanting a fist bump. Minato, not wanting to be impolite to him, obliged.

"Arisato." He bumped Junpei's fist half-heartedly, but Junpei didn't notice the lack of enthusiasm from that. He noticed it from where Minato was sitting.

"Hey. Why are you sitting here on your own? Don't you wanna talk to people?" Junpei asked with a half curious and half concerned expression.

"I'm not bothered"

Junpei scanned the classroom, noticing that almost all of the students currently in there are staring at Arisato.

But then he remembered why. He heard a description from someone that a 'blue haired emo boy' walked to school with Yukari. As soon as he was going to ask, Takeba-san walked into the class.

Immediately, all the glares directed towards Minato shifted towards Takeba-san. Minato gathered that she must be popular.

She turned away from all of the prying eyes and walked towards Minato, noticing Junpei with him aswell.

"Junpei, what are you doing to him?" Takeba-san asked in a somewhat sarcastic tone.

"Hey, Yuka-tan! I heard you walked with this guy to school today. You two a thing or something?" Junpei teased.

"What?! No, that's not true. He just moved into the dorm with us!"

Minato exhaled quickly through his nose, as if he was trying to imitate a laugh. Junpei was disappointed with the news, but before he could ask anything else, the bell rang and class began.

4/8/2009 - Iwatodai Dorm - Evening

Even with the constant stares Minato was getting, he got through school without any issues.

Takeba-san had already left the classroom, so Minato went back to the dorm on his own. He entered through the double doors only to be greeted by Kirijo-senpai.

"Welcome back Arisato. Did you enjoy your first day?" The look of concern from yesterday remained on her face.

Minato recognised this expression, and not wanting to disappoint her, he simply responded "It was alright."

Kirijo-senpai didn't fully believe this response, yet if he were hiding something, she didn't want to pry.

"Very well. You should probably go to bed early. Transitioning schools is not easy on anyone."

Minato noticed he was still tired, so he agreed with her. "I'll do that. Thank you Kirijo-senpai." Bowing slightly to show respect.

She remembered his file. He probably tends to isolates himself, not speaking unless he is required to. Although she herself had no part in his suffering, her family was the cause. This filled her with guilt. She wished to help him be more comfortable with his position, to help atone for her grandfather's sins.

"You can refer to me as Mitsuru-senpai if you would prefer."

Minato's blue eyes slightly widened. He hoped Mitsuru-senpai hadn't noticed his change in expression, but knowing the Kirijo's, she probably did.

"Thank you, Mitsuru-senpai." He made the same imitated smile he performed when first meeting Mitsuru-senpai, but it seemed wider to her than the previous one.

After their brief conversation, Minato went to head for his room whilst Mitsuru-senpai continued reading her book.

Minato's Room

Minato prepared himself for bed. He stood infront of his mirror and took off his shirt and blazer, revealing a slender frame. Minato gazed at himself, remembering the trauma. The upper half of his right arm was warped and burnt, for when he tried crawling out of the wreckage of his parents' car. The other arm was covered in cuts, by his own doing, particularly around the shoulder and upper arm, so it was not shown in summer uniforms. Minato hated himself. He hated that he was forced to live whilst the rest of his family died. He hated his continued existence. He just wanted it to stop.

4/8/2009 - Iwatodai Dorm Control Room - Dark Hour

(Mitsuru's POV)

Mitsuru was sat in the control room, staring at the screen infront of her. Takeba was with her, as well as the school chairman, Shuji Ikutsuki.

"So he isn't affected by the Dark Hour." Ikutsuki mumbled. They were all staring at Arisato sleeping on the monitor, seeing that he hadn't turned into a coffin.

Ikutsuki explained that not everyone is conscious during the Dark Hour, and those that aren't are turned into coffins, or 'transmogrified'.

Mitsuru was conflicted. She didn't like spying on Arisato, and she was certain Takeba felt the same.

"It feels wrong to be spying on him like this." Takeba said, confirming Mitsuru's assumption.

"It may be, but we needed to confirm if he is capable of having the potential. Now that we know that he is, we just need to wait for if he can use it." Ikutsuki tried to reassure the girls, but was somewhat unsuccessful as they still had doubts.

Mitsuru was the only one of the three who knew of Arisato's past. Takeba had only recently joined the group, not long before him, and Mitsuru knew something of this nature shouldn't be shared without his approval. Ikutsuki, despite being the school chairman, didn't have high enough clearance within the Kirijo Group to view his files. She was the only one who knew of his trauma. She just didn't know how deep it hurt him.

(Minato's POV)

Once again, Minato had trouble sleeping. Yet this time, it felt different. He tossed and turned, trying to be somewhat comfortable on his bed, until he felt his environment shift and change around him.

He opened his eyes, and found himself sitting on a chair, inside an unusually large elevator. Opposite to him were 2 people, one of whom being an elderly man, hunched over with no hair to be seen on his scalp, but instead on the sides of his head. In particular, he had an extremely long nose, which looked to be longer than his head. Beside him was a pale woman with blonde hair and yellow eyes, wearing a blue dress with circular patterns down the middle, and a blue cap.

The old man spoke first. "Welcome to the Velvet Room. My name is Igor. And this is Elizabeth"

Minato had nothing to say. This is something he hadn't experienced before.

Igor conjures something in the palm of his hand. "In time, you will become accustomed to a new power." He reveals the item to be the contract Minato signed. "This is proof of your commitment. Go, and let your choices guide you."

Elizabeth chimes in "Take this, you will need it in the future". She hands what appears to be a key, but Minato was not told of its purpose before being sent out of the mysterious room.

Minato woke up immediately after being sent back to his room. His head was spinning and he felt like vomiting. He was able to resist the urge, but was left with a million questions. Who were those people? What did they mean by a new power? Minato went to hold his head, but felt something in his hand. He knew what it was the second he recognised it in his hand. How did he bring that key here? He had too many questions, and was unsure if he would get answers.

4/9/2009 - Iwatodai Dorm - Late Evening

(Minato's POV)

Minato's second day at school was no different than his first. But Junpei kept him back, intending to go to Paulownia Mall to hang out. Whilst Minato wasn't excited about this, he didn't want to be rude to him, since he's been making an effort unlike kids in the past. They went to the arcade together before making their separate ways, leading Minato back to the dorm, albeit much later than expected, to once again be greeted by Mitsuru-senpai.

"Welcome back Arisato." That same look of concern appeared on her face again. Was it truly concern? Or was it how her face normally is? "I understand that sometimes you will be late back to the dorm, but I would appreciate if this doesn't become consistent."

"Sorry, Mitsuru-senpai." Minato's response was full of exhaustion. After the 'dream' he had, he couldn't sleep. Mitsuru-senpai noticed this.

"Is everything okay, Arisato?" Mitsuru-senpai's concern became more apparent. "Are you having difficulty with transitioning to Gekkoukan?" She hoped he would confirm her worries, as it would help her case and perhaps try to get him away from any further suffering.

"I'm fine senpai"

She knew he was lying. Something was wrong with him. But she didn't want to press any further, or he wouldn't trust her.

"Okay. Well I do recommend you go rest. You must be tired after today."

Minato nodded in response, and left to his room. She sighed when he was out of earshot, knowing that something was troubling him, but Mitsuru knew she couldn't say anything.

A couple hours later

(Mitsuru's POV)

Mitsuru was reading as someone made their way downstairs.

"I'm heading out."

Mitsuru looked up to see her friend, Akihiko Sanada, walking towards the door.

"I need to train more. The Dark Hour gives me plenty of moving punching bags." Akihiko was rubbing his fists as he spoke, preparing them for a fight.

"Akihiko. Can I speak to you for a moment?" Her tone made it seem important.

"Sure. What's up?"

"Have you seen Arisato since he moved here?" Her concern for him remained even when he was not present.

"I haven't. I've been too busy with the boxing club to greet him."

"I see." Her face remained unchanged. Her concern for him ran deep. She felt incredible guilt for what he has been through.

Akihiko, however, remained clueless. He wasn't the greatest at understanding what girls were feeling. All that remained in his head is how efficient can one train before their body gives out.

"There have been more cases recently." His tone became serious. "Do you think it's because of them?"

"It must be. We must proceed with caution."

Akihiko nodded in response before leaving the dorm.

Mitsuru sighed.

She didn't know what to do.

But as she walked towards her room, a thought crossed her mind.

Why had she felt so strongly about this?

She didn't feel this way towards Takeba, and she has suffered too, thanks to the Kirijo Group.

So why?

What made her feel like this?

She sighed once more, and retired to her room.

4/9/2009 - Dark Hour

(Minato's POV)

Minato couldn't sleep. But that isn't new. He couldn't be bothered to try.

He turned towards his window, and stared at the moon. The green light emanating from it covered the city. Tonight was different though. It was a full moon. It looked beautiful, in a strange way.

Minato noticed his sleeve was rolled up, showing the burns. He sighed heavily, with the thought of his trauma still lurking in his mind.

BANG

A loud noise shook the dorm. Minato shot out of bed, trying to assess what was happening. As he stood straight, he could hear Mitsuru-senpai's voice.

"Arisato! You need to get out of here! It's dangerous!" There was a sense of urgency in her voice, pleading for him to escape.

Minato had no idea on how to respond to her, so he just complied and ran out of his room. However, as he ran towards the stairwell, he heard a scream coming from further up.

"Arisato! You cannot stop, you have to get out before you get hurt!"

He didn't listen to her that time, as he ran up the stairs, towards the roof top.

"Arisato, wait! Don't go out there!" Mitsuru-senpai was begging for him not to go. But Minato knew he had no other choice.

15 minutes earlier

(Mitsuru's POV)

Mitsuru was sat in the command room, alone, going over Arisato's file once again. She wanted to understand how he was feeling, what demons he was wrestling under the surface. Maybe then, she can help him.

She continued to process the contents of the file, until she heard an alert through the command console. There was a large presence. And it was headed straight for the dorm. She tried to contact Akihiko, only for him to charge into the command room and slide down the door, clutching his ribs.

"Akihiko! What happened?!" She ran to him and held his shoulder as he winced in pain.

"There's a large Shadow. And it's coming here!"

Mitsuru's eyes widened. Before she could think of anything, Ikutsuki ran into the room aswell and slammed the door shut.

"What is going on out there?!" His voice was full of fear.

She scrambled towards the command console and attempted to contact Takeba. But what really was on her mind was Arisato. He was in danger, and he hasn't awoken to his potential yet! She told Takeba to head to the roof and investigate, and that she would join her shortly, but then her priority was getting Arisato out.

Current time

(Minato's POV)

Minato was staring at Takeba-san's body on the ground, not moving at all.

Oh.

Oh no.

It happened again.

He failed again.

He failed to help someone again.

He failed to save someone again!

He glanced upwards, gaining a view of something that could only be described as grotesque. He saw an arm... wait no... multiple arms... made out of some black ooze. The majority of them were holding swords. Some were acting as feet. One was holding a mask.

He looked towards his feet, and saw it.

The answer.

The answer to his problems.

The answer to his questions.

He kneeled down, and grasped it tight. There was an engraving on the slide.

S.E.E.S

A vision.

The boy.

From when he arrived.

"Go on."

He stared, but there was no thought past those eyes.

His heart raced.

His blood boiled.

His mind on fire.

He slowly raised it to his head.

He could feel the cold barrel pressed against his temple.

The boy again.

"You know what to do"

He couldn't take it.

He couldn't fail again.

He couldn't cause a death again.

His exasperated expression turned into a smile. Not like the ones he performed before. A real smile.

(Mitsuru's POV)

She stared at the screen, terrified.

The Kirijo Group was going to cause his death.

Worse, she was going to cause his death.

She wanted to help him.

She wanted to be there for him.

She wanted to save him.

She knew what she had to do.

But she was stopped.

The chairman stopped her.

He kept his eyes on the screen.

Akihiko kept his eyes on the screen.

She turned towards it.

And saw him.

(Minato's POV)

The smile stopped. But out came a word.

"Per...

so...

na..."

And he pulled the trigger.

His eyed glowed blue as a shock wave formed around him. Flames of various shades of blue enveloped him.

He heard a voice.

"I am thou...

Thou art I...

From the sea of thy soul, I cometh...

I am Orpheus, Master of Strings."

He had a smile on his face as this new feeling rushed over him.

But then something felt wrong.

His head throbbed. He could feel his heart trying to escape his chest.

He clutched his head in pain.

And he screamed.

(Mitsuru's POV)

He did it.

He awoke to his power.

But something felt wrong to her.

"Ngh... AAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHH"

Her eyes widened as much as they could.

She was scared.

For him.

(Minato's POV)

The flames surrounding him changed colour. What was once a heroic, hopeful blue, they shifted to a malicious purple.

And Orpheus...

Was torn to shreds from the inside.

But something emerged from the visceral scene. Something more...

Evil.

It was dressed in black, with a chain of coffins tied to it.

It had a metal face, reminiscent of a shark.

And it's sword was straight and serrated, as if it was made for pain.

Minato could form only 2 more words.

"Thanatos...

Kill..."