Author's Note:

First of all welcome to the Unforgiven storyline, if your returning then welcome back.

This story is based on a playthrough of Persona 5 Royal with a few extra bits added on. First the Protagonists name, for stories such as this its recommended to use the John Doe equivalent Ren or Akria. But in this case, the name will be Revland Antrie (Rev-land EN-Tir-ee). Second, The story have the same structure as the game with different twists and turns to add some originality. Third, as always please support the official release.


This Story is a work of fiction. Any similarity to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events, is purely coincidental. If you agree to the following then you may continue. However, if you accept that what is about to be told as reality then I advise you stop reading and choose a different path. If you agree, then the contract is set and your journey begins...


Prologue

"The contract is formed and the game is set…" with a jolt, Revland awoke from his light slumber with those words echoing in his head.

Contract? What Contract?

The subway train jostled him around as the scenery came into focus as the speed making the world a whirlwind of painted colors. He surmised that he must be nearing his destination soon. As reality sets back in, those words that aroused him slowly echoed before fading into his subconscious. Revland rose to relieve the cramp forming in his leg, his mind playing the memory of when he back in that alley while he on his way home from night class. A voice rang out in his mind of a middle-aged man with the thick smell of spirits on his breath.

"Damn brat, I'll sue!" the rocking of the subway train broke him of his revelry and the memory begins to fade once more.

No matter how you say it…One year, twelve months, 52 weeks, 365 days, 525,600 minutes… In short, probation… damn it…

Thinking back on it, Revland hadn't really thought about what drove him to intervene that night.

The woman was in trouble, I couldn't just sit there and do nothing could I?

The train came to a stop, "This is Shibuya" playing over the loudspeaker.

Come to think of it… don't think I've ever been to the city...

Revland stepped off the train and made his way up the nearby stairs to the turnstiles. While on his way to the street above, he caught a glimpse himself in a window before deciding to give himself a final once over.

Black hair, slightly disheveled, check.

Black rim glasses, check again.

The uniform for his new school, che… wait… I'm missing something.

Patting himself down, he found the small black and white pin labeled with the number 2. The pin itself was about the size of an American nickel, signifying that he was a second year at Shujin Academy, his new school.

Letting out a sigh of relief, he placed the pin on the collar of his jacket. Not wanting to get off on the wrong foot with the school faculty.

Hate for them to think that I'm a complete degenerate.

Looking back at his reflection to finish his mental check list, he saw ruby red eyes with blue iridescent flames staring back at him.

Revland jumped back, startled by his sudden change in appearance. But as suddenly as it appeared, it was gone, leaving only his reflection.

Upon closer inspection he could see the telltale signs of exhaustion under his eyes.

Must still be in shock… that or I'm seeing things. Maybe lack of sleep…?

Revland pulled his phone from his pocket to check the time and noticed a strange app on his home screen.

How did that get there?

The app was in the shape of an eye with a red background and back strips. Strange enough, in the center where the pupil should be sat a black star. He tapped his phone, drug the weird app to the trash bin and opened a navigation app.

Now I just need to find Sakura-san's house… now… where was it again?


(Sometime later in Yongen-jaya)

After wandering for the better part of an hour and a few awkward questions later, Revland finally found his way down the correct street to where one Sojiro Sakura lives.

Surely everybody knows I'm not from around here by now. This place wasn't easy to find in the slightest.

"Just past the supermarket and take a right." the elderly woman directed. "Sakura-san lives in the last house on the left."

"Thank you, Ma'am, Enjoy the rest of your day." With that, he made his way towards his destination.

Sojiro seems to do fairly well for someone who owns a coffee shop in a tucked away corner of Yongen-jaya. Revland thought inwardly.

Stepping towards the gate, he lifted his hand to ring the doorbell, waited a for a few moments before ringing it a second time. After repeating this for about a minute, he started to feel uncomfortable and if not a bit of a fool for just standing there like a lost puppy that's been thrown out.

Suddenly, a movement caught the corner of his eye. The upstairs window, the curtain was drawn but it clearly moved. After seeing nothing, he decided to try a trick that he his father taught him while hunting.

"Remember, sometimes the critters become wise to the game and try to stay still. Especially if they think a predator is around. Look away for a moment, then look back to see if they're making sure the coast is clear. Their movement will give them away."

Pulling out his phone to double check the address. Using his peripheral vision, he waited to see if the curtain would move and sure enough it did. Letting the movement continue for a few more seconds, Revland quickly looked up and was able to claim his prize.

Small and slim, a child? Long hair and glasses, a girl maybe. Just as quickly as she appeared she was gone again.

Knowing that the same trick wouldn't work as well the second time, he decided that he had spent enough time bothering the residents of the Sakura house.

"Not answering huh?" a voice came from Revland's right. Turning, he found a delivery driver, "yeah that's normal, Sakura-san's normally working at the shop around this time."

"You wouldn't happen to know where that is would you?" Revland asked sheepishly.

The driver looked Revland up and down, "You're not from around here are you kid?"

Hammer meet nail, figured me out pretty quick…

"That obvious huh, sorry I'm supposed to meet him today is all."

"No worries kiddo, just head back the way you came, and take the first left. You can't miss it."

Kiddo... Really?

"Thanks, I'll head that way."

"No problem, could you also let Sakura-san know that I left a package on the other side of the gate?"

"Sure, I'll let him know."

"Thanks kid, I'll see you around."

Revland followed the directions the driver gave him which led him to a small shop with the sign reading 'Leblanc'. Just by standing out on the street, he was able to smell the coffee and something else he couldn't quite put his finger on permeated the air.

Well, no time like the present. Let's to get this over with. With a heavy sigh Revland took the next step forward.

Upon entering the shop, Revland felt like he took a step back in time and entered an old American diner. Booths line the left wall, black and white checkered pattern on the floor and a bar with a kitchenette on the right. Sitting on the middle bar stool was a middle-aged man with a pink shirt, light colored pants and a black apron with white pinstripes. The man turned to look at him, he had black hair combed back with a receding hair line, glasses and dark grey eyes. If Revland didn't know any better, he'd say he would be what one would think of if asked what a kind uncle should look like.

"Oh, that's today isn't it…?"

Revland blink, "I'm looking for a Sojiro Sakura, I was told that he works here."

Sojiro placed his paper on the bar and stood, "Well you found him, you must be Revland Antrie."

"I am, pleased to meet you Sakura-san" Revland replied holding out his hand.

Sojiro look at Revland's hand for a moment and took it giving it one good shake.

"Well at least you're polite" Sojiro said.

"I stopped by your home and was told by a delivery driver that you would be here. By the way, he said that the package you ordered with be on the other side of your gate."

"Package, oh right that… yeah, thanks for letting me know." Sojiro said with only a moment of confusion. "Anyway, you'll be sleeping upstairs for your time here. I'll meet you up there as soon as my regulars leave."

Revland nodded and headed towards the stairs. Unlike the downstairs area, the attic space wasn't nearly as well kept. Dust could visibly be seen floating in the air, clutter filled nearly every corner and not to mention there was a box that was just sitting in the middle of the floor.

Well, he gets an A for effort at least. I've never had a room this big before and it's all to myself… the smell of coffee isn't too bad either… maybe this probation thing won't be as bad as I thought. But first… might want to make this area livable at least.

Revland found a mop and a bucket and set to work. The work was monotonous but fulfilling, with windows open he hummed a tune he heard from somewhere as he continued his work. First, he wanted to declutter the corners a bit and give the attic some more space. He found a house plant on the brink of death and an old TV with a DVD player attached.

I wonder if Sakura-san would let me hook up the cable…?

As if summoned, Sojiro came up the stairs and gaped at what Revland had accomplished in just about an hour.

"What, you're actually cleaning?" he asked.

"It was dirty and I'd rather have a clean room."

"That makes sense… anyway, here." Walking over to Revland, he handed him a small black book.

"This is a journal. As part of your probation, you are to write something down daily and I'll have to review it." He said, "Just because you're here now doesn't mean you'll have free reign, one little slip up and you're finished. And don't think I will protect you if you screw this up." Gone was the kind uncle, only to be replaced with that of a disappointed parent.

Before he could stop himself, he whispered coldly "You think I'm not already aware of that… my parents sent me away the first chance they got… Now, I get to spend the next year in an attic and attempt to put what little of my life I have back together."

Sojiro looked him over and notices the dark circles under the kid's eyes.

Kid probably hasn't slept much since the incident, He thought.

"Look, you got here because you stuck you nose into someone else's business. He got hurt and he sued you, that about sum it up?"

Revland Nodded, "Fact is that he fell on his own…"

Sojiro sighed, his demeanor softening. "What actually happened no longer matters, just keep your head down and stay out of trouble and you can stay here."

And regardless of what happened you are still just a kid.

"How bout you take a break, you haven't eaten yet have you?"

The mere mention of food set Revland's stomach growling, to the point that he was sure Sojiro heard it from across the room.

I'm sure it was loud enough that people in the next city over could hear.

"Fair enough, come downstairs when your done changing and well go over the details on your probation."

Revland looked down and noticed that he never changed out of his school uniform.

Wow, I must be completely out of it today, first that vison then there was that weird app now this.

With that thought, he checked his phone again to see if he was imagining thing but sure enough, the app in the shape of an eye was on his home screen and it seems to be pulsing with a red glow this time.

How in the…? How did you get back on here...? Revland, just as before, drug to app to the waste bin and got changed.

After a few minutes, Revland was sitting at the bar with the answer to one of his lingering questions sitting in front of him. The smell he couldn't quite figure out was, in fact, curry. It wasn't like any he's had before. He looked up and noticed Sojiro was looking at him expectantly with a smile on his face.

"Good Huh?" He asked

"Better than good, it amazing!" Revland exclaimed; "This is the best curry I've ever tasted!"

"Have you tried the coffee?"

Revland looked over at Sojiro waiting for the punchline.

"Trust me, it's worth it."

Revland, always willing to try something at least once, gave the coffee a sip and his eyes widened. He couldn't quite believe it; the coffee made the curry taste that much better. He looked back to Sojiro who was still wearing that knowing smile reminded him of a kind uncle.

"A scientific genius helped me make that recipe, they made it so the coffee and the curry complement each other perfectly." He explained.

Revland didn't know what brought it on, the events of the last few weeks or just Sojiro's sudden kindness but everything came away at that point. Revland started to cry.

Still just a kid, Sojiro thought.

After getting what he could out of his system Revland spoke, "Thank you for the meal, Sakura-san."

"Please just call be Sojiro or Boss if you prefer, seeing that you poured your heart out just now."

"You're not going to hold that over my head from now on, are you Boss?"

"Only if you misbehave."

"Sounds like good motivation to me."

"Now, there aren't any real restrictions on what you can and can't do while you're here. I mean, within the law and all. You are free to come and go within the area and be back by the time the shop closes around 8:00pm, sound good?"

"More than fair Boss and thanks again."

"Don't mention it, you might want to get to bed soon. We have a meeting at your school tomorrow."

"On a Sunday?"

"You're telling me. I won't be able to open up the shop, but at least you'd be able to start the following day. But do they really have to waste my Sunday…"

"I'll help you clean up to show some thanks for the meal."

"If you're that eager to help, I might have you lend a hand around the shop. I'll teach how to make the perfect cup of coffee and I might let you in on the secret of the curry"

"If you're trying to bribe me, I think it worked. Why not, count me in."

"I'll let you know whenever the need arises, now clean up and head to bed. I'll see you tomorrow."

Later that night, Revland laid in bed staring out at the cityscape as he thought about the day's events. He began to wonder if this was all real. Letting it sink in his eyes felt heavy and he drifted to sleep.


"Wake up inmate!"

With a start, Revland woke but not in his bed in Leblanc. He found himself in a small blue room. He sat up and noticed that his arms and legs were both shackled. He stared out from behind a set of bars into a large room that was a similar shade of blue before noticing three figures. One, an elderly man with grey hair and pinpoint eyes that almost seem manic that seemed to bore into him as if they were piercing his very soul. The other two were small feminine figures and, by Revland's guess, were no more than children. One of which had her silver white hair in buns on each side of her head wearing a blue officer's uniform along with a black eye patch engraved golden "V" on it over her right eye. The other was in a similar outfit though her hair was braided and wore her eye patch over her left eye. The children flanked the elderly gentleman who sat an antique looking desk in the middle of the room.

The trio stayed in place staring at Revland for what seemed like an eternity. Finally, the old man spoke in a deep gravelly voice, "Welcome to the velvet room. I am Igor, the master of this place." The two girls stepped back into view, "Ah, but where my manners, to your right is Caroline and to the left, Justine. Their purpose, to aid you as wardens on your road to rehabilitation."

Finding his voice Revland asks, "Rehabilitation? Velvet room? These two children are supposed to be wardens… yep, I have finally lost it."

Caroline pulls what looks to be a retractable baton from her belt and swings hard for Revland's fingers. Seeing the blow coming, Revland moved his hand out of the way and was rewarded with the loud clang of metal on metal. At first, he saw a look of what might have been surprise but was then quickly covered by one of glee as she pressed a button on the grip that electrified the baton and unfortunately the bars it was now touching.

Pain shot up Revland's arm as it was quickly becoming numb. Placing his shoe against the bars, he managed to pry his arm free and was greeted with a tingling sensation from his shoulder to his fingertips.

"What the fuck was that for!?"

"Learn your place inmate and listen to what our master has to say."

Trying and failing to shake some feeling back into his arm, Revland turn his attention back to Igor.

"So, you said something about rehabilitation, what did you mean by that?"

"Exactly as it was intended, the shape of this place differs from person to person. Take for instance this room and the one you find yourself in now. You truly are a prisoner of your own heart."

Now that his attention was drawn to it, he realized that the entire room was filled with cells similar to his own. They seem to range from 0-9 from what he could see.

"Okay, how do I get out?"

"The purpose of this room and of your rehabilitation is to prepare you with the coming ruin."

"Ruin, when and how for that matter."

"I truly do not know…hmmm… all I can say for certain is that it is coming and that you must be ready."

"And if I refuse?"

"Then the ruin will fall upon this world and will be plunged into chaos." Igor said nonchalantly.

Revland lowered his head for a moment thinking, as feeling was finally returning to his arm however slowly.

"Fine, I'll do it." Revland answered not feeling like he had much of a choice in the matter.

"Excellent, now we must form a contract… so that we may provide you aid and in return, you will bring an end to the coming ruin." Igor stated

"It's not like you're giving me much of a choice here, I accept your terms Igor and I will bring an end to the ruin or die trying."

Wait a second, where did that last part come from? Do I really intend to die for this guy?

After a few seconds he found that his answer was yes. He couldn't just sit by and let others get hurt… it just wasn't in his nature.

Igor stood from his desk, wearing that same manic grin across his face, though it seemed wider somehow. He offered his hand to shake. "Then I welcome you trickster as the 'Fool' in this game, I look forward to seeing the fruits of your rehabilitation."

Revland felt more than heard the words that Igor was saying. His heart felt as though it was ringing as he clasped hands with Igor and shook. "We have a contract, to further aid you in your rehabilitation, you must seek out others who would share in your goal." After a moment of staring, Igor continued. "It seems you have already formed a contract with the 'Hierophant' and have made contact with the 'Hermit'… you are already well on your way on the path of trickster, I hope you will not disappoint."

"Before you leave we must make a bargain with you inmate." Justine stated in a monotone voice

"Okay, what is it that I can do for the two of you then?" Revland asked more out of confusion than curiosity.

"We will lend you our 'Strength' to help you fend off the coming ruin…" Justine started.

"But you must complete tasks for us to show that you deserve it." Caroline finished.

"Okay, simple enough." Revland stated. "When do I start?"

"When we are good and ready inmate!" Caroline stated loudly

"When your heart and mind are no longer at war with one another." Justine stated coolly.

"I guess we have a deal, I do the tasks that you assign me and you'll help me?" Revland asked as he was beginning to understand.

Both Caroline and Justine nodded and held out their left and right hands respectively. Just like before Revland's heart felt like it was ringing as he shook the girl's hands.

"Well done, three contracts in a single night… this will be most interesting indeed" Igor said with a hint of excitement.

"Now lay down and go back to sleep." Caroline started.

"Get what rest you can." Justine finished.

Revland did as instructed and went back to sleep.

This may have been a mistake, but what's with my heart? Am I really up for this? Fool, Hermit, Hierophant… I see Sojiro and myself but who's the hermit? A face doesn't come to mind like the others… perhaps I should just sleep on it…

The final scene Revland is greeted with is that of a young woman staring down at him from on high.