"Captain, squads A through F have been wiped out!"
"That quick!?"
There was never a time where humanity wasn't wrought with evil. He had come to accept that. It was his entire purpose to rid the world of its taint. He found meaning in it.
"He's coming from the east wing! General, we need that backup now!"
That wasn't to say it was his single purpose. Blessed was he, for without fail he met people he could trust to bring the world into a new era. He found meaning in protecting those he cherished.
"Captain, he's here!"
"Shit. Men, don't let him pass! We have to stall him for however long we can!"
And to protect, meant to kill. A simple Megido would suffice for the cannon fodder. He didn't care for senseless brutality. That was reserved for their boss.
"What is that-" The soldier's voice fades as his body does.
It had become trite early on. Some career politician, the head of a 'non-profit NGO', the CEO of a world spanning company, a raving warlord of a destitute country, a simple mob boss; it didn't matter. Those most unworthy of power find their way to the top. One would think merit was all it took, but to be that naive was contemptible. These 'people' knew no boundaries; they would exploit, manipulate, traffic, rape, and murder the most innocent for only a chance to better serve their masters. To call them human was repulsive.
But they were human all the same. His many lives had seen humanity at its zenith and its nadir. Too often the latter.
Another turn down the hall found him in front of a small army. At the rear was the general. A man of some honor, to take a last stand with his men. He would show the same courtesy.
"Lay down your weapons. It is not too late for my mercy."
"Fire!" With that command, the general had sealed their fate.
"Goldstein, that psycho is at my doorstep as we speak! Surely you don't think a single PMC is sufficient to protect me?"
"You have nothing to fear Moretti. That particular PMC is composed of the finest ex-military personnel from across the globe. Nationless Weapon Operations has their reputation for a reason."
"Did you say the same thing to Wu? To Hauffe? Majumdar? I'm telling you, this boy is no mere boy! The deal is off. You never had any intention of sending adequate protection my way."
"I'm terribly sorry you don't trust in us. But no need to fear. I had a feeling you would renege our little deal, so I made a call to some of our mutual friends."
"What are you on about?"
"Effective immediately, all your 'assets' belong to me. Which means you no longer serve me any purpose. Farewell, Moretti."
"Goldstein? Goldstein!?"
A phone call he had grown accustomed to hearing. It did give him satisfaction when the vermin discovered they were disposable. He might as well inform said vermin of his arrival. A rap of his knuckles on the desk between them and Moretti had swiveled in his chair to face him, his face ashen.
"W-when did you get here?! Did Kronos send you!?"
"Here's some consolation. I'm killing all of your cohorts as well. Burn in Hell knowing the rest of them will be with you shortly."
Once the screaming and sacred flames had died down, not even ashes remained of Pope Astore Moretti, a false idol.
He awoke to a knock on his door. He could tell who it was even without his abilities. She simply had that listless air about her, much like he did. Opening the door, he saw Hitomi fidgeting with her fingers. How endearing. He'd do her a kindness and initiate.
"Didn't you get the memo? I haven't been subtle about it."
"I've always wondered. How do you make your money?"
Her response made him wonder why women had to be difficult. He also wondered why no one had asked him that before. Perhaps it would be in poor taste?
"I'm an assassin. I'm hired for people to fulfill their fantasies. Their deep, dark, fantasies."
"I knew it. You're the guy causing all the ruckus in the upper echelons of society."
It took ten seconds of his blank stare for her to break eye contact and hide her giggle and blush with her hand. He couldn't help the smirk that appeared on his face. That was a new record for her.
"Sorry for the insensitive question. You could have just said you'd rather not answer."
They had moved to Makoto's room and were seated next to each other on his bed. He didn't shut the door in her face so she had gained a little confidence. She would need every ounce she could muster.
"It's fine, I don't care." At her pout, he amended. "I don't mind. My parents made decent money, so I'm good for now."
Great, remind him of his dead parents, stellar job Hitomi. "So you choose not to buy furniture?"
"Don't see the need."
"Uh huh. Well, my mom would go crazy at the state of your house. Oh yeah, my parents send their regards. They said to visit again. I keep telling them you're busy but you know how they are." That brought a chuckle out of him.
"Your parents are gracious people."
"Yeah..."
Typically the silence that followed was companionable in nature. Right now it felt suffocating. She could feel her entire face burning from embarrassment. Them being so close their elbows were in contact wasn't helping. She shouldn't be this anxious, it was Makoto. He wouldn't ridicule her for this. The worst that could happen was rejection, right?
...Oh, why did she ask Marie of all people for love advice!?
"Hitomi-"
"You're not gay, are you Makoto?" There was no way he would take the bait, it was too obvious and out of character for her, but his face betrayed no emotion so she pushed further. "You have all these pretty girls pining for your attention, yet you refuse to make a move. What's the deal?"
"I'll show you homosexual."
"What-"
While her first kiss was nowhere near as romantic as she had hoped for, it was at the same time everything she wished for.
"That does sound like 'advice' Kubota would give. A simple confession would have sufficed."
"Either way, I got what I wanted, so I'll have to thank Marie later."
With her head resting on his chest and his arms embracing her from behind, she didn't think she would ever be able to fully convey her gratitude towards Marie. She almost felt bad for how little attention she paid her when she rambled on about love.
Right now, she was experiencing bliss. She felt protected, as if Makoto would be able to repel any threat she could face. He always had that air about him, even when she first met him last year. From what she had gleaned from his other close acquaintances, this was a common sentiment shared among them. As for why? She'd bet it had something to do with that certain group he was usually seen with. She questioned Ikushima and Shinomiya about it, and while they never revealed what it was they were doing, it was obvious they were hiding something.
That was a mystery the entire academy had wrestled with. Initially, it was only when Hiiragi started hanging out with a boy not from the Academy that the rumors started. Boyfriend was the easy answer, and Hiiragi's reaction when teased about it didn't help her case. When Ikushima joined the mix, the rumors only strengthened from there. This was also the time when she took notice of him one afternoon, when he had entered her homeroom looking for Ikushima and a classmate had to inform him that he had gotten the wrong room. With Shinomiya's inclusion it had become clear that something strange was going on with their group. Takahata joining confirmed it. Hokuto's involvement turned the gossip into conspiracy. Kugayama wasn't a surprise with how much she spoke to the group.
Normally, she didn't care for rumors or gossip and would have assumed they were an odd group of friends. Her feelings toward him aside, she figured it was none of her business. That was, until one day last June... perhaps now he would answer her.
"You've been in contemplative silence for a while. Speak your mind."
"Makoto, I remember when the Academy transformed into that castle. I remember you carrying me to safety. I also remember when the city changed into that nightmare world last week."
The sigh he let out would also be difficult to forget.
"This is why I didn't send you away today. I knew."
"You knew?" Then why...?
He rose while setting her down on his bed. "Hitomi, I'd like for you to give me until the end of March. I have tasks I need to accomplish, and I want my friends out of harm's way. I'll explain everything to you when the time comes. So please, for your safety... stay clear from me until then." This time when his eyes met hers, she couldn't tear herself away from his sight.
"Okay. I'm holding you to that promise."
It was a mistake.
He was committed to isolating himself. He went through this all the time. But for all his stoicism, even he had moments of weakness. And always because of the fairer sex.
Romance was something he struggled with. Finding women he was interested in was never the issue. No, the problem was with women finding interest in him.
It was something that baffled him when he returned to Iwatodai. Before, the most attention he had received from a girl he found remotely attractive was a cashier who had winked at him a year earlier. After his Persona awakening it became the norm.
At the time, he chalked it up to him actually striving to better himself that final year of his life. But his multiple lives confirmed that he was destined to meet women who would love him regardless of their background. It was as if the universe had given him a boon for what it had put him through, and would continue to for all of eternity.
He had made peace with this long ago. If these women would love him, he would put his all into reciprocating that love.
But there lies the conflict. He could roughly estimate how long he had in each new universe he wound up in. Rare were the times when he could live a long life and happily build a family before he had to sacrifice himself. More often than not, he wouldn't live past twenty. It devastated him to do so, but he would try to refrain from forming romantic relationships when it was clear he wasn't long for the world.
"But we can't be perfect all the time, no matter how often you're told so."
Muttering to himself, he waved Hitomi farewell after walking her home, and set out for Aoi's place, and Haruna's afterwards. Hitomi wasn't the only one who would retain her memories. Another phenomenon of loving him; becoming more receptive to the truth of their world.
Seeing as he'd made the mistake, he found himself in the Hokuto Group headquarters earlier than expected. With his presence concealed he had made his way to the big cheese. His plan was to cash in on that favor that was owed to him. And why not kill two birds with one stone now that he was here?
"With how easily you were able to reach me, it's clear how you've been able to remain anonymous. I had my suspicions, but to have them confirmed is shocking, to say the least."
"Hm. I suppose the timeline of recent events would point to me eventually."
"You've made more than a few of my business partners uneasy this past year. Rather significant deals and agreements have been terminated for fear of consorting with the wrong people."
"That's good. A shame it took these wrong people dying for anyone to change."
"I would say it's not that simple, but I wager you're all too aware. Instead, I will offer you knowledge on who really runs this country. I say good riddance to them all."
"I appreciate your offer. Had I not already known the identities of all involved, your info would be most welcome."
Seijyuurou Hokuto, an influential man across the world. The Hokuto Group (and its subsidiaries) were a welcome change from the typical mega corp. Every choice Hokuto made was Japan first, no exception. To accrue as much power as he had without discarding his humanity was nothing short of miraculous.
Zodiac on the other hand...
"Then you're here to solve a problem that I, disgracefully, have not been able to quell. The other branch heads of Zodiac have grown louder with their insistence that we amass more power. To assimilate the smaller Eclipse groups amid the chaos you've sown. Their end goal is complete dominion of the Underground. I'll not be surprised if plans for my assassination are well on their way."
As if on cue, the guards standing outside of Hokuto's main office burst inside the room.
"Hokuto-sama, they're here! Quickly, we must make for the helicopter!"
"Very well. Lead the way."
Before Hokuto shut the door, he made himself visible again.
"We will speak more after I've dealt with your problems. Don't die." He received a nod in confirmation.
On his way back down the stairs, between his casts of Aqua and Zio, he marveled at how predictably evil some people were. It would never fail to amuse him.
GENOCIDE Version 666 - Tatsuya Shimizu
