Chapter 5

Lunch break

To Ben's right, Yukari was hauling herself out of her seat, yawning. "I thought I was gonna fall asleep… guess maybe I should've turned in earlier last night." Stretching, she turned to Ben. "How about you, Ben? Are you doing okay? I know you were still pretty tired at school last time…"

He shrugged, stuffing his hands in his pockets. "I'm okay. I'd just been in bed too long, is all." He stifled a yawn. "…Of course, even I have trouble if class is boring enough…"

"Tell me about it." Kotone said from behind Ben

"Hey," Junpei demanded, wandering over, "don't leave me out! What's the joke, huh, Yuka-tan? You know something I don't?"

"Honestly, Junpei," Yukari sighed, shaking her head. "How many times has Ben and Makoto saved your hide by giving you the answer? My point is, he does that well in school, but he says he has as much trouble as we do staying awake?"

"Oh. I get it." Junpei grinned. "Heh. Guess you're as human as the rest of us after all, Ben! Or… maybe you've got some 'extracurricular' activities going on, keepin' you awake at night?"

"Shut up, Stupei!" Yukari snapped irritably, while Junpei hopped awkwardly on one foot, having been stomped by Yukari. "It's not funny!"

"I thought it was funny." Kotone said

Yukari was about to chastise Kotone, but whatever she might've said was preempted by the classroom door sliding open, admitting a familiar redhead.

"Can I have a minute?" Mitsuru asked, and without waiting for a reply continued, "Come to the lounge when you get back tonight. There's something I need to discuss with all of you."

Junpei staggered painfully back to his feet. "Oh, cool. We gonna have that talk?"

"I'll save the details for the meeting," she told him, glancing around at all the potential eavesdroppers. "Be there at seven. I'll see you then." She turned to leave, then paused for a moment, noticing Junpei's difficulty standing up straight. Her mouth opened, then closed; a brief shake of her head later, and Mitsuru was on her way out of the room again.

Once she'd gone, Junpei sagged back into his chair. "Well," he said, massaging his foot, "she sure didn't waste any time. Like a whirlwind, here and gone." He added a curse under his breath, but Ben figured that was directed at his foot, not their senpai.

"She's probably just busy," Yukari said to Junpei, surprising Ben with the touch of acid in her voice. "She's Student Council President, remember? I'm sure she's got lots of school business to deal with, on top of SEES…"

Junpei was a lot of things, but totally unobservant wasn't one of them; his eyes widened at Yukari's tone. "Whoa, Yuka-tan! Do I sense some hostility there?"

Yukari looked uncomfortable. "…It's not that I don't like her or anything," she muttered, lowering her eyes. "She's just…" She shrugged. "You know."

"Right." Kotone said

Hagakure ramen

"Hold on, you really don't care if the girl you date is older than you?" Kenji Tomochika asked Ben, as they both received their orders

"For the last time Kenji." Ben signed. "I really don't care if I date someone older than me. Now eat up before your food gets cold."

"Right." Kenji said, before smiling. "You know Ben, this might be the start of a beautiful friendship."

Just as Kenji finished making that statement, Ben heard a smashing sound, as time seemed to slow down

"Thou art I, and I art thou…"

"Hold on." Ben thought, as he saw a card Infront of him. "Elizabeth, is that you?" He asked, after hearing a voice that sounded similar to Elizabeth

"Thou art created a Bond, and has been blessed with the ability to fuse Personas of the Magician Social Link." The voice said, ignoring his question

"So this is what a social link is." Ben thought, as time resumed

"Earth to Ben." Kenji called, trying to get Ben's attention. "It's getting late already, hope you don't mind me leaving."

"Sure." Ben nods, as Kenji waved him goodbye.

Evening

Having left Kenji, Ben encountered Makoto on the way, prompting both boys to returned to the dorm together, before heading for the fourth floor lounge, detouring only to retrieve their chosen weapons from Akihiko, who was waiting for them at the second floor entrance (Ben's weapon of choice is a katana). As expected, Mitsuru already there, along with Ikutsuki; Junpei had also arrived ahead of them, alongside Yukari and Kotone looking mildly bewildered.

"Hold on, are you guys friends now?" She asked, as the duo arrived

"You'll have time to discuss it later, I'm sure," Ikutsuki put in, cutting off the incipient discussion and earning Ben's gratitude. "For right now, we have other matters to discuss." He gestured for the two to sit.

"Time for us to get to the heart of the matter?" Ben remarked

"Right," the Chairman confirmed. "The problem SEES has had all this time is that, up till now, Mitsuru and Akihiko have been our only Persona users. A force of two really isn't adequate for the kind of exploration we need to do, so we've been pretty much stuck on the defensive so far. Recent events have changed that, however, and we now have a total of seven Persona users on hand."

"This means we finally have the numbers to really do the job," Mitsuru said, picking up where Ikutsuki left off. "It never seemed like a good idea to have all our combat force inside Tartarus at once, and I wanted to be able to send a team of at least three for any exploration attempt. Now we have the capability to do that."

"Right," Ikutsuki agreed. "Therefore: starting tonight at twelve A.M., I'd like to commence the exploration of Tartarus."

Junpei scratched his head. "Um… I asked this yesterday, but… what exactly is this Tartarus thing? It sounds like a toothpaste brand of something."

"That would be Tata sauce, I think." Ben said, before receiving various stares from the group. "What?"

"Did you just make a joke?" Kotone asked

"Against popular belief, I have a sense of humor." Ben said.

"Anyway, It's not that surprising he hasn't seen Tartarus yet." the Chairman pointed out, leaning back in his chair. "After all, it only appears during the Dark Hour."

Junpei's eyes widened. "Really? Whoa…"

"Just like the Shadows," Akihiko remarked, entering the conversation. "Interesting, isn't it? And it's the perfect place for guys like us to get in some training. It's only there during the Dark Hour… and it's where the Shadows come from. Like a nest or hive."

Junpei looked intrigued; Yukari, on the other hand, was looking at the boxer in concern. "But, Senpai… You still haven't recovered from your injury, have you?"

"Akihiko will only come as far as the entrance," Mitsuru was saying, giving the other senior a stern look. "We're not going to take chances with his recovery… are we, Akihiko?"

"…Yeah, I know," Akihiko acknowledged dejectedly. Ben had the sense that the only reason he agreed was out of respect for Mitsuru… or possibly fear.

"Relax," Junpei said with a grin. "I've got your backs!"

The look Yukari turned on him was quite dubious, from Ben's perspective. "…Why does that make me more nervous…?"

"I'll be staying here, of course," the Chairman said. "I can't summon a Persona, so I think I'm better off not taking any chances." He waved a hand. "Go on, you guys. I'm sure it'll fun as well as informative!"

Late Night

The seven Persona users of SEES had taken the monorail for part of the journey from the dorm, and walked the rest of the way to Gekkokan High, at midnight. While they walked Ben had taken his time to explain the story of Orpheus to some of SEES members

"So Hermes snatches Eurydice from Orpheus?" Junpei asked, as he turned to face Kotone

"Don't even think about it." Makoto warned from his side, causing Junpei to gulp, while Kotone merely chuckled

"A little overprotective, huh." Ben thought silently

"What the hell?" Junpei blurted, when the school gates came into view. "This is the place?" He turned to Akihiko in confusion. "What the hell are we doing here, Senpai?"

Akihiko just smiled, looking at his watch. "Give it a few minutes, Junpei. It's almost time for the Dark Hour… I think you'll be impressed."

They didn't have long to wait. The numbers on Akihiko's digital watch flickered onward… and then Akihiko's watch faded to darkness.

The sky turned green. The moon turned an eerie yellow. Water turned to blood, and bystanders in the distance vanished, replaced by hovering, silent coffins.

Beyond the gate ahead of them, Gekkokan High School changed.

It was an unreal spectacle, something totally alien. The buildings of the school suddenly warped, literally flowing in a way that defied rational sense, twisting and pulling together, and stretching up toward the sky; what had once been several low buildings and odds and ends of architecture congealed into a single mass, an absolute riot of geometries that made the onlooker sick with vertigo and a sense of unreality.

And then it happened. Ben Strega, for the first time in a long time, felt something he never thought he would feel, outside of Alfred's presence. A feeling of…

"...Home." Ben whispered, as he slowly observed Tartarus. Even Hades from Ben's sea of souls, seem to agree with his master. While from the corner even Makoto looked slightly shocked

"This," Mitsuru said, drawing attention back to herself, "is Tartarus. A labyrinth full of Shadows, which reveals itself only in the Dark hour. Now you know why no one else has heard of it, Iori."

"Yeah, but…" Junpei shook his head, eyes wide. "Labyrinth…? What the hell are you talking about? The hell happened to our school? This is crazy!"

"Let's head inside." Ben said, a little too eager for his own liking

"A little too eager don't you think?" Makoto asked

"It is definitely peculiar," Mitsuru admitted levelly. "And once the Dark Hour is over, this will return to normal, as if Tartarus was never even here. Everything in the school will be exactly as it was before the Dark Hour began."

"Okay, I get that, but…" Junpei sputtered, unable to form his next baffled inquiry. "...but why our school?"

She didn't reply. After a long moment, Ben nodded. "You don't know either?"

"…No."

"You're hiding something." Ben thought. "But honestly, right now I don't care what you're hiding."

"It's probably something just as weird and nonsensical as the Dark Hour itself," Yukari interjected irritably, speaking for the first time since they'd arrived at the school gates. "Anyway, what does it matter? It's not like it would change what we have to do right now, right?"

"Well now," Akihiko said, smiling, "it is a valid question. And maybe now we'll find out, eh? Mitsuru and I have only gone a little ways in, just taken a peek at the maze that lurks inside. Tonight will be the first true journey inside… Exciting, isn't it? There's bound to be some kind of clue to the nature of the Dark Hour, in this nest of Shadows…"

Mitsuru sighed. "Akihiko," she said sternly. "I respect your enthusiasm, but please remember your injury. You'll have your chance soon enough."

The boxer's smile vanished. "Tch. I know, I know… you don't have to remind me…"

The interior of the tower was just as strange as the exterior, just with fewer alien geometries. It was, Ben reflected, quite nice from Ben's point of view.

A circular room, with a checkered pattern on the floor, ringed with pillars supporting the ceiling. A strange device sat off to one side, some kind of inverted U-shape with a glowing floor panel in front of it; and, off to one side, Ben could see a blue door hanging a few inches above the floor, surrounded by a soft glow.

He had a strange feeling he knew exactly what the door was… especially since, from the looks of things, he was the only one who noticed it.

Everyone else was looking directly ahead, down the blue carpet that led up a staircase in the center of the room, terminating in front of a huge golden circle set in the wall. In the center of the circle, at the top of the stairs themselves, was a set of large doors

"Wow," Junpei breathed, gawking at the alien sights. "The outside is weird… and the inside ain't any more normal. Cool…"

"It's creepy, is what it is," Yukari opined, gazing uneasily at the staircase; she looked like she was about to go for her bow. Or her Evoker. "This place is just…"

"This is only the entrance," Mitsuru stated, nodding at the doors at the top of the stairs. "The labyrinth that seems to form the bulk of Tartarus lies beyond those doors; the rest of the tower is very different from what you see here."

Akihiko nodded in agreement. "We never got beyond the first couple of floors, though, so we don't have much information beyond that. That's why all of you are here tonight… to see what we couldn't. Why don't you go have a look around for yourselves?"

Yukari started, whirling to face him. "Huh? By ourselves? Like, alone?"

"We're not asking you to go far," Mitsuru assured her. "It's only the start of the investigation, after all. And I'll be feeding you information from here."

"So," Junpei began, fingering his enormous blade with a mix of anxiety and anticipation, "you two weren't planning on coming in the first place?"

"It's not a very good idea to send in everyone at once," Akihiko said patiently, and winced. "As everyone keeps reminding me, I'm not recovered enough to go in yet, and Mitsuru needs to stay here as mission control, if you will." He smiled. "Of course, support can only do so much from a distance, so one of you will be in charge of the exploration itself."

Junpei's face lit up. "Really? One of us? Ooh! Come on! Pick me! Me me me! I can do it!"

Makoto exchanged a look with Yukari that said "If Junpei is leading us, I think I'd rather commit seppuku right here and now"

From Akihiko's expression, the boxer was thinking much the same thing. He looked at Junpei, winced very slightly, and glanced over the other juniors. With only a few moments deliberation, he nodded at one of them. "…You're in charge, Ben. Think you can handle it?"

"No offense senpai, but what about Makoto?" Ben asked. "Clearly he has been here longer than me."

"I refuse." Makoto said, without missing a beat

"Can't I refuse?" Ben asked

"If you two won't lead, then I will." Kotone said, while wearing an evil grin. Ben looked over to Makoto, silently begging the boy to assume leadership

"Don't look at me." Makoto said. "I've lived with her my entire life, so I can handle whatever she throws at me. Can you?" Makoto asked, smirking slightly

"I'll make everyone wear swimsuits one of these days." Kotone said happily

"I'll get you for this Makoto." Ben signed, before facing Akihiko. "Fine, I'll lead."

"W-wait," Junpei protested, looking from senior to junior. "Him? C'mon, Senpai, Ben doesn't look like a leader! I mean, no offense man"

"None taken." Ben said

"I agree with Akihiko-senpai," Yukari said, shaking her head. "Ben's already fought Shadows before, Junpei, and we haven't…well except Makoto.

Junpei's head snapped around. "No kiddin?" He took another look at his fellow juniors.

"That's not the only reason," Akihiko noted, and drew his Evoker. "He summoned his Persona without hesitation, and without even really knowing what was going on." He tapped the muzzle against his temple. "Can either of you say the same?"

"O-of course I can!" Junpei declared, a cocky grin on his face. It looked forced, though, and a slight shake in the hand

gripping his katana belied his bold words.

"…I think I can," Yukari said after a moment, looking much less confident than Junpei tried to appear. "But…"

Akihiko spun his Evoker around one finger, and slipped it back into its holster. "These are Shadows we're talking about here," he said quietly. "Your power extends to the weapons you use to some extent, allowing them to harm Shadows, but if you can't actually summon your Persona at need… you're dead."

There really wasn't much to say to that. Even Junpei shifted his feet uneasily, and made no more protest.

Silence fell for several moments, while Mitsuru began to set up some equipment she'd brought, Akihiko found a place to stand against one of the pillars so as to rest his wounded side, and the four juniors took the time to check their weapons, with Ben walking towards the Blue door he saw earlier. As he got close, the key in his pocket started to glow

"I've been waiting for you." Igor said, as Ben found himself back the Velvet Room.

"Evening Igor. Hello Elizabeth."

"Good day." She replied to Ben, nodding.

"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."

That could wait. "About that door, I'm the only one able to see, touch, or pass through it, right?"

"Of course. Now, your power is unique. It's like the number zero... It's empty, but at the same time holds infinite possibilities." I nodded. "You, my boy, are able to possess multiple Personas, and summon them as needed."

"Eh? Really?" Ben didn't know what was more shocking; the possibility of multiple personae or that it was rare among persona users.

Igor smirked. "There may be times when they are difficult to grasp... But, do not fear." Igor waved his hand. "Seize what you have earned. Your power will grow accordingly... Be sure to keep that in mind."

This was a lot to take in, but Ben knew Igor was true in everything he said. In fact, he almost reminded him of Alfred.

"Which is scarier, Igor or Alfred with a Shotgun." Ben mentally debated with himself. "Definitely Alfred."

"Well, my spare time will soon become scarce. But, please come again of your own accord. I'll tell you then of my true role… the manner in which I can best assist you." Igor said

"I can come back any time I want, right?"

Igor's smile changed slightly. "Correct. Until then, farewell."

"Hey, are you alright?" Yukari asked, staring at Ben

"What's up man?" Junpei's face moved in front of Ben. "Dude, you look like a zombie."

"Nothing really." Ben said. "Just dozed for a moment."

"Dude seriously?" Junpei asked incredulously. "You're the leader, you can be taking naps at a time like this."

"Whatever." Ben said. "Come on, let's go."

"I agree," Mitsuru said, straightening. "My instruments are all set. You can begin when you're ready."

Exchanging quick glances, the juniors fell into a loose formation, and made their way up the stairs.