Chapter XVI: Preparations for War
The Velvet Room (ベルベット・ルーム)
Igor and Lavenza called forth a council of historical spirits for an important meeting. Their topic of discussion is the latest developments concerning the Angel of Control.
"Greetings revered spirits and welcome to Velvet Room," Igor formally addressed the Japanese spirits.
A large gathering of spiritual figureheads approached Igor and Lavenza. The first of these spirits are William, Hide, Tokichiro, Hattori Hanzo, Okatsu, Date Masamune, Mumyo, Sanada Yukimura, and Lady Chacha.
"We have brought along others who wish to attend this meeting, Igor," William stated.
"Very well. I permit them to enter."
With that, the other 22 spirits materialized in the Velvet Room.
"Welcome, Tokugawa Ieyasu," Lavenza addressed a short Japanese man with receding dark gray hair and a small ponytail. He has a thick dark gray mustache and goatee. He's seen wearing a brown robe garb over purple garments, eloquently designed dark gold pants, and sandals. The man carried a samurai helmet resembling golden beetle horns. The Tokugawa Clan symbol is embroidered on the left side of the robe.
"Tachibana Ginchiyo, daughter of Tachibana Dōsetsu," Igor eyed a young woman garbed in lighter dark samurai armor. She also wore a small white cape hanging down her back and wore her black hair in a ponytail. She carries with her a sword in a hilt that is as long as half of her own body.
"Tachibana Muneshige, one of the greatest samurai of western Japan, we're honored to have you," Lavenza said, facing a man garbed in samurai wear. His helmet has a dirty gold ring that adorned the top of it.
"The great Oda Nobunaga, make yourself comfortable," Igor welcomed a white-haired man in silver samurai armor. He wore his hair in a ponytail. He wore a mustache and goatee. Nobunaga wore a serious glare befitting a former 16th century daimyō. "And your wife, Nōhime, is just as welcome to join us." He turned toward Nobunaga's wife.
An icy snow blue aura enveloped a figure standing next to Nobunaga. Appearing as a Yuki-Onna, Nōhime has the appearance of a frigid ice maiden. Her once naturally black hair appeared white like snow. Her skin is also pale like the snow, which she now harvests as her primary power source. Her only article of clothing is a gray kimono.
"Welcome, Hattori Hanzo the first, or do you prefer to go by your other title?" Lavenza asked, her eyes shifting upward at a shadowed figure towering over her.
"However you wish," a booming voice croaked loudly and audibly like a toad's croak, which unfazed the child-like entity.
"Then, Giant Toad, it is," Lavenza plainly stated as a giant toad larger than any human in the room sat down. His brownish-olive green skin, covered with warts in some areas, is both rough and smooth on some places of his body. His belly was rotund and stuck out in a bulge. His large toad eyes are red. He wore a few articles of human clothing, although limited to just a big red vest, a black weapon holster strapped across his chest that held some kunai, chainmail armor covering the uppermost areas of his chest and neck, and a big white belt, too big for even a sumo wrestler.
Hanzo turned and addressed Giant Toad. "Father, you're looking well."
"Same to you, Hattori."
"Welcome, honorable Yasuke," Igor saluted a large brown-skinned, black bearded African man garbed in black and red samurai armor. He carries with him a large ax.
"Thank you," Yasuke formally replied in a deep and calming tone.
"Akechi Mitsuhide, welcome," Lavenza bowed to a monk garbed in black garb and wearing a purple robe with gold ornate symbols and designs. He wore a black veil that obscured his whole face sans his bespectacled eyes.
"I go by Tenkai now," the monk stated. "I have been since becoming a monk of the Muryojuji-kitaiin Temple."
"Well thank you for your corrections, Sir Tenkai."
"Lady Kasuga, or rather Fuku. Welcome to the Velvet Room," Igor turned toward a youthful Japanese woman. Her wardrobe consisted of a tall black mage's hat, sleeveless black dress tied by a red waist belt, black and purple arm warmers with red balls attached to them, purple baggy leggings that revealed her bare legs in the back, and red sandals with black socks.
"Shima Sakon, welcome. If I recall, in your day you were a Japanese samurai of the late Sengoku period and later joined the Toyotomi Clan under Ishida Mitsunari," Lavenza greeted a man with a faded black beard and garbed in black samurai armor. He also wore gray shoulder armor, a white belt, and ornately-designed lower battle armor. He wore a black samurai helmet with red armored protrusions pointing vertically.
"Ishida Mitsunari," Igor recognized a man appearing next to Shima. This man has gold, blue, and yellow samurai armor. He wore a white garment trimmed with blue and layered over his samurai armor. He also wore a samurai helmet with golden horns.
"Saika Magoichi, we're honored to have you here with us. As head of the Saika Ikki, you were famous for leading bands of traveling mercenaries," Lavenza addressed a man with short black hair. He wore a red headband. His face has a thinned mustache and goatee. His wardrobe consisted of a black overcoat with a black robe underneath and a red undershirt. He also wore a belt holster with bullets, which he had on strapped over his chest. She also noticed another man next to him with the same outward appearance. "Yes, I see. There were two of you with the same name. Duly noted."
"Otani Yoshitsugu, general of the Toyotomi clan, we're pleased to have you here," Igor stated as a cool-headed man wearing a white mask and sheet, shrouding all but his eyes, appeared. He wore black armored wear and a small purple robe.
"Date Shigezane, former general of the Date family, welcome," Lavenza said as a middle-aged man with a rugged beard walked in and greeted Masamune. He was garbed in a full-bodied black and gold embellished samurai armor.
"It's good to see you again, my friend," Masamune openly addressed Shigezane.
"How can we not forget one of Tokugawa Ieyasu's Four Heavenly Kings? Welcome, Honda Tadakatsu," Igor faced an older man with a grizzled gray beard garbed in black, red, and gold samurai armor. His helmet notably had two small golden horns and even larger black deer-like antlers.
"And you're the granddaughter of the legendary swordsmith Senji Muramasa. Senji Tome, welcome," Lavenza saluted a black-haired young woman with a white cloth covering her left eye. She was fully garbed in white clothing, consisting of a short-sleeved baggy shirt and a hakama dress. She also wore two bells hanging on red strings tied together like a necklace. Around her waist was a red-and-black rope belt. Two balls, red and white, were seen attached to her left hip.
"And how can we not have a meeting without the great Sarutobi Sasuke," Igor noted a man appearing beside Sanada Yukimura. Sasuke appeared as a ninja garbed mostly in black with black and red armored wear. He has on a black ninja mask and a metal forehead protector. The only parts of his face visibly seen are his eyes and ears. A sword inside a black sheath visibly poked out behind his back.
"Thank you. We're honored," Sasuke bowed over to the Velvet Room host.
"Toyotomi Hideyori, we're honored to have you here," Lavenza greeted a man garbed in varying lighter colors of armor. The colors consisted of gold, blue, royal purple, coffee brown, dirty yellow, white, and black. He wore a silver samurai helmet with metal protrusions that pointed upward and spread in the manner of a peacock opening its tail feathers. He's seen with gold and white sheaths, holding his swords, hanging on both of his side hips.
Just then, Hakutaku, the Guardian Spirit goat, appeared in the room. "I have brought a few others who wish to join us." With that, three other spirits materialized next to him.
The two of the three spirits appeared near Hide. The first of them is a bald, thick bearded man garbed in a black robe coupled with a matching colored hakama and a dark purple waist belt.
Next to the man is a beautiful pale-skinned woman with long, back-length silver hair with two long twin tails. Adorning her head are two yellow demon horns, one larger than the other. She is seen wearing a lavender kimono.
"Welcome, Saito Dosan and Lady Miyoshino," Lavenza openly addressed the couple, who approached and interacted with Hide.
"My son, you're looking well in your eternal age since passing," Miyoshino lovingly smiled at Hide.
"Heh, of course, you'd be happy to see us again?" Saito said, giving a raspy laugh.
"Father, mother, it's good to see you both again after so long," Hide replied to his human father and Yokai mother.
"Haha, is that you, Hide?!" A boisterous voice called out to him. Turning around, Hide faced a large man with long, back-length black hair, a thick beard, and a metal forehead protector. He has on body armor, covering all but his chest. His lower body garments consisted of black samurai pants, black footwear that exposed dark toe claws, and a red waist belt. On his back is a dark gray spiked shell.
"It's good to see you, too," Hide addressed the large bearded man.
"Hachisuka Koroku, the military commander that served former Toyotomi Hideyoshi and the leader of the Kawanami Clan," Igor stated, pivoting toward Tokichiro's direction.
"Hey, I WAS Toyotomi Hideyoshi, but those days are behind me! In the end, Hiddy helped save me!" Tokichiro reminded them to forget about his tyrannical days.
"We know. We cannot change the past, but now we can help prevent a disastrous future," Lavenza promptly stated.
Standing and floating from his chair, Igor formally greeted the historical Japanese spirits. "Welcome, venerable spirits. As we congregate here, you all understand the dilemma that we face?"
"Indeed. These young people have discovered the true source of this conflict," Hanzo commented.
"Good on them for finding out so quickly. Thankfully, there are Spirit Guardian wielders among them," Giant Toad concurred with his son.
"It's baffling to know the perpetrator originated from Osaka. No less from an alternate reality where Sion came from," Yukimura stated.
"Since we're discussing Spirit Guardians, I'm pleased to know Jabami-san, her two friends, William's successor, and Hide's successor have been helpful," Lady Chacha said. "I'm quite pleased with Jabami-san. She's on her way to surpassing me."
"I agree with you, mother," Hideyori nodded to Lady Chacha.
Yukimura added. "Yes, Janomecho has been serving Saotome-san well. She has surpassed my expectations."
"Based on my observations on Mina, she's shown me great prowess. Her strength and fortitude is admirable and far surpass mine. She's been perfectly compatible with Saoirse," William acknowledged his worthy successor.
"I've been impressed with Kyosuke. Makami has served him well," Hide addressed his successor.
"These Phantom Thieves of Hearts have opened my ideas to their ideals. Their changing of society has earned my respect," Nobunaga appreciated.
"I do wonder if we should get indirectly involved now?" Ieyasu asked.
"What do any of you propose?" Tokichiro asked his spirit colleagues.
"We can assist with our Onmyo magic, but can it work?" Fuku pondered.
"I suggest we continue to observe. Now that they've gained more support, they have numbers on their side. I sense their Personas' powers are growing exponentially," Igor assessed the Third-Tier Personas' untapped new potential.
As this revelation came to light, Lavenza turned to Igor. "Yes, I've sensed it, too."
Floating back to his seat, Igor mused. "Let's all observe and see what becomes of this. However, if their situation goes dire, then it'll be time to intervene."
"Tokichiro, are you ok?" Hide asked his old friend, who has a concerned look on his face.
"Why do I get the feeling the great evil that possessed me will be among those working with this Datenshi," the former Hideyoshi gravely stated, closing his eyes.
"Do you mean…?" William asked him before Tokichiro revealed the aforementioned dark entity's identity.
"Yes, Otakemaru."
Yokohama (横浜)/August 7, 2020 (2020年8月7日)/9:45 PM (JST)
Sometime later, the bullet train stopped early at the Yokohama station rather than the intended stop in Tokyo. Due to the ongoing catastrophe, all transportation was cut off from entering Tokyo. Many of the travelers left the train, including the Thieves and their cohorts.
After leaving the train station and relocating to a remote location, Mona converted into his van form, fitting in all the Thieves, Sion, Tennyo, the Spiritual Gamblers, Mina, and Kyosuke. Mona forcefully had to expand his body to accommodate the extra passengers. Because of this extra space, Mona felt cramped from the extra weight inside his space. Half of the group weren't too fussed about it, but others felt awkward, especially Brave and Presto having to let Tamamo sit on their laps.
"Damn, how much weight did you put on Yumeko?" Brave grunted, trying her best to tolerate the Compulsive Gambler's weight on her lap.
"It must've been all that extra treats I had. Sorry, I can't help but overindulge myself!" Tamamo apologetically chirped.
"You two are lucky to sit in the very back," Presto glanced behind him where Mina and Kyosuke sat cross legged next to each other.
"Better here than where you two are," Kyosuke remarked.
Taking the wheel, Queen drove the Mona van through Yokohama, which was largely normal with no distortion influence.
"Honestly, it's been a while since we rode on the Mona mobile," Joker commented, enjoying Yokohama's view from an open window.
"Hope you're feeling okay about this, Mona," Panther remarked, knowing how uncomfortable Mona must be feeling having to create extra space.
"It's alright, it just feels weird driving in the real world unlike in the Metaverse," Mona's voice responded.
Then after some silence, Sion spoke up. "Hey, sorry for acting the way I did and taking it out on all of you. I acted childishly."
"What do you need to apologize for? I'd react the same way if I was you," Queen reassured him.
"Yes, we don't think of you any less, Sion," Noir replied, giving him reassurance with a smile.
"Dude, that bastard is no different from those other shitty adults we've dealt with before," Skull stated.
"But, is it true you'll disappear if we destroy Datenshi?" Oracle asked the Revenant.
Averting his gaze with the others, Sion stared at his own feet. He felt Tennyo gently patting his back, sending him good vibes to relax his disarrayed state of mind.
Nodding, Sion answered. "Let's not talk about that now. Please."
Oracle replied with an apologetic look. "Sorry, I didn't mean…"
"It's not right," Panther disproved the connection between Sion and Datenshi.
"No, it's not. Sion, there has to be something we can do, right?" Violet queried with concern for the Revenant.
"Is there any other way?" Joker asked the Revenant, who merely shrugged.
"Who even knows? But, I doubt it," Sion meditated over the situation.
Everyone inside the van fell silent over the gravitas to their situation. Even Queen, who was once at odds with Sion, became disheartened.
"Hey, Sion…" Mona's voice consoled with the Revenant with a genuine tone, "I know there's no solution in resolving this. But, if there's one thing we can relate despite the contrast of our birth, is that you're still a good friend that we'll remember in our hearts."
"Thank you, Mona," Sion smiled at the feline van.
"Sion, I want us to enjoy our time together for however long it lasts," Tennyo said, gently grasping his hands.
"Thank you, Hifumi. You out of everyone has brought me joy I thought I'd never felt again," Sion's smile and facial features softened from her touch.
"Hey guys, we're about to reach home!" Oracle called out to the team as they approached Tokyo.
"We come. Back home and ready to settle the score with you, Datenshi," muttered Joker.
Shibuya, Tokyo (渋谷区, 東京)/10:15 PM (JST)
A crowd of people is seen amassing around the distorting city. Many have already been evacuated from these distorted areas. Among the masses are Sakura Sojiro and Niijima Sae, who worried about the Phantom Thieves' safety. They worried if they returned from Osaka yet.
Just then, the crowd faced a big screen from a building and watched the Mona van driving through the Tokyo roads. Upon seeing the famed urban legends, the crowd loudly cheered on the Phantom Thieves. The big screen broadcasted the Phantom Thieves entering a massive distorted dome covering most of Chiyoda.
"Well, I'll be damned," Sojiro muttered, letting out a relieved sigh. "These kids are back."
"Be careful out there, Makoto," Sae gave her prayers to her younger sister.
Elsewhere within Tokyo, a tall, bespectacled man with short, unkempt brown hair returned to see some old friends. He has on a light brown jacket with a white dress shirt underneath, blue jeans, and dark brown dress shoes. Accompanying him are two other individuals: a young woman with long brown hair with a chain-like accessory through it and light olive green eyes, who is his current love interest. She has on a light blue short-sleeved dress shirt, black jeans, and dark brown boots.
The AI has the form of a fair-skinned, young girl with red hair with m-shaped bangs, a small ahoge, and 7 red hearts floating on each side of her head with hearts in deeper shades of red in the middle of them. Each heart curved inward and doubled as pigtails. She has on a long-sleeved white one-piece outfit and a dress section ending at her hips. Underneath her dress, she has black boyshorts. She also has black boots with silver soles.
"Takuto, look!" The woman called out, pointing to a large screen displaying a live broadcast of the distorted areas of Chiyoda.
"These monster attacks have become so rampant. First, the Summer Olympics. Then, Osaka. Now, they're attacking the masses here, Kuon," Maruki assessed the Lost and Yokai's behavioral patterns. "When before, they've only caused collateral damage and exclusively attacked the Phantom Thieves and their new allies."
"I hope Ren and the others are ok. Where are they, Dr. Maruki and Dr. Ichinose?" The red-haired AI asked, looking at them with concern in her worrisome eyes.
"Sophia, I… I'm not even sure how I can answer that," Ichinose tried to calm the AI. "They're…"
"Look! I see them!" Maruki called out as he showed them the Mona van driving through the distorted dome covering Chiyoda.
"Yes, it's about time," Ichinose genuinely smiled. "Well, Sophia. Your questions have been answered."
Nodding, Sophia merrily cheered. "You can do it, Phantom Thieves!"
"Yes, they can, Sophia," Maruki smirked, taking off his glasses as he painstakingly observed the Phantom Thieves enter the heart of Chiyoda. "Make a believer out of us again, Amamiya Ren."
Kyoto (京都)/10:17 PM (JST)
Also watching the news broadcast is a father and his daughter. The man is a tall, narrow-framed man with black shoulder-length hair and a goatee. He has on a pair of rimless glasses and a neatly clothed black suit with a tie and dress shoes.
"Akane, look," Hasegawa Zenkichi showed her the broadcast showing the Mona van driving through the distortion dome shrouding Chiyoda. He saw the elated look on Akane's face the second she saw her heroes on screen.
Standing next to the man is his now teenaged daughter, Akane. Three years since she last met the Thieves, Akane grew a few inches in height. She let her dark brown hair grow to shoulder-length. She still has her red hair clip on the left side. She has on a long-sleeved dark black and red striped shirt with a black dress, knee-length black socks, and red tennis shoes. Her brown eyes didn't turn away from the screen.
"Yeah! Kick their butts, Phantom Thieves!" Akane cheered her heroes.
Watching his daughter exuberantly cheering them, Zenkichi turned and followed the news broadcast.
Osaka (大阪市)/10:20 PM (JST)
A tall, well-built man with a square jaw, a riffed-style haircut, and a trimmed mustache garbed in a deep blue cheap suit with a white dress shirt, a brown tie, and deep blue pants, quietly watched the same broadcast.
Having been released from prison not long after the Phantom Thieves freed his desires, Konoe Akira looked to make amends. When he caught the Thieves on the screen, a smile adorned the CEO's features.
"You've got this, Phantom Thieves. If you can change a man like me, you can make anything happen," Konoe folded his arms, openly smiling. "One day, I hope we'll meet again."
Inaba (稲葉市)/10:22 PM (JST)
In the town of Inaba, a group of young adults and their mascot are seen witnessing the news on their phones. They are members of the Investigation Team, who once solved a case of murder incidents alongside encountering Izanami back in 2011. The names of these people are Narukami Yu, Hanamura Yosuke, Satonaka Chie, Amagi Yukiko, Tatsumi Kanji, Teddie, Kujikawa Rise, and Shirogane Naoto.
Iwatodai (巖戸台)/10:23 PM (JST)
In the city of Iwatodai, a group of young adults and their dog are seen aware of the recent Yokai and Lost incidents in Tokyo. These individuals are part of SEES (Special Extracurricular Execution Squad), a group that handled rogue shadows around the Dark Hour and dealt with the cult of Nyx back in 2009. Some of them are Shadow Operatives, who continue their duties against rogue Shadows. Their names are Takeba Yukari, Iori Junpei, Kirijo Mitsuru, Sanada Akihiko, Yamagishi Fuuka, Aigis, Amada Ken, and Koromaru.
Since their last meeting with the Investigation Team in 2012, both sides had been in contact and placed their hopes on the Phantom Thieves to be the next generation of Persona users to save humanity again.
The Great Seal/10:24 PM (JST)
In the area of the Great Seal, this is the place of one legendary figure, who prevented The Fall by sealing the primordial deity, Nyx. His spirit is seen observing the living realm. He is named Yuki Makoto. With a warm smile, he gave an encouraging nod while praying for the new generation of Persona users.
Distorted Chiyoda, Tokyo (千代田区, 東京)/10:45 PM (JST)
As the group arrived, they scoured the area, picking up on the distortions and the eerie presence felt from the Distorted Osaka Realm. When the Thieves gazed upon their surroundings, they were aghast by the familiar and grisly scenery of trails of bones, demonic structures, and flesh covered areas. The Thieves realized this looked similar to the Qliphoth World, which Yaldabaoth brought forth into their world.
The putrid stench of carrion filled their nostrils. Sion recognized the dark golden spikes protruding from the ground, which were plentiful in his reality. The Spiritual Gamblers, Mina, and Kyosuke noted the golden Amrita stones, which along with the dark golden spikes, meshed with their surroundings, including the roads and skyscrapers.
The Mona van drove through the road, catching the sight of civilians sealed in these golden spikes and Amrita stones.
"My god…" Queen was horrified at what she and the others saw.
"I can't believe Datenshi did this," Tennyo looked around, mortified by the grisly sightings.
"This is just fucking terrible," Panther angrily gritted.
"This is so not the homecoming I had in mind," Skull sadly added.
Mona's voice called their attention. "This is exactly what happened when Yaldabaoth merged the real world with his realm."
"I can't believe this," Brave was flabbergasted. Tamamo and Brave shared similar terrified reactions at the transformed Chiyoda.
"Do you see all that Amrita, Kyosuke?" Mina asked her colleague.
"Yeah, this is beginning to look a lot like Osaka did during its Siege," keenly observed Kyosuke.
"I'm picking up critical readings from these distortions," analyzed Oracle.
Noir gave a saddened look. "I just don't know about this. Once this is over, will Tokyo and all these people be restored?"
"There's no telling. I would hope so, but we don't have divine powers to change this," Joker bluntly answered, feeling unsure about the situation. Deep down, he was unsure of how they were going to defeat Datenshi.
Facing and pointing out of a window, Sion eyed the Diet Building. "I sense enemy activity over in that building. Since I'm now connected to Datenshi, I can get a better lock of his location."
The group then faced the location of where the Revenant clone referred. It was the same location the Thieves used to enter Shido's Palace roughly four years ago.
"Oh great, why the hell did that jerk-off choose that spot?" Skull snarled at the sighting of the Diet Building.
"How ironic that Datenshi loves to pollute the filth of corrupted politicians to destroy order from the inside out," Tennyo remarked. "Now I see why Shido's Shadow mentioned the contrast between himself and Datenshi."
"So, Datenshi is waiting for us inside the Diet Building," concluded Queen.
Sion nodded at Queen. "I'm positive, but let's find someplace to rest first."
"Yeah, we saw no monsters around. Not yet at least." Queen noticed outside while noticing no hostilities lurking in the shadows. "Datenshi likely already expects us back from Osaka and prefers to fight us at full strength."
"Yeah, some of us are too exhausted from a long trip from Osaka and then detour due to trains being asked to stop," Noir reminded them.
"I get the feeling Datenshi is just waiting to spring more Lost and Yokai before we encounter him," Joker stated. "I suggest we find a hotel or someplace to rest for the night."
"If there's any place to sleep in!" Panther cautiously looked outside her window side.
"Guys! Look, over there!" Oracle called everyone's attention toward their perfect resting spot: the Toshi Center Hotel. To their surprise, the building remained intact, almost like a Safe Room that the Phantom Thieves used to rest inside Palaces and while exploring Mementos.
"Looks like we got our wish, Joker! Good call!" Tamamo chimed in.
"He did us a big favor to let us rest in a hotel," Fox remarked.
"Hell yeah! Let's head in!" Oracle called out.
As Sion gritted his teeth, Tennyo grasped his hand to calm him.
"Are you ready, Sion? Come on."
"Yeah, thanks," Sion deeply sighed.
Toshi Center Hotel/Distorted Chiyoda, Tokyo (千代田区, 東京)/11:10 PM (JST)
After the Mona van parked outside the hotel, the group walked in. Much to their surprise, they saw no distortions and any property damage inside the hotel. The lights are on. Every working appliance and electronics were operational. Everything appeared pristine. Maybe too clean for Datenshi's honored guests.
"Finally! We can rest!" Oracle exclaimed with relief.
"Tell me about it!" Tamamo waved her arms around.
Looking around, Tennyo nodded. "I feel like a foreigner walking into a hotel for a vacation."
"I know that feeling," Sion added.
"There doesn't appear to be anyone here," Queen scanned the unoccupied space, slightly put off by the eerie silence.
"That does save us yen," Mina remarked. "Kyosuke, you and I can occupy a room together."
"Sure, but hopefully with enough room for me to meditate," Kyosuke stated.
"Alright, let's use this time to get ready and get good sleep," Joker reminded the team.
With that, the group headed for the elevators and went to the upper floors. With Oracle's help, they hacked into the hotel's systems and unlocked their hotel rooms.
Toshi Center Hotel/Ren & Ann's Room/Distorted Chiyoda, Tokyo (千代田区, 東京)/12:20 AM (JST)
After an hour of planning for their infiltration, things have gone quiet in the hotel. Even inside their shared bedroom, Ren calmly stared out the window and scanned the distorted city. He had a lot on his mind: Sion's revelations, Datenshi's connection with Yaldabaoth, the alternate reality where they've died, and their inevitable showdown with the Angel of Control. These variables weighed heavily on his mind, causing him to let out a decompressed sigh.
"Don't overexert yourself, Ren. Just get some rest," he muttered to himself, turning around as he heard the bathroom door open.
"Ren," a gentle voice is heard coming out of the bathroom.
When facing who was in front of him, Ren saw his love interest fully nude and shamelessly approaching him.
"Whoa! Ann…?!" Ren blurted out, quickly taken aback by Ann in her full birthday suit. When scanning over her, his cheeks reddened.
With a warm smile, Ann giggled. "What? It's okay. The door is already locked. No one is going to walk in and see us." Then, Ann walked toward to stand next to Ren. Both stood together facing the window view.
"It's so beautiful. Not in a good way, mind you, but the view takes us back to a normal day of seeing the blue sky," Ann muttered about the outside view.
"Yeah, and coming from that blue sky from another country is a foreign angel," Ren turned to Ann with an affectionate smile.
"Huh?" Ann blinked as she took his compliment and smiled back, giggling. "Well, thanks. I guess coming back to Tokyo does make me like a foreigner, huh? I was the first person you met of all the Phantom Thieves, Ren." Unfolding her arms, Ann reminded them of their first memory together.
"I know. Though, getting to know each other and having a relationship is one thing," Ren replied. "You were already a famous model. Since I'm halfway done with college life, I'm deciding where to work in Tokyo. I'm looking for a place to live in Shibuya to support us."
"Knowing your criminal record is gone now, I'm sure you'll find something," she encouraged her boyfriend, twirling locks of her hair with her fingers.
"In case we don't make it, I wanted to give you something," Ren said, digging into his pocket to pull out a small case.
"Ren, don't say that. Of course, we're going to make it. Right?" She immediately paused as her eyes sighted the case in her boyfriend's hand. Before even a word could come out, she watched him open the case, revealing a scarlet wedding ring.
"I bought this while we were in Osaka."
"Ren…" Ann muttered in shock, her eyes widened at the sight of the ring.
"Takamaki Ann, will you accept my hand, for goodness in our hearts?" Ren genuinely proposed.
Unsure how to react, Ann clenched her right hand. A loving smile adorned her face. "Yes… Yes, I do, Amamiya Ren!" Ann both smiled and accepted as she rushed to embrace him.
Ren's eyes went wide as her arms folded over him and her nubile body leaning against him. As he came to his senses, he returned the favor and closed his eyes. As they faced each other, Ren became deeply entranced by Ann's gorgeous blue eyes.
Finally, their lips met and the couple lip locked affectionately. They licked each other's lips with their tongues. Closing their eyes, Ren and Ann felt nothing but a warm embrace from their arms and lips.
Removing his glasses, Ren started disrobing his clothes while he and Ann continued kissing and lip-locking. He then caresses his lover's long blond hair with his left hand and lowered down to kiss Ann's neck. As he kissed and licked her neck, Ann let out a soft moan. She unbuttoned her lover's shirt. Gazing over him, she licked his chest and nipples while caressing his body with her hands. With his clothes littering their hotel room, Ren stood in nothing but his black undies, eliciting a flirtatious look on Ann's face.
"Like what you see?" He asked.
Without saying a word, Ann nodded and winked, twirling locks of her hair again.
Both embraced again. Ann's left hand slid off Ren's undies as her lips leaned closer to his ears. "I want to be at your side with a fiery passion." She whispered before she and Ren shared another passionate kiss.
Seen in slight shadows, Ren and Ann turned each other over and aligned so their crotches met each other's faces. As Ren fingered her, Ann caressed her boyfriend's penis and crotch.
Then, both are covered in a blanket. Ren is on top Ann. As they embraced each other, Ren already went inside his lover, slowly thrusting himself into her. Grasping her lover's back, Ann was almost pushed to the brink of scratching him. As he thrust into her, she let out an orgasmic cry. She then kissed and licked her lover's neck.
Then, Ann and Ren passionately lip-locked as their tongues met. Following a few more thrusts from Ren, she felt her lover climaxing inside of her. Letting out a relaxed and passionate sigh, Ann smiled. She heard her boyfriend's heavy pants, who had exhausted himself during their intercourse. Their bodies are covered in sweat and sexual fluids.
"Wow, I didn't expect you to be good at this… you tired?"
Ren chuckled. "...maybe just a little…"
"It's ok. We can rest now," Ann pulled him in, letting him lean against her.
Toshi Center Hotel/Sion's Room/Distorted Chiyoda, Tokyo (千代田区, 東京)/12:30 AM (JST)
In another room, Hifumi and Sion look outside their window, mulling over all that has transpired from their Osaka trip and Datenshi's revelations.
Sion quietly informed her. "It'll be the last time I spend with all of you. After this is behind us, what are you going to do?"
Hifumi calmly answered. "My university years are halfway over. I don't know when, but I intend to get a real job after it. I have some student loans to pay off. Besides my future job, I still play Shogi to support my salary, but some players still see me as a 'phony princess'."
"A phony princess? That's kinda funny," Sion chuckled. "Sorry. No offense meant."
Hifumi gave an awkward look to him, but amicably smiled, "Well, I already moved past that since my skills are back to proficient levels. I remembered there was a Shogi app with a chibi version of myself on it. I wonder if I should take part in other gaming competitions. Maybe something like Pocket Monsters."
"I see. Then, good luck on your future," Sion vaguely smiled, complimenting her. "At least you'll have a future. Me? I'm not so sure anymore. After what you heard from Datenshi, do you think my existence is meaningless?"
Hifumi nodded. "No. Until I met you, I never had an actual boyfriend. No matter what he says, I still see you as a real man, Sion. I do wonder how you and your friends would cope with living in my world? A modern society where they can live normally."
"That's hard to say because my friends have never experienced this peaceful lifestyle. We've had to fight to survive," Sion sighed, also wondering of that possibility. A smile adorned his neutral face. "Thank you, Hifumi. I do agree if we all have normal lives like you and the human race, it would've been better. We would've had a chance to develop our relationship." Sion honestly wondered how he and his friends would have coped in modern civilization.
Hifumi walked up and held his hands. "Then, why don't we see where our relationship goes next?" Smiling affectionately, her green eyes met Sion's now glowing red eyes.
After some moments of eye gazing, they leaned closer as their lips met once again. As they passionately lip locked, the couple passionately kissed. While their lips and tongues met, Hifumi unbuttoned Sion's shirt, revealing his bare chest. Aroused by his chest, Hifumi leaned her face across his body. She folded her arms around his neck and gave a deep massage to Sion's back. She gently kissed his neck before moving down to his chest. She began licking and sucking on his left nipple. While Hifumi kissed and licked his other nipple, Sion gently removed her dress, stripping her down to her black lingerie bra and panties.
"Do you like what you see?" Hifumi asked Sion, pressing her body against him, eliciting a smile from the Revenant.
"What do you think?" Sion asked as their lips locked again and they started french kissing. As he engaged her with more tongue action, he slid his hands behind Hifumi, undoing her bra and removing it to reveal Hifumi's breasts. Then, he undid her hair bun, letting loose her long hair.
The now topless Hifumi leaned on their bed. With a playful smile on her face, Hifumi invited him into bed with her. Not one to turn down his girlfriend's invite, he mounted on top of Hifumi and picked up her right leg, planting kisses down toward her foot. He then licked and sucked on the woman's barefoot, thoroughly licking her toes much to Hifumi's delight.
Through the rest of their intercourse, Sion stood behind a blushing Hifumi, shoving his penis inside of her clitoris. Hifumi let out passionate gasps and heavy pants from her lover's powerful thrusts. Hifumi's breasts and hands pressed against a window for a while. She then turned as her left arm folded around the Revenant's neck. Sion's right hand fondled her right breast while his left arm folded over her chest. The couple shared another kiss and closed their eyes.
After a few more thrusts into her, Hifumi felt Sion climax inside her. She let out a deep gasp as Sion's warm semen filled her from the inside.
Afterward, Sion is laying down in bed with Hifumi on top of him and facing her lover. They moaned and panted while engaging in their intercourse. Hifumi held her Revenant lover's shoulder, caressing him while he caressed her butt before sliding toward her back. Both looked into each other with loving and compassionate looks. As they lip-locked, Sion climaxed inside Hifumi, causing her to loudly gasp.
"Sion, let's keep this going!" Hifumi suggested, caressing his face and kissing his face.
"You didn't even need to ask," Sion nodded, thrusting his penis into her and massaging her buttocks. When he took out his hardened penis, she climaxed and spilled vaginal juices on him, leading him to drink her sexual fluids. In return, Hifumi licked the semen off Sion's penis. As Hifumi grabbed his penis, she jerked him off and made him ejaculate, opening her mouth to swallow his sexual fluids.
As she licked her boyfriend's semen from her face, Hifumi lovingly smiled. "You taste much better than I thought, Sion."
"I'm glad I can satisfy," he crudely grinned.
Toshi Center Hotel/Outside/Distorted Chiyoda, Tokyo (千代田区, 東京)/12:50 AM (JST)
Outside, both Makoto and Haru are seen looking at the distorted skies, which blocked out most of the stars during nightfall.
"Those stars are the wishing remnants that somehow bypassed the distortion," Makoto commented.
"Yeah, a star that we can pray for a wish. Mako-chan, I know we have each other, but is there a possibility we can have a man involved with us?" Haru pondered in slight worry. She and Makoto recalled meeting the cognitive version of Louis in their dreams.
"We just have to be optimistic, Haru-chan," Makoto reassured her while staring at Haru's face. "Maybe. Maybe we'll..."
Following the rising police officer's last two words, her face leaned closer to Haru as their lips met. As soon as they realized that, both women were taken aback, quickly pulling away and blushing.
"I can't believe we just did that!" Makoto admittedly yelped.
"Yes, to think this is our first real kiss! Not from a man, but a…" Haru paused as she and Makoto said at once.
"...woman."
The two young women held each other and stared at each other's eyes. Loving smiles crossed their faces. They nudged their noses a bit before their smiling lips cleaned closer. Once their lips met, they kissed, letting go all doubts that love could replace their indecisive emotions. While they kissed, the women caressed their backs with their arms and hands. Makoto then slowly moved her right hand to fondle Haru's butt. Meanwhile, Haru's arms wrapped around her lover's neck.
As the two ladies pulled away, they exchanged smiles and murmured. "I love you, Mako-chan/Haru-chan."
Toshi Center Hotel/Ren & Ann's Room/Distorted Chiyoda, Tokyo (千代田区, 東京)/1:30 AM (JST)
Following another round of erotic intercourse, Ren and Ann both lay in bed, covered in a blanket. They warmly embrace one another, smiling and eyes beginning to close. Ann's scarlet ring is seen in her left index finger as a sign of their loving bond.
Toshi Center Hotel/Sion's Room/Distorted Chiyoda, Tokyo (千代田区, 東京)/1:35 AM (JST)
In their room, Hifumi and Sion embrace with their eyes closed. Their nude bodies are covered in a blanket. Then, Hifumi opened her eyes a bit to reflect on their beautiful intercourse. She also realized this might be Sion's last night.
As the woman stared at the ceiling and meditated, unbeknownst to her, her eyes started glowing gold.
Chapter Soundtrack
Nioh OST - Azuchi Castle - Igor and Lavenza with the Japanese historical figures.
Shin Megami Tensei IV Apocalypse OST - Tokyo (Large Map)- Characters in various areas seeing the news of the Phantom Thieves saving the day as the vigilantes and their allies are approaching the distortions.
Nioh 2 OST - Daigoji Temple - Distorted Tokyo. The Phantom Thieves and allies found Toshi Center Hotel to rest.
Persona 5 OST - Encounter - Ren and Ann's scene and proposal of marriage alongside their intercourse.
VAMPS - VAMPIRE'S LOVE- Hifumi and Sion's time in their hotel room. Both of them have intercourse.
A/N: It's been a while since we last saw the Velvet Room inhabitants and they've invited a gathering of various spirits from the Nioh series. As they congregate, they discuss the matter of Datenshi's existence. To keep this story from veering off into full-on AU territory, none of these spirits personally knew Datenshi. As far as they go, he was just a random soldier who mutated into a Magatsu Warrior Yokai, died in battle, and became a wandering spirit, who survived up to modern times. I don't expect someone like Datenshi will show up in the actual Nioh.
Is anyone surprised by the cameo appearances? Yes, this acknowledges the characters from Scramble do exist! For those who kept asking about them, your questions have been answered. Dr. Maruki makes an appearance. Oh, but that's not all. Cameo appearances from the casts of the previous Persona series are here, too! Sadly, these are just cameos. Don't expect the P3 and P4 characters to help out against Datenshi. Just putting it out here now.
Our heroes discover their home city's been converted into a distorted Yokai realm. They catch a break and find a hotel (a safe room in this case) all to themselves. Then, our story's main couples have time to themselves. Ren finally proposes to Ann and their marriage is good to go if they don't die during this conflict. Makoto and Haru confess their love, kickstarting their beautiful romance. They along with Sion & Hifumi have sexual intercourse. For those asking, yes, this story going forward will have lemon scenes. If it isn't your thing, you can skip if you want.
Then, we end the chapter with Hifumi's eyes turning yellow. Hmm, is it a foreshadowing of something eventful for her?
That's it for this installment. Leave a comment and review!