AN: It's finally time for the first proper chapter of this story. For those of you who have read my Persona fics, I'm not going to be doing the same 'arc' structure as I did in Duality or Gnosis. In terms of the demons, I'm going to be drawing across all the series, so not just the SMT V Vengeance roster - but I will be mostly following that game's skill list, so we will see the 'barion' tier of spells further down the line. And there will be unique moves, including some that are references to the ones I came up with for Gnosis and Duality, repurposed here. But I'm hoping you guys enjoy this story, please read and review!
Chapter 1: Lorekeeper
|Da'at, City of New Beginnings, Capital of the New World Atziluth|17:50 pm|
It was evening, and the sky was clear, with many stars gleaming. In this world, the stars that could be seen were not the same as those that dotted the night sky on Earth. Rather, they were illusions, to give the new citizens a familiar sight that would ease them into their new existence. And even after nearly a millennium, the 'replica' stars remained, just as this city. However, the birds flying overhead were no ordinary species. These were Caladrius, birds of healing, that had been allowed to exist in this city, amid other demons considered relatively harmless to humanity.
Near the outskirts of this city was the Lorekeeper. As far as most people knew, it was a dormitory for those attending the only remaining high school of the same name. Its beige walls had been covered with graffiti many times, seemingly once per year. It had been quite some time since it was last renovated, hence the crumbling statues of long-forgotten educators outside, paint flaking off the scratched doors, and the number of ruined furniture that had yet to be collected. With four stories, it had plenty of rooms available, and in days gone by, they had been fully booked each year.
Yet, as time passed, there had been more and more empty rooms, and now only four students lived in this fading dorm. Due to the city's declining population, and there only being one school open, it had been mostly deserted. And these four only stayed here because they had no homes or any family. Without any human guardians, they had no choice but to become self-sufficient here. These four had known each other since their early childhood and had somehow managed to stay together for all of that time, going through life as one, and now they had all reached eighteen years old.
In the dorm's lounge area, the four residents sat together, watching Da'at News, one of the few shows to watch on TV here produced in the city. As they would be leaving this place soon, whether they were chosen or not, many thoughts surged through their minds as they saw the news of their home, as well as others.
"And here's the evening news round-up. The clans of Yetzirah have yet to choose their next Lord, even after an emergency summit between their leaders. Beri'ah's angels are still investigating the disappearance of their Hierophant. And Melodia's debut single 'Lonely Destiny' has broken sales records in all nations. In Atziluth, the next Ceremony of Departure is tomorrow, and there is much speculation as to who each nation will send as a representative. Mary Blackman, Da'at News." The newscaster finished saying, as the programme came to a close.
One of the four watching was Zeth Zika, a young man who was often lost in his own thoughts, especially now. Compared to the other, wilder boy in the group, he bore short black hair he kept tidy. His blue eyes were slightly different shades from each other, one bearing the hue of the sky, the other of the ocean. He was actually the tallest of all his friends, albeit only by an inch. Purple was the colour of most of his wardrobe, such as the t-shirt he wore tonight, with a swirling white pattern. In the centre of it was a silhouette of Cerberus, a demon he had admired since he could remember. He had the same pair of black jeans as usual on, as well as bright purple shoes and they were showing their age, much like the rest of this place.
"You guys wanna eat at The Alchemist tonight?" He said, smiling. A good meal at their favourite restaurant usually made them all feel at ease in tense times. Yet, when he looked at their dour faces, he began to wonder if he'd said the wrong thing. One of them, after a few moments, spoke up.
"Oh, yes. It's just...a little sad. Four years we've been here, and there's never been anyone but us."
This was Danielle Terranova, one of the two young ladies in the group. She had always been the most peaceful one, usually advocating for helping those in need. Her blonde hair had been through a number of styles over the years, but now it was in a short ponytail, with small bangs on the sides. She had a denim jacket on, and beneath that, a blue and white tie-die vest that looked almost like the heavens. Her white skirt and sneakers were still relatively nice looking, despite being purchased years ago from a thrift store. Her emerald eyes had gained her a few admirers at school, but so far, none had been bold enough to approach.
The second young man shrugged, scratching the patchy beard he had been growing.
"Oh, come on. We don't need anybody else. Ever since we were little kids, it's always been just us against the whole damn world."
Kioshi Maki had always been the most protective of his group of friends. As such, he had devoted many hours at the school's run-down gym to become strong enough to keep them safe. His hair was red, almost fiery in the right light, and his dark fierce eyes had a rather piercing gaze. As far as clothing was concerned, he didn't seem to care that much as long as it 'looked cool', so he had a red vest with several Nordic demons posing on it, such as Thor and Odin, and black shorts with 'Spiral Nemesis' written on them in white. The brown boots he had on were scuffed, having seen him through some tough situations.
Zeth nodded. "Yeah. I still remember when we all met for the first time. That crummy foster home, where there were tons of us. All the other kids ignored us, so we had to stick together. Twelve years ago, right?"
He thought back on those days. Neither of the four had any family, and despite their wishes, no one ever came looking for them. All they knew was that they had been abandoned at the same place, at the same time. And while other children there were adopted, for whatever reason, Zeth and his friends were passed over. It was almost as if they were destined to never be apart, and it suited them just fine. After a while, they decided being adopted wasn't worth being separated, and they had stuck together for twelve long years.
"I...I wish we could stay that way forever." Danielle said, her eyes looking out of the window. She sighed, watching a group of young girls laughing as they walked past. "But, tomorrow...that could all change. You know that, right?"
Zeth gulped, as the mood darkened. Indeed, the final day of the school year was tomorrow. During the graduation ceremony, it would be revealed who the lucky three chosen ones were. They would leave Da'at and Atziluth forever, to start a new life in one of the three thriving nations, while everyone else would have to remain in their stagnant homeland. With every year, it was extremely tense. The tests every student had to go through were exhaustive, and then there was the test that examined each person's inner soul, or rather their 'magatsuhi' – the energy formed by their own emotions. No one seemed to understand why each person was chosen, and there was no guarantee of success.
Esperanza Feliciano, the dark-skinned girl, shook her head. "It's going to be okay. The chances of any of us getting picked are pretty low. Just relax, we'll all still be here after tomorrow."
Optimistic as always, she spoke with conviction. Yet, Zeth wondered if she truly felt that way. Her amber eyes lacked their usual sparkle. She had short purple hair that went down to her shoulders and usually wore a teal cap with a smiling Jack Frost on it. Her t-shirt had the same hue, with a strange pattern of purple stars that seemed almost mesmerizing. With her sparkly purple trousers and shoes, and pink crystal earrings, she had the more unusual style among the four.
"Yeah, but do we really want to stay in this city for our whole lives?" Kioshi asked, frowning. "Da'at never had a chance to really grow. The other places showed up fully formed like they taught us in History. There's barely anything cool to do these days. Just watch old movies that Assiah oh-so-genereously lets us watch. The demons around are weak as shit, so no chance of anyone becoming a master summoner like the three 'great' heroes everyone harps on about."
"Come on, Kioshi, it isn't that bad here," Esperanza said, rolling her eyes. "I mean, we don't have to worry about demons killing us in our sleep like they probably do in Yetzirah."
Kioshi smirked. "But that's what I want. A challenge. A chance to prove myself. And you know that's never gonna happen here. We don't have any powerful clans fighting badass demons like Orthrus or Forneus every day. Just imagine being in one of those battles, in the rush of combat. Everything you've ever learned, put to the test."
Danielle, however, did not appear to share her friend's hunger for battle.
"Personally, if I was to be picked, I'd want to go to Beri'ah." She said. "There's still some danger of demons here, right? It does happen. Strong demons do appear if they're lucky enough to get past the forcefields. And if summoners are really dedicated to mastering the app, they can do some terrible things. In Beri'ah, they're very careful about demon outbreaks. And they make sure everyone is safe and content."
"You were always about medicine. You'd want to join their Healers, right?" Zeth asked.
She nodded, her face glowing. "The Messiah Healers. Every single day, they heal anyone who needs their services, without asking anything in return. The angels want nothing more than to protect us, you know? If I could help just one person..."
"Yeah, but those angels are kinda creepy to me, you know?" Kioshi said, giving a sideways look. "Like, the head priests or whatever in each city, aren't they all just puppets for them?"
Frowning, Danielle shook her head. "I don't think it's like that. Angels aren't our enemies. They don't try to kill or eat humans like some demons do."
"Demons, angels...I don't know if I'd want to get too close to either of them. Zeth, what about you? If you got picked, where would you want to go?" Esperanza asked, leaning in closer to him.
He froze. This was the first time, in all of his time in Da'at, that he'd seriously had to think about it. Where did he want to go? He wasn't sure if the thrill of fighting demons or the holy way of the angels was where his heart was leading. He did enjoy watching movies, even if they had to wait a long time for Assiah to release them in the other nations. And he was good in the drama club at school.
"I guess I'd go to Assiah. Maybe I could try Hod. They're always looking for actors there, you know? It's like Hollywood. What we read about it in the ancient books our ancestors brought over from Earth, anyway. If someone from here became a famous actor, maybe it could give this place some cheer. As long as you don't all give interviews about me doing embarrassing stuff."
The others looked at each other, grinning.
"Ah, like that time you were doing that thing with the tuba -"
"D-Danielle, stop!" Zeth stammered face red. The others laughed, their tensions having eased somewhat.
"Okay, okay! Zeth, the actor, Danielle the healer, Kioshi the warrior, you all sound like you know what you want." Esperanza mused, looking up at the ceiling. "But can things in Da'at not get any better? Is it really impossible?"
The others looked at each other in silence, uncomfortable. They saw how few buildings were well-maintained here and how little the city had developed since it was first settled. Beyond the barriers were opportunities one could only dream of here. And the government was largely dependent on the others for everything, with very little to offer in turn.
Melancholic, Esperanza sighed, looking around the room. The lavender walls, the red carpet, the painting of a strange moonlit beach, all of these had become very familiar to them all. Regardless of where they all went, they would have to leave this place behind, with only their memories left.
Just then, the front door swung open, and a baritone voice reverberated throughout the room.
"Ah, so you all are still here."
Their dorm manager, Kerr, had finally turned up. He had been the sole employee here, but barely had any work to do, since the four students mostly kept things in order, having become very self-sufficient. Still, Ker was their guardian for the past four years. A foreboding, intimidating man, he had a layer of white shaggy hair, a thick beard, bright yellow eyes, and very pale skin. No matter what the season was, he was clad in a thick grey trenchcoat and black boots.
"...Good evening, Mr. Kerr."
Danielle, like the others, was rather tense around this man, not just due to his height of six foot eight. They had never seen him lose his temper, but he projected a strong aura, of the sort that would make one never wish to anger him.
"You all seem rather on edge tonight." He said, his stoic face refusing to convey any emotion. It seemed impossible to imagine him smiling, Zeth thought. "No doubt, the Ceremony of Departure is pressing on your minds."
"Y-Yes. It's...um...well...a lot to think about." Esperanza stammered.
Kerr nodded. "I understand. You should all enjoy your last night here. From tomorrow onward, I won't be able to look after you."
"We know that, sir. I'm ready for anything." Kioshi declared, thumping his chest.
"Is that so? You may have talent with summoning, all of you, but if you are lucky enough to be chosen by either territory, you will soon realise how little the people of Da'at can grow as summoners. Even with my guidance, you must know your limitations."
Zeth looked up at this man, wondering how many demons he had killed. No one seemed to know much about Kerr. It was as if he had appeared out of nowhere to offer the four rooms at Lorekeeper on that rainy day when their previous home had been destroyed in a summoning accident. However, for whatever reason, he needed them to prove their worth as demon summoners, something they had never imagined doing before. Thus, he granted them four phones with the Demon Summoning App already installed, as well as weapons.
"There is a place where you all belong. But you will need to rise to the challenge. Return to me once you have recruited your first demon. Then, I will take you to that place, where you can prepare yourselves for the trials ahead."
No one quite understood what 'trials' he meant, but together, they completed the task and were accepted into Lorekeeper. Since then, Kerr had been distant, often disappearing for days at a time. Yet, he did sometimes offer pieces of advice, not just on summoning demons, but how to lead a better life, true to themselves. Zeth always wondered what he would be like in a real battle. Perhaps the demons were too scared to even approach him. What it would take to have such an air, the young man often wondered.
"We know, Mr. Kerr," he said, "we won't be caught off guard."
"Very well. I have some paperwork I must see to. You're free to go outside, but be back before midnight. You're still students, after all."
The four nodded, and after turning off the TV, they left the dorm, heading towards the eastern side of the city. As they did, Kerr sat down at the reception desk, and pulled out an old-looking book from the drawer. He opened it, and gazed at the pages. As he did, his lips managed to curl into something almost resembling a smile.
"...My long mission is nearly over. Soon, I can finally show them the truth."
Da'at – New Haven18:30 pm
The New Haven area was brightly lit up, and was one of the few success stories of the city. Countless trendy shops, celebrated restaurants and unique bars were located here, each one trying their hardest to replicate life from the old Earth. There was a vibrantly decorated cocktail bar called 'Saint Mangoes', and right next to it was 'Saint Mangas', a store that specialised in reprinting ancient manga.
"Huh, those are the old comic books that came from Japan, that country from Earth," Danielle pondered, looking at Kioshi. "and that reminds me, your name's Japanese, right?"
He shrugged. "I guess so, but I have no idea how 'Japanese' I really am. Not that it matters, right? There probably isn't a Japan anymore."
Zeth had wondered what country on Earth his ancestors had come from. Perhaps Greece, home to many powerful gods. Yet, after nearly a thousand years, it was not as if he had anyone from Earth to ask. Or anyone, period. He had to have come from somewhere, he knew that much, but not once had he come close to finding out his true parentage. And neither had any of his friends. Perhaps that was why he had stayed so close to them, the only family he knew.
The four continued, looking at all the stores, and passing by many people enjoying themselves. Families with young children, young loved-up couples, teenagers like them, or senior citizens watching the world go by, they all blended together. Eventually, nestled between a fast food place and the Jack Bros ice cream parlor, was The Alchemist. It had a broad range of dishes and drinks, trying to represent cooking from all over Earth. And the cocktail menu was truly extraordinary, with many unique concoctions.
The place was mostly gold and black in décor, and the four found their usual table, near the back, away from most other customers. Before long, they were enjoying their favourite meals, such as Zeth's delicious souvlaki, Danielle's penne carbonara, Kioshi's mixed meat grill, and Esperanza's fajitas. While this place wasn't cheap, this may well be the last time they would ever eat here. Lionel, the young handsome owner of the restaurant, had given them a small discount, having grown fond of the band of friends.
"That was so damn good. Do you think the other countries have anywhere near as good as this?" Zeth asked playfully. The others, having finished their food, looked at each other and immediately shook their heads. "Good, at least we all agree about something."
"Heh...you make it sound like all we do is fight!" Danielle said, grinning.
"Well, it's usually you and Kioshi, and Zeth and I as peacekeepers." Esperanza said, smirking.
"...True," Kioshi admitted sheepishly, "But we always make up in the end."
Danielle nodded, filling up her glass with water. "If only we knew for sure if we could all stay here or not. It's the not knowing that's scaring me. I don't want to do an emotional goodbye tonight, only to find out we're all staying here. It'd be a little awkward, right?"
"Just a bit. At least there's not any family we have to say farewell too. Unless we're counting Mr. Kerr." Esperanza said, hand under her chin.
"I guess he's the closest we have. He taught us how to summon demons, after all. Not that we've needed to use them much here."
Zeth looked at his phone and the seldomly used app. The sole demon he had recruited, Kodama, had barely been released into battle. And Mr. Kerr had been very strict about using them for any other reason, such as casual chit-chat. Whether or not a Japanese tree spirit could make good conversation was another matter.
"Still, without him, we'd still be depending on the city government for every little thing. More than we already are, anyway. But their social workers never gave a shit about us, after all." Kioshi said, scowling at the thought of them. "We ought to thank him properly tomorrow. What do you think he'll do once we leave?"
"Who knows? Maybe someone else will move in." Danielle said, finishing her meal. "It's quiet with just four of us. It might be even less next year. Or maybe the whole place will close for good. I'd hate for Mr. Kerr to be out of a job..."
"I don't think we have to worry about him. But – huh?"
Esperanza gazed in confusion, at something outside the nearest window. A strange flying demon, the Zhen, was rushing by them. While poisonous, they weren't too hard to take out. Yet this one looked panicked, flapping its spiny wings faster than normal, and much lower to the ground. And before long, they saw other demons, both in flight and on the streets, in a state of delirium. The people around, absolutely terrified, began running away in all directions.
"What's going on?!" Lionel asked, flabbergasted. "Why now, of all times?"
"D-Darling, let's get out of here!" A young woman said, grabbing her husband's hand. The two of them, as well as the other diners, began to flee.
"W-Wait! You didn't pay yet!" Lionel shouted, chasing after his fleeing customers.
The four friends, however, had frozen in place. Something strange was going on, and it was enough to terrify even demons. One of them, a Pixie, flew through the open window, in great distress.
"Guys! You have to help us!"
"Help you? With what? What's going on?" Zeth asked, greatly confused.
"S-Something's happening in the Abandoned Isle!" The tiny demon wailed. "Tons of my friends started getting vaporized out of nowhere, and everything started shaking...there's a really scary demon down there, I can feel it!"
The circular island was off the eastern coast of the city, and had been planned as a major residential and educational area. Yet, due to the population decline, it had been abandoned before it had been given a proper name, and the bridge that connected it to the city had collapsed long ago. The rumours that the isle was a haven for demons had persisted, however. And now, it seemed that this was true. Or was, judging by this Pixie's words.
"You guys...you all have that funny 'app' thing, right? That lets you talk to us and summon us?"
Danielle, nervous, looked up. "Yes. That's right."
"I think there's a really powerful demon in the Isle. It must be hiding below. If no one kills it, it might destroy all of New Haven!" The Pixie said. "You're the only demon summoners around. And I still have friends stuck on the island! Um...I'm pretty strong, so I'll be one of your demon partners!"
"But the bridge to the Isle is out. We won't be able to get there. And your wings aren't going to be strong enough to carry us there, are they?" Zeth asked, arms crossed.
"Uh...yeah. I'm not a High Pixie or anything – even though I'm a lot cuter than one. But there are Kelpies in the sea around. They sometimes make a bridge when no one's looking. If I tell them what's going on, they'll help you across!" Pixie said, looking at Zeth's smartphone. "And I'm joining you, no matter what!"
She disappeared in a flash of light, and soon enough, she was seen on the app, registered as the second demon in his 'stock'.
"Are we actually gonna do this?" Zeth asked, looking at his friends. "We don't know what kind of demon it is. And Mr Kerr would probably lose his shit if he found out."
"But we can't just do nothing! This place is still our home, even if only for one more day! We have to save it!" Danielle said, shaking her fists.
"I guess we're finally gonna get some real action. I've been waiting for this for a long time. Let's crush this demon!" Kioshi said, cracking his knuckles.
Esperanza walked forward and put her hand on Zeth's shoulder. "We're all going with you. Don't worry. The four of us can get through anything."
Smiling, he nodded.
"Then let's go! It's all up to us!"
They ran out of the store, rushing towards the shore. No one knew what sort of demon would be lurking beneath the Isle, but it would be the perfect chance to show Mr Kerr what they were made of.