Avernus, Hellscape of Night City

O'Brian leaves the now abandoned apartment. No trace of Martinez, or anything that he might care about.

Now he just had to figure out a way to deal with Katsuo. 'I could tell him the truth… and then he'd just get pissy and blame me. I could say that David died… and he'd still blame me, even if it turned out to be true. Dammit, is there any answer that will satisfy that dick?'

In truth, he knew the answer; Katsuo was never satisfied with anything.

His head rings as he's getting a call, he can tell it's Tanaka, it's got his name on it. He considers ignoring it, but figures that would just be asking for trouble. With a sigh, he answers, expecting more tantrums from the baby Corpo

He is thus surprised when he hears the voice of the elder Tanaka.

Tanaka: [ Good afternoon, young O'Brian. ]

O'Brian perked up at that. He can't afford to piss off both Tanakas right now. He couldn't afford that scenario period!

O'Brian: [ Good afternoon, Mr. Tanaka. To what do I owe the pleasure? ]

Tanaka: [ I understand that you've undertaken a task at the request of my son. Specifically relating to one David Martinez. ]

'Of course he knows what his kid's up to. Figures.' Big league Corpos tended to keep a close eyes on all their assets, including their families. No one was spared from being a part of Corpo politics. He gulped, unsure of how this would play out.

O'Brian: [ Yes, I admit that is true. Do you have an, um… issue with this arrangement? ]

He kept his tone polite and neutral. The Exec would remember any annoyance or disrespect in his words.

Tanaka: [ Any issue I have would lay solely with my son. His petulance is a stain on my reputation. I would hope, he'd grow out of such behavior, but that remains to be seen. ]

O'Brian wasn't sure what to make of that. On the one hand, he totally agreed: Katsuo spent more time lording over other students than he did at his own academics, and being an utter prat about it. On the other hand… 'he's your son! You're at least partially responsible for the manchild he's become. Own up to it!'

O'Brian: [ That is most unfortunate. ]

Tanaka: [ Indeed. But that is not what I wished to discuss with you. I have a… task for you. Succeed, and I can promise that my wayward son will be the least of your concerns. ]

The greenette sighed in his head. This would either be a boon to him, or the thing that gets him killed.

O'Brian: [ I'm listening. ]

He heard what Tanaka wanted… and agreed to do it. After the call ended, he called his parents, told them about his business with both Tanaka and asked them to consider… other options for employment. Both his folks were involved in Arasaka desk jobs, but knew that didn't make them safe from Corporate abuse.

Then, he went over several options, including going through with the deal. He couldn't make up his mind, so he decided to track down Martinez and hopefully come to a decision by then.

_The Next Day_

David woke up in his bedroom in the Velvet room, provided by Igor. True to his word, the room Igor left for him was guaranteed to grant him a good night's rest. He hadn't bothered to unpack any of his bags, just set them aside to do later. On the nightstand across the room was the container of his mother's Ashes.

Deciding he slept enough, David got up and got dressed. He brought all his clothes and necessities from his old apartment. He just put on a pair of pants and a black tank top. Then came the ER Jacket. He was ready.

He walked into the main area of the Velvet room where Igor awaited him at his usual seat. What surprised him was the platter of food set on the table, right by his seat.

"What's with the spread… is that food totally ganic?" David noted the smell was different from scop.

Igor grinned. "Indeed, all natural. What kind of host fails to feed their guest?"

David shrugged and sat down. He ate in silence, not having much to say. The breakfast was good, the best he'd ever had. Most food nowadays was flavored kibble or that artificial food made by the corpos. All natural ingredients were rare and highly valued, so only those with the eddies could afford it. like the Corpo execs and others in power.

Once breakfast was done, Igor gestured for him to stand. "With events as they are, I feel you are ready to enter the world I overlook."

David hummed at that. "What world would that be exactly? Hell?"

"In a manner of speaking, yes, but let's clarify." David blinked at that. "You live in the physical world, governed by laws of nature. The world I speak of is supernatural and open to a select few at a time. It takes on many shapes and forms, based on the hearts and minds of mankind."

It is recognized as the Metaverse. It takes many forms: A tower reaching the sky called Tartarus. A labyrinth in the guise of a Subway going deep into the earth, mementos. A dimension of Fog and mist accessible by walking into any television monitor, the Midnight Channel." David wasn't sure what to make of it by his descriptions. He wanted to call BS, but considered otherwise.

"Every now and then, entities try to enter the physical world by accessing the metaverse. Often trying to destroy or alter the real world to suit some goal or desire of theirs. Often, I guide a person to grow in strength, gain allies and eventually overcome the threat. My master and I had ways of choosing who would help in averting the calamity in question at the time. He chose to focus on Emperors, While I selected Fools."

"Are you with me so far?"

David scratched his head: that was a lot to take in at once, but he got the general gist of it... kinda. "I think so… except for the bits with you and your master. That made zero sense to me."

"That's fine." Igor waved it off. "Back to you. You know Night City better than I do. You lived on these streets, seen its people, breathed its air. What do you think the majority of people who live here see the city as in their hearts? Would they see Paradise of dreams or…"

"They would see Inferno. Hell." He vaguely understood the reference; it was some Italian Poet who wrote about all three supernatural concepts - Heaven, Purgatory, and Hell- in a book to cope with his exile.

Igor nodded. He snapped his fingers; David felt a download in his head, showing 'Inferno: Avernus Clearance.'

"The data I just sent you will grant you access to the first of nine floors. I will have Regalla guide you in. I want you to go in, look around, and return. If you find anything of value to take, all the better. Are you ready?"

David considered it. It sounded dangerous overall, but he wasn't expected to stay long or do anything specific. He decided it was safe enough, and nodded. "Whenever the lady's up to it."

Regalla, who had arrived, just scowled at that. David learned pretty quickly that she didn't like being called a lady, for some reason.

Igor paid the glares no mind. "Good. Explore the area you enter and gather anything of value. Also, if you encounter any creatures, run. Don't fight, just evade them and return here." David just gave an informal 'yeah, sure,' before following Regalla through the portal.

_The Metaverse_

The landscape was the same. One, many of the buildings were in ruins; walls and sections of them torn apart as if by centuries of time. Second, the sky was a burnt orange, like sunset except he didn't see any sun.

David and Regalla entered through a portal of Azure flames, stepping foot on a small building overlooking a ruined street. David just looked into the burning red sky and the scant black clouds. "Damn. This place looks more dead than the desert."

Regalla just stood by the fiery blue portal that they entered through, gazing at the hellscape. "Go out and gather any goods you can. Don't dally in any one spot for long; the Shadows will swarm humans they can sense close by, and are always moving in search of foreign souls."

David glanced at her. "Shadows? What, are they like demons in this place?"

Regalla nodded. "Yes. You do not have the means to fight them as you are now. When you're done, return here and I will bring you back to Igor."

David nodded, walking forward. He spotted some pipes, and ladders near the side of the building, old but still usable. He was about to start the trek down when Regalla spoke up again.

"One more thing…" David turned to her. "If you get into trouble, use the Sandevistan as a last resort. It is a tool not a crutch. Use it as appropriate."

David mulled it over, and agreed with a curt nod. He didn't like the idea, but had to admit she had a point. 'Need to fight smart as well as hard. Got it.'

David dropped down from the building, going down the ruined ladders and stairs till he reached the ground floor. From there, he looked around to the wreckage around him; cars and buses totaled or flipped on their sides, lamps

Everything looked aged, like the city was destroyed hundreds of years ago. It was a harrowing thought that this is the subconscious version of Night City everyone thought it was.

He walked towards one of the wrecked cars, one with a few pipes sticking out of the front. He reached over and pulled out one of the long iron pipes. A few swings showed it was solid enough for his uses.

David used the iron to pry open the trunk of the car. He didn't expect to find much. What he did find was an old news magazine dating back to the 2010s, and a bead necklace with a diamond cross.

He repeated the act with the other six cars in the street, getting a few other pieces of jewelry and more magazines. He wasn't sure why that would be there, but didn't question it too deeply.

After the 8th car, David glanced around the corner of a building and saw what he could only describe as a humanoid creature with mostly gray skin and glowing red eyes. It stood on two legs that had two joints each, like a raptor. Its arms ended in four sharp claws and it had curled horns on its head. It even sported a barbed tail.

David knew about Igor's warning… but… 'if I can kill it in a single surprise attack, it might be enough. Doesn't seem dangerous.' he brandished his iron pipe, grabbed a stone, and threw it at a car across the street, making a loud thud. The Demon reacted, turning to the spot and .

When its back was turned, David dashed forward, getting right behind it and ramming the pipe by the sharp end right through it. The demon shook in surprise, and went still. David assumed it was dead.

He was wrong.

Seconds later, David was slammed backwards, landing on his back. He glanced at the creature, righting itself.

the demon turned to face him, the pipe still lodged into his chest. The demon roared, and charged at the teen. David quickly got to his feet and started dodging. He threw a fist to its face. He didn't expect it to flinch from the attack, but it might faze him. It didn't look or feel stronger than him.

Instead his fist practically phased through its head, doing nothing. David then saw the demon's claw come seconds away from piercing his stomach. David instinctively activated the Sandy, moving at high speed away. Even as the Demon's eyes tracked him, he fled to the other block.

David panted, having narrowly escaped from certain death. Those creatures didn't operate by common knowledge; hell, the same could be applied to the rest of the freaky dream dimension he was in! And that wasn't even the scariest thought in his head. 'I couldn't match Regalla in speed, even with the Sandevistan. What if the stronger demons could move faster?'

His thoughts were interrupted by the shaking ground. David immediately went behind a nearby car for cover. He was grateful for that, as it kept him out of sight of the dozen or so Demons that charged into the street clearing. They were all similar in shape to the one he fought, except the slightly taller one in front.

It had a fearsome red aura around it, one that imprinted one simple concept in his head. You cannot fight me. Run for your life.

David sighed at that. 'Fighting these things really is pointless right now. I can't even fight the lowlifes, let alone that boss looking one! Damn it!'

He looked around for anything he could use; he considered zooming out, but worried the larger Demon might be able to catch him. If that happened, he was dead meat.

David kept out of sight, waiting for a chance to leave. Fortunately for him, they didn't stay for long. After a few tense minutes (for him), they lost interest in him and moved on.

The Young Latino sighed in relief, and resolved to steer clear of them. He turned to leave… then stopped.

He blinked, confused by what he saw. David thought he saw another demon appear a few feet near him. Unlike the others, this one was a humanoid silhouette devoid of color, a shadow except for the glowing red of its eyes. Those eyes bore into him as it asked one question.

"What do you stand for?"

It then disappeared, fading away in blue fire.

David looked around before zooming away. 'Not sure about that one, but not sticking around to find out!' He spent a few minutes going through some other salvage and gaining a few more items before returning to the area where Regalla was standing guard.

Regalla stood by the portal, right where he left her. She simply nodded to him. "Good, you're not dead yet."

David snorted. "Try not to sound so disappointed."

"I'd only be disappointed if I couldn't… train you further." Regalla countered with a smile.

David said nothing more as they returned to the Velvet room. Igor lightly admonished him for fighting the Shadow, but was overall more pleased that he survived and acquired goods to trade for Eddies. David just agreed to stay away from the Demons for now. Igor corrected him saying that they were Shadows, but David countered that they looked like Demons. Igor dropped the matter and promised that David would be able to stand against them soon enough.

He'd seen first hand why Igor warned him to avoid Shadows. The question remained, what could he do to change that? Only time would tell.

When Igor was discussing the metaverse, I made reference to the Persona games; mainly 3-5, but also 1 and 2. Mostly the meta themes of P 3-5 vs P1 and 2; the former used the Emperor Arcana for the main character, while from P 3 onwards, Igor appointed them as the Fool Arcana, the wildcard, for their protagonists.

As for the Metaverse, or this version of it… Any DnD fans may be familiar with the 1st circle of the Nine Hells. Also, It made sense for me to make him fight the shadows early, and show how it wouldn't work. It'll make it sweeter when he gets his Persona and wrecks them later on.

I'll admit, my writing can be confusing. At the very least, I'm setting up a lot of things to happen in the future. Time will tell if I succeed. It helps if you know the other Anime I reference, though I try to make sure it's not strictly necessary to enjoy the story.