04/05/2012, Kuoh Academy, After School
School day has gone smoothly and Makoto is currently preparing to head home. Before he can exit the school Makoto's stopped by a younger girl with brown hair, wide eyeglasses on her nose and a pair of large headphones on her shoulders. "Are you senpai Yuki?" she asks. "I'm Irumi Ito!" she says bowing. "Makoto Yuki" greets back Makoto.
"There are so many things I must tell you senpai" says the girl barely containing her joy. "Please follow me" she motions to follow her.
The girl brings Makoto to the Music Clubroom whistling while they were walking there. "Welcome to the Music Club senpai!" she says opening the clib door and showing Makoto around. The clubroom is way smaller than Makoto expected, but it still was well furnished with many instruments and music books displaced with care on various shelves. "First of all, I wanted to thank you for saving the club" says Irumi jumping in happiness. "Secondly and most importantly..." she takes a deep breath before continuing. "HOW CAN YOU SING SO WELL SENPAI? I LOVED YOUR PERFORMANCE AT THE ELEGANTVILLE!!" the girl beams talking about that evening making Makoto uncomfortable from all the praising.
"It wasn't that good..." Makoto tries to say only for Irumi to glare at him. "Not that good? Senpai you are literally the best singer this town has ever seen!".
Makoto silently listens to the girl rambling about how much she loved his performance commenting every bit of it. "Ehy senpai could you teach me how to sing like you?" she asks, hope and admiration in her eyes. "I'm not a good teacher and I've already said singing isn't my thing" Makoto tries to sway Irumi but the girl is stubborn. "Come on don't be modest" Makoto watches as Irumi pulls out her cellphone and plays a recording of Makoto singing. "Moreover senpai you must have a role in the Music Club if you want to stay, so singing is your best option" says Irumi. "I'd prefer to play a guitar" says the blue haired boy looking at the guitars displayed in the room. Irumi then grabs a guitar and gives it to Makoto. "Ok I won't torment you anymore if you show me you are better at playing a guitar than singing" declares the younger girl.
'Well Universe it's time to shine brighter than all the stars in the sky' says Apollo ready to play. 'Let's make this a duet Apollo' says Orpheus Telos. Makoto guided by both the Master of Strings and the God of Music starts to play the guitar. A calm and relaxing melody imbues the room, Makoto relaxes his nerves fully focused on the music caressing the strings like the grass of a field. Irumi gasps amazed by Makoto's abilitie, the music is calm and melancholic almost as he's describing a long lost place, but instead of filling her with sadness it fills her with wonder. Almost as she is there in the mythical place described by the notes. As he finishes the girl claps her hands with a small tear falling on her cheeks. "You win senpai. I admit defeat!" she says nodding solemnly her head. Then the door of the club is opened and tens of students are looking at the two.
"Who was playing like this?" says one of them. "Since when the Music Club has a such good guitarist?" asks another. "Damn that was so good".
Three students enter the club and look at Makoto. "Ehy Ito, who's this guy?" asks one of them. "He's our new senpai, Makoto Yuki the one who saved pur club, remember?" as Irumi says this the three students look at Makoto mesmerized. "You are great senpai!" "To think that you are such a good musician!". Makoto scratches his neck as the students praise him. "Guys you are overwhelming senpai!" admonishes Irumi making the guys to quiet down. "Sorry senpai" they apologize.
"No problem" says Makoto. "When does the club meet?" asks the blue haired boy. "Usually on mondays, wednesdays and saturdays" answers one of the club members. "We didn't introduce ourselves. I'm Jin Yato" "Watanabe Fujita" "Inoue Nishimura". "It's nice to meet you" says Makoto. Makoto and the rest of the music club spend the rest of the day knowing each other and talking about music.
As Makoto walks back home after saying goodbye to his new clubmates Irumi stops him. "Senpai I wanted to thank you for today. During the spring break we dreaded that we couldn't meet each other again as a club, but then you came and saved us all! We're are so happy to have you senpai!" says the girl. "It's not a problem really" answers the boy. "See you senpai!" says the girl waving her hand vigorously. As Irumi walks away Makoto hears Elizabeth's voice.
'I am Thou. Thou art I. Thou hast established a new bond. Thou shalt have the Universe blessing when choosing to create personas of the Magician Arcana'.
While Makoto was spending his time in the Music Club Ryoji was buzzing around the school ground. "Hello Mochizuki" Ryoji turns back to see Akeno greeting him. "Ehy Himejima! I didn't think to see you here, you are usually always with Gremory" says Ryoji waving at his classmate. "I was going to the club, but I saw you and thought about saying hi" says the girl. "Oh right clubs..." Ryoji frowns at the mention of school clubs. "Have you thought about joining one?" asks Akeno smiling at him. "Actually no" answers the boy honestly. "Oh well, do you want to visit the Occult Research Club?" asks Akeno. Ryoji looks at the girl, the name of the club piquinq his interest. "Why not. I'n following you" says the boy.
"What does Occult Research mean, it's quite strange for a club name?" asks Ryoji curious. "We do research about mythologies, folk stories stuff like that if you catch the meaning" answers Akeno guiding Ryoji to the old school building. "Why there is a building like this?" questions Ryoji looking at the old looking edifice. "When the school got renewed this building was abandoned so we thought this could be a good place for our club instead of demolishing it" Ryoji nods in understanding to Akeno's answer.
The two of them enter the building and go to the second floor where Ryoji reads a sign on one of the doors. 'Occult Research Club' it said. Akeno knocks on the door and enters. "Akeno and... Mochizuki, right? What brings you here?" asks Kiba who was sitting on one of the sofas reading a book about fencing. "I wanted to show Mochizuki the club" says Akeno. "Welcome then Mochizuki. I'm Yuuto Kiba" Kiba stands up and shakes Ryoji's hand. "Nice to meet you. I'm Ryoji Mochizuki" says Ryoji smiling. "Please sit down Mochizuki make yourself home" says Akeno before going to take some snacks for their guest.
"Well this place is surely odd. In a positive way of course" Ryoji tries to break the ice speaking first. "Yeah I have to agree with you" Kiba closes his book and looks at Ryoji. "I don't think any other school has a club like ours" says the blonde boy. "Well there surely wasn't one back in my old school". After a while Akeno gets back with some appetizers for the three of them and she joins the conversation.
"I must ask what kind of occult stuff do you research about?" Ryoji says noticing many paintings depicting mythological scenes. "Oh as you see we have all kind of books about myths" Akeno says. Kiba gets up and goes to the bookshelf on the wall and takes a book. "For example this is one of my favorites. 'Theogony' or the genealogy of the gods, it's a poem by the greek Hesiod" says Kiba giving the book to Ryoji. "I never heard about this Hesiod" says the boy making Akeno giggling. "Yeah it's not very much known in Japan" she says amused by Ryoji's interest.
Ryoji leaves trough the book and stops to a page. It spoke about Thanatos, the greek god of death. Ryoji gazes at the page looking to a drawing representing Thanatos. 'Well we aren't so alike. I guess it's because I'm not this Thanatos' thinks the boy look fixed on the image. Kiba notices Ryoji reading the page. "Oh you reading about Thanatos uh? The god of death son of Nyx, the night" as Kiba makes Nyx's name Ryoji closes the book by instinct and looks at Kiba. "Is there a problem Mochizuki?" asks Akeno noticing the sudden Ryoji reaction. "Nothing. It was really interesting but it's getting late. See you guys" Ryoji says goodbye to Kiba and Akeno back with his usual carefree attitude.
After Ryoji left, Akeno turns back to Kiba. "So do you think he has a sacred gear?" she asks seriously. "Well as you and Koneko already said it is possible. Moreover I have sensed something alike my Sword Birth when I mentioned Nyx" says the blonde boy. "What do you mean?" asks Akeno not understanding what the knight said. "I don't know how to explain it, but by mentioning Nyx something changed in Mochizuki. You noticed it too right?" he asks back. "Yeah you are right. We have no doubts he's human so we can assume he has a sacred gear" says Akeno. "Yes, we have to tell the President" says Kiba and Akeno nods in agreement.
04/05/2012, Evening
Rias spent the day after school trying to contact Elizabeth without any success. 'I have to ask her for help. She defeated that oni and parried my bolt of destruction' ponders the red-haired. While Rias is walking back to the Occult Research Club she is stopped by a familiar voice. "Oh my, good evening Rias" she hears Elizabeth saying. Rias turns back at the attendant and smiles. "Elizabeth I was just searching for you. Would you like to come with me?" Rias says glad she has found the woman. "I'm sorry, but I found a restaurant I wanted to try" says Elizabeth. "Well we can go there together" Rias suggests. "It's been quite a while since me and Makoto could adventure in the culinary marvels of the world. So I must refuse" the attendant says. Rias puffs but doesn't yield. "It will be fast you just have to listen to me. 5 minutes at most" Elizabeth looks hesitant at Rias. "Go on then" she eventually says. "Thanks, but not here in the middle of the city" Rias says but Elizabeth shakes her head. "Time waits for nobody Rias. If you really need a private space for speaking to me then I have the perfect one". Elizabeth takes out the velvet key from her pocket and turned it mid air like it was in a lock summoning the Velvet Room. "Please enter" says the attendant. Rias looks at Elizabeth confused, not undestanding what she meant. "Where shoud I enter?" asks the girl. "Oh my bad" Elizabeth exclaims and takes Rias' hand confusing the girl even more. Elizabeth then opens the door and brings Rias with her.
Rias closes her eyes as a bright light envelopes her. When she opens them the Gremory finds herself in a strange room resembling a bar with a lot of blue. She looks at Elizabeth. "Where are we?" she asks not understanding how they teleported away from Kuoh - if it happened she should have felt a magic circle - "Welcome to the Velvet Room" says Elizabeth. "You live here?" asks Rias. "I do, now what you wanted to say?" Elizabeth invites Rias to sit on one of the side tables and she does the same. Before Rias can say anything the door leading to Tartarus explodes in a burst of flames shocking the red haired girl. "Elizabeth what's happening!?" asks Rias standing up thinking about an attack.
'Universe let us try something' Apollo says from Makoto's mind. 'What are you planning Apollo?' asks doubtful Thoth. 'I have an idea for a delightful attack. The true wonder of the Sun I say' Apollo exclaims making the egyptian Moon God sigh. 'What is it?' asks Minato. 'Sol Invictus I call it. Me, the elegant Sun God, and Quetzalcoatl my elegant scaled friend' Apollo then explains his idea to Makoto. 'Our friend is not currently in the hero's mind' says Robin Hood noticing that Quetzalcoatl isn't currently at the instant disposal of Makoto. 'It doesn't matter. I'll summon him for the fusion spell' Makoto says to his personas and delves inside Tartarus.
Makoto stands in the middle of the area where he previously fought Elizabeth and readies his evoker. He points the gun to his head and shoots. Apollo in all his glory is summoned with the Plumed Serpent circling around him. The greek god covers his face with his golden gloved hand. He chants in greek as he's enveloped by Quetzalcoatl's flaming body like a tunic made of fire. "Sol Invictus!" shouts Makoto and immediately Apollo snaps his fingers and the flaming body of Quetzzalcoatl surrounding him detonates in Sun fire, reminding of a miniature supernova. The explosion is so powerful that all the base of Tartarus is engulfed by flames.
In the Velvet Room Elizabeth is casually looking at the still standing, but burning, door. "Elizabeth? Is someone attacking us?" asks worried Riasas she readies a teleportation circle to bring her and Elizabeth away. "It won't work Rias" says calmly Elizabeth looking at the girl. "What do you mean?" she asks with wide eyes. "Oh don't worry it was just Makoto" smiles Elizabeth. "Yuki? It is not possible those are divine flames Elizabeth! Those flames are even hotter than the flames of a phoenix, they could burn even a god!" Rias says dumbfounded. "I don't actually see the problem". Rias looks at Elizabeth mouth open. She's about to say something when Makoto exits Tartarus unscathed. "Hi Liz, oh you brought your friend. Gremory right?" says Makoto looking at the two women and greeting Rias.
Rias does not know what to say... or think. She just wanted to ask Elizabeth to make a contract with her to help with the Riser matter, but now Rias is looking at a boy who has just used divine flames. Those were divine flames right? Of course they were her devil senses told her much.
'Calm down Rias, it was pretty obvious Yuki wasn't a normal boy. Especially after what Elizabeth said. This is probably the doing of a Longinus Sacred Gear. Yeah, now that I think about it it's obvious. Elizabeth follows Yuki because he has a powerful Sacred Gear and she's helping him in mastering it. Yes it all makes sense now' Rias takes a deep breath, this is her chance. 'I can solve all my problems right now, I just bave to olay my cards right. Elizabeth is a wizard and Yuki has a Longinus, the support of a devil clan should be useful to them. I need some more timeto prepare everything' Rias thinks about her bargain chips.
"Makoto this is Rias Gremory she's the one who helped me choosing my new clothes" says Elizabeth. Makoto looks at Rias and... smiles.
"Thank you for helping Liz, she's quite eccentric" says Makoto going behind the counter. "Would you like something?" he asks gently. 'He's nicer than I thought' notices Rias.
"I'd like tea if it's not a problem" she says sitting next to Elizabeth. Makoto nods and start brewing some tea. "Can I ask you why you two are in Kuoh?" asks Rias. "Duty" briefly answers Makoto giving Rias a cup of tea. "Duty? Maybe you don't know this, but this town is devil territory. It is governed by both Sitri and Gremory families" says Rias.
"Devil territory?" asks Makoto confused. 'Does he not not know about devils?' thinks Rias. "Yes I myself am a devil as you may have guessed" Rias sips the tea. 'This is surprisingly good' she thinks. "This tea is delicious" says the red haired. "Thanks, so you were saying that devils rule this town, but I don't get it" honestly says Makoto. "Maybe it's better to talk about this tomorrow, would you come to the Occukt Research Club after school?" asks Rias. Makoto nods his head. "Good. See you tomorrow then and thank you for the tea" she says. Elizabeth says goodbye to Rias and the girl exits the Velvet Room.
"Did you know about any of this Liz?" asks Makoto at his attendant. "I knew" answers Elizabeth making Makoto sigh. "Let's see what she has to say tomorrow, we should tell Ryoji too".
Rias teleported herself in the Occult Research Club and was greeted by Akeno. "Ehy Rias have you found Miss Elizabeth?" she asks her king. "Yes, but it was a bit complicated" Rias proceeds to explain Akeno what happened. "So Yuki might have a powerful sacred gear, maybe even a longinus class" says Akeno surprised. "Yes, this is probably the best thing that happened to us in a long time. If we convince him to join us I could really free myself from Riser's grasp" Rias says the Phenex's name with her voice filled with disgust. "I guess you aren't telling Sona any of this then" says Akeno. "No, she already put her eyes on Yuki, if she knows he indeed has a sacred gear she would ask him to join her peerage instead, I don't want to take any risks" Rias sits on her armchair planning her next moves. "Let's gather everyone here tomorrow after school. I'll ask Yuuto to pick up Yuki too" Akeno nods to her king's orders.
04/06/2012, Kuoh Academy, After School
Makoto is packing his schoolbag as Tsubaki walks towards him. "Yuki I heard you made quite the good impression at the Music Club yesterday. Everyone is talking about your performance" she says. "I guess so" answers the boy not wanting to talk about it. "The club members even thanked me for having let you join the club. I said them the merit was all yours" says Tsubaki nodding. "Sorry if they have disturbed you" apologizes Makoto.
"No, no the exact opposite I'm happy you have helped the students. The President wanted to thank you, could you come to the Student Council?" asks the black haired girl. Before Makoto can answer he sees a blonde haired boy entering the classroom. "Senpai Yuki? I'm Kiba Yuuto the President Gremory asked me to lead you to the Occult Research Club" says Kiba which view makes Tsubaki frown.
"I'm sorry Shinra, I have already something to do today" Tsubaki looks at Kiba and watches the two boys leave the classroom. 'What is Gremory doing? I have to tell this to Sona right now' Tsubaki heads to the Student Council to inform Sona.
"Where is this club?" asks Makoto to Kiba. "It's located in the old school building" answers him. The two boys stays silent through their walk to the clubroom. As they arrive at the front of the door Kiba knocks on the door. "President it's me I have senpai Yuki with me" Makoto hears Rias' voice inviting them to enter. Inside the clubroom there is Rias sitting behind her desk with Akeno by her side. Koneko is sitting on one of the sofas looking at Elizabeth who's sat beside her. "Welcome to my clubroom Yuki. Make yourself home" gently says Rias. "Liz haven't you told Ryoji to come?" asks Makoto not seeing his friend anywhere. "I don't think it is necessary" answers Elizabeth. Makoto rolls his eyes and sits down Elizabeth then gets up and stands beside him like Akeno's doing with Rias.
"Now that we're all here I want to formally present myself. I'm Rias Gremory heiress of the Gremory clan and a pure blooded devil. These here are my peerage members. My queen, Akeno Himejima. My knight, Yuuto Kiba and my rook, Koneko Toujo. We're all devils" as she says this all the devils in the room unfold their bat wings. Makoto looks at them unfazed. "Queen, rook, knight? Like chess pieces?" he asks. "Yes" answers Rias taking out a box with red chess pieces inside. "These are the evil pieces. Used to reincarnate mortals into devils" says Rias. "Ok" answers Makoto. "The peerages are the pieces an high-class devil used to reincarnate someone making them said devil's servants" Makoto tilts his head. "Is it enslavement?" he asks. "No no. Even though some devils treat their servants as slaves we of the Gremory family treat them like members of our family" says Rias. Makoto looks at Kiba Akeno and Koneko. "She's saying the truth senpai" says the blonde boy not wanting to create a misunderstanding, Akeno and Koneko nods too.
Meanwhile Tsubaki entered the Student Council without knocking. Sona who was looking at some papers looks at her queen "Tsubaki?" she says surprised from the sudden arrival of her queen. "President I think that Gremory is trying to recruit Yuki into her peerage" as the girls says that Sona slams her palms on the table. "What? No she won't. Let's go Tsubaki" Sona exits the room ignoring a coming Momo with some papers in hand. "President what's happening?" asks the girl. "No time to explain Momo. I'm going to have a talk with Rias. Go back to what you were doing" says the bespectacled girl with Momo nodding her head walking inside the room while still looking at Sona and Tsubaki quickly walking away.
"You don't have to worry Yuki I wouldn't dare do any harm to my family" says smiling Rias. 'Now or never' thinks Rias as she gathers her courage. "Yuki can I ask you something?" asks Rias hiding her trepidation. Makoto nods. When Rias is about to speak the club's door is suddenly slammed open. Everyone turn their head to see Sona fuming with rage. "What do you think are doing Rias? We have a deal remember?" says the Sitri girl. "Sona!? What are you doing here?" exclaims Rias. "I'm preventing you from doing anything with Makoto!" shouts Sona. The two girls starts to quarrel making everyone in the room uncomfortable. Koneko covers her ears. Kiba tries to sneak away. Akeno and Tsubaki patiently waits for their kings to calm down. Meanwhile Makoto massages his head.
'These kids dare to call themselves devils?' tsked Lucifer. 'Calm down Morning Star' warns Kohryu. 'This is the energy of youth my companion!' exclaims Robin Hood delighted by the two girls' ramblings. Elizabeth noticing Makoto's unease coughs trying to draw attention and stopping the bickering, but it's all useless, the two girls continue to fight. Elizabeth decides to slam her hand on Rias' desk with a bit too much force destroying it. The two devil heiresses stops from hearing the sound of wood crashing.
"Sorry, but you weren't stopping" says the woman looking ashamed at the destroyed desk. "Sorry..." says Rias. "That was inappropriate, sorry" apologizes Sona. "Do you have anything else to say?" asks Makoto. "Ehm..." Rias wants to say something but Sona is glaring at her. 'Come on Sona you know my situation. Screw that I have to ask him' decides Rias. "How much has Rias told you Yuki?" asks Sona. "She spoke of evil pieces and this town being devil territory" answers Makoto. "Then let me present myself formally. I'm Sona Sitri, heiress of the Sit-" Sona can't end her presentation as Rias interrupts her. "Yuki would you lime to be part of my peerage!?" as Rias says this Sona gasps looming at her rival.
"No" answers Makoto. "Perfect! Wait you said no?" asks confused Rias. "Yes I rufused" answers Makoto. "Rias you really thought Yuki would have accepted your offer on the spot?" says Sona sighing. "But there are so many advantages in being a devil! You live more, you can become a noble and become powerful and rich! You can even have a peerage of yours once you become an high class!" protests Rias. "And I swear that I won't treat you like a slave". Makoto shakes his head. "I'm not interested". With this answer Makoto takes his leave followed by Elizabeth.
"I won't desist. I need him to help me out of the marriage with Riser" says Rias between herself as she looks Makoto going away. "This won't work Rias" says Sona. "Come on you want to reincarnate him too!" protests Rias. "Yeah it's true, but I would have introduced him gradually to the supernatural".
"You will not get him Sona, he has a powerful sacred gear I can't let this opportunity fade away" when Rias notices what she had said she covers her mouth.
"Sacred Gear?" asks Sona twitching her eyebrow and Rias notices the mistake she has made. "It slipped from my mouth!" complains the red-haired. "I see, we have nothing to discuss, see you Rias".
"Sona please I'm asking this as a friend, I need his help" the Gremory girl begs her dearest friend. "I'm sorry Rias. Makoto's really one in a million. He has every quality I search for. Understand that I'm not doing this to make your situation with the Phenex harder. I'm still your friend, but I have a dream too" says Sona leaving Rias behind.
Rias turns back looking at Akeno who has remained there for her. Rias hugs her queen with wet eyes. "All will be well Rias" says Akneo comforting the other girl. "Me and Kiba confirmed that Mochizuki has some kind of power within him we could maybe ask him too" says Akeno. "No, Sona's right. Our approach was completely wrong, but how could I? My family is speeding up this marriage we have no time" Rias starts crying. "Have you asked Lord Lucifer for help?" asks Akeno trying to help Rias.
"He won't do anything. Our only hope is to beat Riser in a Rating Game, but we have no chances of winning in our current situation" Rias says drying her tears. "We should maybe ask this directly to Yuki. He doesn't seem a bad person" says Akeno. "Maybe, but it's better to leave him alone as of now, I don't want to make our relationship with him worse".
04/06/2012, Velvet Room, Evening
When Makoto's back in the Velvet Room with Elizabeth Ryoji greets them. "Makoto. Attendant, we have to talk, I have found something" says the boy. "What is that?" asks Makoto sitting beside his friend. "I sensed a faint shadow presence in the town's outskirts. And it was completely different from the usual shadows we are used too. They don't feel like Nyx at all and didn't try to reach for me". Makoto looks at Ryoji.
"Nyarlathotep's doing?" asks the ex leader of SEES. "I fear it might be" answers the God of Death nodding his head heavily. "Ok, we have to deal with this immediately. Tonight we go" Makoto then looks at Elizabeth. "Igor wrote in his letter that we can still perform fusions right?" he asks. "I was waiting for you to say that Makoto" the attendant smiles as she gets up and takes a record player from under the counter. "This will do the fusion ritual" says the woman. Makoto looks at the record player and unconsciously summons a disk and plays it. Aria of the Soul fills the Velvet Room and Makoto focuses on the Universe.
'Thoth, Helel. I need your help' says the Messiah to the personas clinging to his mind. 'We are here for you Makoto' says warmly Helel. 'Do you wish to fuse us?' asks Thoth. Makoto nods in his mind and starts the ritual. The two personas become pure light and start to swirl in a circle. On the last notes of the song the two lights become one and Makoto hears a voice in his mind.
'I am Thou. Thou art I. From the Universe in thy soul I'm born. Call me Leviathan. I am that mortal god to which gods bow. I am juggernaut. I am the mouth of Hell: abandon all hope ye who enter' the great form of a white whale with black tendrils engraved on it's skin manifests inside Makoto's mind.
"Leviathan of the judgement arcana" says Elizabeth "Is there anything else you need Makoto?" asks his attendant. "Yes I'd like to fill my stock" says Makoto wanting to fill his mind with personas. 'By fusing Thoth and Helel I know have left 4 free slots' thinks the boy chosing what personas to summon from the compendium. "What's your choice?" Elizabeth opens the compendium ready to summon the required personas. "Jack Frost, Fafnir, Odin and Yoshitsune" Elizabeth swiftly goes from page to page of the compendium and summons the personas inside Makoto's mind.
"We can go now" says Makoto. Ryoji transforms into Thanatos and delves into the blue haired boy's mind with Elizabeth transforming into a blue butterfly, similar to Philemon, following Makoto.