AN: You don't have to read this, as it's just my rambling about the reason for making the story. So enjoy the first chapter and consider leaving any advice to me you wish needs to be said.

Okay, so this is my first time doing something like this. As the name suggests, I'm pretty new with fanfiction and well story writing in general. I found fanfiction like a good starting place and practice ground of testing my skill in both grammar and overall writing. I do it mainly to improve both aspects and maybe make something of it in the future. It will be a struggle and I expect some heavy inconsistencies with both writing and scheduling of this story, so don't expect this on being amazing from start to finish. I will actively try to improve and listen in to all criticism, let be it positive or negative criticism. RWBY and Persona 5 are currently my favorite things to keep up with so that's really why I decided to make a story around this, but Persona 5 is the one I'm more focused on, as with RWBY being something I only get into recently. So that's really the gist of it all. So thank you for taking the time to read this. Enjoy.

Chapter 1

The Proposition

The bustling city of Tokyo was truly a sight to behold for anyone to come across. All different kinds of people with different walks scurried around to get on with the usual morning routine that they have ingrained into their everyday lives.

One lone figure among the ocean of people could be seen participating in the same scheduled manner as everyone else, slowly making his way to the train station. He was swiftly moving with the sea of people as his face had a quizzical look to it.

"Hmm...I don't think I have anything planned today...maybe I could get in some studying in before the quiz, I'm sure Makoto wouldn't mind taking some time off her day in helping me. Though if I did ask her, then she'd most likely drag everyone along with her for a little study session with the gang. I don't know if Ryuji would forgive me like last time..." Akira Kurusu was the boy, and he kept walking with the people, his mind wandering off in search for more possible activities he could do today.

He soon came to an abrupt stop. He stood still in the constant waves of people that walked past him like he wasn't there in the first place. Soon Akira chuckled to himself, not minding the odd stares some of the people gave him, for he found himself amused with how drastically his way of thinking has become.

Especially after retiring his Phantom Thieves days not so long ago.

If it were then, then the same worries and tasks would've popped up to his mind on the daily. Worrying about the Palace, worrying about not taking on enough Mementos requests, frantically trying to find time to keep improving the bonds with people he felt a connection with, counting up the money he'd accumulated and need to divide into separate them in categories for supplies his group needed, all of this circulating through his head while just barely waking for the morning.

But now he was thinking as an ordinary teen would, as an ordinary teen should he thought, yet the contrast was just too sudden for him not to acknowledge how humorous it was.

Akira would admit that he did miss the rush and thrill of letting himself be free, to do what he wanted with the stealing of hearts of the corrupt and fighting the demons that lurked in the palaces and Mementos. But all the stress and worry it generated made him much prefer his current lifestyle than his former one.

The feeling of having to bring justice and not fail was a great burden that the thief wouldn't miss at all. He much prefers being a normal man than being a symbol of freedom to society. When he first started the whole thieving business, he felt so fulfilled and free and saw it as if the world was for the taking. But later on his journey, he and his friends kept on changing the hearts of more and more corrupt adults. They soon realize just how corrupt modern-day society truly was for them.

All the grief and despair people have been building alongside the twisted thoughts that came with all their sinful views kept piling up more and more to construct the corrupt world the lived then. A world that involved a god that was the collection of man's desire to be controlled and have their life decided before them, with a god bringing absolute order among their small and contaminated world. That's when Akira and the Phantom Thieves knew that their mission was much more than just trying to play as the heroes to a story that they made.

Akira shook his head, he was thinking about back then once again. He disliked recalling the negatives of his journey. Whenever he thought he'd moved on from it, he will have his mind soon falling back again to his adventures and how it showed him the true face of humanity.

He never thought like this before, he never really considered himself a deep thinker on things like that, but having to be on the journey he's been through, how could he not? After all that he's been through? Once more did he start thinking more about how humanity was as a whole. He wanted to always see it at where it shined the brightest, at what they've accomplished and how they persevered through the darkest of times. To look at just how they came so far and made such an impact on this world. But Akira could never deny what humans were in the end...another animal.

That was what man is right? Another animal on this planet. Another insignificant beast in the grand scheme of the ever-expanding universe, a beast with desires, temptations, and instinct. Ignoring that truth would be ignorant, he knew that he couldn't deny what he was, human.

Besides knowing that fact, he always saw people as more than just another mindless cog in humanity's young cycle of existence. He never truly saw anyone that way, he always loved to see how different people were and how unique they are to the world. He sincerely wanted to see the best for everyone, and see the best they could become.

Akira kept on with his walking, making sure he got out of his negative zone of his and focused on the day before him. Soon he saw his school poke out the corner of his eye. It stood tall, it stood strong, and within it held many memories. Good and bad. The beautiful morning glow was peeking just above it as if welcoming all the students back.

Akira didn't notice that he had gone full-on autopilot, so he was already walking up the steps of the school's front gate. Akira hurriedly made his way inside the school and climbed up the stairs to the roof. He basically ran up the steps to not waste any time on the little chat his about to have with an unexpected feline visitor in his bag.

Picking the rooftops was the best choice to take Morgana for a talk with him. No one usually came up there, which was why it was the most optimal place for a private conversation. That's also mostly because the roof was the usual hangout spot for Akira and his friends to hang out in school if they didn't have much to do that day. It's not as if people were forbidden on going up there, it just wasn't a popular area in the school was all. The environment might've contributed to that, for there were always little bits and pieces of trash sprinkled everywhere, and overall not the most appealing view in the world.

Akira made it to the top of the steps and walked to the door, he pushed it open to have the sun temporarily blinded him for a second before he could regain his vision to spot a certain blonde friend of his.

He wasn't that surprised on seeing Ryuji up there looking bored with himself. He was sitting on a lawn chair with his feet propped up on a white table. He looked as if he was daydreaming or in deep thought of something, but that just made him look a little funny looking with his mouth wide open and his arms dangling off to his sides. Akira started heading toward Ryuji's direction, which immediately caught his attention and perking up in no time.

"Akira! Sup." Ryuji's face changed from one of boredom to one of genuine happiness in a flash. He gave a great goofy smile to his best-bro-friend.

"Nothing much." Was Akira's quick little response to his friend, as he walked to the white table and dropped down his bag on it. A loud thump and clear hissing came shortly after. Ryuji stared at the bag and knew the reason for Akira's sudden come up on to the roof.

"Morgana?! Didn't you agree to not come with Akira to school anymore." Ryuji more of stated than asked the hiding cat.

Morgana popped his head out Akira's bag and yelled at the blond boy, "Hey, it gets boring in that attic! You try sitting around and do try to do something in the same room for six hours all day every day!"

"Doesn't Akira have a T.V in his room?" Ryuji quickly asked the feline.

"Yeah, but all the shows suck. All there is are stupid game shows or crappy news station. Akira won't go and buy any new networks." Morgana whined on his plight with Akira's bedroom

Akira himself just groaned at their little banter and decided to ask the cat his question to avoid any further unnecessary talk between the two. "Morgana, why did you sneak into my bag this time?"

"Attic's boring." Morgana simply answered, looking away from Akira's stare.

Akira would have accepted an answer as simple as that, as Morgana never really had any other intentions than being with his friends. But, if it weren't for the fact that Morgana had a clear nervousness in his tone when saying it out loud, then he would have gotten off scot-free. Akira could read people pretty well, and a cat was no different to that skill. Morgana was clearly avoiding something. But what could that be?

"Is there any other reason you would want to come to school with me?" Akira asked, seeing if there was really anything else Morgana wanted to get out of from his little escape from the attic.

Oddly enough, Morgana seemed rather uncomfortable with what Akira had asked of him, which did not go unnoticed. Ryuji even picked up on this, as he saw how the cat was reacting. "Morgana, is there really another reason?" Ryuji asked, confused on the cat's uncomfortable state.

Morgana seemed to have trouble telling them what he wanted to say. The two boys then waited on the response from their friend. After a couple of minutes of the two staring down their companion, he finally said what he was keeping to himself.

"Akira…" Morgana struggled a little, as Akira leaned in with anticipation to hear his friend.

"Igor...Igor wants you to meet him in the velvet room, as soon as you can…" Morgana trailed off, not wanting to drag out the sentence any longer then he has to.

Akira was perplexed at the information that he received. 'Why would Igor want me?' He thought immediately, not sure on how to respond.

To Akira Igor was…Igor. That was really all Akira thought about him. For most of his journey, Igor was never really with him. He was imprisoned and locked away by Yaldabaoth, in which he impersonated to be Igor throughout most of last year. It was really at the end where he truly met and talked with the real Igor. Their connection with each other was barely anything, heck, there wasn't really any connection at all. Even with them not being 'close' with each other, they both had mutual respect for one another, and that was it. But there is one thing bothering Akira out of what his friend said, and it was why Morgana was so nervous to talk about it in the first place.

Ryuji looked at Morgana with mild disappointment, not getting why he took so long because of what seemed like a simple request.

"That's it? Big nose wants Akira to see him? Couldn't you have told Akira in the morning instead of coming all the way here?" Ryuji asked, using his little nickname for Igor that he's been sticking to ever since all thieves met him. Ryuji couldn't comprehend why Morgana was all worked up about Akira seeing Igor. Morgana shortly followed up the blonde boy's comment, "It's not Igor that I'm worried about! It that there's another person who wants to meet Akira…" Once again Morgana's words faltered as he became mute once again.

Akira was even more concerned about Morgana's odd behavior.

"What do mean another person wants to see me?" Akira asked, now thoroughly confused with Morgana's vague answers.

Morgana just shook his head, ignoring Akira's question "You'll see when you get there..." That was all Morgana gave before he then suddenly jumped out of the bag and ran down the stairs away from the rooftop. Akira was going to run after him but stop just short of doing so. He thought it wouldn't have been the best idea to do so, all it would cause was unwanted attention towards him from the staff and students, and that whole fiasco would be bring back some depressing memories for when he first came to the school.

Akira slowly after started his walk towards the stairwell, not caring for his bag to be left behind. Ryuji looked on with surprise, as he spoke out, "You're going to see big nose now?" He asked, wondering if Akira was really going to skip the school day for the big-nosed man.

"Yeah. I mean, if I need to get there as soon as possible, then something important is happening with the velvet room, and if that's the case, then the everyone else might be too." Akira quickly replied. He then proceeded to walk down the steps to the bottom floor of the school.

Ryuji sat there with his legs now on the ground as he let out a long sigh of exhaustion. "Well, today is going off with a weird start...what a bother." Ryuji then stood up and leisurely walked downstairs towards his homeroom His hands snuggly fitted in his pockets as his mind wandered curiously about the situation.

Akira didn't expect Shibuya to be this crowded at this time of day in the morning, especially since it's was a school day.

"I guess that's Tokyo for you, always busy with people," Akira mumbled while bumping into people here and there from how congested central street was.

As he was making his way through the giant and bundled up the city of Tokyo, he felt nervous about whether the cell door that was supposed to lead to the velvet room would be there now again.

Ever since he's finished his journey, he has never seen the glowing blue cell door pop up once when he went into the alley where it once stood. Now that he thought about it, would the door even be there? Akira never thought of the odd chance that he couldn't enter the room in the first place. If the door wasn't there, then he would have ditched out of school for nothing.

Akira was getting closer to the passageway that led to the weapon shop owned by a man named Munehisa Iwai. The store where he invested some of the Phantom Thieves money into for better equipment for the Metaverse. Iwai was an interesting man, and he had interesting problems too. Akira was happy to have met a man like Munehisa. Though he doesn't see him as often since the end of the Phantom Thieves, he's still glad that he was able to have helped him with his troubles.

Akira rounded the corner, soon being blinded by the beacon of a door. Before Akira was the bright blue glow of the jail cell door, shinning in all it's glory. He knew no one else could see it, he knew that to anyone else that the alley was just another drab area of the street, but Akira could see it, he could experience it. The bright shine of this beautiful sight.

Akira walked toward the front of the door and continued staring at its brilliance. He was still stunned that it's here. He didn't know what to do since neither Caroline or Justine was there to escort him through the door to his cell. Though now it wouldn't be one of them escorting him, it would be both of them.

Lavenza, the true form of Caroline and Justine, the resident of the velvet room that made sure to help Akira through his journey. Unlike Igor, Akira held deep gratitude for Lavenza. She did appear at the end of the journey, but she was always there for him since the start. Akira held her to the same degree as any of his other friends.

Looking around, Akira couldn't spot Lavenza anywhere. He went into the alley and did a little bit of searching, but nothing came up. His view soon fell back towards the door. That shining and radiating door with its magnificent blue aura. Akira walked slowly toward it, staring directly at the almost blinding blue light in a trance-like state. It was as if it was calling for him to come closer.

"What if I just..."

Akira proceeded to reach his hand out and push on the bars of the door. As soon as he touched the door, it suddenly flung open to let all of its light engulf Akira. Akira was prepared for the abruptness of the opening and swiftly fell into the blue abyss.

"AHHH...!" The lost scream of Akira's voice in the street empty alley beside the roaring streets of Shibuya. Nothing happened in the world of Earth, no one would bat an eye for what had happened. Akira, the leader of the Phantom Thieves, the Fool, the Trickster of Earth had disappeared from the world.

Akira had entered the Velvet Room.

The rattling of chains, a familiar sound that brought brief memories of what was a past life for Akira. The goosebumps popping up all over his skin indicated his success in crossing over to the realm between dream and reality.

Once his eyes started to open, Akira was met with another familiar situation. His back laying on steel, the loose and thin black and white striped clothes covering him, and his one leg chained onto a metal ball.

The Velvet Room indeed was a mystery to him still.

It was supposed to be gone, and this lock up for Akira should've been a thing of the past. He was accepted, he wasn't constrained anymore, he wasn't a prisoner now.

'This doesn't add up, I'm done, my journey is over...'

A place between mind and matter, dream and reality. It was the place where fools like Akira would go and fuse their persona to obtain a new mask to wear, but Akira knew better than to think that was what he was here for.

Akira starts off his visit by propping himself up with his elbows and looking out of his cell door. There were two people that Akira couldn't quite make out yet. The haziness of his mind from entering the realm made it hard to even think for Akira.

He soon got his bearings together and observed that one of the two figures he could see was sitting down, while the other was standing up. Akira then sat up from his metallic bed and stood up to walk to the cell door between him and the two other people with him. He immediately had his eyes locked on at Igor as soon as he could make him up with his slowed down mind. He was sitting in the 'wardens' desk as he called, with his head down and his hands joined together. What Akira didn't expect was there to be another man standing besides Igor.

The man, in particular, was a strange sight.

Akira half expected Lavenza, but here was a man of which Akira had no prior knowledge of. Said man had on a black turtleneck shirt with a white jacket over it, black pants, and some basic black shoes. None of those features mattered to Akira, for what he paid attention to the most was the strange mask that the man wore. It had the design of a plain ordinary mask, but the bottom right was trimmed so that a quarter of the mask was gone. The mask also had what appeared to be a butterfly wing sticking out of the upper left side of it, and his hair was a slick dark brown, with a ponytail hanging off to the side.

After Akira's examination of this odd man standing beside Igor, the man himself lifted his head up to see Akira holding the bars of his cell door, looking at the man with a questionable look on his face.

"Ahhh...it seems that Morgana has informed you about our request for your presence within velvet room once again," Igor stated, with his usual wide grin and bloodshot eyes aiming at Akira.

"Well, it seemed to be important, so I decided to drop by to see what's up," Akira said with uncertainty in his voice.

"So I see…do you know why you were called upon to enter the velvet room once again?" Igor asked, with his eyes staring right at Akira's.

Akira didn't have any clue on why he was summoned, but he had an idea of who it was for.

"Does it have anything to do with that guy standing there?" Akira pointed toward the fairly tall man, who Akira only has noticed to have been intensely analyzing him since he made it to the cell door.

Igor chuckled before replying, "Where are my manners? This man is Philemon, my master." Igor simply stated to Akira.

Akira's snapped his neck toward Igor, his face utterly confused with Igor's sudden statement.

'This guy controls Igor?' Was all he thought, as he looked back at the man now known as Philemon.

They had a little stare down, as Akira had his full attention on him, staring in disbelief, while the man just looked back with a neutral face, not once blinking or moving.

This continued for a while until Philemon decided to be the one to break the silence between the both of them.

"I see…so you are the fool for your generation?" Philemon's soft yet assertive voice rang through the room like a gunshot, as Akira was taken aback from his odd sounding voice. Akira could only nod to the man. While still not fully grasping the situation that was presented in front of him, Akira knew one thing for sure, and that is that Philemon wanted something from him, and he doesn't know what exactly. There had to be some reason that the master of the velvet room wanted to talk to him, and that thought struck fear into him.

Now Akira saw why Morgana was nervous about this little meeting with Igor.

Akira gripped his bars tighter, as his body was stiff with the odd sense of fear. Akira was in front of a being potentially more powerful than anything he's ever met in his life so far. He looked on at Philemon, his eyes narrow, his breathing becoming irregular. He was becoming a total mess right now.

Again, an agonizingly long pause of silence was presented to the three individuals that were in the room. Akira being the only one who was freaking out over it.

'The master of the velvet room, he has to be some sort of god then. Nothing good is going to come from this. I can feel it...' Akira thought, as the silence still hung in the air.

Akira has faced a god before at the end of his journey, but this was a different circumstance. When he fought Yaldabaoth, they were both in about equal grounds, there was no home court advantage or anything like that really, but now, he was facing the creator of the velvet room, the one who gave his power, the one who owns the very realm that Akira was now stuck in, this wasn't a fair situation, for Philemon held all the power here. Akira was locked behind bars and had no one to fall back to in this situation, he was completely under their control until he got out of the Velvet Room.

The silence was cut by Igor's voice, as it was him this time to break the long pause.

"Akira Kurusu, my master has seen humanity evolve for as long as they were born. He is quite fond of them, so much so that he's helped them greatly in the past." Igor stopped to look at Akira for a second. Why did he do this? Akira didn't know, but it did build the dread in which has been accumulating within him for a while now.

"He and another deity, Nyarlathotep, both had a bet on the future of humanity. Philemon had the view that humanity would become enlightened with their continued their path towards success, while Nyarlathotep bet that humanity would be its own undoing toward the end of all things. Even when they both swore to leave humans be, Nyarlathotep kept on interfering with man so he could help bring them to their demise. So naturally, Philemon had to step in, in which he then granted the power of personas to the children of humanity, to counterbalance Nyarlathotep's involvement with them." Igor stops again for a couple of seconds, as he let the information sink into Akira's mind.

Igor then continued on, "Many children of humanity have stepped up to the plate to defend humankind from the atrocities Nyarlathotep schemed to throw man to a shadowy abyss. But every time, the potential of humanity always seems to come through. There were also two others that are were very similar to you as of recent. Those wildcards helped the cause of peace and prosperity for humanity in a great way." Igor finish, as he put his head down once again, not bothering on looking at Akira when he was done.

Akira himself couldn't believe what he had just heard, it was ridiculous.

'Other wildcards? Other persona users? A bet?' These questions and more popped into Akira's mind, he couldn't possibly try to not think about any of this. It was soon becoming overwhelming to him.

He started to try and calm his mind, as the information was tiring him mentally. While Akira started to calm and soothe his tired state. All of this was good and all, but what he's been hearing didn't seem to answer the most important question to him right now.

Why was he here?

"So what you're saying is, the progress of humankind, the struggles they've gone, and all the achievements they have made were all just a game to two gods?!"

Akira couldn't help his sudden temper right now. As his mind was suddenly running rapidly with anger and frustration on fully processing the words of what Igor had said.

'How can these gods just look onto humanity and toy with them for no reason whatsoever?! All that I've accomplished with everyone, was just a game to them?! Our struggles, our despair, our pain, are just nothing short but some form of entertainment for two gods to look down on from their stand. Hell, this isn't even a game to them, its a damn bet that they made to see who was right. Like two stupid children wanting to prove to the other that they were wrong, while not caring about the repercussions for their action.' Akira was set ablaze, his mind clouded with anger, his teeth gritting, his head hanging low, with a low growl coming from him. Akira was not taking all of this very lightly.

Philemon could easily feel the anger and distraught of the wildcard in front of him, as he knew that it was understandable on how he was feeling from Igor's tactless choice of words and bluntness, so he decided to speak out on his behalf, to soothe the fool.

"Humanity is a treasure in which I have never seen before Akira Kurusu. They are marvelous creatures who have the potential to face gods and demons alike. They can obtain and withhold the power of said demons and gods with great efficiency and prowess. They can go through the darkest of times and still come out with them still alive and thriving. Man is the tiny speck of light in this dark abyss that is our universe. Though it may sound wrong for me to wager a miracle such as humanity, and make it seem that I give it away as if there is no value to it. I have complete and udder faith in mankind and all of its children. I've always had, and always will forever see humanity continue with its greatness. I only wish Nyarlathotep could see this treasure of a race the same as I do. A pity really, we could have progressed this race into something so much more." Philemon looked straight at Akira and spoke without taking one single breath, his voice passionate and true, Akira couldn't help but stare again on the mysterious being. Even if Philemon is helping humanity and it's struggling, then why was Akira here?

"I see..." Akira started, looking down uncomfortably with the speech he was given. "You're very…passionate about humanity, I understand that now, but the question I want to be answered now is why? Could you just tell me why you've called me here?" Akira asked, aching to get some kind of answer. If Philemon was this passionate about mankind, then whatever was to come had to involve it, and somehow tie together with Akira.

Igor's smile grew at the question he's been waiting so long for the fool to ask.

It was only a matter of time.

"As you've heard me say, there have been many children of man that have stopped the evil ways of Nyarlathotep from destroying man. So It seems that after for so long he has seemed to…give up" Igor said in an exasperated voice. Akira was still not getting why he was here, as that didn't really answer his question.

'So one of the gods quit? So what?' Akira thought as Igor continued shortly after.

"And so with Nyarlathotep now deciding it isn't worth his time to meddle with man anymore. There will be a drastic decline in the chance for humanity's downfall. You and your friends were the last straw for Nyarlathotep to keep on going with his plans for destroying humanity." Igor finished, looking on at Akira.

"So what you're saying is...that a god, all mighty and powerful, just rage quit because it was too hard to get his way on things. Am I correct on that?" Akira questioned, a little underwhelmed by the fact alone.

"Yes..." Philemon started, a little disappointment in his voice. "It would seem so..."

Akira was probably having the strangest day of his life right now. He was called upon to meet a god, was told that the whole concept of the human race was a bet between gods, then told that one god quit because he was a sore loser.

"This is so stupid..." Was all Akira said, as he still couldn't get over what he just heard?

Philemon was a little embarrassed on how blunt the wildcard put the defeat of his fellow god, but, he still needed the fool to accept the task he has in mind for him...

"Akira Kurusu, you are the wildcard in which has driven Nyarlathotep away from interfering with this universe's humanity. So I will tell you, that your next journey is to help save humanity once again..." Philemon spoke out, as Akira visibly tensed from his words.

Akira was now feeling the full force of his nervousness that was building up inside him, he knew they didn't just invite him to congratulate him on driving a god away. This was it, this is what he has had been mentally preparing himself for. The real reason he was here, the reason this whole thing was happening now, he knew it was coming.

"Child of man. Rebel of god. Fool of this generation, I ask for you to help another world where humanity struggles with its demons, and bring peace once more to humanity." Philemon said, his voice calm and relaxed, as he seemed to be happy about giving this offer to Akira.

'There it was. That was it. They wanted me to help another world with its problems?!' Akira didn't know what to say. Could he say anything? Did he have a say in this? They wanted him to leave this world to save another? Can you even turn down a god's offer like that?

Akira was losing it. He couldn't take this offer, he has so much going on for him right here. He could never just up and leave his home just to save another because its the 'noble' and 'right' thing to do. He just couldn't. Akira took a deep breath and shakily answered, as his face was white, and sweat was rolling off the side of his face.

"Philemon, as honored as I am to have you propose an offer like that upon me. I must decline what you ask for me to do. I can't do it. I'm sorry..."

Silence, once again. The same horrible, dead, and complete agony of it was back.

What felt like so long ago that it was here, was made clear once again with great force, as it was the only thing that filled the room. It's as if time itself had stop because of what Akira had just said. The only way Akira could tell it didn't was from the clanking of chains that hung on the ceiling of his cell.

He had declined an offer from a god, the same god that had given him the power he used for himself.

Philemon's expression didn't help, because there was none. He was a total blank.

Akira couldn't tell what emotion Philemon was feeling, and he didn't want to know. He knew he had to reinforce why he didn't accept, or he might not be able to get out of here alive.

"Phi-Philemon, please understand. I don't wish to leave my friends and family. I know what I'm declining to, but understand that I don't think I could help another world with its problem. I'm honored that you think that I'm good enough to help save another world, but please understand I can't do it again." Akira's voice was desperate, as he practically pleaded for mercy from Philemon. What he told Philemon was partly true also. In all honesty, Akira knew he could probably help another world in need if he had made bonds and relationships with the people there the same as here, but the bonds and relationships that he has already established is something he doesn't want to have to build again. He couldn't simply forget all the people who made him what he is now, you can't forget something as meaningful as that.

Akira just stood there like a deer in headlights, waiting for Philemon to respond. The more he waited, the more he felt that he was suffocating from how thick the tension was inside the room. Igor just kept looking at Akira with that irritating smile of his, his face amused with his predicament.

Then, like glass breaking, Philemon spoke.

"I understand why you wish to decline. I'll admit the relations you've made here are strong and pure, it reminds me of those other's fools that I have seen before you..." Akira had hope, even if he knew not to, there was still a chance for him to get out. A chance to forget all of this and go back to his normal li-

"But…"

And just like that, Akira's whole life had changed.

With just one simple word.

"I need you to accept this offer, this world is in a crucial state in which it needs a savior to come and slay the darkness in which it may soon fall upon. I know that it may sound unfair for you Kurusu, but that is just how life is I suppose..." What made the sentence worse to hear, was the fact that Philemon was using his soft, and gentle voice, as he had no hint of anger or irritation to Akira.

Akira knew now at that moment, he truly was a slave to destiny, no matter how much he fought, how much he struggled, or how strong he gets...

The end was fixed right at the start.

"What about my friends?! What about everyone that I have helped and those that have helped me! Are you just going to let me disappear without a trace?!" Akira yelled. He was screwed and he knew it, so might as well act like the animal that he was.

"I know your friends and family will make your disappearance concerning. So, I decided to make your entire existence here erased from their memories. As with Nyarlathotep gone, I have no worry on humanities downfa-" Akira stopped him, as he had enough.

"Erase me?! Do you think you can just mess with me like that?! Take me away and send me to a world because you want me to prevent its demise?! How can this possibly be right?! What kind of god are you, to think what's best for humanity and me! I understand the weight of it, but don't drag me into this and destroy my life because you think its 'right'!" Akira couldn't stop his anger anymore, as hearing on the 'solution' to him being gone was completely ridiculous to him.

"I am sorry, but you are the one who has driven Nyarlathotep away, and so I believe the honor should go to you. No matter how you put it, you will go to Remnant, and save man once again." His voice was sharp and dangerous, as his glare came out of nowhere and shut up Akira, as he only stared back with a type of fire in his eyes that could rival a god's.

Philemon knew that Akira was genuine when he said that he will miss his friends and family, but these were times in which humanity can truly be saved and secured from the evil in each one of them. Akira will be the spark in which will set a chain of events to save each and every universes humanity.

Akira was beaten, there was no fighting it, as he looked to the side, his face filled with defeat.

"Listen here, Phil." Akira's voice was low and soft, as he looked up to meet Philemon's stare once again.

"When I meet you again. I promise you, your death will be by my hands." Taken aback, Philemon stared at the fool with a surprised look, not knowing on how dangerous this meeting could've been.

"I do hope you're jesting fool. For if you do retain your memories in the other world and remember that 'promise'...let's just hope you won't have that same feeling when we do meet again."

Philemon then just disappeared, as no trace of him standing beside Igor was to be found.

"You are certainly an interesting guest Akira Kurusu. I would love to see where your next journey will take you." Akira glared at Igor, not caring on showing his hostility toward him.

Then, a small blue light was in front of his face, as he squinted at the blinding light.

"Until then Akira, farewell."

The last thing Akira saw before the light engulfed his view, was Igor's annoying little smile.

AN: First one down. I've probably read this first chapter way too many times to make sure I got it to finally end up almost spotless. Though I do expect some kind of grammar and spelling issues. This is the start of hopefully something cool and fun for both me and you to enjoy. So once again, thank you for reading. I hope you continue to follow this story. See ya next time.