Persona
The Second Fall
Chapter 6
Philemon

The room wasn't well lit. It was bland yet not just quite. Many chairs were assembled for the visitors of the dorm. At first glance one might think it was a meeting of some sorts. But not quite just yet. Everyone remained quiet. Everyone from Inaba excluding Nanako sat firmly on their extravagant and comfy sofas facing their predecessors all of whom who kept a serious expression painted on their face.

It was an interrogation.

The chairs were assembled in an oval shape, similar to that of a meeting. On one end was Yu who covered his chin with his right hand as if he was deep in thought. Opposite to him was a gorgeous woman with long red hair covering her left eye. She wore a black dress with a white fur coat over it. She eyed down Yu before she spoke. "I am Mitsuru Kirijo. A pleasure to make your acquaintance." Mitsuru was the kind of person who would normally skip straight to the point. But this time was different. Strangers came into her dorm claiming they have formed an Allegiance with their former comrade. A dear comrade. She believed that her words must be chosen carefully and not to rush to matters considering how the opposing might react.

"I'm Yu Narukami. N-nice to meet you." Yu said unintentionally stuttering as the atmosphere right now was much more complicated. Unlike the situation with Aigis, where Minato's instructions took immediate effect, according to Minato, Mitsuru would be harder to convince.

"Now. Kindly explain your background and your intentions." Mitsuru asked unblinkingly to, whom she assumed to be the leader, Yu.

"We are from a small town called Inaba. We, like you, fought against shadows to save the world. We are Persona users." Yu replied after a short sigh to calm down.

Chie rubbed he elbow in the sheer weight of the atmosphere. While on the other hand Akihiko stared Yu down with serious eyes much to Yu's discomfort. But that wasn't what he was uneasy for. It was the girl in pink sitting next to Mitsuru. She covered her face with her hands, her fingers touching her shoulder length brown hair, only exposing one eye focused on Yu with much melancholy. Minato was being awfully quiet. This did not help Yu one bit. He felt tense. Like an important job interview. But the piercing gaze of his predecessors made things much more unnerving for Yu.

"I apologize." Mitsuru began with a cold sigh. "I'm afraid I feel the need to skip to the point." Mitsuru stood up and brushed her hair back and gave Yu the coldest stare Yu could comprehend. "I believe you told Aigis that you have some sort of 'contract' with a certain someone." She said this she pointed to Aigis who was sitting next to the girl in pink. "I would like you to elaborate."

"Well Minato Arisato contacted me-

"Bullshit!" Suddenly the girl in pink rose, her voice quaky and unsure. Her brown eyes were watery as if she was on the verge of crying.

"Yukari-san." Aigis lightly called out which was just audible enough for everyone to hear.

"If he was back he would've contacted us! Why would he rely on a complete stranger?!" Yukari exclaimed. Tears visibly rolled off her cheek.

Much to Yu's calls Minato did not respond nor make any sign of existence. "It's complicated." Yu said while still trying to communicate with Minato who is not responding.

"I don't buy it!" The girl named Yukari protested.

"He speaks the truth Yukari-san. I know this." Aigis defended. "He knew about the screw I gave him. No one could have known that." She added.

"It could just as easily be a ruse." Yukari replied in a harsh tone.

"It's simply not possible. Only he and I know of this." Aigis replied.

The situation was bad. But Minato didn't make any signs. Yu desperately tried to call to him but there was no answer.

"Yukari, let him speak." Mitsuru spoke out.

"It simply can't be him." Yukari retorted. "We saw him in the Abyss of Time. It just can't be!"

"Let's at least hear what he has to say." Junpei suddenly jumped in adjusting his cap.

"Just calm down all of you!" Fuuka demanded.

"You guys are supposed to act like adults!" Ken added.

"He has Aigis convinced we could at least let him speak couldn't we?" Akihiko jumped into the fray.

Yu was desperately calling out to a non-responding Minato. He felt the sleeve of his shirt being pulled. "Senpai, it would be best to allow Minato to bestow some evidence. There in an emotionally stressful situation. It'd be best if you did this now. Senpai? Naoto called out. But Yu was too tense to answer.
"Where are you, Minato?" he thought.

Minato panted heavily. He could barely catch his breath. His vision was blurry. He couldn't identify his hand even though it was right in front of his face. He looked around being able to make out pillars and railings. The floor had black and white tiles like that of a chessboard and in the center stood a man.

"….yo….na."

"huh?"

"Ca….sta….name."

"My name?"

"Can you state your name?" The booming voice said.

Minato struggled for a moment. Even though it was his own name he had difficulty remembering it. He was surprised for a moment. "Minato….Arisato." He replied in a low voice.

Minato was greeted by a bow. The man wore a black shirt with a purple tie under his white long coat and white pants. His face was completely covered by a white mask with a blue butterfly-ish symbol on its right. He had a long black pony tail which flowed through the nonexistent wind.

"You….I….I know you….right?" Minato staggered. He recognized him. But he was certain he has never seen him in his life. Then why? Why does he know him?

"Correct. It is a pleasure to officially meet you. I am Philemon. The dweller between consciousness and unconsciousness." He said.

"Y-Yeah…I know you." Minato struggled to try and know how. He felt a shot of Déjà vu. It reminded him of his first meeting with Igor. But this time it was someone on a whole different level.

"I believe you are more acquainted with my servant Igor. Through him, I bestowed upon you the power of Persona. Those before you and those after." He said. "I'm, sure you are aware of that right now."

"Blue…..butterflies…that was you?" Minato managed to say in all the confusion.

"Yes. I have been watching over you. From the very beginning." Philemon said remaining his elegant stance.

"Yes, I know….but how." Minato asked himself.

"The state you came back in. It has bestowed you some knowledge and some power. As though you were my kin." Philemon said standing firmly. "But your power and knowledge are heavily limited. Very distant my capabilities. The host you hold, you can give him additional personas as you please without him having to inquire Igor and or fuse. Tell me, does the name Naoya sound familiar to you?"

"Y-yes it does." Minato replied.

"Indeed. You have received new powers." Philemon said as he crossed his arms. "But that is not what I have summoned you here for. You would have eventually realized your powers by yourself, so my intervention would be meaningless."

"What is it?" Minato replied staring at his palms with his vision back.

"This 'Fall', as you call it, is not like the one you have experienced before. It is not only the sign of the return of Nyx's avatar but also many other threats. You are incredibly fortunate that you can even have time to spend a day without remaining in constant threat. But that is because that 'Fiend from another world' came to your aid."

"Fiend from another world?" Minato asked now looking directly at Philemon.

"A being that does not belong here. A being nor human nor demon. Both the messiah and the destroyer of his own world. He is keeping most of the new threats at bay. But his power is not nearly as strong as it is in his own world. Use this opportunity. Climb Tartarus. You are receiving help from different people without your knowledge, all of whom are playing their own part in this war. I have held an audience with them and now I have completed my duties. You have a long journey ahead of you. Good luck, child." With that Philemon vanished.

Minato saw himself slowly fade away himself.

"MINATO!"

"I-I was away."

"You could've given me a warning."

Minato saw that the situation wasn't handling well without his presence. The members of S.E.E.S were arguing amongst themselves while the investigation team were sitting awkwardly sinking everything in.

"This is ridiculous they came all the way over here. They can just be-

Yu stood up pounding his fist to the wall behind him to draw attention. Immediately everyone became silent. Yu received everyone's attention as he had desired. He cleared his throat.

"In the fight against Nyx, he said he went in alone and was on the verge of defeat. He said he didn't have a chance and the situation was dire. It was hopeless. But then he heard. He heard your voices. Believing that he can do it, believing in him. That gave him strength. He heard all of your voices, even Shinji's. He won because of your strength.
He thanks you for believing in him."

No one said a word. Everyone was silent. Junpei and Yukari's mouth hanged open, Akihiko fell to his seat. Mitsuru bit her lips, Fuuka and Ken just stared. Aigis was the first to notice.

Yu's eyes. Tears were flowing. Tears that weren't his.
"It's me."

I am incredibly sorry about the long gap. Due to exams I couldn't upload a new chapter. I hope to start well pace uploads from now. You have my sincerest apologies.

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