Disclaimer: The Persona series belongs to Atlus while the Fate franchise is owned by Type-Moon. I only own this fic and nothing else.

The cloud above is looking gloomy while densely pouring rain on the plateau below. Despite that, a lone girl wearing a veil that covers her white-colored hair is running in the midst of the rain like something is chasing her. However, due to the hail, it made the ground muddy and slippery. Because of that, the girl's feet slip and collapse to the dirt.

As she lay on the muddy soil, the girl faced the raining cloud above her. She cannot feel her legs anymore, it seems like they've given up on her after getting away from home. "Master…" She murmured in a teary tone before hiding her face with her hand. Even so, the tears still fall down from her cheeks and sounds of crying escape on her mouth.

The feeling of pain from separation is too much for her to bear. She's been alone for more than a hundred years, and after finding those people that will relieve her from loneliness, she still ends up running away from them. These nightmarish visions that haunt her every night are scaring her. The image of everyone living like a walking corpse, devoid of life, frightens the girl from her core.

Accompanied by the dreadful moaning and senseless muttering that fills the air sends shivers down her spine, and the horrifying sight of humongous bones spawned from the ground made her heart race from fear.

That vision she saw, it's like hell becoming one with the world.

Every time she wakes up from those dreams, the word of her master's encouragement is enough to dispel the horror lingering in her mind. But when it kept repeating every night, she couldn't look in her master's eyes anymore, and not just her but everyone around her. And today is the breaking point of her fear, when the girl started seeing hallucination even in broad daylight made her run away from the people she loved.

She cannot take it anymore. The horror is suffocating that it's killing her slowly.

But perhaps those dreams are coming from her consciousness, about the future she will bring to everyone. After all, her name is Altera, the destruction incarnate. Even after her rebirth that turned her into a child, the stigmas of her past self are still within her. Regardless of turning the world upside down, she is still a monster that brings only ruins.

"I'm sorry, Hakuno…instead of relying on you, I run like a coward." Altera let out sobbingly to herself. She doesn't deserve to be on her side nor speaks the master's name. But she believes that this is for the best, she loves her so much that she won't let a hellish future befall her. Not only her, Nero and Tamamo too, but this bittersweet decision she made might also be the saving grace they needed to continue being happy.

"Altera…"

The body of the little girl startled after hearing a voice pass over her ears. Her head shifted to look around her but she didn't find anyone. However, the mysterious female voice kept calling her name, it was faint but quite near her, she can feel the source is coming from the forest before her.

"Altera…"

Her name has been called by a mysterious voice once again. She's sure that the voice is coming inside the woods, however, the girl is hesitant to venture inside to find who's calling her. It might be another one of those hallucinations she is experiencing lately.

Standing on her feet, she stared at the forest in reluctance. Her mind is still in doubt and contemplating a decision. But the girl's body is thinking the opposite, she took a step forward, and then another, Altera began to panic inside as her body was moving without her consent. The next thing she knows is that she's standing in an open area, deep inside the jungle of an unknown forest.

Though the girl is cautious about the wildlife living in this place or traps that laid down secretly. But there is something in the voice that is drawing her. If she is going to describe it, the voice is akin to a mother calling her child's name in a gentle tone. It's embarrassing to think that the closest thing of motherly love she'd experience is from her master. Perhaps that is the reason why her body is following it.

It only hit her the statue made from the finest marbles standing in the middle of beautiful flower beds. The statue is molded in the shape of a woman with alluring beauty radiating in its beautiful face that is showing a gentle, kind, and motherly expression.

"You've come. Finally, you've come, Altera."

The girl needed to blink several times before assuring to herself that the voice she was following was coming from the statue she's eyeing at the moment. Altera is drawing in a blank on how to respond, perhaps the hallucination has taken over her head. But compared to the other supernatural things she witnesses, a talking statue is nothing special. Even so, it's still nerve-racking for a mere child to see.

Remembering the words of the crimson emperor told her when experiencing anxiousness. She took some deep breaths and released it in a calming rhythm. Now that she's calmer, Altera speaks what is on her mind.

"Who are you?" She questioned the statue's identity.

"My name is Sophia. I am the reason behind the dreams you're seeing." Gently introduced by the statue named Sophia. Although her stone-cold face could not express anything else aside from the one that molded into, she made sure to project her voice in a tone that will not raise concern to the little girl. "But do not fret, I didn't mean any malicious intention behind my unethical choice of action," Sophia added in the guilt of what she has done to the poor girl.

Altera looked at Sophia with a piercing gaze. She can feel the agitation in her body. So all those nightmares came from this person, the girl wanted to lash out at her. But the regret in her voice sounds sincere, she is also aware of the wrongdoing of her actions. Depending on her reason, she will spare a moment listening to her.

"Why did you do it?" She voices out bluntly. "Those dreams, what reason you have to ruin my life in fear?!" Altera shouted in vexation. As much as she wants to calm herself, but seeing the one behind those nightmares, she can't stop herself from getting angry.

"Because you're the only person that could prevent it from becoming reality." Sophia calmly answered despite the glare coming from Altera's spite toward her. "Those nightmares you saw aren't a fragment of imagination, those are the events that will take place within the distant future." She explained and saw how the anger on her facade turned into shock.

Altera tried to comprehend Sophia's words. But her mind and heart are racing and couldn't make any sense from it. So those aren't just nightmares but visions toward the future of this world. Which means everyone will become like those human shells that lost their will to live. "Is-is it because of me? Because I'm a monster of destruction?" Her voice shakes from fright as she asks Sophia.

"No, it wasn't because of you, little one. Truth to be told, I am part of the blame-no I am wholly in blame behind that future. If it wasn't for the mistake I've made, then none of this will happen." Sophia answered in penitence of the creature she'd created.

"I'm more than just a goddess, I am one of the beings that achieved the totality of divine powers called Pleroma. However, due to my upbringing and ideals, my action resulted in the creation of materiality and made me fall from grace. But then during my exile, my fear and anguish on losing my life bring forth the existence of Demiurge."

"My son then created the physical world in which you all have lived before. Despite being his mother, he did not behold me and believes that only he is the one who existed. Because of his shameful deeds and ignorance, I've created a throne for him, one that is covered entirely in the cloud, a punishment that I thought would be fitting for him. And that throne is…The Moon Cell. This is the place he used to observe the material world he created."

Sophia revealed the truth to Altera. Though mankind believes that the discovery they made on the moon is an alien artifact, they even started to worship it as the holy grail. But the truth of the matter is that the 'artifact' they discovered is a prison she created for her son.

She expected that someday it would be brought to light. But Sophia didn't foresee that humanity would find a way inside it. Though she understands the desperation to escape the dying planet they're living, she even applauds them for making a bold decision. But her son will just take advantage of them, he already did multiple times, after all, mankind is his creation.

"14,000 years ago, Velber, an alien deity that is known as the umbral star, was sent by me. After he passes on the milky way that will lead to Earth, his task is simple: destroy the world. Although the word 'destroy' is worrying, I've given him a purpose to harvest the planet and plundered important data at the Moon, so that humanity will be set free from my son's control and start anew all over again."

"Though the plan went into failure after humanity had triumphed against the white titan sent to earth."

Altera caught up the meaning behind the goddess words. She looked downcast and felt uncomfortable after hearing the word 'White Titan'. But if she takes her words as face value, then she wasn't sent to destroy humanity but to help it to get a brand new start. Only by now that her obliviousness has been dispelled, she never knew the true meaning of it all. She thought that her existence is just for destruction.

"Another 14,000 years have passed and Velber once again came to retry its goal. However, my son is prepared this time, he conducted the 'Moon Cell Holy Grail War' to find the weapon that will protect him from the umbral star. Despite being powerful, Velber lost against the victor of the grail war, and once again drifted into space and will soon come again after another thousand years has passed."

The little girl felt even more unbearable inside her after hearing Sophia's statement that conveyed her sadness at the failed attempt. "I'm sorry…If only I knew the reason, then I might have done something for it." She said and couldn't look into the statue's eye.

"Do not worry about it, despite Velber failure, I'm happy to see that you've found happiness in defeat. You deserve it after being isolated for so long." Sophia genuinely reassured the young girl. "However, I'm afraid my son will put an end to that happiness. Once SERAPH, this virtual world inside the Moon, becomes populated by the humans that escape from their dying planet."

"He will have full control over everyone. The Demiurge will once again become a powerful tyrant that no one could defy. Everyone will become his slaves and lose the freedom they deserve. And thus the dreams I'd force you to witness will become reality."

"No, that can't be…" Altera whispered weakly to herself.

"Do not succumb to despair young Altera. There is still some hope left for everyone in this world. I, myself, want to save mankind from my ignorant son. Which is why I'm extending my aid on you, if you accept then I will provide a Trickster that will stand against the coming ruin." Sophia strongly offered the young girl.

"A Trickster?" Altera asks in a shaky voice. She's baffled about the suggestion that Sophia is offering.

"Yes, but before I summoned the Trickster that would stop the ruin. I must ask you first." said the goddess with solemnity at the girl. "Will you put yours and the faith of the world on his shoulders? He who witnesses and went through the cruelty of the world he protected before? He who rebelled willingly against the laws that govern humanity? He who isn't a hero to start with?"

"Huh?" The girl startled after not understanding the words that came from Sophia.

"What is your answer, little one?" The goddess didn't repeat her statement despite the bewilderment of Altera. She believes that the girl will be able to deliberate it over. Her answer will be the turning point towards the world's salvation.

Altera started to wonder about the words of Sophia. 'Will she put her and everyone's faith toward the Trickster?'. This person she describes went through the cruelty of the world, though that is common for everyone, but perhaps Sophia is stressing that this man didn't live a pleasant life and was abused by the people around him. Then she said that he willingly rebelled against the laws that govern humanity made her think that perhaps he isn't a good person.

Lastly, this person isn't a hero, he doesn't seem like the right person to save the world. But, she's somewhat similar to what Sophia describes the Trickster is. She went through the cruelty of the world by believing that her entire life is meant for destruction. Though she hasn't rebelled against the law before, she fought against the control of her creator to become free. Lastly, she isn't a hero, to begin with, she was the scourge of God, but she still finds a reason to protect the world from harm.

Looking at Sophia with conviction painted on her face. Altera reached her decision. "I will put mine and everyone's faith in the Trickster. Despite everything you describe him to be!" She declared it the divine being.

"I see." Sophia let out a soft genuine chuckle after seeing the girl's conviction. It is admirable to see someone hold a strong belief, not everyone can hold to that, she even admits that Altera beat her when it comes to that. Regardless, it's time to summon the Trickster to this world.

A Trickster who is foreign to this universe, though it took some time to prepare everything for his summoning. She's confident in her ability that nothing will go wrong. Her marbled statue began to have cracks that run through its entire body. A summoning circle appeared on the ground and covered the entire statue in white light. "Though there is still some time left before the ruin to happen, I ask you to fulfill the role of the Trickster guide and help on his tasks. Help him to gather allies that will stand against my son, help him to see the beauty and ugliness of this world, I trust you in this important role Altera."

"When the time has come, we will meet again someday. I'm sorry that this is all I could offer to you. Take care of him." Sophia said her parting words before she exploded in blinding light. Before Altera could react or say anything, she got forced to cover her eyes from the light that came from the statue of a powerful deity.

She waited until the light began to fade and clear her vision. When she uncovered her eyes, Altera grasped in shock after witnessing the state of Sophia's statue that was standing gracefully a moment ago. "Sophia…" she murmured in sorrow while looking downcast on the ground. Though her gaze followed the scattered marbles all over the place, she noticed an unmoving body lying from where the goddess statue is.

A young man with wavy unkempt raven-colored hair, his face is charming despite sleeping peacefully inside a forest. He wore black glasses that portray him as an image of an ordinary boy. His outfit then consists of an unbuttoned black blazer with a black-trimmed cream sweater, blue colored jeans, and brown shoes.

Slowly approaching the young man. She kneeled on the ground and inspected him closely. "Is he the Trickster that Sophia is talking about?" Altera asks herself while watching the peaceful rhythm of his breath. From the description of the deity earlier, she expected someone with rogue looking features but this young man appeared to be kind, gentle, almost harmless. She can't even tell if he is a servant since there is nothing out of ordinary that can be felt in him.

But then again it's too early to make an assumption. Perhaps there is more to him than what meets the eyes. "Hmm…?" She heard a soft sound coming from him. Her body then startled in surprise when the young man opened his eyes revealing a dark gray eye.

The young man looked half asleep while staring at the girl sitting on his side. He blinks several times, but he doesn't recognize a girl with white hair or remembering sleeping in an area that looks like a jungle. "Are you a Trickster?" He heard from the girl. "Will you save this world from ruin?" What an odd thing to ask, just who is this girl-

It took him five seconds before he realized what was happening. Shifting his body into a sitting position. He looked around him and saw that he was surrounded by trees and laying on a bed of beautiful flowers and marbles that were scattered on the ground. "Where am I?!" He questioned before setting his gaze at the surprised girl. "And who are you?!" He asks.

"My name is…Saber." The girl fidgets on her introduction. "No, I'm Altera…and you are in…" She tried to answer but failed miserably due to nervousness.

Hearing the girl's voice is shaking, he decided to stop the girl from continuing. "I'm sorry, I startled you am I?" He said while giving the girl an apologetic smile on his face. Taking a deep breath, his smile changes into a sincere one after feeling himself more calmly. "Let's start again. Can I ask your name?" He said.

Altera after seeing the young man more serene she felt that it also affected her nerves. Nodding her head cheerfully, she looks straight to his eyes before introducing herself once again. "My name is Altera." She said it and this time she felt happy about doing it without fidgeting.

"I'm Ren Amamiya." The young man introduces himself casually. "Say Altera, do you know where I am?" He said and smoothly followed up the same question he asked earlier.

Altera shakes her head to answer. She doesn't know what exactly the forest name they're currently in. "Um, can I ask you something?" She inquires to the young man named Ren who seems in the middle of his thoughts for a moment. Receiving a nod of confirmation at him, Altera relays her question to him with faith showing in her eyes. "Are you a Trickster?" She said and noticed the skeptical gaze from him.

"I was told that you're the Trickster that will save this world from ruin." Altera then looks at him with pleading eyes. If this is really the one that Sophia is talking about, then perhaps he can stop those nightmares from becoming reality. "Can you save everyone from the coming ruin?"

"I beg you…" She murmured in hope at the young man in front of her.

Ren still hasn't fully understood everything that is happening. But despite the confusion he is having, this girl named Altera is asking for his help, though it's not a small one. However, perhaps he can do something about it as he sorted things out. "Can you tell me everything first?" He asks with a comforting smile at the girl after getting her attention.

Altera felt his soft smile is quite infectious as it also appeared on her face. Giving a lively nod, she told him everything as they went their way out of this forest. In all honesty, It surprises her to feel comfortable with someone she just met. Beside her master, this young man named Ren Amamiya is the second person she met that can dispel her fears simply by using words.

A/N: Quick note that I'm not following the storyline presented in Extella Link. I'll be creating my own storyline just to avoid making a 'Put this character in this story and copy the rest' storytelling, though my literature skill isn't that great, I will put my effort in creativity, but I will strive for much more polished updates in the future.

Also for those who happen to read my stories 'Another Link' and 'Knockin through heaven's door', well Royal Link is the rewritten version of those two combined. Though I'm deeply sorry for those who wanted to see more from those stories. But I will do my best to make it up to you people! I also hate myself for not finishing what I've started. Regardless, it will all change now!

Thank you for all the support! Leave a review for your reactions or thoughts and I shall see you all in the next chapter!