Disclaimer: The rights belong to their respective creators.
The only thing that would count as mine would be this story.
" " Character speaking.
" " Character thinking.
"Word" What the character sees
A vast landscape shrouded in darkness was the only thing Issei could see. He was submerged in some kind of abyss, a place that defied all known laws of the real world. Although the surroundings were murky and without a defined shape, the feeling of immersion subtly overtook him, like a distant memory of something long forgotten.
Strangely, despite being surrounded by absolute blackness, Issei noticed he could breathe. Each inhalation was slow and deep, as if the air in that place were laced with a disturbing calm. That seemingly impossible ability gave the situation an almost surreal air: he was submerged in the unknown, yet life still pulsed within him.
Through the gloom, a red glow emerged in the distance, flickering like a torch in the middle of the darkness. The light spread in gentle waves, casting an imposing silhouette against the somber backdrop. Issei could make out, amidst the shifting shadows, a pair of greenish eyes staring straight at him. Those eyes seemed charged with an ancient force and a presence that transcended time, as if they reflected the memory of countless ages.
"It won't be long now..."
The voice, deep and resonant, rose in the distance, filling the abyss with its echo. It wasn't a frightening voice, but one imbued with patience and determination, as if it were waiting for the precise moment to reveal its message.
Issei tried to move, but his body felt bound by an unknown inertia; each attempt to free himself only sank him deeper into that dark ocean. The shadows seemed to embrace him, absorbing his movements, as the voice continued:
"Our connection has been interrupted by forces you do not yet understand, but the time is drawing near. The moment when we meet again is close. Until then, remain still and wait..."
Each word slid into his mind like an intimate whisper, yet so fleeting he could barely grasp them. Issei tried to remember who was speaking, but the image faded, leaving him with a sense of longing and confusion. The air grew denser around him, and the red light intensified, filling the space with an almost tangible vibration.
Suddenly, a faint roar rose in his chest, growing in intensity with each heartbeat. It was a roar that seemed to come from the very depths of the abyss, a sound that didn't belong to this world and heralded the imminent arrival of something monumental. The vibration made his hands tremble slightly, as the red glow became almost blinding.
And then, as abruptly as it had all begun, the dream unraveled. The shadows dissipated, the roar faded, and the abyss vanished, leaving Issei in complete darkness for a few brief seconds.
When his eyes finally opened wide, he found himself back in his room, bathed in the soft light of dawn. The sound of the clock marked each second of a time that seemed to have been interrupted, and the echo of that distant voice and the roar lingered in his mind like an unsettling reminder that something great was about to happen.
Issei remained silent for a few moments, his heart pounding and his mind full of questions. Who had spoken in that abyss? What connection did they have to him? And most unsettling of all, what was the meaning of that message that promised an imminent reunion?
With those doubts echoing within him, he slowly sat up, feeling in every fiber of his being that the dream had not been just a fleeting hallucination, but the prelude to what seemed like an irreversible change.
(-)
Morning: April 9, 2009
From the moment Issei stepped through the gates of Kuoh Academy, he felt an inexplicable pressure in his chest. It wasn't something tangible or obvious, but it was there-like a hidden presence lingering in the whispers of the hallways and the shadows cast by the morning light.
The voices of his classmates floated in the air, scattered laughter here and there, but something in the atmosphere kept him on edge. It was an instinct hard to define, a feeling that the world he knew was ever so slightly... warped.
Each step toward his classroom felt heavier than usual. His mind was still trapped in the dream from the night before the deep, enigmatic voice echoing in the darkness, the green gaze watching him from the shadows.
"It won't be long now..."
Those words kept repeating in his head, like an echo impossible to ignore.
When he stepped into the classroom, the atmosphere seemed to fold into a momentary silence, as if the world held its breath right before an unexpected turn. His eyes swept across the room quickly. Everything seemed normal... until he saw him.
Akira was in his seat, in the same position as always: elbow on the desk, head resting in his hand, eyes closed. But something wasn't right.
Issei froze.
It wasn't just his posture-it was the strange stillness surrounding him. His breathing was so subtle that for a moment, it seemed like he wasn't even there. The light coming in through the window lit up his profile, but his presence felt... wrong.
"It's just my imagination. I'm just nervous... Nothing weird has happened, right?"
He forced himself to take a deep breath and stepped forward, gathering the courage to speak to him. He wanted to apologize. He wanted to fix things.
But then, Akira opened his eyes.
And Issei's entire world trembled. Those were not Akira's eyes.
The usual brown hue was gone, replaced by a piercing, brilliant yellow. A sharp gaze, devoid of emotion. He didn't blink, didn't show surprise or recognition. He just stared. Fixed. Cold.
Issei felt the air leave his lungs. His skin prickled, and a shiver crawled down his spine like a thread of ice.
There was no anger in those eyes, not even disdain. Just an indescribable emptiness.
The eye contact lasted barely a second, but it felt eternal.
Issei abruptly looked away, his heart pounding in his ears. His body reacted before his mind could catch up, carrying him straight to his seat, as if seeking refuge in the routine of the ordinary to escape what he had just witnessed.
But there was no escape.
His mind burned with questions.
"What was that...?"
He couldn't explain the sensation, but... those were not Akira's eyes. Not the ones he knew.
The classroom was still full of life, with scattered laughter and conversation, but to Issei, everything felt distant. The sound, the light, the presence of his classmates... it all felt muffled, as if an invisible barrier separated him from the real world.
He forced himself to steady his breathing. Tried to convince himself it was just his imagination. That he was overreacting.
But the chill on his back wouldn't go away.
And Akira...
Still sat there, unmoving.
Without looking at him again.
As if that brief exchange of glances had never happened.
But Issei knew.
He had felt it in his own skin.
Something was wrong.
And for the first time, deep inside, a fear was born that he could not ignore.
(-)
After School: April 9, 2009
The sun was beginning to dip below the horizon, painting the sky with a mix of oranges, purples, and reddish tones that melted into the dusk. The park was silent, broken only by the crunch of dry leaves beneath Issei's shoes as he walked among the trees. Despite the calm of the place, a strange unease clung to his chest, like something watching him from the darkness, waiting for the right moment to reveal itself.
He couldn't get Akira Moriyama's image out of his head. There was something deeply unsettling about the change in his classmate-his attitude, his presence, and above all, his eyes. Cold, golden eyes, so different from the brown ones he had known before. The most disturbing part wasn't just the color-it was the sensation they carried. It was as if Akira were looking at him from an impossible distance, from a place where Issei could no longer reach him.
The strangest part was that no one else had noticed.
No one seemed alarmed, no one mentioned anything. As if only he had seen that change, as if the entire world had chosen to ignore it.
That thought filled him with even deeper unease. Was he imagining things? Or was there something in Akira that only he could perceive?
Frustrated, he closed his eyes for a moment, trying to clear his mind. He couldn't just sit back and do nothing-not when the only clue he had was that Akira had been in this park. He took a deep breath and kept walking.
With each step, the temperature seemed to drop subtly, yet noticeably. The air grew denser, heavier, as if he were walking toward something that didn't belong to this world.
And then he saw it.
A crack in the air.
It wasn't a physical crack in the ground or a wall. No-it was something far more sinister.
It looked like a fracture in reality itself, floating in the air like a shattered mirror suspended in the void. Its edges were jagged, shifting and writhing as if they were alive, pulsing with a disturbing rhythm. From within it radiated a sickly green glow that at times blended with shades of black and purple, as though something inside was writhing.
Issei felt the hairs on his skin stand up. His mind screamed at him to run, but his body wouldn't move.
The world around him felt off. The park's sounds faded.
The wind stopped blowing.
Everything fell into an eerie, absolute silence.
It was as if the crack had devoured the world around it.
Issei swallowed hard and took a step back, his breath coming in short gasps. His heart pounded in his chest, but inside him there was a mixture of fear and... curiosity.
"This isn't normal. None of this is normal."
He wanted to leave. He wanted to run. But at the same time, a part of him felt that he had to get closer.
Then, a sudden warmth spread through him.
It was a soft, comforting fire that lit in his chest, dispelling the fear as if someone had placed a hand on his shoulder and told him everything would be okay. He didn't know why, but he felt he could trust that feeling.
He took a step forward.
And another.
His hand extended almost involuntarily. He wanted to touch the crack.
The moment his fingertips brushed its surface, the air exploded around him.
The crack trembled violently and expanded in all directions.
A sound rumbled in the air-something that couldn't be described in words. It was like a tearing noise, a distorted echo that seemed to come from something ancient and hungry.
Before he could react, a torrent of energy surrounded him.
It was as if space itself were consuming him.
He tried to step back, but the force was too strong. His body was pulled forward, his vision blurred by a whirlwind of distorted lights and moving shadows.
He tried to scream, but the sound got stuck in his throat.
And then...
He fell.
The world he knew vanished around him.
Issei Hyoudou had crossed the threshold.
Into the unknown.
Into the Abyss.
(-)
Issei was disconnected, as if his mind were floating in an endless void. The wind roared around him, battering his body without mercy. The sensation of free fall was undeniable. His heart pounded as he plummeted at an alarming speed.
When he finally came to, it was too late.
A brutal impact surged through his body as he crashed into the ground.
The blow knocked the air out of his lungs, and a dull pain engulfed him immediately. His groan was muffled by the dry, coarse earth that caught him. Dust rose around him, momentarily blinding him as he struggled to get up.
With trembling hands, he propped himself up, coughing to clear the dust from his throat. His head throbbed violently, and every movement reminded him of the fall's brutality. He tried to wipe his face and body clean, but something stopped him cold.
Dust? Ash? Where did this come from?
The realization hit him instantly. His breathing quickened as his eyes scanned the surroundings.
"Where am I?" he whispered hoarsely, as if afraid of the answer.
As the dust cloud began to settle, the scene before him revealed itself. A vast, desolate field stretched out as far as the eye could see, the ground cracked and dry. Flocks of crows soared across a cloudy sky, and the air had a reddish hue, as if the sun itself had been stained with blood.
But the most imposing sight was the fortress.
It loomed before him like a monstrosity born of rage and resentment. Its dark stone walls were worn and deeply cracked, with crimson light seeping from the fissures, as if the structure itself bled. Watchtowers with tattered banners fluttered in the wind, each one stained red. Unlike the flags of kingdoms or nations, these bore no crests or noble symbols. Instead, they were marked with words:
"Freedom."
"Down with tyrants."
"Power to the people."
Phrases that evoked rebellion-but also chaos. Issei swallowed hard. The fortress looked like a monument to despair and vengeance.
For a moment, his gaze rose to the highest balcony. A figure stood still in the shadows, a silent observer. Though the distance made it hard to distinguish any features, Issei felt an overwhelming presence. His chest tightened, and a mix of anguish and fear gripped him.
Then, the voice echoed.
"Brothers and sisters, the enemy is here!"
The blare of rusted loudspeakers thundered across the field, distorting the voice slightly, yet Issei recognized it. It was Akira.
Or at least, something that sounded like him.
His voice no longer held that carefree, sarcastic tone. This time it was deep, commanding, laced with barely contained fury. Every word oozed resentment, as though the one speaking wanted to see the world burn.
"Today, the system sends one of its pawns to spy on us. But do not fear... for we are the resistance! And no chains will hold us down!"
His words were followed by a roar of cheers and shouts from the shadows. Issei tried to identify their source, but then-he saw movement.
Figures were emerging from the gloom.
Men and women in hoods, dressed in ragged clothes reinforced with improvised armor. Some wielded spears, others worn swords, and even rusted firearms. But the most disturbing part was their expression. Though their faces were hidden behind metallic masks with sinister smiles, their eyes glowed with an unnatural golden light.
"The system's spy is here! Capture him!"
The order rang out clearly. A shiver raced down Issei's spine as he saw the soldiers begin to move toward him. *There was no doubt-they saw him as the enemy.*
"Wait, I'm not-!"
His words were drowned out by the roar of his pursuers. Issei spun on his heels and ran with all his strength. But the terrain did him no favors. The ground, scarred by countless battles, was uneven and treacherous. Each stride kicked up ash, blinding him further.
Then, the earth shook.
Black cracks began to spread like serpents in his path. The abyss wanted to swallow him whole.
"Shit!" Issei shouted, narrowly dodging a fissure that devoured a section of the ground just meters away. His breathing turned ragged, each step heavier than the last. There was no escape.
A brutal blow struck him in the stomach. The impact brought him down immediately, forcing him to his knees. Pain flared like fire within him as he struggled to breathe. His vision blurred.
"No... no..."
The guards' rough hands gripped him mercilessly, pinning him down. Despite his weak resistance, his strength failed him. The chains were clasped around his wrists quickly, and a cold, oppressive sensation crept over his body.
The crowd of soldiers slowly stepped aside, allowing Issei to be dragged away without ceremony. His legs barely responded, but the hands gripping him gave him no choice.
Each step toward those dark gates filled him with dread.
Something was terribly wrong, and now, he was the prisoner in a kingdom where rebellion and anarchy reigned.
(-)
The hall was immense, yet oppressive. Dark stone walls, adorned with giant statues of hooded figures, loomed from above like eternal judges. Rows of torches flickered with dim light, casting distorted shadows across the chamber.
At the center, an elevated platform dominated the scene, where a gothic throne rose as a symbol of absolute power. There, in the gloom, the silhouette of Akira Moriyama-or rather, his shadow-watched him with an expression of contempt and mockery.
Issei knelt on the ground, his wrists bound by thick chains that extended toward towering pillars. But the most unsettling thing was the heavy iron collar around his neck, keeping him bowed like a humiliated prisoner.
"Pathetic."
Akira's voice echoed in the air. From his throne, he leaned forward slightly, his yellow eyes gleaming with malice. Around him, dozens of spectral figures with disfigured faces applauded without emotion, as if they were mere instruments of judgment.
"For a moment, I thought the invader would be someone interesting. Another rebel who could challenge my authority. But it seems I was wrong," the shadow continued, his voice dripping with disdain. "You're just another puppet. Like all the rest."
Issei gritted his teeth, his fists trembling as the chains tightened with every movement. The cold metal dug into his skin, but the pain was insignificant compared to the fury burning in his chest.
"Is that what you think?" His trembling voice rose, even as the chains seemed to tighten further. "I'm not... just a prisoner."
Akira's shadow let out a bitter laugh. "Then look at yourself. You're unable to move, to resist. What else are you but a prisoner?"
The words echoed with force, but something inside Issei began to stir. A heat ignited within him, like a long-forgotten ember. His breathing grew heavier, and his eyes reflected something different. Something determined.
"Are you truly a prisoner?"
The voice emerged from the depths of his mind. It wasn't Akira's. It was something older, more powerful.
"Or are you the one who decides your fate?"
Issei felt a pull in his chest. His heart pounded as golden flames began to rise around him. The chains clanged-not with the force of confinement, but with the tremble of something about to shatter.
"I'm... sick of this."
He whispered through gritted teeth, as the flames climbed up his arms. The heat didn't burn-it was warm, liberating.
"I'm sick of being chained!"
The chains began to crack. The collar around his neck creaked, resisting his will, but Issei didn't stop. His hands gripped the cold iron structure, and with a guttural roar, he pulled with all his might.
"Break them!"
For a moment, Issei saw his younger self smiling faintly.
"What's the hesitation? After all, it's our power."
"Per..."
"So..."
"Na"
The flames engulfed his body, consuming the collar in a burst of sparks. The crash of its rupture echoed through the hall, and the spectral figures recoiled in terror.
Akira's shadow watched in disbelief.
"What...?!"
But it was already too late.
The flames surrounding Issei were not destructive-they were purifying. His school uniform was burned away, replaced by a new, imposing form. He now wore a long black coat, its tails flowing like flames with every movement. The sleeves were adorned with crimson patterns, and the symbol of a scarlet dragon gleamed on his chest. Beneath, a vivid red shirt contrasted his frame, paired with perfectly fitted dark pants and heavy black boots studded with metal.
His hair, now wilder, fell slightly to the side, framing eyes ablaze with fire and resolve. The shadow of the once-clumsy Issei Hyoudou had vanished. In his place stood someone new-imposing, resolute... and free.
In his hand, a xiphos sword emerged from the flames. Its blade pulsed with energy, as if fueled by Issei's own will.
"I am thou, and thou art I."
The voice rang with majesty. Before him, through the dancing flames, a colossal figure appeared. Prometheus, the 'Titan of Rebellion', still bound yet imposing, looked at him with approval. His eyes burned with the same fire now fueling Issei's destiny.
"You have defied the tyranny of chains. Rise, Issei Hyoudou. Our contract is sealed. The fire of rebellion burns within you."
Issei lifted his gaze, his breath heavy, but his eyes gleamed with newfound resolve.
"Prometheus..."
The flames around him rose once more, dispelling the room's darkness. Akira's shadow recoiled, his teeth clenched in frustration.
"Let's see how long you can keep your flame alive."
With his Persona at his side, Issei stepped forward. And this time, no chains held him back.
But then, just as he prepared to face the shadows, a sudden wave of sickness overwhelmed him.
A cold shiver ran down his spine. His breathing became erratic, his legs trembled, and he dropped to his knees, clutching his chest with a trembling hand. An unbearable burning ignited inside him, as if a wild fire sought to escape. Every heartbeat pounded like a war drum, threatening to tear him apart from within.
"What... is happening?"
Prometheus trembled too. His colossal form shook as a low roar emerged from within. He clutched his face, as if consumed by the same torment as Issei. Cracks split across his body, releasing crimson flames that writhed like furious serpents. The very essence of rebellion he represented was fracturing.
"Ngh... Aaaaaaaaaaaaa!"
Issei's scream thundered through the hall, echoing in every corner. His face twisted in agony, his eyes glowing with a fierce green light, as if some primal force had been unleashed. Then, without warning, the built-up energy exploded.
In his left hand, a red gauntlet manifested in a blinding flash. Its structure was rough, inscribed with ancient runes, and at its center pulsed an emerald gem that beat in sync with his heart. The air's pressure became unbearable. Even the shadows in the hall faltered, as if recognizing the presence of something forbidden.
Akira's shadow stepped back, his eyes reflecting shock and fear.
"That power...?"
Prometheus, still bound to Issei, roared in pain. His body arched, and the flames around him flared violently. The titan's stone skin cracked further, a crimson glow emerging from every fracture. Each break was a testament to the power unleashed.
The chains that once symbolized his rebellion shattered completely-this time, not as a symbol of freedom, but as an omen of transformation. His silhouette began to distort, mutating into something monstrous. Horns sprouted from his head, his limbs stretched, and the flames shaped him.
The roar that followed was devastating-a proclamation of fury that shook the entire hall. Before everyone's stunned eyes, Prometheus had metamorphosed into a colossal red dragon. His gaze burned with an unquenchable fire, and each wingbeat made the chamber tremble.
The beast roared once more, declaring the arrival of chaos.
And amidst that unleashed fury, Issei, with the glowing red gauntlet in his hand, felt the essence of the dragon resonate within him. Something had awakened. Something ancient, wrathful, and eternal.
Ddraig Goch had emerged.
A moment later, the flames around the dragon deepened into a darker crimson hue. Ddraig raised his head, and with a thunderous voice, summoned his power.
"Maragidyne!."
A storm of fire erupted from the dragon's maw, roaring like a hurricane of blazing flame. The floor cracked under the searing heat, and crimson energy devoured the space before him. The force of the attack was undeniable, and the entire hall shook from the devastation.
Akira, sensing the impending threat, clenched his teeth. His shadow trembled, almost mirroring his own desperation.
"Damn it!"
Without a second thought, he turned on his heels, fleeing into the deepest shadows. His figure vanished just before the flames reached him, leaving only a trail of darkness behind.
The energy of Maragidyne finally subsided, leaving scorched scars on the walls and floor. But Issei barely noticed. His chest rose and fell heavily, the red gauntlet on his hand glowing ominously.
The figure of Ddraig Goch stood tall. But then, the energy sustaining him began to fade. His titanic body crumbled into fragments of fire, and with a final roar, his presence vanished.
In his place, Prometheus reappeared, though clearly weakened. His flames no longer burned as fiercely, and his form had become ethereal. The connection to Issei remained, but it was clear the effort had taken its toll.
The titan bowed his head slightly, as if acknowledging the strength of his summoner.
"Our flame still burns... but even fire must rest."
And with those words, Prometheus vanished as well, leaving Issei kneeling on the ground, gasping for breath. The red gauntlet remained on his left hand, a tangible reminder of what had just been awakened.
(-)
Issei's footsteps were heavy, dragging his feet across the cracked stone floor. Every muscle in his body screamed for rest, as if his very flesh resisted the idea of moving forward. The adrenaline that had carried him through the battle was fading, and with it, the last reserves of strength his body had to offer.
His breathing was ragged, his fingers trembled, and his vision began to blur. As if his body hadn't just fought a war, but had carried an erupting volcano within. The Boosted Gear on his left arm, glowing brightly just minutes ago, flickered like a dying flame before dissolving into a rain of scarlet particles. The same happened to his "revolutionary" outfit: the long crimson coat, the open shirt, the dark pants, and even the defiant aura that had surrounded him- all consumed in a soft flash, leaving him once again in his tattered, scorched, and battle-stained school uniform.
At last, after pushing forward through a partially collapsed corridor, the hallway opened into a hidden garden inside the fortress. The transition was as abrupt as it was disorienting.
A cracked glass ceiling, stained with the blackness of the Abyss, let in a faint reddish glow. Still, a soft radiance illuminated the space. Twisted trees with grayish bark and dark leaves tinged with red stood like things born from a distorted dream. Roots snaked across the ground like exposed veins, and the air smelled of ancient dampness mixed with ash. Everything was somber... and yet, strangely serene.
Issei barely managed a few more steps before collapsing onto one of the thickest roots. His body hit the ground with a dull thud, his chest rising and falling with effort.
"I just... need a break... even five seconds."
But peace didn't last.
A rustle in the bushes made his skin crawl. He slowly looked up, too exhausted to react quickly. Suddenly, something white and round shot out from the vegetation, landing in front of him with a soft, fluffy "POM!"
"Boo!"
Issei jolted - which, in his current state, amounted to a violent shiver and a hoarse yelp - then fell on his back again. Standing before him was a strange figure: a small creature with pure white fur, rounded and somewhat cartoonish in shape. It had large, bright blue eyes, a tiny triangular mouth seemingly always ready with a snappy remark, and a long, fluffy tail that swayed proudly. Its body vaguely resembled a fox, but one with exaggerated proportions and expressiveness straight out of an animated series. Its stubby little legs barely touched the ground, and its oversized ears twitched like sensitive antennas.
"What the hell are you?!" Issei shouted, voice hoarse. "A cursed plushie? A ghost fox? Some hallucination with a mascot complex?!"
"Nightmare plushie, my butt!" the little creature snapped back, in a high-pitched, feminine voice that was oddly charming. She crossed her paws or were they arms?. With exaggerated dignity that hilariously clashed with her soft, squishy appearance. "I have a name! Tsukiko! T-S-U-K-I-K-O! Is it really that hard to remember something this adorable?!"
Issei blinked slowly, as if his brain was still trying to process what sort of cruel joke reality had thrown at him.
"...Tsukiko? What are you doing in a place like this?"
The creature puffed up even more, inflating her fuzzy form like she was about to give a historic speech. "I'm here because someone decided to light a volcano in the middle of the Abyss! A colossal flare, dramatic screaming, mystical explosions! Trust me, your debut was anything but subtle! What the hell did you do back there?!"
Issei let out a dry chuckle, more from exhaustion than amusement, and leaned back again. His body ached with every breath. "Great... now I'm hallucinating things that talk like anime protagonists..."
"Oh, come on!" Tsukiko spun around and started nudging her head under Issei's arm. "I'm not a hallucination, and definitely not some last-minute sidekick! But if you don't move right now, the creepy crawlies around here will find us. And I happen to have gorgeous fur I'm not about to risk for someone who self-immolates dramatically."
Issei didn't respond. He was too drained. His body simply refused to move.
Tsukiko huffed, exasperated, but her tone was tinged with amusement. "Fine, you second-rate narcoleptic. I guess I'll have to save your butt."
With absurd strength for her size, Tsukiko began to slowly drag Issei toward the edge of the forest. Her tiny paws dug stubbornly into the earth, and her round little face was completely focused on the task. Every so often, she'd mutter a sarcastic remark.
"Note to self: never rescue martyr-complex teenagers again... If you survive, you owe me food for a week... no! A month! And I want fresh fish, got that?!"
Issei smiled faintly as his eyes began to close. For the first time in hours... he felt safe.
(-)
The world was bathed in a warm golden light, as if the setting sun were gently caressing every corner. A soft breeze stirred the leaves of the trees, which whispered secrets with every movement. The air smelled of summer, of damp earth and wildflowers.
Issei slowly opened his eyes, confused. He didn't recognize the place. He stood in the middle of an open field, bordered by tall trees that seemed to guard that hidden corner of the world. In front of him, two figures ran through the grass.
A dark-haired boy, no older than nine, laughed as he chased after a slightly older youth. He wore an oversized white t-shirt on his thin frame and a pair of shorts. His laugh was pure, contagious, like crystal bells.
"Come on, Akira!" shouted the older one. "If you get to the big tree before me, I'll buy you ice cream!"
"That's not fair, Haruki!" the younger one protested, laughing. "Your legs are longer!"
"Then run faster, shorty!"
They both laughed as they sped up. The older boy—Haruki—was everything Akira admired. Tall, confident, with a mischievous smile and a warm gaze. The way he moved made it clear: he was always there to protect, to guide. And Akira followed him with devotion.
The scene began to blur slightly, but the warmth of that bond still pulsed.
Now they were in a small house, modest but cozy. Haruki studied at the dining table, his books spread across it. Akira, resting his head on one arm, watched him while sketching something on a sheet of paper. The atmosphere was calm, almost intimate. Outside, the sky turned violet, signaling the coming night.
Suddenly, the landline phone rang. Haruki answered without thinking, and his cheerful voice disappeared instantly. His expression turned serious. The conversation was brief, but when he hung up, his face was no longer the same.
"Everything okay?" Akira asked, curious.
"Yeah... I just have to step out for a bit."
Akira wanted to ask more, but Haruki had already grabbed his jacket and slipped out the door.
The vision jumped forward in time.
Now they were in front of a police station. Red and blue lights flashed in the night, casting long, distorted shadows over the asphalt. A crowd had gathered. Officers struggled with Haruki, shoving him toward the entrance. He was handcuffed, and his face was twisted in disbelief, more confused than afraid.
"I didn't do anything!" he shouted. "It wasn't me!"
Akira appeared in the crowd, pushing through bodies to get closer.
"Haruki!" he screamed. "Let him go, he didn't do anything!"
The officers didn't hear. Reporters' cameras flashed mercilessly, recording every second like hungry vultures. The accusations were clear: harassment, assault, threats. Poisoned words painting a lie with strokes of adulterated truth. The alleged victim... an influential figure. Untouchable.
"Akira!" Haruki cried before the station doors swallowed him. "Take care of Mom..! Don't believe what they say!"
And then, he was gone.
The world turned gray.
The next scene was silent. A darkened room, with the only light coming from the faint moonlight streaming through the window. Akira, now older, sat on the floor with a pile of letters beside him. All unopened. All returned.
His gaze was empty.
"I wanted to be like you, Haruki..." he whispered, barely audible.
His hands trembled slightly. On the floor, a crumpled drawing showed two brothers running beneath the sun, like that afternoon in the field.
Issei watched everything from the shadows, like an invisible presence trapped within memories. He could feel Akira's sorrow, the helplessness, the betrayal that had marked him since that day. They hadn't just destroyed Haruki's life... they'd set fire to the future of them both.
One last image took form. Akira's silhouette, standing among shadows, staring toward a distant horizon that seemed forever out of reach.
"The truth was buried. But I... I still burn for it."
And then, the vision faded like ashes in the wind.
(-)
A scent of sweet incense and damp wood floated in the air. The room was small, lit by lanterns hanging from red cords and decorated with shelves full of trinkets, charms, and colorful candy wrappers. Issei lay on a woven rug, wrapped in a blanket patterned with maple leaves.
His eyes cracked open, blinking in confusion. Everything hurt. His head throbbed like he had partied with ogres, and his body felt like he'd run a marathon carrying a ton of fire.
"Good morning, Sleeping Beauty!" sang a familiar little voice.
Tsukiko, in her cartoonish form, popped into his field of vision. Her large fox head was adorned with ridiculously oversized sunglasses and a hat with extra ears. In her front paws, she held a steaming cup... of instant ramen?
"You're alive, congratulations! I was this close to declaring you a martyr of fiery fashion."
Issei tried to sit up but groaned as pain shot through his back.
"Where... am I?"
"In my humble secret den! Or, as I like to call it: the anti-boredom operations base. Though you made it a bit dramatic with the whole fainting-at-the-door thing."
He remained silent, staring at the ceiling. Images of Prometheus, Ddraig, the broken chains... it was all a swirling blur. His fingers brushed his chest. No more gauntlet. No more elegant coat. Only him. And the echo of something greater.
"It was real, wasn't it?"
Tsukiko shrugged, slurping her ramen noisily.
"As real as your battle cry. By the way, you scared the fur off me, Revolutio-I mean, Issei."
"...Were you about to say something weird?"
"Me? Never! I'm just an adorable little fox with a fantastic sense of humor." She leaned closer, a playful smile on her cartoonish muzzle. "But seriously, you're wrecked, kid. You shouldn't be running around in other people's nightmares."
Issei looked away, a bit ashamed.
"I just wanted to help..."
"And you did," Tsukiko cut in, her tone surprisingly firm. "But even heroes need a nap and some hot soup. So... you have to go home."
"Home?"
"Yeah. The real world, silly. Or did you think you could stay here full-time? This isn't a hotel."
Silence settled for a moment.
"And you?"
"I'll keep watch, of course. I've got important business to attend to. Like sorting my candy by color, grooming my tail, and making sure you don't die."
Issei let out a soft laugh, defeated. He felt drained, physically and mentally, but Tsukiko's presence was oddly comforting.
"Thanks, weird little fox."
"You're welcome, troublesome human!"
With a wave of her tiny paws, Tsukiko tossed something to the ground. A soft light began to wrap around Issei, like a gentle portal ready to pull him back.
The light around Issei faded slowly, until he stood on uneven ground covered in twisted roots and floating stones. The sky of the Abyss stretched above him like a blanket of purple clouds, crossed by golden lightning that made no sound. He was outside the fortress, in a deserted area where the structure began to dissolve into the surreal.
He staggered forward. His body still begged for rest, every muscle aching for the floor again.
"Ugh... at least you didn't toss me in a swamp, little fox," he muttered.
"Swamp?! Please! I have an excellent sense of direction." Tsukiko's voice came from his shoulder.
There she was again, in her cartoonish form, perched like the most expressive plush toy in the universe, paws crossed and fluffy tail swaying.
"What are you doing here? I thought you already said goodbye."
"And I did. But I made sure you didn't fall into an abyss or get eaten by one of those multi-slobber shadow things."
Issei was about to reply when something in the distance caught his eye. A rift. Not just any-this one looked like a shattered mirror suspended in the air, and along its edges flickered distorted images of the real world. It was unstable, flickering like a weak signal-but it was there. An exit.
"Is that..?"
"A rift," Tsukiko nodded, now more serious. "It opens when your mind and body can't hold out here anymore. The Abyss recognizes that. If you don't cross soon, it'll close."
Issei staggered toward it. For a moment, he looked back at the fortress in the distance. Despite the exhaustion, something stirred inside him... something he could no longer ignore. A fire, small but lit.
"I still don't understand any of this," he said. "But... this is only the beginning, isn't it?"
Tsukiko smiled, tilting her head.
"Ding-ding-ding. And lucky for you, I'll be around when the real chaos begins."
"That doesn't give me much confidence, you know."
"It wasn't meant to."
They both laughed, and with a firm-if slightly clumsy-step, Issei walked through the rift. Light wrapped around him once more. The Abyss faded behind him... for now.
(-)
Night: April 9th, 2009
The light faded like the echo of a dream, and the ground beneath his feet felt solid once more. The air was cooler, real... and gravity, normal. Issei blinked several times as the darkness of the forest sharpened around him. The tall trees and the whisper of leaves in the wind were a familiar welcome.
"Huh...?" he murmured, looking around.
It was the same park he had entered before all the chaos began. Though it was nighttime, distant streetlamps barely cast light through the trees. The real world. He was back.
He looked down... and there was his school uniform. Impeccable. Not a single scratch, no dirt or bloodstains. His chest rose and fell slowly. "How...?" He touched his face, then his clothes. "This doesn't make any sense..."
The only thing he felt now was exhaustion. An overwhelming weight dropped onto his shoulders as his body finally began to collect the debt for everything he'd been through. He could barely stay on his feet.
"I should... go home, " he told himself, dragging his feet toward the park's exit.
He didn't know how he would explain any of it. He wasn't even sure it had truly happened. But his heart still pounded. And something inside him-something he now knew existed-was still burning.
The door closed with a quiet click. Issei entered silently, his feet dragging as if he had stones tied to his ankles. A sigh escaped his lips when he saw his room... spotless. Everything in its place. Nothing out of order.
The posters were neatly stuck on the walls, his desk was clear except for a few aligned books, and even the cup he usually left forgotten had been washed and turned upside down. The dirty clothes in the usual corner? Gone. For a second, he stood there in silence, just taking it all in.
"Thanks, yesterday-me..." he murmured, barely managing a smile as he walked to his bed. "Good job.."
He didn't bother taking off his uniform. At that point, the clean fabric on his body felt like a miracle he didn't want to push. He collapsed on his back, sinking into the softness of the mattress, and let out a heavy sigh. Silence embraced him with a warmth he hadn't felt all day.
But just as sleep began to pull him in... a voice echoed in his mind-serene and deep, like the glow of a distant campfire.
"Even when the fire seems to die... the embers never fade. Rest now, Issei. We will burn again."
Issei didn't respond. He only curled his fingers slightly, as if the words had brought him comfort. Then, he surrendered completely to sleep.
And for the first time in a long while, he slept deeply.
(-)
-Social Stats-
- Knowledge: Ignorant (1/5)
Issei has a very limited understanding of the supernatural world and life in general. He often gets confused or surprised by what happens around him.
- Kindness: Rude (1/5)
Issei often follows his impulses, and although he has no bad intentions, he tends to be clumsy and brusque in his interactions with others.
- Courage: Coward (1/5)
He gets easily scared by supernatural threats or tense situations, though he tries to hide it.
- Dexterity: Clumsy (1/5)
Issei lacks physical skills or refinement in combat. He is often slow and uncoordinated.
- Charm: Unpleasant (1/5)
Issei tends to be misunderstood or seen as annoying due to his perverted and immature attitude.
(-)
-Persona Compendium-
Arcana: The Fool
Prometheus
Level: 1
Skill: Agi
A titanic figure engulfed in eternal flames, chained for defying the gods in the name of humanity. Prometheus is a symbol of rebellion, sacrifice, and forbidden knowledge. His fire not only burns but also illuminates the path for those who dare to challenge fate. He represents the first step toward the revolution of the soul: a power born from the desire for freedom.
(-)
-Social Links-
Currently, there are no active social links.
(-)
End of Chapter
It's been a long time since I updated the story, and I apologize for that, but there were many things that prevented me from writing, and there were times when I just wanted to sleep.
Leaving that aside, originally, in the part where Issei completes his contract with Prometheus, I was going to have him fight against the shadows of the place until he found a way to escape the room. But then I realized I could use the same situation that happened to Makoto when he used Orpheus for the first time, and Thanatos would emerge through the "string master." Since both Makoto and Issei have sealed a mythical being. Although for Issei, it would be a bond with his soul since his birth, while Makoto's bond happened, when he was six years old.
With nothing else to say, I hope you have an excellent day, afternoon, or good night.