Persona 4 FYL

"I have to admit that this is unexpected," said Souji, smiling gently at Izanami, who returned the expression as she glided over to his right side. In spite of her dark hair and red eyes, she was luminous in the growing dusk, lit by her own divinity.

"This has been a day of returns and revisitations for you, I suppose," replied the goddess, who turned her gaze toward the unshrouded, darkening streets of downtown Inaba. "Five whole years since our climactic battle of wills."

"Where does the time go?" asked Souji half-jokingly. Izanami laughed, and Souji was surprised to detect actual amusement in her tone.

"Time has no meaning for one like myself. I was merely making small talk." She closed her eyes, hiding her red irises. After a few moments she spoke again, her voice soft and contemplative. "Actually, I wished to thank you."

"For what?" inquired Souji.

"For showing me the light that continues to exist in the hearts of the select few," said Izanami, "and for being stubborn enough not to give up on yourself... or your loved ones. They certainly did not give up on you. It was... refreshing... to see such determination and hope within your souls." She turned to Souji and gave him a genuinely warm smile. "Perhaps even we gods need help remembering what truly matters in this existence."

"You chose me, though. Remember?" Souji smiled. "If it hadn't been for you meeting me at the Moel station that day, things might have turned out differently."

"You're probably right," agreed Izanami. "The sense of hope I felt within your heart was quite impressive, even then. It only seems to have grown in your time away from Inaba, which..." She stopped speaking, and a look of utter worry cross her mistifyingly beautiful features as she turned away.

"...There's something wrong." Souji had expected it from the moment he had first noticed her appearance. Yet now he was even more troubled. It must be something bad if a goddess is this worried about it.

"...Forgive me, Souji Seta," said Izanami, looking down at the street as her voice filled with sorrow, "but I have no one else to turn to. You may... refuse my proposal, if that is your wish. But all I ask is that you hear me out... from beginning to end. No more, no less." An uneasy silence fell between the pair of them, and a light, chill wind seemed to emerge out of nowhere, causing the trees to sway gently and colored leaves to fall from their branches.

"Go on," said Souji. "I'll listen."

Taking a deep breath, Izanami began to speak, her voice soft and controlled. "There is... something that has entered the other side. Its very existence begins to undermine the infrastructure of that world, causing it to deteriorate. I do not know exactly what this entity is, yet... I cannot refrain from feeling... fear... whenever I am too close to it..." She lifted a hand to her mouth, seeming almost demure. "This is something I cannot combat myself... something I cannot stop, because my influence cannot affect it."

"Why me, though?" said Souji quizzically. "I'm just a human-"

"A human who has bested one of the first deities to have ever existed." Izanami turned to Souji, her gaze stern and serious. "You have the power to combat this force. If you defeated me, then you can most certainly handle this new threat."

"Be reasonable," replied Souji, taken aback by Izanami's praise. "I barely won that battle of ours. You know that."

"Yet in spite of the margin of victory, you did win. You performed a feat that few others could have possibly done. Don't look at me like that," berated the goddess as Souji shook his head, his expression one of denial. "This has been forced on humanity unfairly, much like my own mistake five years ago. But you can succeed against this threat. You know I speak the truth."

"Speaking of which, why should I believe you?"

"Of course..." said Izanami, closing her eyes, "you would be a fool not to ask such a question, considering your past experience." And in a move that stunned Souji to the core, the goddess fell to her knees next to Souji, gently embracing him around his legs and pressing her cheek against the dark cloth of his pants. "Please... I beg you... I have no one else to turn to... "

"You're... serious..." Souji felt a warmth in his pants pocket, and he removed a small blue crystalline sphere that had begun to glow with the pure, unfiltered light of truth. The Orb of Sight bathed the prostrate Izanami in its glow, but she did not transform.

"Please... promise me... You're the only one who can..." Tears shimmered in her eyes, enhanced by the light of the Orb.

Souji closed his eyes and sighed deeply. I guess I'll be making a pact after all... I really wish I didn't go to the Velvet Room this time around.

"I promise."

Izanami grasped Souji's hand in both of her own, and kissed it gently. Immediately, he felt a tingling sensation surge through his arm, and he remembered that fateful day at the Moel station... that same feeling...

The gift had returned.

"My hopes, and the hopes of humankind, now rest in your hands, Souji Seta..." Izanami smiled up at him, her eyes still swimming with a mixture of tears and optimism.

"H-how did... you know..."

"...that you had lost the ability to enter the television?" The goddess smiled as she rose to her feet, wiping the tears from her eyes. "While you still have hope ensconced within your heart, you have changed and grown as a person. Therefore, your heart has also changed, no longer the same as it once was. Think of it as... changing the locks on a door. You simply needed a new key to open it again."

"That.. makes no sense," said Souji, a sweatdrop appearing on his forehead.

"It may, eventually. But I cannot overstress the value of expedience in this task. The longer you wait, the more the deterioration will advance... Time is against you far more than it was five years ago, I'm afraid."

Souji nodded. "Don't worry. I'll do what I can to stop this... for everyone's sake."

"I have faith in you, Souji Seta." Izanami smiled gently, and bowed her head. "Thank you."

Souji turned and began to walk into the city, but Izanami's voice called his name once more. Turning to look at her, she continued smiling as she faded into mist, her parting words echoing into the deepening night.

"...Come back alive..."

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What am I doing?

Souji had repeated that question repeatedly to himself as he walked through town, troubled by how easily he had accepted Izanami's proposal.

Why did I even agree to that? Was it because she was actually being sincere for once? Why didn't I ask more questions about what needs to be done? What do I do now that I've agreed to this? And where am I supposed to get a weapon at this time of night?

Souji arrived at a street corner, the streetlamp shining down on him from above. He had not looked where he was going, but simply wandered around Inaba for half an hour as he pondered questions to himself. It was then that he realized, as he beheld a very familiar bus stop sign, that he had wandered unknowingly into the southern shopping district. Looking around, he found the fateful gas station where he had first received his power to enter the television. Turning northward and walking at a liesurely pace, his gaze landed on the old bookstore where he had bought several interesting pieces of literature. Farther up the street was Daidara, the artisan metalsmith's shop which seemed quite well off these days, Marukyu Tofu, the store Rise's grandmother owned and operated, and the Shiroku General Store, which had been a cornerstone in their mystery-solving efforts. He passed the mailbox where he and Naoto found a toy detective's badge that had been 'stolen' by the so-called Phantom Thief... and where he and Naoto sealed their commitment to solving that extremely fateful case.

Memories continued to flood Souji's brain as he wandered into the northern district and beheld still more places of note, the first of which was the Aiya Chinese Diner. He had eaten there with many of his close friends: Chie, who always ordered anything with beef; Yosuke, who treated him to a steak bowl once; Kanji, who had many a serious talk with him over pot stickers; Rise, who had been overjoyed to talk to the kindly, bespectacled owner for hours on end; Kou and Daisuke, who always did their best to eat there after especially successful practices. The group had even come to a groundbreaking revelation regarding the murder cases in that very restaurant, one that brought them to the capture of the true culprit. Souji couldn't help but be amazed by the number of memories he had within a single building, and it was with great difficulty that he tore his lingering gaze from Aiya, proceeding up the street to see other shops.

There was Tatsumi Textiles, decorated with advertisements for Kanji's line of plush dolls. Around the corner was Konishi Liquors, posters advertising their beverages and other products that, most assuredly, were Naoki's ideas. Then Souji's eyes fell on the Tatsuhime Shrine, and he walked along the path into the temple grounds. It had been well-renovated, the golden collection boxes shimmering in the rising moonlight, the old wooden arches replaced with newer materials, the shrine itself refurbished and strengthened to last for decades. He remembered Kitsune, whom he had assisted in granting numerous ema requests in exchange for healing and comradery. He beheld a fox-sized opening in the wall under the shrine stairwell, and he smiled as he imagined Kitsune and her young within, leaving to grant people's wishes and spreading happiness throughout the town. It had seemed so long ago, and yet every memory was so clear in his mind.

Because of this clarity, Souji was unprepared for the most heartwrenching recollection as his eyes found a particular archway of the shrine. It was there that he and Naoto had found the Phantom Thief, who brandished a knife that had turned out merely to be one of Naoto's toys. Yet he had stepped in front of Naoto, serious about defending her and believing the knife had been real. He remembered Naoto's uncontrolled rage... her angry, yelling voice... She had asked why he had done that... And with the greatest effort it had ever cost him, far more difficult than fighting a Shadow had ever been, he admitted the feelings his heart had harbored within for so long. He had been unprepared for her response... her widening eyes... how she had laughed it off... then had been unable to look at him when he said he had been serious... She had been scared, and he knew it. That's why he had let her go... He knew she had to decide on her own what her feelings were, and whether or not she felt the same way about him... And Souji was surprised to find that he was blinking back tears.

"Are you feeling well, young man?" a concerned voice inquired next to him. Souji turned and saw, to his astonishment, an elderly gentleman who stood as tall as he did. He was dressed in a blue business suit and wore a black tie around his neck. He adjusted his glasses as he peered into Souji's eyes, his hand stroking his short, white beard that matched his full head of somewhat untidy, curly hair.

Souji nodded solemnly, and he smiled in spite of the heaviness of the memories within his heart. "I'm fine, sir. Thank you, though... I was just.. remembering some things, that's all."

"Mmmm, yes... Nostalgia can be quite cathartic, but one must also remember to live in the present. Do not focus entirely on the past, or else you will lose sight of what lies ahead." The old man smiled, his grey eyes twinkling behind his glasses. "This isn't an easy lesson to learn for many, but it can be quite rewarding for those who succeed."

"I understand, I think." Souji looked down at his wrist, the watch displaying the time as well as the phrase "Out of Range". Was it a mistake to come back? Am I too busy looking backwards when I should be looking forwards?

"That's quite an interesting device you have there, my boy. Might I see it for a moment?"

Souji blinked as he remembered the old man standing there. Nodding almost without thinking, he removed the watch and allowed the gentleman to examine it.

"Mmmm.... my my... I see that someone put their heart into making this watch. It must be quite valuable to you, yes?" Again, the old man's eyes twinkled as he spoke.

"It was.. a gift... from a very good friend of mine..."

"A close friend?"

Souji nodded silently.

"I think I understand." The old man gave the watch back to Souji with a satisfied grin. "Perhaps your reason for returning isn't as complicated as you might think, Souji Seta."

"Huh? What... Who-" Souji was at a loss for words, but the gentleman laughed and waved the questions aside.

"Now now, my dear boy, what did I tell you? Don't dwell too much on the past. You're here now, and you have things to accomplish now. You will require focus in the coming journey, for your sake as well as for your friends' sake. Do not allow yourself to become burdened, or you will not be able to take hold of the future."

"I... I see. Yes, sir." Souji smiled again, this time fully aware of what he had been doing up until now. He had been allowing himself to dwell in the past, to relive some of his fondest memories. He was beginning to feel that Inaba might have left him behind... and yet there was so much more to do. And besides, he had a promise to keep, as well. He wasn't the kind of person to break a promise to anyone if he could help it.

No, he wouldn't dwell on memories anymore. It was time to make some new ones.

"...I am thou..."

Pain shot through his brain like a bullet. He clutched at his forehead, wincing as he sought control over himself.

"Thou art I."

He remembered this, as well. This was exactly what happened when-

"Open the door once again."

His heart beat strongly. He knew what he had to do. He needed this power.

This was what he was looking for.

"Per.... so.... naaaa...."

He reached out, grasped the glowing blue tarot card that had suddenly appeared before his eyes, watched it shatter in his hand. There was an intense surge of power throughout his body, and he was enveloped in blue flames as his heart unsealed itself, releasing the facet of himself that had been locked away for five years.

He felt Izanagi-no-Okami's presence behind him.. within him.. He WAS Izanagi-no-Okami..

"Well done, my boy. I knew you wouldn't let me down."

Souji's eyes refocused, and he saw that the old man was looking upon him with intense and unrestrained pride.

"You're just full of surprises, aren't you?" chuckled the elderly gentleman, adjusting his glasses as Souji's Persona vanished into the depths of his heart.

"And you?" smiled Souji, his curiosity piqued by this mysterious, but clearly benevolent man. "You know way too much for your own good... and mine."

The old man laughed. "Oh, come now, I'm just a guide sent to help you along the long and winding road you've been chosen to travel down. I'm no one of importance."

"Well... could you at least give me a name before I start back down the road?" Souji asked, his smile unfaltering.

The old man pondered the question for a moment, then nodded. "Well.. only because I've taken a liking to you, my boy. You may call me Hotei."

"Hotei... I'll be sure to remember." Souji extended his hand, and Hotei clasped it in a firm handshake. But when their hands withdrew, Souji was astonished to see the handle a well-crafted longsword resting in his palm. He suddenly recognized it at the Blade of Totsuka, the legendary weapon he had won from a previous encounter with the Shadow that Teddie had called "Death".

"I.. I can't accept-" Souji started to say, but Hotei raised a hand and cut him off.

"You can't accept your own sword? Poppycock. Take it, and use it for your mission. You'll most likely need it." Hotei smiled again, and turned to leave the shrine.

"Will I see you again?" asked Souji. "And will you tell me how you know things you shouldn't?"

"You will see me again, Seta-san," said Hotei, turning and winking at him with a confident smile. "But as for my knowledge... the explanation will have to wait. But rest assured you'll know everything in the end. I promise you that much."

With that, the elderly gentleman called Hotei exited the shrine grounds and turned northward, walking out of sight.

Souji peered down at the blade in his hands, and he felt the immense energy that radiated from the holy blade. Smiling to himself, he removed his jacket and wrapped it around the sword as he too left the shrine, running southward in the direction of Junes Department Store. He didn't know why he neglected to go there first, but he didn't regret his hesitance now; he was armed, his Persona had been restored, and his sense of purpose was uninhibited, no longer constrained by doubt and fear.

And yet... why had his Persona released itself in this world, outside of the television? Who exactly was Hotei? And what of Igor's prophecy? What sort of catastrophe would he have to avert that could cause a goddess to tremble in fear?Perhaps Teddie would be able to answer some of these questions. Or perhaps he, too, was puzzled by what was occurring in his home... or, god forbid, Teddie was in trouble and needed to be saved.

Souji pressed on toward Junes. Time was against him, and he couldn't waste any more of it.