Chapter Text
Still driving from picking up Ren, Makoto was going as fast as she could, hoping to see if everyone was okay and to at least hold off Mephiles until Ren arrived. She floored it on Johanna, her thoughts scattered between the battle and the life growing inside her. The timing of her pregnancy revelation felt off, yet part of her wondered if now, amidst chaos, might paradoxically be the right moment. She passed the shadow world version of the Paulownia Mall, a landmark that signaled they were nearing the bridge.
Ren noticed the tension etching deeper into Makoto's expression. "Are you okay?" he asked, his voice laced with concern. She nodded mechanically, but her eyes betrayed her inner turmoil.
"I'm fine, Ren," she murmured, her voice barely a whisper against the howl of the wind as they approached the bridge. The wreckage of battle lay strewn about, a grim tableau of their recent struggles.
Ren reached over to squeeze her hand gently, his eyes searching hers. "You can tell me anything, you know that, right?"
Makoto hesitated, her gaze flitting towards the chaos ahead and then back to Ren. Her heart raced—not just from the battle they were speeding towards, but also from the news she carried within her. She took a deep breath, the words teetering on the edge of her lips. "Ren, there's something I need to tell you—"
But before she could reveal her secret, Johanna halted abruptly at the bridge. The sight that met them was heartrending. The aftermath of a fierce battle lay before them, with debris scattered and the air thick with the scent of smoke.
As they stepped out, Futaba spotted them, her orange hair sticking to her face, her eyes wide with relief and worry. She sprinted towards them, her voice trembling. "Ren, Makoto, you're here!" Following close behind her were Haru and Yusuke, their expressions grim but relieved to see reinforcements.
Ren's eyes immediately swept the area, taking in the sight of his fallen friends. "Is everyone okay?" he asked urgently, his voice carrying across the noise.
Yusuke, his usual composed self slightly ruffled, nodded slowly. "We will be, now that you're here." His glance drifted to the side where Aigis lay partially dismantled.
Haru, tears brimming in her eyes but her voice steady, added, "Aigis is damaged. Mephiles... he was merciless." Her gaze flickered with a blend of sadness and resolve.
Ren's eyes swept the battleground, landing on Koromaru, Ken, and Yuuto gathered around Aigis. Yuuto was examining her, his face a mask of concentration as he assessed the damage to her missing upper arm—a casualty of Mephiles's brutality.
Aigis, despite the severity of her condition, spoke with an unwavering voice, "I can still fight. It may be difficult with one arm, but I hope not to slow anyone down."
Ken, ever supportive, chimed in, his youthful voice filled with determination. "You won’t slow us down, Aigis. And you never will."
Yuuto continued his examination, his fingers tracing the jagged edges where metal had been torn away. His voice was calm yet tinged with realism. "Once we get out of this shadow world, it might take a long time to fix your arm, Aigis."
Ren’s gaze swept across the group, his eyes sharp and searching. Something was missing—someone. His brow furrowed as realization struck him. He turned to Futaba, his voice low but tinged with urgency. "Futaba, where’s Mitsuru?"
The question lingered in the air, a quiet dread creeping into the space between them. Futaba hesitated, her lips parting as if the words themselves weighed too heavily to speak. Finally, after a moment of unbearable silence, she muttered, her voice breaking, "Mephiles... he took her."
Ren’s heart sank. The words hit him like a physical blow, the weight of his failure pressing down on his shoulders. His fist clenched tightly at his side, his knuckles whitening as he wrestled with the anger and despair roiling within him. He had been too late. Too late to stop Mephiles. Too late to protect Mitsuru.
Futaba stepped back slightly, her usual fiery demeanor subdued, her voice trembling as she tried to offer more context. "Yuuto... he thinks Elizabeth knows more. About Mephiles. About all of this." Her gaze darted to Yuuto, who stood with his hands balled into fists, his jaw set as he stared at the broken remains of the battlefield. His calm exterior was betrayed by the intensity in his eyes.
Ren also wanted answers. His thoughts churned, fixating on the figure of Mephiles—the one who had brazenly declared himself the maker of the Picaro Personas. That claim alone sent chills through Ren, for there was only one place Personas could be forged. His mind swirled with questions as he turned to Yuuto, who hadn’t moved from Aigis's side.
Ren approached cautiously. “Yuuto,” he began, his voice even but weighed down with concern, “how is Aigis?”
Yuuto turned his piercing gaze toward Ren. His voice was steady but carried an edge. “She’ll be fine. Her spirit is as unyielding as ever. But right now...” His voice lowered, becoming colder. “I want answers from Elizabeth. She’s hiding something—something crucial.”
Ren was silent for a moment. He couldn’t argue with Yuuto’s sentiment. In his heart, he too felt the gnawing suspicion that Elizabeth’s cryptic words and evasiveness weren’t just part of her usual eccentricity. He nodded, signaling his agreement, and Yuuto continued, his eyes narrowing as he recounted the battle.
“During the fight, Mephiles said something to me—something that doesn’t make sense.” Yuuto’s jaw tightened, his knuckles whitening as he clenched his fists. “He claimed he knew Oizys, before he ascended to godhood. He said... he had another name back then.”
Ren felt a chill race down his spine. Mephiles’s origins, shrouded in mystery, now hinted at something even darker. Ren’s thoughts spiraled as he tried to piece together what this meant. Who—or what—had Mephiles been before? As he grappled with these chilling revelations, the sudden sound of an engine cut through the silence. It was Morgana, transformed into his car form, speeding up the dusty road with a sense of urgent purpose.
The group turned almost in unison as the car approached, dust billowing behind it. Ren's heart held a flutter of hope—Goro had managed to find them all. As the car halted, Morgana began to speak, his voice filled with relief, “I’m glad to have found—” But his words trailed off as his eyes caught sight of Aigis, her arm visibly damaged. Instantly, the air thickened with tension.
Fuuka was the first to react, her movements swift as she exited the vehicle and rushed to Aigis’s side, her voice laden with concern as she called out, "Aigis!" Her call was echoed by Junpei, Yukari, and Akihiko, who scrambled out and ran to check on their friend. The scene was soon a flurry of activity as Ann, Ryuji, Sumire, and Goro emerged and hurried over, their faces etched with worry and determination.
As the group gathered, trying to make sense of the chaos, Elizabeth stepped out, her enigmatic presence casting a shadow of foreboding. Morgana reverted to his usual form, bounding up to the group, his voice betraying a hint of strain as he admitted to Goro, “It was a bit challenging, but we managed, just as Ren directed.”
Ren nodded in acknowledgment, a silent thank you directed at Goro and Morgana for their swift actions.
Junpei, his usual jovial demeanor dampened by concern, approached Aigis, whose arm bore the marks of battle. "Hey, Aigis, you gonna be okay?" he asked, voice tinged with worry.
Aigis, her voice calm and steady despite the evident damage, reassured him and the rest, "I will be fine. I am built to withstand much more than this." Her resolve was palpable, a stark contrast to the swirling doubts around her.
Makoto turned her gaze to the others, her voice firm, “Is everyone else okay?”
Ryuji, standing beside her, wiped sweat from his brow and managed a half-grin. "Yeah, we're hanging in there. Just hoping we can end all this soon, you know?"
His words hung in the air, a brief respite in the midst of chaos. Akihiko, his senses always sharp, scanned the group, his brow furrowing. "Where's Mitsuru?" he asked abruptly, his voice cutting through the murmurs of concern.
Yukari's face fell, her eyes darting around as she realized the absence. "Yeah, where is she?" she echoed, concern lacing her tone.
It was Ken who responded, his voice small but clear. "Mephiles... he took her." The group stilled, and Koromaru, at Ken’s side, whimpered softly, the sound piercing the tense silence.
"Where would Mephiles take her?" Ryuji’s voice cracked as he asked, his usual bravado subdued by worry.
Elizabeth, her enigmatic aura ever present, spoke up, her voice carrying a rare urgency. "To his palace," she suggested, her gaze shifting towards the distant Great Seal, under which lay the ominous shadow of Mephiles' palace.
"We need to move," she declared, but Yuuto held up a hand, signaling a pause.
"Not yet," he said firmly, his eyes hard as he turned to Elizabeth. "I want answers first." The intensity in his gaze was unmistakable, a silent demand for the truth. "Mephiles told me something during the fight. He said he had a different name before he ascended to godhood, that he knew Oizys."
Yukari nodded, her expression grim. "You told us at the shrine that Mephiles has no second forms," she reminded Elizabeth, her voice tinged with accusation.
Ann stepped forward, her resolve clear. "It's always the same with anything about Mephiles. You evade, Elizabeth. Why?" Her question hung heavily between them.
Goro, ever analytical, added, "And there’s a resemblance in how Mephiles and Elizabeth fight, especially when summoning a Persona. It’s too similar to be a coincidence."
Ken's voice was soft but insistent as he turned to Elizabeth. "Is there more you’re not telling us?"
The air was thick with tension, every gaze fixed on Elizabeth, who remained silent for a moment too long.
"Why stay silent?" Sumire’s voice was a whisper of desperation. "If Mephiles has Mitsuru, then we all deserves to know the truth."
Elizabeth stood still amidst the sea of anxious faces, her silence thickening the air. Haru's voice, gentle yet firm, carried through the tension, "Even just one thing, Elizabeth. We should know at least that much."
Futaba chimed in, her tone laced with impatience, "Come on, Elizabeth. Say something, anything!"
Yuuto's patience wore thin, his voice rising above the others, "Mephiles has Mitsuru—my sister—and we all have the right to know who he truly is!" His demand echoed off the surrounding walls, a stark reminder of the urgency of their situation.
Ren spoke softly, trying to pierce through the emotional turmoil with calmness. "Elizabeth, when I fought with Mephiles, he revealed something. He told me he was the maker of the Picaro Persona. And there’s only one place known to craft Personas—the Velvet Room." He paused, giving his words time to sink in. "Who is Mephiles, Elizabeth?"
Elizabeth’s gaze drifted down to the road, her expression clouded with sadness. She looked up, her eyes meeting those of each member of the group, acknowledging their sacrifices, their fears. Taking a deep breath, she finally spoke, her voice a blend of resignation and resolve. "Mephiles... his real name is Absalom. He is my brother."
A stunned silence fell over the group. Yusuke was the first to break it, his tone filled with disbelief," Your brother?"
Akihiko's voice carried a sharp edge, "Wait he was also a Velvet Room attendant?"
Elizabeth, surrounded by the intense stares of the group, remained silent. She opened her boom, and as she flipped through its pages, a light blue glow enveloped her. The images shimmering on the pages revealed her and her siblings, and there, prominently among them, was Mephiles.
"Yes," Elizabeth began, her voice a soft echo of regret, "he was one of us. In fact, he was the strongest of all, the maker of the Picaro Persona. He crafted them by fusing his own blood with Personas, amplifying their powers beyond the original's capacity."
Fuuka, her voice tinged with disbelief and concern, asked, "When did Absalom turn to this god-like being, and embrace evil? I thought Velvet Room attendants were meant to assist those of the Fool Arcana."
Elizabeth remained silent for a moment, her gaze distant, haunted by memories long suppressed. "Oizys," she began, her voice trembling with anger and sorrow, "she showed Absalom the crueler side of humanity so many years ago, right after she challenged Igor in their game of the Suffering Fool."
Elizabeth looked at Yuuto, her eyes filled with unspoken apologies, knowing well who the suffering fool was. "Absalom always saw the good in humanity. He stepped out of the Velvet Room to study and understand the world better than any of us. He was always the smartest, seeing the good where others didn't. He even observed persona users from a distance, studying them long before any conflict arose."
She paused, her voice breaking as she continued. "But then, Oizys appeared. She entered the Velvet Room, challenged Igor, took the Fool Arcana card, and that led Absalom away. He followed her, not to stop her, but because he was curious, intrigued."
Yuuto's expression darkened, memories flooding back. It was the day his parents died, a tragedy etched forever in his mind. Elizabeth's voice grew softer, each word heavy with regret. "Oizys showed him the darkest sides of humanity—their suffering, their imperfections, their inability to resolve their own dilemmas. And it changed him. He began to question everything about our purpose, our very nature."
Ren interjected, his voice calm but insistent, "When did he become a god?"
Elizabeth was silent again, lost in the torrent of memories that flowed through her mind. Her voice, when it finally emerged, was tinged with a haunting mix of awe and sorrow. "It was gradual," she began, her eyes distant. "Oizys, she ensnared him in her schemes, exploiting his curiosity about humanity's darker depths. Absalom, whom we now know as Mephiles, was enamored by her, truly in love, and in his quest to understand her, he crossed paths with other gods that were around at the time."
She paused, the weight of her next words seeming to physically burden her. "They offered him their blood, a sacred gift among deities, which he drank. It transformed him, not just in power but in essence. He became what he sought to understand—a god."
There was heavy with the stunned silence of his allies. Elizabeth continued, her voice barely a whisper, "But even as a god, he knew Oizys's nature was an impediment to his plans. To gain the control he desired without her in his way, he convinced Nyx to imprison Oizys in the Abyss of Time, ensuring she remained there until her game with Igor was nearing its end."
Closing her book, the blue glow fading, Elizabeth's expression hardened. "And after that time, Mephiles changed his colors too, from the serene blues of the Velvet Room to the harsh reds of fighting—dyed with the blood of our other siblings. The brother I once knew... is truly gone."
A solemn silence enveloped the group. Everyone's eyes turned towards the Great Seal in the distance, a reminder of the mission that still lay ahead. Just then, another beam of hearts arced towards Mephiles' palace, darkening the seal even further.
Junpei's voice broke the silence, urgency lacing his tone. "How long do we really have if he keeps doing that?"
"Not too long," Elizabeth admitted somberly. "With each heart he absorbs, Mephiles gains more power. If the light from the seal fades completely, he'll have enough strength to merge his prison world with yours. And once that happens, he wins."
The gravity of her words hung in the air like a storm cloud. Ann clenched her fists, her voice breaking through the tension. “Then what are we waiting for? We can’t just stand here while he gets stronger! Velvet Room attendant or not, he’s trying to control everything!”
Yukari stepped forward, her tone resolute. “She’s right. Who cares what he used to be? If we don’t stop him, nothing else matters.”
Yuuto’s gaze was fixed on the dark, oppressive silhouette of Mephiles’ palace in the distance. His jaw tightened, his thoughts heavy with worry. "Sis… I’m coming for you." He had to believe she was safe. And more than anything, he hoped that if they succeeded, Minato would return—not just in memory, but fully, alive.
Ren noticed Yuuto’s intensity and placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder. “We’re going to get Mitsuru back,” he said firmly. “We’ll bring her home.”
Goro’s voice, sharp as ever, cut through their resolve. “You’re all forgetting the most critical point. The only one who can defeat Mephiles is Ren. If he fails—if he dies—then it’s over. None of us can stop him.”
Morgana’s ears drooped, his tone subdued as he added, “And that’s the scariest part. Ren’s our leader, but against a god like Mephiles, we’re powerless to help. If we lose him…”
The weight of the statement pressed down on everyone. Ren, standing a few steps ahead, was silent. He stared at the Great Seal in the distance, the ominous beam of hearts still reaching skyward, darkening its light with every passing moment. Slowly, he looked down at his hand, clenching it tightly, his determination burning within him. “We’re not losing,” he said firmly. “We’re going to win this. We don’t have time to waste.”
His conviction sparked something in the group. Yuuto stepped forward, his gaze sharp and focused as he looked at Makoto. “Before we go… there’s one thing that no one can hide anymore.”
Ren turned, confusion etched on his face. “What are you talking about, Yuuto?”
Yuuto didn’t answer immediately. His eyes lingered on Makoto, silently urging her to speak. Makoto hesitated, her composure wavering. Finally, she took a step closer to Ren. Her hands trembled slightly, but she clasped them together to steady herself. This was a moment she couldn’t avoid any longer.
“Ren,” she began softly, her voice wavering but filled with resolve. “There’s something I need to tell you. Something I should have told you sooner.”
Ren’s brow furrowed as he watched her, his concern growing. “Makoto… what is it?”
She took a deep breath, gathering her courage. “As your wife, I’ve always tried to be there for you, to stand by your side no matter how difficult things get. I made a vow to protect you, to support you, because I love you more than anything. And I always will.”
Her words carried an undeniable sincerity, and for a moment, Ren felt a flicker of warmth amid the oppressive gloom of their surroundings. But there was something else in her tone—something unspoken, yet heavy.
“I wanted to find the right time to tell you,” Makoto continued, her voice growing softer, “but maybe… maybe now is as good a time as any.”
Ren’s confusion deepened. “Makoto, you’re starting to worry me. What is it?”
Another deep breath. Another silent moment of hesitation. And then, finally, she said it.
“I’m pregnant.”
The words hung in the air, reverberating in the stunned silence that followed. Ren’s eyes widened in disbelief, his breath catching. Around them, the group collectively gasped. Junpei’s jaw dropped. “Whoa, seriously?”
Yukari blinked in shock. “Wait—what?”
Fuuka covered her mouth with her hands, her eyes wide with surprise. Akihiko crossed his arms, his expression equal parts shock and concern. Sumire and Ann exchanged astonished looks, while Ryuji stammered, “Y-You’re…?”
Morgana’s tail fluffed out in surprise. “Makoto’s…?” His voice was uncharacteristically quiet, the gravity of the moment sinking in.
While the rest of the group stood in stunned silence, Goro remained unfazed. He crossed his arms, observing the reactions with a knowing look. Then, ever so subtly, he allowed himself a small, almost imperceptible smile—a rare moment of sincerity for the usually guarded detective. Perhaps he was quietly happy for Ren in his own way, though he wouldn’t dare admit it.
Ren, however, was completely speechless. He stared at Makoto, his mouth opening and closing as he struggled to process her words. His wife. Pregnant. Here, in a shadow world, with Mephiles growing stronger by the second. Finally, he managed to find his voice, though it wavered. “When were you going to tell me?”
Makoto looked down, her expression a mixture of guilt and affection. “Before Yuuto ran into Elizabeth,” she admitted, glancing at her husband. “I didn’t know how to bring it up with everything going on.”
Ren ran a hand through his hair, his nerves frayed. “Makoto, if I’d known, I wouldn’t have let you come here.”
She raised an eyebrow at that, her usual calm demeanor giving way to a hint of playful defiance. “Oh? And how exactly were you planning to stop me?”
Ren stared at her, his brow furrowed, before shaking his head in exasperation. “I would’ve told Sae to tie you to a chair if I had to!”
Makoto couldn’t help but let out a soft laugh at his earnestness. She stepped closer, taking his hand and gently placing it on her stomach. “There’s a life in there, Ren,” she said quietly, her gaze steady. “Our baby.”
Ren’s hand lingered, his fingers trembling slightly as the reality of it all began to settle in. His heart swelled with a mix of emotions—fear, joy, worry—but above all, a fierce determination. “How long have you known?” he asked, his voice softer now.
“Two weeks,” Makoto admitted, her tone gentle. “Are you… upset?”
Ren didn’t answer right away. He closed his eyes, taking a deep breath as he let the truth of it wash over him. When he opened them again, they were filled with resolve. “No,” he said firmly. “I’m not upset. I’m… happy. But I wish you’d told me sooner.”
Koromaru let out a sharp bark, breaking the tension. Aigis, despite her battle-worn state and missing arm, translated for the group. “Koromaru says we must proceed. Time is of the essence.”
Yuuto nodded, his expression serious. “He’s right. We have to move before Mephiles gains more power.”
Aigis activated her boosters, the faint hum of her flight system echoing in the quiet. “I am ready,” she declared, her voice unwavering despite her injuries.
Makoto summoned Johanna, the Persona manifesting as her motorcycle. She extended a hand to Ren, a soft smile playing on her lips. “Come on, partner,” she said teasingly, her tone light but full of love.
Ren smirked, his confidence returning as he took her hand and climbed onto Johanna. Morgana transformed into his car form with a dramatic flourish, prompting Haru to suggest, “Maybe I should drive this time?”
A chorus of panicked voices erupted in unison. “No!”
“I’ll drive,” Yuuto interjected quickly, climbing into the driver’s seat. His calm demeanor offered a sense of stability amidst the chaos.
Elizabeth lingered a moment longer, her gaze fixed on the Great Seal. She placed a hand over her heart, her voice a whisper. “Minato… we’ll bring you back, and we will stop my brother. I swear it.”
The group set off, Aigis soaring through the air, Makoto and Ren leading the charge on Johanna, and the rest piling into Morgana as Yuuto navigated their path. The shadow world twisted and churned around them, the oppressive darkness growing thicker as they approached their destination—the shadow world version of Gekkoukan High School, now twisted into Mephiles’ grotesque palace.