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"It says you're a strong man, in heart and body, with the power to overcome any obstacle.
Sorry if I sound sappy. I read a lot of the stuff behind mythological figures to understand why some people attain certain Personae."
Maria shrugs, taking a mug of coffee.

Tohru nods.
"I'll join too."

---

Miss Aisaka chuckles.
"A share of the money found in Achronos will be made of use for your personal needs. The rest will be used for your equipment.

But no, Mister Kato, no automatic A's. As your teacher, I expect you to keep up on your homework, even if you are fighting Shadows."

Miss Aisaka sips her coffee and exhales.
"As you may have concluded by now, we have something to do with the Millennium incidents.

Those deaths were not by exhaustion. That's the official cause, given by the police, because they do not have the information we do.

Those poor victims- all of them- were thrown into an alternate world, where time is non-existent. That monster you faced is called a Shadow- a raving beast that roams this alternate world. Most, if not all, of these deaths, were caused by Shadows. This alternate world is referred to as Achronos, 'without time', and this world as Chronos, 'time'.

As you saw earlier, occasionally, a part of Achronos is able to manifest in reality for a while- a phenomenon known as an 'Achronal Zone', a pocket of reality within which time does not pass. They are fairly rare- most times, Shadows are content to remain in Achronos and keep the worlds separate, but some are powerful enough to exert a pull upon this world."

The boy speaks up.
"That Shadow was a more powerful one, actively reaching out into the world. Had you not fought it off, it would've likely dragged someone into the Achronal Zone to kill."

Ms. Aisaka nods.
"What you all manifested were Personae, manifestations of your inner selves, that seem to be able to manifest in Achronos. They have the power to fight Shadows.

Myself, Maria and Kyousuke- the boy next to you, Nana- are part of an organisation known as the Achronal Excursion Team, or A.E.T. Our job is to rescue those lost from Achronos and if possible, figure out why and how to shut down and stop the killings- and if possible, figure out the nature of Persona and Shadows. As of this moment, we do not know what link Millennium has to Achronos, but only players of Millennium seem to be targeted.

You were all selected due to your psych profiles demonstrating Persona potential as possible recruits into the Team. Today was supposed to be a peaceful orientation into this- but, as you saw, the manifestation of an Achronal Zone forced myself and Maria to change our plans. Those cards of yours are key cards- ones which you can use to enter our facilities, should you choose to work with us.

You all have potential, both with and without Persona, and that is why we have recruited you. I will act as your supervisor, should you choose to join our group.

Today, you have seen what happens to many innocent people as they disappear. Today, you have learned the truth behind the killings, and today, you have been afforded the power to stop them.

I present to you an ultimatum. You can hand in your key card and leave, right now, this instant, and you will never hear from us again. You can forget we ever existed, you can forget the power of Persona. You can resume your life as it once was.

Or you can join us, and help us fight the Shadows and save people from dying, and more besides.

I will warn you here; this is no child's game. If you are not careful, you will die. If you are at any time unsure that you want to work with us, then inform me right away and I shall ensure your speedy removal from the Team- but you may never return once you leave.

Do not make this choice lightly. Your lives depend on it."

The boy in glasses sits next to her, making sure she's not wounded. He adjusts his glasses slightly.
"Yeah. It takes a little getting used to."

The girl sighs, shuddering slightly. She gives a weak, grateful smile.
"T-thank you, all of you, for saving me. I might have not....been able to kill that Shadow without you."

She nods.
"Sorry I didn't tell you sooner. Didn't want to surprise you all."

The party advances to the dorms, getting inside and-
Chronos
Afternoon Phase
AET Headquarters / Tatsumi High Exchange Students Housing Block
The party stumbles into the lobby of the dorms. It's fairly well furnished, with several couches arranged around a coffee table and a lectern to the left with a book for signing in. Two sets of stairs are at the back of the room, leading up and down into the dorm rooms.

A boy is in the corner- recognisable by Nadeko and Branson as the brown-haired boy with glasses from their class. His Persona's outline fades away just as time resumes- indeed, everyone notices that everything has color again. Outside, the sounds of traffic and people abound once more.

It is as if that never happened- though, the small presence in their minds and the injured girl, and the gun on Miss Aisaka's back tell you otherwise.

---

"Take a seat and rest up." Miss Aisaka gestures to the couches. "I'll grab you all some drinks and food, and some medicine for Miss Ryan."

She runs off into the staircases, as the boy looks at them curiously.

Tohru tilts her head as she slumps into a couch.
"D-did that just...happen?"

100 XP.

"P-Please. Just get me into our headquarters. I'll explain there."
She motions towards the dorms a short distance away.

Musket girl starts to speak, before wincing, clutching her side, and looking around.

It's now, you realise, she speaks with a British accent.
"I-I think it would be better if we....took this inside, before another Shadow comes across us."