[Interworld - Endless Sea of Cards] Yomi Crows slowly opened his eyes. There was no solid ground beneath his feet - only an endless ocean formed by floating playing cards, each pulsing with a will of its own, echoing memories from forgotten histories.
Above him, the sky was an upside-down mirror. Floating in it were the thirteen shadows of the personalities.
In the center - on a throne of black and gold - sat the King Persona. His face remained blurred, but his crimson-gold eyes burned like divine judgment.
He looked down at Yomi and spoke with a voice like a slowly spinning chronicle:
"Fusion-bearer, you have reached the end of the Persona system.
"This place is the sacred core of all Personas - [Domain: Thirteen Thrones]."
[Persona Council - A Gamble Born] Yomi surveyed the room.
Beneath the King, the other Personas began to appear in order:
Queen of Spades, her gaze sharp as blades, questioned his right to rule.
Jack of Hearts, standing quietly, fists clenched, eyes filled with loyalty.
Ace of Clubs, brimming with fighting spirit.
Ten of Diamonds, flickering with mischief and suspicion.
...And yet the Joker's place remained a gaping void - tearing at the integrity of the system.
The King rose, holding a weathered card - [EX-Royal: Throne Deck - Card of Verdict].
"Fusion-bearer, only through the trials of the Council will you earn the right to claim the Throne of Personas.
"You must choose three Personas to face in the Reverse Trials.
"Win, and you will ascend. Defeat, and your soul will be shattered."
Yomi hesitated.
Fonk had told him once: each Persona was not just power - they were facets of the soul, fragments of truth and shadow.
To challenge them was to confront one's own deepest divisions.
Yomi looked up and spoke firmly: "Then I'll start with the three who doubt me the most.
He raised his hand and pointed:
Queen of Spades Ten of Diamonds Ace of Clubs The personas exchanged silent glances.
The king smiled faintly:
"Bold choice."
[Persona Trial I - Queen of Spades: Coldness and Sacrifice] A floating island rose from the sea of cards.
At its center stood the Queen, veiled in black, holding a blade of judgment. Her voice was like ice:
"Yomi Crows, to win... who are you willing to sacrifice?"
Three silhouettes appeared:
Sayo Ohtori, her gaze soft but determined.
Katsuma Midō, flames of determination in his eyes.
Shiranami Hakuran, grinning in silence, shrouded in mystery.
Queen raised her blade, unmoved:
"Choose one. In your heart, give up her future."
"Choose - or remain trapped forever."
Yomi clenched his fists, the cards trembling between his fingers.
A faint whisper echoed from the Jack of Hearts:
"Remember - refusing to choose... is also a choice."
Silence.
Yomi closed his eyes.
Then his voice cut through the emptiness:
"...I refuse."
"If the Persona system demands the sacrifice of love and faith for power -" "Then I'd rather let it all fall apart."
At that moment, Queen's eyes widened.
Her blade shattered into stardust, and the island disintegrated into petals.
The Queen knelt slowly, her voice a reverent whisper:
"I acknowledge you... my king."
[Prelude to Trial II & III] Yomi returned to the center of the map sea.
The king gave him a calm look.
"The first trial is passed... but the next will test your very being."
A second island rose - Ten of Diamonds: The Trial of Betrayal and Deceit.
And in the third, flames rose high - Ace of Clubs: The Trial of Struggle and Oppression.
[Meanwhile, on the surface, Fonk stood before the Academy Council.
The Vice Principal sneered:
"The Persona Tower is shaking - this is the 'god' your Magic Department summoned?"
Fonk slammed his Rubik's Cube on the podium: "You are the real invaders.
"The king will not descend for you."
At the same time, Hakuran and the Illusion Squad launched a surprise raid on the Holy Nest Foundation's laboratory.
Sayo Ohtori led the archery elite to defend the tower gates.
Midō brandished his whip to block reinforcements.
The Magic Division was fighting on all fronts.
[Back in the Interworld- As Yomi stepped onto the second island, a familiar laugh echoed behind him.
"As expected of you, Yomi Crows."
It was Joker's voice.
But the face was completely foreign - half of the mask shattered, revealing a black, soulless eye.
"You want to protect everyone?"
"Then what will you sacrifice?" "Yourself?"