"Your father's court marshal. The real reason he's not in the military anymore and wandering looking for a job. The lies that nearly ruined him fully but still plague him to this day."

"huh, if that's all you got then, you're nothing more of a pale intimidation of me. That did anger me when I found out, but nothing as bad as what you are suggesting," he replied, noticing that it got weaker after he said such a thing.

"You claim it didn't bother you but deep down it did. It still does even just a little bit. Don't worry, I'll end it." He took a swipe at Riku.

Kisara noted the weakening and moved to block the strike with her claymore. It was easier to deflect as she held the paw against her blade with a mild struggle. It was 'Takiyama' who spoke up. "I've seen this before. Even if it's nothing, It's still a part of you that burns and wants to come free. The entire outcome isn't what was explained but before we address that... You have to address your shadow fully." 'Takiyama' used bufu to freeze the shadows other paw to avoid a counter attack on Kisara.

"And how do I do that, teach?!" Riku shouted, still in the dark about all of this. Well, that wasn't entirely true. He knew some stuff that was going on, but not the whole story...and that also irked him a little. Still, he was doing the best that he was able to do with what he was given.

"Only you would know the way to accept all of yourself." 'Takiyama' smiled.

"Somehow I figured you would say that teach," Riku said with a sigh before blocking the blow with his whip sword. The shadow wasn't wrong, not truly. He did hate his dad for what happened all those years, but he had gotten over it, with time. Or so he thought. Perhaps that was what needed to happen here...

"You are right, it still bothers me. And it probably will always bother me to some degree, but that isn't something I should continuously worry about! And if you think that it is, then come at me." Riku replied, dropping his sword and not giving Renamon form by shattering the card.

"Besides... Don't we all have some demons within us? A little something we hide from the world? It's human nature and it's what makes you your own person." Kisara smirked as she watched the Shadow start to falter under the 'assault'.

Riku smiled as he heard what Kisara said, nodding in agreement. "She's right. We all have demons inside of ourselves, that which cause us to become who we are today, or at least shape us into what we become," he explained, still waiting for the Shadow to come at him if that was what he wished.

The shadow moved to attack which caused 'Takiyama' to block it. "Why don't we end this. Your strength is all but gone as he begins to accept that which you are. Kisara, Let's shatter the facade and bring him back out!"

"Right!" Kisara smirked as 'Takiyama' rushed closer to the shadow as Kisara launched herself up into the air with the help of Amaterasu. Both attacks connected at the same time causing a dust cloud to appear as the two pummeled the shadow. As the dust settled, There no longer stood a giant fox but instead was the shadow of himself laying on the ground. "You might be the darkness within him... But I don't think you'd make a good replacement." She smirked giving Riku a look.

Riku was confused by the look that Kisara gave him, wondering what to do next after watching the two females gang up on his Shadow, still confused by all these new terms and things that were going on all of a sudden, as well as wherever the hell that they were. He just wanted to help Kisara when it came to the missing student...not all of this. Well...maybe that wasn't entirely true...

'Takiyama' looked at Riku, "You have to accept it. Embrace the fact this is a part of you." She stated as if she had seen this before.

The shadow was silent as it breathed heavily and looked at Riku.

Riku thought about it for a few moments before nodding. "I've already forgiven my dad for what happened back then, since it wasn't truly his fault. If I can forgive him, then I can truly forgive myself." Riku replied honestly.

After saying that, the shadow let off a small smile before vanishing.

'Takiyama' smiled, "It's just as I expected would happen." She fully turned to the two. "However... You two were reckless..." Her gaze fell onto a suddenly terrified Kisara. "Especially you for dragging someone along with you! What did you think was going to happen when you tempted entering here!"

"I didn't think it would drag us in! I was just looking for clues as to what happened." Kisara took a step back.

'Takiyama' seemed taken back when the words 'drag us in' where stated. That was something she didn't expect. "There are no other shadows nearby... We are safe to rest until you two regain your strength from that ordeal."

"So now that everything has been settled down, can someone tell me what the hell just happened?" Riku asked, not caring that he was swearing in front of a teacher at the moment. He was still curious as to what the tarot card he summoned was all about, or what the fox humanoid that was behind him was all about...or why she hadn't disappeared yet.

"I believe a proper introduction is in order..." She sheathed her rapier. "My name is Mitsuru Kirijo. 'Zelda Takiyama' is the alias I have taken as I stay with Kyoto to avoid drawing attention to myself." He was a Persona user, Mitsuru wasn't going to hide things from him knowing that she was going to need his help. Reminded her of back then.

"My name is Riku Kenichi. Wait...Kirijo as in the Kirijo Group?" Riku asked.

"I see my Father's company is still known after our move to the shadows." Mitsuru smiled, "But our purpose has changed drastically over the years."

"Which is why you don't go by your true name anymore I take it?" Riku asked. "And what about these...Persona, right? What exactly are they?"

"Master Riku...to answer your inquiry, a persona, such as myself, is the extension of the soul. A mask that shows the true self buried deep within. Though various means are used to drawn us out, as you saw within the battle against my darker form. That is what a shadow is, my lord" Renamon said while bowing lightly.

"Your Persona is unique. They do not talk normally at least in my experience." Mitsuru stated as she looked at the Persona.

"Is that a bad thing teach?" Riku asked, hoping that wasn't the case.

Renamon stayed still, letting Mitsuru stare at her, wondering what she was thinking.

"Not a bad thing. It's interesting. I've been dealing with Personas and Shadows since I was a child. Even Kisara's Persona doesn't talk."

That response had a nod from Kisara accompany it. "I mean, I heard the voice when I awoke to my Persona but I haven't heard much after that."

"That is because most Persona do not have the need for words after establishing a contract with their host. With Master Riku being so in the dark about everything, his subconsciousness gave me such an ability, so that I can help explain things. There's also something different about him, and Kisara, then you Miss Mitsuru," Renamon stated.

"Interesting... That is something I am not aware of." Mitsuru stated as she looked between the two.

Kisara looked to Riku, "The Velvet Room... You mentioned it and it's inhabitants."

"And you mentioned Igor...I take it you've also seen him Kis-chan?" Riku asked.

"A place between mind and matter... dream and reality... You've visited the Velvet Room haven't you?" Kisara looked at him with a deadly serious expression.

Mitsuru looked with mild shock. Not over the mention of the Velvet Room but the fact that two people have access to it. Her mind went back to when He mentioned it. The only one at the time that could go to this place.