The boy once heard, when he was still alive and mortal, that no one can escape time, as it delivers all to the same end. Yet, once time catches up, what happens with one's time? When he was still alive, he deemed the question irrelevant, considering that he had a world to save.

But after performing one of the most impossible miracles, the Great Seal, which cost him his very own soul, he finally received the answer to this once-irrelevant question. As his life's essence became the seal which prevents Erebus, the grand manifestation of humanity's grief and negative emotions, from reaching Nyx, the manifestation of Death itself, he began to experience something that could be considered 'eternity'.

In the Sea of Souls, the bridge which connects to the collective unconscious of mankind, time has lost its meaning. With him being barely conscious, which was enough for him to be aware of each time Erebus attempted to break through the great golden gate, his perception of time slowly eroded. He didn't know how long it had been since the Great Seal's conception.

Perhaps a few months just passed? Or was it years? Decades? Centuries? Millennia? The boy could not tell.

If the boy were to be honest, it was quite lonely up there, to be the only thing that stood between Death and humanity's malice. He couldn't exactly call Erebus something which could alleviate his loneliness, because whenever it showed up, it would try to yank him from the golden gate to reach Nyx. From time to time, though, Elizabeth would show up to visit him. Sometimes she came to sing (the songs were a little weird, however), sometimes she came to talk (not that he could reciprocate, being a statue and all) and sometimes, she came to just sit and stare at him for a short time before disappearing. While it wasn't much, at least with Elizabeth visiting, he felt less lonely.

The boy knew that if he had something to regret, it would be that he hadn't done anything meaningful right before his grand sacrifice. As a young man who had a great future ahead of him, the boy could have done more. He could have brought happiness to his friends and loved ones. He could have at least left something behind, something to tell the world that he once existed. He could have at least left a mark. The boy knew that he used to take his life for granted. If he only knew the true meaning of life back then, then he might have done more, more than what he could imagine.

In turn, he was content with his fate, to be humanity's greatest and final guardian against its own darkness. As his contract once cited, "I chooseth this fate of mine own free will." He knew the consequences of the choice, his own death being one. He never regretted being the Great Seal, a thankless duty someone had to do in order to prevent the extinction of humanity.

If anything, the constant assault by Erebus notwithstanding, the boy was absolutely at peace. He knew that he had made the right choice, and the world wouldn't end anytime soon as long as he remained as the Great Seal. Sure, he missed his friends and loved ones, wondering whether they were alright or not. He could not see them, being a statue and all, but in his way, he constantly watched over them, keeping humanity under his protection. As long as he believed in that, he could bear his cross, even if he had to remain on the great golden gate for all eternity.

The boy, barely conscious, felt yet another assault from Erebus coming shortly. If not due to the fact that he was a statue, he might have let out a heavy sigh, muttering "whatever". To be literally made of stone that contained his soul, of course that would be impossible.

As he mentally prepared himself, he could feel the presence approaching the Seal, which decidedly was not Erebus. Assuming it might be Elizabeth, the boy mentally sighed, wondering what kind of song the golden-eyed lady would sing this time. The one about Igor having a long nose lost its novelty and appeal quite long ago, and because he had lost his perception of time, it might have already been a damn long time ago.

Much to his surprise, however, the presence proved itself to be not Elizabeth, but someone else. He might have blinked in confusion if not due his aforementioned circumstances. The surprise made him more conscious than before, and when he focused his attention to where the presence originated, he saw a figure, whose features were hidden by an all-encompassing white cloak.

The figure looked up, gazing at the humanoid statue that stored the boy's soul, and the he was able to identify the figure as female upon closer inspection. The upper part of her face was shadowed by her cloak, but the boy noticed the gleam under the hood the female was wearing. Those were most likely her eyes.

For the first time since his tenure as the Great Seal, the boy was confused.

Was this somehow a new trick made by Erebus? Did something happen to humanity that caused this irregularity, with the irregularity being the appearance of this mysterious hooded female?

A myriad of questions began to form within him, and all of them seemed to center on this person.

"Please do not worry," the mysterious female spoke, her voice pleasant. "I mean you no harm. Whoever this Erebus is, I can assure you that I am not him."

He was stunned. Did she just read his mind or something?

"Well," she said, hesitating, "to make things much simpler, let's just say I can hear you-"

"You can hear me?" The boy hesitantly attempted to communicate with the female. She nodded.

"Yes," the mysterious woman answered, and continued. "Your voice..." The boy heard emotion akin to sorrow as she spoke. "You're just a boy, aren't you?"

"Teenager, actually. I died when I was sixteen. Or seventeen. Don't know which, but it doesn't matter anyways," he replied. He tried shrugging, but then he realized that a statue couldn't shrug.

"So young, and yet…" The female trailed off before looking aside. "I'm sorry. This kind of fate…" She shook her head. "This is too much for a child like you…"

"Like I said before, it doesn't matter. I wasn't exactly thrilled to die for the sins of humanity either, but when faced with certain extinction, every alternative was preferable. It happened that there were none, only choices. The choice to whether let humanity die, or to protect them with my life as the price," he paused before continuing, "and it was fair; one life for everyone of humanity's. My age is irrelevant in the face of complete annihilation of my species."

The mysterious hooded female went silent, and the boy realized that he might have told her, a complete stranger, too much about himself.

Well, after an eternity of complete solitude, one wouldn't be able to contain himself to speak after being presented with a chance to communicate with someone other than himself.

"Even so, death seems much kinder than this kind of fate…" She spoke mournfully.

"Yes... Yet Death, however frightening and horrific it is, can be kind. I can assure you that," the boy stated nostalgically. With the enlightenment after learning the truth behind life, he saw Death as something not to be feared, but as one of life's natural stages.

He already knew that without Death, there would be no Life, only stagnation and stillness.

"But enough about that. Who are you? What are you doing here? Are you human?"

For a few moments, the mysterious hooded intruder was silent. Then, she spoke.

"I'm sorry. Due to some complicated circumstances, I… I am unable to give you straight answers to those questions." Her words sounded apologetic, and the boy could feel that she was not lying. "But I can assure you that I mean no harm. It's just that… the pursuit for my objective has led me to this place."

"What kind of objective leads you into the collective unconscious of mankind?" The boy replied with a question.

"A very important one," she answered grimly. "If I fail, then… my world will be destroyed."

The boy, once again, was stunned.

"Your world?" That was quite a new revelation to him. If he took her words at face value, then that would mean she came from another dimension. "Does that mean you came from another world? A different dimension, I mean. Or is it an alternative to ours?"

The mysterious female shrugged. "Well, you can say that. I… I need to find a way to avert an apocalypse in my home dimension. I lack power, and in my pursuit for strength, I was led here, the collective unconscious of your world. That woman said that my objective lies in this place."

"That woman? Are you talking about Elizabeth?" The boy asked.

"Elizabeth? Hmm… I believe that's her name." The hooded female nodded. "She told me that once I reach this place, I would find my answer and complete my mission. But the only thing I found here was a boy who selflessly sacrificed himself for the sake of his home and its people and gained nothing in return. I have no idea what to make of this discovery, other than the fact that a child died for humanity's sins."

The boy was about to make a snide and sarcastic remark before he was hit with an epiphany.

If Elizabeth was the one who led her, then she knew what she was doing.

"No. You… you found your answer. The answer you have been searching for is right in front of your eyes."

"Huh?" The boy could tell that his new acquaintance was blinking in confusion. "What do you mean?"

"You told me that you lack power, and thus, this pursuit for said power. It happens that I, despite being a statue and such, have power which can be used to save your home from its demise," the boy explained. "If there is something which can be done, then I may be able to save your world."

"Y-you… you're willing to save my world?" The mysterious hooded female asked, stunned. "Even though it is not yours to begin with?" Shaking her head, she said, "You are not a mere boy, but a messiah."

The boy tried his best not to smirk, only to realize that statues are unable to move a few seconds later.

Well, she was essentially correct about him being a messiah. There might be a few factors that allowed him to call himself that title, one factor being the titular Persona as a side of his many other facets.

"Well, I just think it's the right thing to do. But with me being stuck here, I guess that's kind of impossible, after all," he stated. "I mean, if I were to be removed from the Great Seal, then Erebus will come for Nyx, and all the people I've been protecting will be doomed. I have no right to call myself a messiah if that event came to pass."

"I see…" She said, her voice melancholy. "So, it's impossible, after all, huh?"

The hooded one lowered her head, and the boy could feel her sadness over the fact that her journey amounted to essentially nothing. She may try to strengthen herself after being refused a chance to save her world, but her inner turmoil was palpable.

"Unless if… someone would take my place, that is," the boy hesitated. "In order to keep the Great Seal functioning, a soul is needed. Even then, methods to replace the sacrifice mainly rely on hypotheses at this point, and my method isn't exactly replicable."

"A soul…" The woman pondered. "So all it needs is a soul, huh?"

"An exceptionally sturdy soul, to be exact, since complete isolation can drive someone insane, but essentially, yes. All it needs is a soul. One's personal sanity is a secondary matter, after all."

"Then, if I were to replace you, you'll be able to save my world?"

"You're willing to take my place? You do realize you may end up spending the entire length of your existence in the collective unconscious of a world that is not your own, for time immemorial, until the end of the time itself?"

"Yet you were willing to save a world, that was not yours as well, simply because you believe it is the right thing to do?" The hooded one questioned in reply, with the faintest smile on her face. "It's only fair for me to return the favor."

"Even then, you will doom yourself to an eternity of loneliness and pain. Erebus is far from gentle, and you probably won't appreciate it groping your body, you know? Now that I think about it, Erebus is rather perverted. And I'm a guy, which is really saying something."

The lonely one's visitor choked at his confession, bringing a hand to her chest. The steel in her voice was made evident.

"E-even so, this is the only path for me! If I have to take your place so that my home can be saved, then so be it! Didn't you say earlier that when faced with certain extinction, any alternative is preferable? And now, it happens that there are no other paths, only choices. The choice whether to let my home, my kin, face Armageddon? Or to allow a messiah to save it, with my life as a price."

Dumbfounded to have his reasoning thrown back at him, he sighed again in resignation.

"Suppose you do decide to take my burden, then… how will you do it? As I said before, there is no known method for us to trade places."

Faced with an ultimatum, she smiled even brighter.

"I know just the thing. You don't have to worry. I may not look like it, but I'm good at this kinda stuff, you know?"

"Uh…"

"Now, let's get started." And so, the mysterious hooded female's entire body shone, cascading the infinite space in white light. The boy could feel a change within him, as he was bathed in its splendor.

The woman raised a single hand, all fingers except her index clenched into a fist, pointing to the heavens above. She reminded him of when he performed the impossible miracle: the creation of the Great Seal.

"Before we trade places, may I ask you for a favor?" She asked as the light grew in intensity.

"Go ahead."

"I have two daughters in my home world. One of them isn't actually my biological daughter, but she is mine all the same. I love them both, and I am willing to die for their sake. I'm not particularly worried about the elder one, since the younger is the one I worry for."

Brighter and brighter.

"If you happen to see Yang and Ruby, could you take good care of them? Particularly my baby, Ruby. S-she's…" She strained. "…She means everything to me, and I wish for nothing but her happiness."

The force of her shine sent her hood off her face, only allowing her gray eyes to be seen through the light. Those same gray eyes were filled with tears of gratefulness, tears of a loving mother who wished nothing but a bright future for her children.

"You have my word."

"Thank you. And one more thing. Will you tell me your name?"

"I will, if you give yours first."

"Right. My name is Summer," a pause, "Summer Rose."

His consciousness faded rapidly, so he mustered up every iota of strength left in his weary heart.

"Makoto. My name is Makoto Yuuki."

He didn't remember anything after the darkness.

Messianic Rebirth

Persona 3 and RWBY Crossover

Chapter 01: The Rebirth

The first thing he felt as he regained his senses was comfortable warmth, as if some kind of soft fabric seemed to wrap around his naked self, while a pair of gentle arms held him tenderly. He heard faint voices which brought comfort to his heart.

Like being a newborn...

Wait, a newborn?

Opening his eyes, the one known as Makoto Yuuki was truly shocked. His whole body really had been wrapped in fabrics, while a beautiful red-haired woman cradled him in her arms.

For some reason, she was larger than most people he knew.

Much larger.

"Oh look, dear! He opened his eyes!" The woman cooed. "He's blinking!"

He was blinking because he wasn't expecting this kind of thing to happen. He tried to say something, but if anything, the noises that he made were akin to the babbles of babies.

Yes, babies.

"Ooh, he's trying to say something! Call me Papa!" A man nearby him said. The woman chuckled.

"Don't be silly, dear. It's too early for him to even speak," she gently chided the man . "Even so, I can feel something from this child."

"Yes," the man replied. "Look, he even has your eyes."

Makoto blinked again. As he tried to assess the entirety of his situation, he finally understood that he was currently in the form of a newborn child. Strangely enough, he was totally aware of his own surroundings, despite being a newborn. Even so, he was limited to the actions that came with one who was just birthed.

"Okay, since we've already agreed about this, we'll name him Makoto," the man said. It seemed that this man was his father.

The woman nodded. He assumed her to be his mother. "Makoto," she said. "Ah, such a beautiful name. Even if I were to give birth to a girl, Makoto would work as well, right?"

Isn't that a little harsh to say to your newborn, Mother? The newly-named Makoto (coincidence?) tried to protest but could only babble out.

"Yep, you are right…"

And don't go and agree with her, Dad.

"From now on, your name is Makoto Yuuki."

Baby Makoto blinked a few times. The convenience sure was mind boggling, if he were to be honest. "The blood of heroes and warriors flows within your veins, Son. I can feel it. You are destined to do something great, something that is worth being proud of," his father grinned.

"Oh dear, don't start dumping heavy responsibility on our child, okay?" His mother chided his father again. "Even so, I can feel it. This child is special… I can feel it…"

His mother stroked his chin gently. Makoto was surprised by the care. Did his original parents do the same when he was a child?

"So, Makoto," his mother spoke to him sweetly, "are you hungry?"

Baby Makoto had a bad feeling about this. And soon, his suspicions were all but confirmed when a very large breast headed towards his face. He almost freaked out.

From that moment, the reborn messiah promised himself to keep the terrifying moment a permanent secret. If other living souls came to learn this, he had a feeling he would never live it down.

Over the years, Makoto slowly learned about the new world he was born into.

First, the world he stayed in was called Remnant. It was comparable to fantasy settings he had a general idea of in books he read. Also, he made himself familiar with the terminology of Dust, Hunters, Grimm, Faunus, Aura and Semblance. It impressed his parents to have their three year-old be so knowledgeable. In reality, he was nineteen or twenty (or possibly timeless since he had experienced eternity as the Great Seal, he couldn't tell) in mental years.

Other than that, he came to learn about the family he was born into. Coincidentally, he was of the Yuuki lineage, a family with a long history of heroes and warriors. Again to his benefit, and much to his own bafflement, he was still named Makoto Yuuki. He theorized that whatever that mysterious hooded female, Summer Rose, had done at that time might have caused this kind of situation to happen. Even so, it was far too convenient for his taste.

His parents also happened to be accomplished Hunters. His father, Minato Yuuki, used to be a renowned Huntsman before his early retirement in order to teach at Signal Academy, an institution made to train young warriors on the basics of battle, located at the isle of Patch, just off the coast of Vale. His mother, Kotone Yuuki, was a Huntress, and a very famous one. Her swordsmanship was said to be nigh unparalleled, and due to her penchant for red outfits, she was nicknamed "The Crimson Huntress" or "The Blood Huntress".

She also happened to be a bit of an airhead...

Nevertheless, over time, he grew to love his new family. Sure, he would never forget the ones that he had back in his home world, but he was brought into Remnant thanks to both Kotone and Minato. Makoto allowed himself to be loved and pampered, even though he was constantly aware of his original purpose in Remnant. Given Summer's warning about the oncoming apocalypse, he had to be prepared.

When he was seven, his mother began training him in the arts of combat. Makoto still had his Personas, but without his Evoker with him, he could only channel their powers instead of summoning them outright.

Kotone was a gentle mother, while being a very harsh teacher. Whenever she trained him, her sword techniques were beaten right into him, literally. He awakened to his Aura as well, but he had yet to manifest his Semblance.

In the end, he managed to master every sword technique that his mother taught him.

But it wasn't enough. So he was enrolled into Signal Academy, and he learned much more. As all the students of Signal were required to build their own weapons, Makoto crafted a rather simple gladius that can split into two scimitars. He modeled his weapon after Thanatos' blade, with one sharp edge on one side and a jagged side on the reverse. The gladius was created without a sword guard, and the hilt was pitch black in color.

"So, have you named your weapon yet, Makoto?" A teacher at Signal once asked him when the blue-haired boy was finished crafting his weapon.

Makoto contemplated a name for a moment before nodding to himself.

"Memento Mori. I will name it Memento Mori," Makoto said, showing his sword to his teacher after.

"Memento Mori?" The teacher frowned. "That is, umm… a rather unusual name. Is there any meaning behind it?"

Makoto nodded. He didn't know if Remnant had any Latin equivalent or not, but Memento Mori was a Medieval Latin theory which was based on the inevitable death of all things; that all things of the World are transient.

"Remember you are mortal. Remember you will die. No matter what choices you may make, only death awaits in the end. We may not know how we die, but Death constantly watches over us, waiting for any opportune moment to seize us away. Especially in battle, where the possibility of dying is vastly higher. The jagged edge of this sword is a reminder of that. While the sharp edge faces my enemies, this jagged side faces me, its wielder. What do you think, teacher?"

Makoto's teacher was stunned, and a little disturbed about how a young child was able to view Death without any hint of fear. He sounded like he had accepted his own Death already.

"Are you aware of what you're saying, Makoto?" The teacher asked.

"Averting my eyes from the truth will make me a hypocrite, sir," Makoto bluntly replied.

"Listen, boy. That isn't something a child like you must say. Tell me, is there anyone who has been influencing you to believe that?" His teacher sternly asked.

Makoto shook his head after considering.

"No one. I accept this fate of my own free will, and I don't need anyone to tell me that. Is that good enough reasoning?"

Rendered silent for a few seconds, a soft sigh escaped the teacher's lips. "I can't believe this. Fine, I won't force you to change the name of your weapon, or try to change your beliefs. It's the truth, I know that. But," the teacher smiled, patting Makoto's shoulder, "you have a bright future ahead of you. You are one of the most promising students we have at Signal. If Death is the only thing on your mind, you may end up spending your entire life without any meaning. You can prepare to die, as all Huntsmen and Huntresses do, but please look forward to living as well, okay?"

"I'll see what I can do..."

"Geez. Well, it's not a very satisfying answer, but that will do."

At times, Makoto couldn't comprehend his teacher's reasoning. All the children in Signal Academy were trained how to fight, and with that, the possibility of Death always loomed, whether they liked it or not. To not prepare oneself for death was plain idiocy if they wished to be Hunters.

Also, he never forgot the reason of his stay in Remnant in the first place, and that he had the power to avert it. If necessary, he may have to perform another impossible miracle to stop the end of the world, to be another sacrifice. If his death could save millions of people, he would accept it, not caring if he never truly belonged on Remnant itself.

He is a Messiah, a martyr.

There was also the stipulation that if he met Rose's daughters, he would take care of them. Makoto estimated that both would be older than him, since he was reborn in Remnant after meeting the mother. Then, he actually met them both, and contrary to what he believed, they were around his age, the youngest sibling being only two years younger than him.

Whatever Summer Rose had done when they switched, the natural timeline most likely altered to accommodate his presence. How she was able to do such a thing, the messiah had no idea.

These girls, Yang Xiao Long and Ruby Rose, were also students of Signal. As fellow students, Makoto acquainted himself with them. He was around the same age as Yang, the boisterous one among the two. She was remarkable in combat, from what he had witnessed.

The younger, Ruby Rose, was awkward and socially-withdrawn, but like her sister, she was highly proficient in combat. Ruby built herself a complicated weapon, a combination of a high-powered sniper rifle and a scythe, which seemed difficult to use in battle. Due to her inheritance of her mother's eyes, the similarity between the two was uncanny.

Keeping true to Summer's wish, he continued to watch over both girls from safe distances. Makoto didn't want to startle them by revealing them that he met their mother in the past. To them, he was a schoolmate who occasionally interacted with them to see whether they were doing well or not. Ultimately, their relationship was limited to staying mere acquaintances. It might soon change in the future; who could say? Makoto may just continue observing until the end of their days rolled in.

Since he was so focused on training and watching the sisters, Makoto allowed seventeen years to pass by. Soon, they would graduate and enroll into Beacon Academy, the higher education for Hunters, to evolve and refine their skills in order to defeat the plague that was the Grimm. Makoto felt the time to play a role as a messiah was arriving quick, and so he felt the need to reveal his origins to his parents.

After all, his mother gave birth to the savior of Remnant.

It was in the Yuuki Manor that, after some deliberation, Makoto Yuuki decided to disclose his mission to his family. For seventeen years, he was given all the love and affection one could ask for. It was only right to enlighten them with the truth, especially if it could ease some of their pain should the worst come to pass.

Steeling himself, Makoto walked out of his room and went to his mother's chamber. The door was closed, so he brought up his hand and gave it a few tentative knocks.

"Mom, it's me," Makoto said.

"Ah. Come in, dear."

Makoto could hear his mother's voice from inside. He opened the door, and he saw his mother, sitting on her bed, reading a novel. She was attired in a black slip nightgown, from what the blue-haired boy could see. Now given her permission, he stepped into the room.

His mother, Kotone, was a very beautiful woman. Despite being a mother to a seventeen-year-old teenager, she still seemed to keep her youth. After living with her for his life on Remnant, he saw several aspects of the women who he came to know in his previous life. Kotone was a kindhearted woman, like Fuuka, but she also had a sort of authority and charisma, just like Mitsuru. She was also strong-willed, like Yukari, and at the same time, very gentle and sweet, like Aigis.

"What's the matter, Makoto?" Kotone asked, setting down her novel on the bedside drawer. "Having trouble sleeping?"

Makoto closed his eyes for a while before he looked at his mother. "Mom… actually, there's something I'd like to tell you. It's… kind of important, and a little crazy too, so I wish you can listen to me regardless."

Kotone raised one eyebrow in skepticism. Then, she nodded.

"Alright, go ahead, Makoto. I'll listen."

Makoto took a deep breath before he spoke, "Actually, I'm not what I truly seem to be..."

Makoto confessed to his mother everything. He told her about his past life, his fate, his meeting with the woman named Summer Rose, his rebirth in the world of Remnant, the future apocalypse and the possibility of his self-sacrifice for the sake of the world.

"You have been so kind to me these seventeen years, and it would be ungrateful of me to keep this a secret. If situation demands it, I may end up dying for the sake of the world once again, a-and," he hesitated. "...I don't want to make you sad, Mom."

As expected, Kotone was stunned. Makoto smiled wryly. He didn't expect Kotone to believe in him, but he felt better telling her the truth.

Much to his surprise, Kotone seized his shoulders and pulled him towards her, wrapping her arms around him, hugging her child with fervor. Makoto ended up having his face stuffed between his mother's breasts, but he was too shocked to be embarrassed by this.

"I believe you, Makoto," Kotone said softly, "I believe what you said is true."

"Y-you… believe me?" Makoto asked, trying his best to not be suffocated by his mother's ample bosom.

She smiled, "Of course. You're my son, after all."

"That's a half-assed answer, Mom," he deadpanned. He stopped struggling, but again, his face was stuffed between her mountainous assets. After a while, Kotone let her son go, and Makoto tried his best to regain his composure. "And… that's the gist of it, Mom. I have nothing to prove it, but I can assure you I'm not lying. I can even remember my time as a newborn."

"I see," Kotone studied her son's face for a while, "so… you're here to avert a catastrophic disaster?"

"Yes," he agreed, "I'd rather not call myself with the word, but essentially I was born as the messiah of Remnant. It's complicated."

"And you're going to save it, even if you pay it with your life?"

Somehow, Kotone's expression seemed mournful despite her smile. It was already expected, to hear that her child might have to die in order to save Remnant.

"It's too much of a burden for a child like you, Makoto."

"I chooseth this fate of mine own free will," Makoto recited the contract of when he was first gifted with the power of Personas. "I'd like to live, but someone has to do this thankless job, and it happens that I have the power for it."

"Still, you don't have to be the one," Kotone reasoned. "Remnant isn't your real home."

Makoto couldn't help but to smile. "That is true, but you gave birth to me. That makes me a native of Remnant. It is my responsibility to save it," he looked down, "and I made a promise to her…"

"Summer Rose… I know that name. So, that's why she disappeared suddenly, huh?"

"Summer took my place as the Great Seal, and to not abide by her wishes would dishonor her sacrifice… I'm sorry, Mother," he murmured. "I'm sorry that you gave birth to a stubborn kid like me…"

Suddenly, he felt Kotone's hand pinching his left cheek.

"Don't be silly. You don't have to apologize for being born, Makoto. It's my responsibility as your mother. If anything, I'm so proud of you. You gave up your own life so humanity could survive. Even if I wasn't your mother then, I'm proud of you all the same."

"Mom…"

"Still, as your mother, I also want you to be happy. I know that you will make the right choice in the end, Makoto." She stroked her son's face gently. "We are the Yuuki. The blood of heroes and warriors flows within our veins. Self-sacrifice is in our blood, and that blood seems rather thick in you, but don't abandon your personal happiness too. I want you to remember that."

"…I understand."

"Makoto Yuuki, you have my blessing," Kotone said before she kissed her son's forehead. "Whatever your choice will be, as your mother, I will always support you."

Makoto closed his eyes, trying his best to reign in his emotions, with small success. "You have my thanks, and… thank you for believing me."

"That's what a mother does, right? So, do you want me to tell Dad?"

Makoto declined. "No need. I'll tell him myself later. Tomorrow I'll be going to Beacon, and I need to get some rest." He rose from his mother's bed. "Good night, Mom."

"Good night, sweetie."

Makoto left the room and closed the door. Once again, Kotone was alone.

"So… I was right all along," she muttered. "Makoto… my dear Makoto." She brought her hands to her chest.

She looked at the closed door, the one that was closed by her son earlier.

"I gave birth not only to a hero," her voice was strained, "but also to a future martyr."

She choked back a sob. Kotone could no longer hold back her unbidden tears as they rolled down her cheeks.

"W-why…? M-my Makoto…? W-why my Makoto? Why my baby? Why?!"

She buried her face in her hands and sobbed. Despite her pride in her son, despite approving him and what he would do in the future, she had essentially listened to her son's death sentence. It was a bitter pill for her to swallow.

She wept, lamenting over the fact that for the sake of Remnant, she may end up losing her boy.

Outside the room, Makoto leaned against the door's adjacent wall, listening to his mother's sobs. He gritted his teeth in frustration.

Even so, there was no time to falter. Makoto had a duty, and he was determined to face the uncertain future head on, without fail.

He had faced Death and Malice and triumphed; there was nothing to fear.

The next day, before departing to the port, Makoto told his father, Minato, about his true nature, just like how he told his mother. He was shocked as well. Much to his relief, Minato accepted it and told him that he was proud of him all the same.

The sorrowful look in the elder Yuuki's face was unmistakable...

After having a breakfast together, both his parents accompanied him to the port before he boarded the airship to Beacon. Makoto gave them loving hugs before he left, knowing that it might be the last time he ever saw them, so he didn't want to regret.

Makoto saw quite a lot of teenagers on the ship, recognizing some from Signal Academy. Much to his luck, Yang Xiao Long and Ruby Rose were among the crowd. They were also going to Beacon, and despite her age, Ruby managed to enroll herself due to special circumstances.

He sighed as he adjusted his dark blue blazer. The clothes that he wore resembled a Gekkoukan uniform back in his original world. The Yuuki family crest was embroidered on the back of the jacket, which was a light blue snowflake. Sometimes, he was mistaken as a Schnee due to the insignia's similarity, but the color of his hair stated otherwise. His was a rich navy instead of the Schnee's signature white.

Kotone once told him that the Yuuki and the Schnee were related by several generations, hence the similarity in the crest. Technically, it could be said that the Schnee's current heiress, Weiss Schnee, was Makoto's distant cousin. He didn't really care about it, either way, and only had the most basic of knowledge regarding his family tree.

The blue-haired boy was brought to attention as the television on the ship jumped to the current news.

On the screen, there was a mugshot of an orange-haired man in a white coat, Roman Torchwick: a wanted criminal. Makoto heard the name brought up several times before.

"The robbery was led by nefarious criminal Roman Torchwick, who continues to evade authorities. If you have any information on his whereabouts, please contact the Vale Police Department. Back to you, Lisa."

The screen changed topics to another story and reporter. Beside her was a picture of a group of protesters on the streets, along with a logo of a red wolf's head with three claw marks over it.

"Thank you, Cyril. In other news, this Saturday's Faunus Civil Rights protest turned dark when members of the White Fang disrupted the ceremony. The once peaceful organization has now disrupted-"

The news feed was cut off by a hologram of a blonde woman in a white blouse and black skirt. Makoto had seen her sometimes; just like his mother, this woman was also a Huntress. Only he didn't quite remember her name.

"Hello, and welcome to Beacon," the Huntress began in a composed tone. "My name is Glynda Goodwitch."

Now that he finally remembered her name, he was sure that he met her a few times, since both his mother and this Glynda Goodwitch were colleagues, or acquaintances. Or probably friends, Makoto wasn't really sure.

He had spoken to Glynda several times in the past, and from those encounters, Glynda was a strict, no-nonsense woman. She seemed even stricter than Mitsuru. He bet that she might execute those who wronged her as well.

"You are among a privileged few who have received the honor of being selected to attend this prestigious academy! Our world is experiencing an incredible time of peace, and as future Huntsmen and Huntresses, it is your duty to uphold it. You have demonstrated the courage needed for such a task, and now it is our turn to provide you with knowledge and training to protect our world."

After Glynda was done, the hologram disappeared, and Makoto let out a sigh of relief.

"So, I'm going to be a Huntsman, huh?" The blue-haired boy muttered to himself. The same could be said for the other teenagers in the ship. Letting his eyes wander, he froze on a person he never expected to see.

Standing among the passengers was a fair-skinned woman, clad in a sleeveless azure dress made of the softest velvet. Her slender hands were covered in opera gloves of the same shade, her shapely legs covered in black leggings and calf high velvet boots. There was a hat sitting upon her silvery blond hair.

She held a thick tome in her right hand, lightly supported, while her left held the leather strap of a holster, sheathing the steel of a pistol.

The most striking feature of the woman, of course, would be her golden eyes. As soon as their eyes met, her lips curled up into a mischievous smile.

"Elizabeth?"

TO BE CONTINUED

Author's Note: Hello, it's me, Prince Arjuna. So, I have decided to make a new fanfic, a Crossover between Persona 3 and RWBY, Messianic Rebirth. As you can see, this is a story about Persona 3's Protagonist, named Makoto Yuuki this time, being reborn in the world of RWBY, Remnant, due to reasons that you might have seen in this story. The reason why I named him Makoto Yuuki instead of Minato Arisato is that Yuuki family sounds more pleasant than Arisato family. So, our protagonist will meet the rest of the cast in the next chapter, and you may expect shenanigans. And despite Makoto being the main character, I will say that Ruby is also a main character, a supporting protagonist. This will be made apparent in the future chapters.

Also, I would like to thank Tethriot for beta-reading this chapter. It's so nice working alongside you!

I hope you like this chapter, and feel free to send me reviews. They are the main sustenance for an author, after all. It keeps an author alive. See you in the next chapter, Chapter 02: The Beacon.

Prince Arjuna (2014)

Update: Chapter 01 revised (beta-read by Sorata Shioya)