The Demon Summoner | Persona Trilogy x Male Reader

Entrance to the Whispering Woods & The First Choice | PERSONA 3 | PART 3

"Is the Enchanted Grove definitely beyond this forest?" I inquire.

He nods emphatically. "Yeah, it's just beyond the-hee-se trees, ho. But trust me, hee, it's not gonna be an easy walk through here, ho."

"I have a few ideas," I begin, contemplating our next move. "First, we could try traversing through the forest, but we're likely to encounter demons who will try to trick us; we'll have to fight those guys, and maybe deal with their illusions. Second, we could search for an alternate route to the Enchanted Grove. There must be another way there we'll just need to find it. And third..." I pause, glancing at the dense trees in front of us. "If these demons were cast out of the Enchanted Grove like Jack Frost said, then they're likely concentrated within the forest. We could lure them out by burning the forest down and taking out any fleeing stragglers who get close."

Jack Frost and Pyro Jack exchange worried glances at my last suggestion. "That seems a bit extreme, don't you think?" Jack Frost remarks, voicing their concerns.

"Woah, woah, woah. It's not just about us. There's a whole ecosystem here that could be affected," Pyro Jack adds. "Burning down the forest might be the quickest way to clear out the Demons, but it's not without its drawbacks," he acknowledges. "For one, not every Demon in there is necessarily hostile. We'd be catching innocent ones in the crossfire too. And if you're looking to negotiate with Loki or anyone else in the Enchanted Grove, well, that plan goes up in flames along with the forest."

He pauses, considering the situation. "But, I can't deny it's effective. Sometimes you have to make tough choices in a place like this, so I suppose I can commend you for having such straight forward thinking."

Jack Frost listens intently, weighing the options in his mind before speaking up. "Alright, let's break down our options," he says.

"For option one, going through the forest, the pr-hee-hos are that we'll make progress towards the Enchanted Grove and potentially encounter fewer Demons overall. hee-ho. However, as I mentioned earlier, there's a high chance of running into tricky Fairy Demons who'll try to deceive us with illusions. We'd need to stay sharp and be prepared for anything."

"Option two, finding another route, might be safer in terms of avoiding potential traps or deceptive Demons, ho, ho, ho. But on the downside, it could take longer to reach our des-hee-nation, ho, and there's no guarantee we'll even find another path to the Enchanted Grove, we could just be wasting time."

"As for option three, well, burning down the forest would certainly clear out any hostile Demons in our way, providing a relatively safe passage. However, as Pyro Jack pointed out, it's a drastic measure with serious consequences. It could harm innocent creatures and damage the environment, not to mention ruin any chance of peaceful negotiations with Loki if that's something you care about.."

Jack Frost considers the options carefully before adding, "Now, if we're talking about a more kinder approach, perhaps we could try to negotiate with the Fairy De-hee-mons instead of resorting to violence or destruction, ho. We-hee could attempt to reason with them, ho, offering something of value in exchange for safe passage through the forest. It's possible that some of the Fairy Demons may be open to diplomacy, especially if we show them respect and offer fair terms. Of course, it's a bit riskier since we don't know how they'll respond."

"Plus," he adds with a cheerful tone, "we might make some new friends along the way! Ho ho!"

Pyro Jack chimes in, his flames flickering with a mix of amusement and caution. "Whilst Frosty might be onto something, I wouldn't put all my eggs in that basket, there'd still be some fighting that needs to be done in there. Fairy demons, like Frosty and myself, they ain't gonna settle for just a handful of yen like yours truly did. They'll be after bigger fish, like your hopes, dreams, or even your very memories. They'll not just take something, they'll take concepts from you. It's a whole mess of trouble dealing with their kind, let me tell ya. So, while negotiating might seem like the cleanest option, we gotta be careful not to get ourselves in too deep. Giving up something like that could have consequences down the line, and it ain't worth it if we end up losing more than we gain."

With a decisive nod, he adds, "Just something to keep in mind, kid. These fairy demons play by their own rules, and they're not ones to be taken lightly. I once saw a guy lose his own name."

I consider the possibilities.

Ah... our valiant heroes finds themselves at a juncture of fate's design. Lo, a crossroads unfolds before him, where paths diverge and destinies intertwine. 'Tis a moment of consequence, where the very fabric of existence hangs in the balance, and choices weigh heavy upon the soul.

I am reminded of the ancient wisdom that guides the course of mortal affairs. For in the tapestry of existence, there exists a dichotomy, a duality that shapes the very essence of being.

In this realm of demons and magic, where the whims of gods and men hold sway, you stand poised to make a decision.

Shall he, in his wisdom, embrace the path of Law, where order reigns supreme and righteousness is the beacon that guides his hand? 

Or shall he succumb to the allure of Chaos, where freedom is absolute and the will of the individual is sacrosanct? For in the crucible of Chaos, power is the currency of kings, and those who dare to defy convention shall reap the spoils of their defiance.

Or perhaps, you shall chart a course betwixt these polar extremes, navigating the treacherous waters of Neutrality with a steady hand and a discerning eye. For in the heart of neutrality lies balance, where neither light nor darkness holds dominion, and the truest essence of being is found.

But make no mistake, for this decision is not to be taken lightly. The fate of worlds hangs in the balance.

(We've appeared to have hit a roadblock and need a way forward. Each method has it's own pros and cons.

The comments will choose the path forward, and the majority will be what we do. 

I will keep track of each corresponding alignment the choice falls down too. Lean too heavily into one alignment and it'll change who (Name) is, and how the story unfolds.

Law tends follow strict social rules and hierarchy, usually taken to the extreme.

Chaos they tend to let their feelings guide them.  

Neutral are those that try to strike a balance between extremes.

Light/Neutral/Dark

Light tends to have really high spiritual energy, and are usually closer to being gods. 

Dark tends to have low spiritual energy, and usually closer to being demons, often destructive. 

Neutrals are right in the middle. 

Humans are always Neutral on both, but that'll change based on decisions made.

Light does not mean good, just as Dark doesn't mean bad.

Choose now

1: Navigate through the Whispering Woods with intent to fight. (Neutral)

2: Navigate through the Whispering Woods with a diplomacy first mindset (Law)

3: Find another path to the Enchanted Grove (Neutral)

4: Burn the forest down and pick off any stragglers who try to flee, clearing the path forward. (Chaos/Dark)

I'll give it a few days.