Disclaimer: I do not own Touhou Project. All copyrights belong to ZUN.
Nothing lasts forever.
That is simply a given.
Eternity is simply a sham that the hopeless use to please themselves whenever they were suffering.
She knew this, yet she hoped she would never have to do this.
Even the great lord warned her.
Why oh why did she not listen? Great sage or not, she was still a subject to time, and she knew that time was running out.
Unprecedented variables, those scum were the very reason why she had to do this.
Did she miscalculate? Was she ignorant? Did she simply underestimate?
No. This ultimate fate would have happened regardless of the number years it would take. Now though, I have the knowledge and the power to prevent the end. I will not let everything be in vain.
"Farewell, Reimu," she whispered.
She manipulated her magic quickly and induced cardiac arrest. She figured it wouldn't hurt her since she was asleep.
In a matter of minutes, Reimu was dead.
Regardless of how deep a sleeper you were, it was kind of hard though to sleep through the ear-piercing sound of shattered glass. All around Gensokyo, that crash was heard, multiplied fifty fold. Yet, most people would sleep through that. It was only the ones with any magical power that heard the crash.
The elder youkai knew what had happened. They cursed their luck and quickly got up and prepared to go to the Hakurei Shrine. The younger youkai and humans with power heard the sound but had no idea what the whole ordeal was. Some of the youkai ignored it, while the humans sensed the disturbance of power at the Hakurei shrine. They also quickly prepared to go.
Suika Ibuki had it the worse. Given the fact that she was so close to the border, she heard the sound the clearest and immediately sprung up, clutching her ears in pain. Also, since she was living with Reimu, she sensed what had happened immediately. Needless to say, Suika was right at her bedside, just standing there, in shock. Tears were immediate. Just like that, her hostess, one of her friends, gone? Just like that? It was ridiculous.
In a boundary right on the ceiling was Yukari hanging upside down, peering at Reimu. She looked so… carefree now. She finally looked truly relaxed and happy, regardless of what had just happened.
Yukari would have comforted her friend, but there was work to be done. The youkai and humans should have arrived by now. She tucked her head in and closed the boundary. She opened another one so she could step outside of the shrine's entrance. Already there were about fifty or so people, nervously talking to each other, or staring into space.
To gather everyone's attention, Yukari shot a few bubble bullets into the air. They stopped for a second and exploded. Needless to say, she had everyone's attention.
"Greetings," Yukari said, examining each person carefully. Most of them were either angry or confused, wondering what the fuss was about. When no one made a sound, Yukari continued.
"Simply because we lack the time, I will say this bluntly. Reimu is dead."
The younger individuals gasped in unison, appalled at this turn of events. The elder youkai knew already and were not pleased. A certain Yuka Kazami was the first one to speak.
"Tch, she's dead. Yeah. Regardless of what annoyance she has wrought to the past before for us, it still does nothing to the fact that she is dead. Or perhaps, murdered? You do realize the damage you have wrought to the balance of nature, yes?"
Yukari smiled. "Obviously, you would implicate me, as I was one of the first people to receive information of this incident. However, if our miracle pharmacist would come examine the body, then all charges will be dropped."
That certain miracle pharmacist stepped through the crowd. "It will only take a minute to confirm the truth. Please wait," Eirin announced, as she walked inside the shrine.
The crowd was starting to nervously talk again when Yukari shot a few more exploding bullets.
"I believe I was not finished," she said, slightly annoyed at the lack of focus. "At any rate, regardless of how Reimu has perished, it changes nothing. Reimu is dead. With the last Hakurei gone, the border between the outside world and Gensokyo has disappeared. That sound of shattered glass you heard earlier would be the sound of the boundary that has collapsed."
"Now, given the greedy nature of humans," Yukari said, smirking at the wince of a certain ordinary magician, "it would not be foolhardy to believe that the outsider humans will attempt to take Gensokyo for themselves, for whatever reason they want. Money, self gain, luxury, it doesn't matter. They will come in and attempt to take Gensokyo, by force if necessary. Now, if all of you would hold out your hands."
Eirin had come out of the shrine by now, and as with everyone else in the vicinity, complied with Yukari's instructions. In each hand, a Ying-Yang orb was now resting in their palms.
"These are communication devices and signals of danger," Yukari explained. "If something big was to happen, or if you simply get separated, use these. Do keep in mind that everyone can hear what happens if you communicate through these, so do not engage in personal conversation. Ah, yes, Eirin. What would the circumstances of Reimu's unfortunate demise be?"
Eirin glared at Yukari, infuriated that she took this so lightly. At least, she thought Yukari took this lightly. "It was a natural death. Cardiac arrest." She still was suspicious though, and decided she would check back in a couple days.
Most of the people had their suspicions alleviated. Some of the elder youkai still had some harbored feelings of curiosity. Those feelings would be dealt with later though.
"Now, before I dismiss you all," Yukari stated, "if you are not comfortable with your strength, then hide. The carnage that will ensue will not guarantee survivors. For the stronger individuals, well… the decision is up to you. Protect Gensokyo. To each her own." Yukari bowed, drawing some curious looks.
Yukari opened a gap and disappeared. However, she had one last thing to say. Opening another gap, her head simply appeared upside down, addressing her final point. "I almost forgot. Pay attention to this last point. Whatever you do, if possible, NEVER use magic." Most people were confused at this as well, but a few of the elder youkai understood. "Now, farewell!"
Yukari finally disappeared for good, leaving the crowd to their own deeds. Mostly stunned, they all decided to pay their proper respects to Reimu before deciding what to do.
Slowly, the shrine's visitors dissipated until two people were left. Suika Ibuki was standing outside with Yuka Kazami, the latter just staring into the sky.
"Why are you still here?" Suika asked, still a bit miffed about Reimu.
"Do not worry about me," Yuka replied. Shrugging, Suika went back into the shrine, going to sleep.
Yuka's face was dark. She knew exactly what has happening. Yet, she had no fore knowledge of the event! That was simply infuriating.
"Yakumo, you play a very dangerous game here," Yuka muttered, twirling her parasol. "If this ends well, if it even ends well at all, I will kill you."
"Two weeks at most… two weeks."
Taking one last look at the shrine, Yuka took into the air, heading back to her garden.
"And so, it begins."
Author's note: I feel that this re-edit is far better than the original prologue. It simply sets the mood up far better. I also feel like the characters are portrayed better.
Constructive criticism would be very much appreciated.