So I really am in a game, or something similar to it. Or maybe Gensokyo truly does exist in Earth. Either way, I'm in it, and I'm not sure if I should like that. That means these kinds of youkai exist, these humans exist, and they really are escapees from the "faithless" and "fearless" people of the...Uh...Earth. ...And I get to be in full view of that.
I got to see the process of Alice's preparation, and I was impressed with her speed. I'm unsure how to explain the process myself, but all of her dolls seemed to be moving in separate directions, each preparing each other weapons and other tools. In mere moments, her dolls were each equipped with their own lancers, swords and shields. They overlooked her like guardians. Here I am, with no grand ability or power of my own, standing agape to the transition.
Being human must suck when they can't harness magic.
Wait, this is Alice! She was originally human, and then became youkai magician, right? I could ask her!
I looked at Alice, the back of her head facing me.
No, we're not friends, she likely wouldn't tell me.
"So...All this stuff, and all those bullets up in the sky...Is that magic?" I attempt to converse.
"Yes, it is," Alice replied, not looking behind her. "If you don't know, it's how we resolve conflicts. It's a safer way of making sure youkai and human can live in...Er, what we would call 'peace.'" The sound of us walking on the dirt seemed to be the only accompanist to our conversation.
"And I guess youkai can't really live in 'peace' with humans, because they want conflict?" I make sure to pretend like I don't know too much. I might come off as know-it-all and for all we know, this world isn't what I looked up on the internet. I got to think ahead.
"How observant," Alice replied. Did she catch on? Is she Sherlock or something? Man, I am not looking forward to talking to the old gapper of time and space. "But, yes, you are right. Which is why the shrine is here. There's another shrine over the mountain in the distance." A doll pointed her lancer at a mountain looming over the forest. It was taller than any mountain I've seen. Though, it wasn't saying much, since my state didn't have any mountains, not even any notable hills. "They help keep balance in case the youkai believe the rules don't apply to them."
The mountain looked huge, though. It felt like the peak just stared down at me. Oh man, imagine what Mount Everest must look like.
I have a feeling of what happens when youkai don't follow the rules.
"This shrine is much closer, however," Alice continued, "and I don't plan on leading you anywhere outside of the Human Village."
Crap, I have no idea how the geography of Gensokyo works. Looks like my "Mind's Eye" won't work here. I mean, the Forest is here. The mountain is like, what, to the left? The sun is setting, so the mountain...Must be north of here. The forest is probably east-
Who am I kidding, the mountain is huge, the forest is messing up my sense of direction, and for all we know, I'll end up in Hell if I dig a hole in this very spot.
I replied, "I'd be overstaying my welcome, either way."
"Oh, you're free to come by any time. I always have room." I looked at her strangely.
"Aren't you afraid of any sort of...Corrupted guys?"
"You mean, people like perverts? Muggers?"
"I think that was a dumb question to ask." Alice let out a slight chuckle.
"Not to worry, I always have a guard up. Otherwise, I don't have to lead them out." That felt intimidating, since she was virtually the only person in the Forest that led people out to begin with. It was hard to tell if Alice was ever going to be on my side. At least, with my lack of a power.
"Is that to, um...Induce fear? You sure are scaring me right now."
"Already judging me?" I could tell she was smiling. "No need to panic, I'm not going to lash out. I'm not a killer, mind you." I glanced at her dolls. From behind, the sight of the lancers and shields glinted in the light of the sun.
"I see."
Looks like I have confirmation that somehow I was taken to a world hidden from this world. I may as well go along with the fact that I was taken here. I was about to die, and I suddenly ended up in the Land of the Forgotten. Which...just doesn't add up, I don't think. What if I am already dead and I reincarnated?
There's magic rumbling around Gensokyo, right? There may be a chance I can learn it.
Silence ensued for a few moments. I didn't want to ask her about magic, but...I may as well. She wasn't going to kill me if I did, right?
"How do you use magic?"
"Uhh…" I assumed Alice was rubbing her chin. "Magic is a difficult topic."
"Is there a way to describe it?"
"...You think of something. You do the thing. It just kind of happens. Then you end up tired."
"How vague." Alice shot a brief glare at me. I couldn't help but smile at the sight of it. It kind of felt like I was in an anime.
"I'm a magician, not a scientist. It's quite difficult describing a substance that disturbs the laws of physics to no end."
"Then, why not describe it like that?"
"Because it ends up asking more questions."
"Right...So, does it kind of just happen? Do you have to learn?"
"So you want to know magic," Alice concluded. I almost forgot we were still walking to the shrine. We were getting closer, actually. We were exiting the Forest, and moving toward a nearby village. I assumed it was a village, with all the lights surrounding it. I noted the large building we had also passed by. I didn't question it, since I already knew what it was, an antique shop for old things found because we felt like the stuff was obsolete now.
"Yep," I cheerfully responded. Alice sighed.
"It is possible for anyone to learn magic to some degree. I've noticed that, but it's either very difficult or very easy. It may have to do with the body, the type of the magic being operated, or even the surrounding area. There's too many variables, and too much time required to waste on it.." I nodded, making sure to keep note of these.
"If you truly want to learn magic, read books. Try to follow, but be sure to be cautious. I think the safest for anyone would be psychic powers. It'll mostly exhaust you, but at least you're not going to be setting things on fire and potentially burn yourself, causing a flood, or creating a black hole. Focusing your time on attempting to move objects is likely only going to exhaust you at its lethality. I guess. I've never tried it, so I wouldn't really know. Just don't go out reading ancient books about summoning demons and the Dragon God."
"I'd rather not say much more, since we're nearing our destination. If you need more information, come visit me. There's a magician in a mansion nearby that can help, but they are not...Fond of humans." I nodded, knowing exactly what she was talking about.
"I'll see what I can do." Alice nodded, finishing the conversation. The villages neared closer, and I was not aware of how big it actually was.
The houses...Were not the ones back where I'm from, that's ensured. Many houses looked strangely...Different. There were huge steep roofs, and the houses got smaller as they ascended up into their second floors. Most of what would be windows had these white sheets over them working as curtains. Most of these houses shared similar colors of brown, but the architecture was definitely reminiscent of Japan in the 17th century.
Japan. Right. How could I forget?
"Are all of these lights on even at night?" I wondered out loud.
"Yes, they are. It's mostly to deter youkai, but it doesn't stop the fairies from messing around."
It reminds me of my own friends I...Guess that'll never happen now. I sighed, realizing the chances of me coming back to the Outside. Really got myself through a hole, didn't I.
"I see," I quietly said. I didn't even notice the dolls were gone and set at ease. Alice glanced at me, noticing my downed tone.
"Usually the people that are transported here are...Alone. Forgotten from the Outside World. It's why Yukari brings them, I imagine. To give them a home where they will be remembered."
"...I see." The real question is if I want to come back. To the boring future of an adult life, working eight hours a day on some medium-end job, watching the latest trends go by, surfing the internet, and playing video games in my free time. I never plan on getting a girlfriend, I don't know what to do when I stop becoming a teenager. Wouldn't I just be abandoning my responsibilities if I stayed here? I have friends, I'm not alone. They'd miss me. They'd look for me. They'd wonder where I am. And what would I do here?
I hate morals.
Alice inspected me briefly once more. "If you're indecisive about whether or not you want to stay, I think it's better if you take your time to explore Gensokyo first, and ask around others and youkai. I don't plan on persuading you to stay, but this land can be very problematic to the powerless, so you should take some time to ponder your decision." This long walk seemed to pass by extremely quick.
"Thanks." I should get used to youkai reading me like a book. "If I stayed, I assume it's possible to come out?"
"Yes, if you ask." Though, I didn't really understand the offer. Isn't the point of Outsiders getting transported because they're usually forgotten by the Outside? Was I forgotten? I thought I was dead!
I sighed. I needed to think about this more. Well, more as if, I really don't want to think about this.
"Alright, the shrine will be ahead on the path you're in," Alice stopped in her tracks, causing me to pause as well. She pointed at a nearby road, which looked very different from the path we had been taking, as the floor soon turned to concrete tiles. "I must head off, before my friend comes by and notices my disappearance. Farewell, and good luck."
"Thank you, Miss Margatroid, I'll need it." Alice began walking in the other direction, waving at me as she left.
"Alice will do just fine," She replied, while the dolls began hovering above her, wielding the weapons once more. There goes my defender.
How surprising. Have I already become friends with her?
Nah, all we did was talk a bunch about wibbly-wobbly stuff. I should hurry up, the sun was setting.
nice to see you checking out the story, hope you stay for a bit, i mean its mostly just out of a draft i felt like making so there's no editors or whatever
of course i have noticed there was a problem with my wording and grammar, so im gonna do my best to work on that (also might edit this chapter slightly to fix any mistakes i think i may have made)