Notice: I do not own Touhou Project, it is belong to Team Shanghai, as well known as the creator known as ZUN.
Well here we go again, so it's been a while but foremost I make it more interesting by putting a juicy issues and spicy topic, and ta-dah instant food ready on the table (This author have a motives to be chef someday XD…)
Message: The will of individual remain strong, for a soul with divine and purity.
Cemetery…
Strange girls with wings flying freely…
Strange white blobs floating aimlessly in the air…
The eyes of the two stare to the things that consider neither non-existent nor possible in their world, Neo remain on guard, keeping his hand grip to his blade and sheet, while Michael slip his phone in his hand from his pocket and start to take pictures of mysterious creatures, both of them slowly walk as they finding a hiding spot in order to escape without further notice, but still it is a very hard objective since the road is fully covered in fog and mist, so the two managing to walk quietly while looking to their steps without losing balance, keeping an eye to their predator, watching them carefully.
"Fairies" Michael muttered.
"Hmph, fantasies are just a crap" Neo answered very cold.
"But now it is real, even the US government would dying to discover and explore here" Michael retorts and start to switch the camera into video cam mode.
"Correct" Neo grins.
"Let's go"
"I follow you, lead the way, Michael"
The two suddenly relieved in passing the fairies and spirits that haunting the cemetery, but the cemetery is big, they must find their way out of the cemetery very fast to avoid being discover by the malicious spirits that give them the end of their lives, they approach the obstacles such as a rock road, narrow passage between the tomb stones, jumping and hopping over the fallen trunk of the lifeless tree in their way, while hiding the spirits that is monitoring the area.
"I can see the end of our trail, Michael" Neo said as he stared to the ending view of the dark cemetery.
"Great let's go" Michael response as he start to stop the recording of his mobile video.
The two start to run to the narrow road, they excitedly rushing to toll without noticing their step, unfortunately, Michael steps on the dried branches, causing to make a noise that alarms the fairies, one mistake means doom of everything.
"There is no way we can hide, now Michael, go! I will hold them to slow their movement, in order for you to escape" Neo explicit order, as he unleashed his blade from its scabbard, and preparing himself to dis-advantaged situation.
"But how about you?" Michael ask.
"I survived a well fucked bullet party in my car, shitty accidents in the cliff, and one of a heck damn dust avalanche in my province, and to think about me in this situation, you are not too bright, aren't you?" Neo state cockily.
"Well, fine! Do it on your own way, you dumb, crazy bastard!" Michael Sluggishly answered, while continuing to sprint along the way.
Neo stop from running and stare to the strange pursuers, he then concentrate by closing his eyes, and within his consciousness lies the answer.
"Hey dark, give me more power" Neo whisper to his inner self,
"Fine but remember, every power you need from me has a price" Dark replied.
"And what is it?" Neo questioned.
"Memories" Dark malicious tone answered.
"Che! What a bidding compensation, fine I'm on it"
"Let's begin!" Dark hauntingly replied.
"LET'S DANCE!" Neo shout with courage and vigor, his body emits a dark aura, his face become paler white, for his hair turn into obsidian black as his eyes glows in scarlet red, his blade is shining in blue, and then he leaped forward and dash to the mythical pursuers.
He charge his blade with dark energy and unleash a pulsar of curve wave to the unlucky first row of fairies, dissapating them easily,and then throwing his scabbard like a spinning boomerang that ricocheting in the poor white spirit blobs that pops up and shooting him with bullets, and the fairies answered his ultimatum by barraging some bullets as a counter, just in time, the scabbard return to his left hand, then he spin it very fast, bullets repelled as it hits his scabbard that spinning and forming a shield, then he blink to the second row of fairies, unleashing a barrage of dimensional slash, then he grab and clasp his scabbard and tilt it with his blade, and from the skies fall a barrage of spectral blades that pin down the third row of fairies and spirits, then he teleport to the last row of the fairies, he put his blade back to its sheet, as he charge some raw and primal dark energy, he then release his blade in single swing, unleashing a tempest of shadows that resemblance him, like a speed of light they slash the remaining fairies and white blobs, and the time that Neo return his blade to its scabbard, the shadows returns to his blade and one click sound as the scabbard and the guard of the blade meets, the fairies and white blobs burst like a bubble, the mist was blown away in the area by force of the attack revealing more tomb stones and dead trees
"Pathetic children of imaginations, insolent scums like you should stand aside by my will" Neo state coldly, as he leave the scene and made his own way out of the cemetery.
He then return to his normal human form, but a sudden headache give him a trial pain, after the headache subsides, he wander around the cemetery, he saw many items come from his land that have been scattered around, there is a wheels, a vending machines of sorts, junks and lots of things that normal to see in his world.
"Maybe this world has a same thing to my world, these things…" He paused and he looks around his area, the wind blows harder, he then look back, and saw nothing.
"Maybe I became more paranoid in these days" Neo sighed.
He start to walk again and studying his surroundings, many cross roads, logical thinking ensues, one the roads are pathway to a single exit while others are have a same meeting point, as he saw a three sturdy roads, he scan each road and he figures the right path.
"Thanks Mich for leaving some evidences" He chuckled as he follows the marks then set his last glance to the remains of Michael's footsteps.
As he approached the exit, he took a last glance to the ruined cemetery, he took a deep breath.
"You late, again,," A familiar voice from afar.
"Speaking of devil" Neo spoke in bored tone.
He saw Michael coming closer to him, as he removed his hat and spin it again in his hand.
"So how did you manage to cross the separate roads?" Neo ask.
"I meet a cosplayer, she said she is living here, though she is nice" Michael rebuts.
"A cosplayer? Ahem, excuse me; did you say this cemetery is her home?" Neo frowns with questioning notion.
"Yeah, at first I didn't believe in her, but when I saw her tail and round,,, what can I say big ears, it moves like it is lively, I start to became more curious about it" Michael explains.
"Hmm, I see, if the fairies and that tiny white clouds are real, and that mini version of energy ball that they fire against me that has a similarities which I watch last night is real, so is your info to be consider" Neo state, while poking his chin with index finger.
"Ah there you are" A new voice sprouts behind.
The two look to the source of the voice, to be revealed a young lady, dress in blue shawl, trimming with yellow in the edges, with black dress, and pair of shoes, round and big grey ears that same as her ash colored hair, she has a strange rod, while her tail coiled and holding a basket with objects.
"Oh great" Neo cut the silence.
"See, I say the truth ya know" Michael casually said.
"Where's the event of cosplay? A mall or a park, lemme guess, a garden behind the Akihibara's old retarded shop" Neo spoke and start to burst laughter as Michael smirk a little.
"Well, well, let's cut it out for now" Michael said as he walks a little distance away from Neo.
"Ah, Miss Nazrin, this is my friend Neo"
"I see, so two outsiders wandering the dangers of this cemetery"
"Ahem, are those ears and tail are real?" Neo ask.
"Yes, but still, I need you to take to the human village for your safety and security, Lady Hijiri will be pleased with this news" Nazrin said cheerfully.
"Human village? What is the meaning of this?!" Neo said in shock.
"Well, you are been transpired here in Gensokyo, this place is totally dangerous for wandering humans, since the malevolent Youkais is wandering around and taken many lives of reckless peoples" Nazrin speak sincerely.
"Tch, what a pain, if so then,,"
The scroll fall from the coat of Neo and it rolls to Nazrin, when Nazrin picks the scroll and saw the contents, she is shock and look to Neo.
"So a lucky outsider succeeds in going home and share about his thoughts about this land"
"hmm, I guess that's making sense, follow me" Nazrin order as she stare to the road where she recent standing all along.
The two follow the mouse youkai in the trail of a dusty road, as they walk they saw some flowers that swaying along with the wind.
"This is the "Road of Reconsideration" this is where many outsider commit to suicide, but thanks to the incense of these flowers causing them to monopolize survival instinct, some are regain their consciousness to live, while others is victimize by a stray youkai before they realize to live once again" Nazrin well explain the informations.
"A Road to Ruin your every days life, what a sore" Michael broadly comment.
"What about the cemetery?" Neo ask.
"Muenzuka is a, what can I say about it, well, a distinguish cemetery after all, where many things from outside world can be found, it is succulent in vengeful spirits, that's why it is very dangerous for humans to stay" Nazrin state, as she keeping her eyes on the road.
"Also that forest you see over there is the forest of magic, this forest is very dangerous to humans since some youkai and local fairies is lingering there, there is also a very toxic scent that can kill, so please as long as you can live, do not proceed to the forest"
"How about that…. Ahem! Sunny Garden over there" Michael asked as he point the very far away place filled with blooming flowers.
"Ah that one, that is the Garden of the Sun, that is the home of very dangerous flower youkai, if you value your life don't go there" Nazrin warns.
"Tch! So this land is a paradise of youkai and an endless hell for humans, pathetic place" Neo turning down voice as he keeps staring to the far away garden.
"Not really unless you are strong enough to fight, you can venture some of these, but there is also a very restricted area here" Nazrin said as she guides the two to another way to divert them away from the road to the forest of magic.
It's been a hour since they walk from Muenzuka, Neo notice the tall mountain and a vast forest surround it.
"Let me guess, for example that mountain, am I right?" Neo said, and then he starts to grip his blade.
"Youkai Mountain? Well if you go to the west side, based on the information I heard from Captain Murasa, the Tengu will shove you away from their territory, to the east side is the Moriya shrine, our rival in followers and believers, but that is safe, sometimes,,," Nazrin speak as she thought about the information.
"Religious sect huh? Interesting Lady Nazrin, don't worry I will be your follower even if I have already have a merciful God" Michael said as he embrace Nazrin, causing the mouse youkai to blush then smile for a while.
"How about you, Neo?"
"Told it about you already fool when we are in the outside world, I mean Kyoto, religion and I can't tag along" Neo's irritated voice comeback.
"Guess you are still harsh as ever, by the way what happen to the pursuers back to the Muenzuka?" Michael asked.
"Those scums already face their death, nothing is left alive" Neo said harshly as he glances to his blade.
"So, are you the one who make the mist in that cemetery to blow away, that could be an interesting scoop!" a new voice sprouts in the air.
Neo suddenly release his blade and point it to the sky in 45 degrees angle in west direction, and then a sudden gust of wind blows the dust, some leaves are flew away, at the tip of his blade, a face that of young lady floating and shock.
"That was too close" She said as she handed her note book and pen as she stare at the edge tip of the blade that pointing almost closer to her nose.
"Go away or you will be split into two, I will not tell it for a second rather than third time" Neo said coldly.
"A pesky tengu reporter, Lady Aya" Nazrin sighing in deep breath.
"Well, after a mouse, a tengu, luck is with me now" Michael spat cheerfully.
"Ah, what a bummer, could you please,," Aya want to say the next word but.
"Any last words?" Neo's immediate reply.
(=_=)...
(0.0) (0.0) !
A sudden barrage of dimension slash emerge in the horizon, along with a loud scream from a pesky tengu reporter, the wind breeze become stronger.
"Sheesh! Look what have you've done, my cloths have a torn and rip-off" Aya complain as she fan herself with tengu fan.
"Indeed, that slash is just a warning, come closer if you want a death wish" Neo cold rebut, leaving the three froze in fear.
("This guy is totally dangerous, that blade with those eyes that almost pierce my soul") Aya thought as she keeps writing in her note book.
"Not for a man that is colder than ice, with a melting tempered than a burning furnace" Michael retorts his speech gracefully.
"Enough of talking nonsense, time is precious because it's running" Neo answer to Michael's reappraisal.
"By the way how did you get those eyes, reminds me of the umbrella youkai when I accidentally met her" Aya frowns questioning motion.
"I was born with it, that's all" Neo stubborn reply.
"I see"
Aya continue to write as she float above the three, it's been two hours pass, they now approaching to the human village farm fields, many people keeping their eyes on the two new outsiders, especially Neo, because of his hideous looks like a very deadly aura that can kill who stand in his way, some of the men become to have a cold sweat, the kids are hiding in the back skirt of their mother, Neo saw it, he just sigh and apparently stare to the gate of the village that is closer and closer to him.
"Kyoto…." Neo Muttered to himself.
Later, at the human village entrance gate.
"Look, it's lady Nazrin, as well the pesky tengu reporter" the first gate guard said.
"And a two newcomer from outside world, Keine-sensei will have another guest and student" the second guard jesting.
The group made their entrance to the gate as Nazrin give her thanks to the gate guards for doing their duty very well, she fetch the two as she saw Aya is flying away, then she guide the two to the Myouren Temple for just an initial report about them and also to introduce them to her mistress, during Neo's walk he notice many different people can also been venturing here, not to say mostly are girls, there is a bunny girl that selling medicine, usually stare to him suspiciously but he ignore it and just go on, a fox lady that is buying tofu along with a cat girl behind her, the cat girl stand back when she see Neo's deadly appearance, even the fox become aware of this event, there are a certain young lady with a floating doll behind her while she carrying a book, to her back a bunch of dolls that carrying her groceries, the puppeteer notice him and stop for a while, Neo on the other hand stare at the nearby shop, his venture not yet finish, he saw a mysterious red haired woman in shawl cape that is hiding in the side of the building staring at him, this red hair brunette is keeping an eye on him, Neo become more irritated.
"You two keep going, I need to get out of this ill-treating garbage place" Neo said, gritting his teeth in total anger.
"Very well" Michael answered.
"Take care, Neo-san" Nazrin sigh.
"Then I file my leave" Neo's last word.
Neo use his dark energy, pulsating it to his body, then he disappear without a trace, the puppeteer and the red haired brunette shock to see him gone in an instant, without leaving a trace nor a mark in such way.
"Impressive, another gifted human" the puppeteer's voice, as she tend to walk again from where she stand.
"Hmm, another show off outsider" the red haired brunette said, then she walk away in the corner and disappear.
"My, my, things getting interesting" A new voice been heard, coming from a lady with a white parasol.
"This guy is mysterious one, how amusing, I can't wait to see him and invite him in my garden" she close her parasol revealed her green hair swayed with the wind along with her red plaid dress.
Back to Michael and Nazrin.
The two entered the temple, they were greeted by a nun and a cloud apparition, Michael amaze from what he saw the folks of myouren temple, he saw normal humans talking with the peaceful youkais, sooner he met the Myouren residents, The nun Ichirin and her cloud apparition partner in guard Unzan, the avatar of bishamonten and current devotee Shou, Captain Murasa, the jump scare youkai Nue (often punished by her seniors for surprising Nazrin and Michael, the priest in train Kyouko, and the wise Bake-Tanuki Mamizou, the head monk known as Byakuren Hijiri is currently on leave for unknown reasons, but still Micahel takes a photo of them in his phone that make them surprise to see a strange object that flashing as Michael points it to them, like the same that Aya brought to take a shot from them few years ago.
"Too bad Lady Hijiri is on leave" Minamitsu sad tone.
"It's alright, by the way, my friend Neo too, is not here, seems he is spacing out for a while" Michael replied.
"Neo?" Nue asked.
"He is an also an outsider like Michael-san, and also an expert swordsman" Nazrin said.
"An expert swords man?" Shou frowns.
"Not to mention, Aya gets a very hard time to interview him, she only gets a slash in her clothes as an answer in her pestering attitude" Nazrin state.
"Really? Another human who can fight a youkai?" Ichirin spoke with amazement.
"Yeah, and according to Aya, Neo disperse the mist after he slain a horde of vengeful spirits and fairies in the Muenzuka" Michael added.
"Wow, so this guy is very strong, capable in damnaku and spellcard duels huh?" Mamizou inspect.
"Hope that we can meet him sooner" Kyouko sheered comment.
"Or not, totally I've got terrible feeling in meeting this "Neo" guy" Nue disapproval comment.
"It's because your scare tactics won't give a single fear to a tough guy?" Minamitsu tease.
"Che, that's not true!" Nue defensively replied.
"Ohhh really?" Kyouko mischievously ask.
"Kyouko! All of you are meanie, I hate you!" Nue shouts and pouts.
All the important figures of Myouren temple burst to laughter.
"What a pain, Unzan let's go back to the front entrance" Ichirin order, the cloud apparition obey, and follow her.
"Well that's enough for today right?" Michael said in carefree tone.
"Yes, I think, ahahahhah" Shou replied and can't stop the laughter.
The Mouren temple become live again for another hilarious moment, the summer is very beautiful as the tree sways in the wind blows in a dawn afternoon.
"This guy is very amusing, Ufufufufu~" a voice of a lady, covering her face with a fan as she carrying her parasol.
"Things are getting interesting, let see what is your next move, Mr. Angelo Aoi or shall I call you Neo" she added as the gap starting to close.
"Welcome to Gensokyo, Neo"
Inside the closing gap, a view of Neo is to be see, he is standing in the rock boulder outside the village near the road of "Road of Liminality" as the wind blows so is his coat swaying along, he still gripping his blade while staring to the flying women who is passing nearby, he tend not to care like he ignore everybody who is passing by, he keeps staring to the endless horizon of the road.
Soon the real adventure begins and the fantasy is rising in the land of illusion, Gensokyo…..
The chains of fate and destiny is starting to break, our main protagonist is in deep confusion of power and memories, could he stand up for the challenges that coming to him, could he really find a second hope for his miserable life, the story of deserted life ends, a new leash of life arise in the land of illuminating paradise, soon to be revealed.
Comment: My song theme for the beginning of the story is "Iro Wa Nioedo Chirinuru Wo" by Senya