Hello, ITalkToSky here.
Here is another chapter down for the count. I might have neglected some cast, so here is something to balance it out.
Also, I might try something rather ambitious.
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The past few days passed by leisurely at Okinawa. However, the same could not be said for the Scarlet Devil Mansion.
The fairies were getting uppity from being locked away, especially now that there were not as many people to conduct their mischief upon. After the Lunaire and other residents left for Okinawa, they had been nothing but trouble for Koakuma. Evading casual barrage of icicles, chasing after stolen books, deter their attempts to get out of the barrier field around the mansion became common activities for the little devil.
For most of the day, Koakuma spent her time in paranoia, keeping sight on her peripheral and constantly sending familiars to patrol and track down the troublemakers.
Today was not any different. The cute little wings on her hair and back drooped down as she hung like a piece of laundry in the air above countless bookshelves in the library. One would mistake her for sleeping at first glance if she was not moving in a general direction. She was exempted from several of her duty to take care of the fairies that had been let out of their confine, thinking that she would have easier time, although Koakuma would argue that her previous work was a lot less taxing to her physical and mental health. It would hover, certainly be easier if Meiling spent less time sleeping rather than keeping guard of the boundary. The only saving grace was that during the rare time that she was awake, she would tend to Flandre. Koakuma shuddered at the thought of taking care of Flandre, because of the sheer unpredictability that she exhibited.
Sifting through the images that her familiars sent her, Koakuma found them on the far end of the library, trying to inconspicuously steal another book. Good thing, she thought, that they did not know how she was covertly tracking their every actions with her mini bat familiars. Tiredly mumbled her spells, she conjured small magic circle loaded with stun magic and flew in their direction.
After a few moments of few blasts of stun magic here and there, she managed to wrestle and place the book back where it belonged. During that moment, the fairies already scampered off somewhere. Thinking that it would be a while for them to try anything else, Koakuma went to the desk she usually worked in as Patchouli assistance and plopped down on the chair. Breathing a small sigh, she drifted off into comfortable sleep, never knew that her action would lead to something else.
"Ouch ouch ouch!" The blue haired fairy groaned, still numbed by being rapidly bombarded with stunning magic. Her olive haired friend continued to support her from her side as Cirno's wings did not properly recover her ability to fly.
This could be attributed to Koakuma prowess that grew after Lunaire began to give her tips about her fighting style. She took to it quite well, albeit her move did not carry the same vigor.
Using her magic control to lay down an interlocking zone of fire, she slowed Cirno down before making a feint by releasing concentrated bursts of high power stun bolts. Cocky as she was, Cirno still boasted enough skill to both cope with suppressive fire and the subsequent large burst. However, she could not hope to deal with Koakuma who flapped her wings to rapidly close in like bird of prey. Before the poor fairy knew it, all she could see was a hand that almost completely engulfed her view. After closing in, Koakuma simply casted a simple light spell to further daze the fairy. The flash that usually does nothing but illuminate was quite effective when blasted right in front of the eyes, especially to an unprepared foes. To the fairy that completely lost her vision and flailing meaninglessly midair, Koakuma positioned her other hand and mercilessly unleashed the previous high power burst right into her midsection. A truly sure kill combo if taken unguarded by a fairy, Koakuma never realized that she had this tendency to completely crush her opponent when given the chance. It might her outlet for her nature as a devil, because otherwise she never acted like one.
Taking unadulterated high-powered bolts like that, it is no wonder for Cirno's current state. But alas, nothing can keep this little fairy down for long.
"Gah! That devil, to think that she did this to the strongest me…I need a rematch!"
"I think you have enough for now, Cirno-chan." Daiyousei appeared apprehensive and exasperated. She wondered when this friend would stop proclaiming that she is the strongest.
"It is because I am the strongest. I cannot lose to that devil."
"Hai, Hai, let's stop at that." The more diligent fairy of the two continued to steer her temporally disabled friend down the corridor to the room Remilia assigned to them.
Although it was quite restrictive as they were not allowed out of the mansion, the olive-haired fairy did not exactly mind all that much. The place was accommodating enough. So far, the fairy maids in the mansion were very friendly, but sometimes not very helpful.
Flashback
Daiyousei never expected that the situation would turn out this way. It started with Cirno finally deciding to once again take on challenge of venturing into Scarlet Devil Mansion that stood imposing near the misty lake. With Meiling sleeping on her duty as always, they managed to slip in undisturbed. When the fairies thought they were in the clear, their visions were enveloped by pure white.
Before they knew it, everything felt different, draining to put it into word. For the fairies that represent some aspect of nature, the low ambience mana will be great detriment to their wellbeing, so it was not that strange for them to be almost incapacitated from sudden exposure. They tried to limp around, but were quickly restrained by brightly glowing rope as the figure landed before her. Catching a glimpse at his face, she was surprised to see Lunaire.
"Lunaire…san? Why?" She squeaked.
"Ah..um? I am…sorry." Internally, Lunaire was screaming for it to stop. The eyes of a kicked puppy were so devastating to him and the experiences he had will never temper him against such assault.
"It's okay. Please help…"
Her voice trailed off as she collapsed on top of her friend in heap on the ground. Daiyousei did not know how long she went out, but the scene she woke up to must be one of the most memorable to her.
Daiyousei still shivered whenever she remembered the scarlet devil. The first time she met her, she felt as if she was a frog in the face of a snake. Especially her scarlet eyes that seemed to glow depended on the angle viewed and her smug smile, they unnerved her greatly. Although she was calmed down by the amiable, but slightly prideful persona, Daiyousei still maintained a healthy level of respect and fear toward the owner of this mansion. This was one of the reasons that she tried, unsuccessfully of course, to rein her impulsive friend in addition to her usual nature to avoid troubles.
Lost in thought, she found herself in front of their room and her friend almost completely recovered. She would be happy to see Cirno getting well, save for her next sentences.
"Chance! When that devil is not looking, let's go outside, Dai-chan!"
"Wait Cirno-chan! They said that we shouldn't go…"
"Ha ha, there is nothing that can stop this strongest me from anything. Let's go?"
"Wah!" Taking the moment when Daiyousei was flustered, Cirno sprung to life and pulled her friend right to the window. Her confused friend could do nothing before the window was unlatched and their bodies send careening into the evening sky.
The slightly chilly air greeted them as they were spinning in the air. With their bodies clung together, Daiyousei appeared to be more and more disoriented as Cirno energetically let of the cheer.
"We are out!" Cirno screamed, following by unintelligible laughter.
"Hue?!" Finally snapping out of her daze, her golden butterfly-like wings fluttered open and righted her posture.
With her head pointed in the right direction once again, Daiyousei found that they were floating a few meters above the tree line. Although she already knew this, the sight of the expansive forest that replaced the misty lake instilled a sense of awe and fear.
"Gah, I am still angry at who decided to fill my lake in. I suppose we should find someone to dig it back up, right, Dai-chan?"
"I don't think it work that way, Cirno-chan?"
"Then how exactly does it supposed to work then?"
"I…don't really know" Daiyousei then turned toward the forest below, pulling her face into a light frown.
A moment of silence passed between the two. Daiyousei eyes wavered between her friend and the forest. She knew how much her friend was fond of the lake, even if it did not appear obvious. Before she could mutter her encouragement though, Cirno's eyes seemed to sparkle.
"Let's explore! We have never seen this forest before; we have to claim it before others! Wahaha." Releasing her hands that were clinging to her friend, Cirno spread her wings and arms wide, trying to appear big and authoritative.
"Cirno-chan, I don't think that is a good…"
"Don't worry Dai-chan. I am after all the strongest! Let's go!"
"Fue?!" Letting her rather cute voice slipped after she was dragged unilaterally by Cirno, the more sensible fairy let out a sigh.
With a tiny gasp, the black haired girl spun around for the umpteenth time. Her eyes darted around restlessly toward a certain direction.
"What is wrong Mizuki?" A cheery voice called her out from behind.
"It is nothing." The girl turned to face the man who called her out.
"There is no way it is nothing. You have been on edge for the past hour. If there is anything, you can tell papa you know." A man of average height closed in with worry clear in his eyes. Finally stopping near her, he bended down slightly to match her height and craned his neck in the direction she was facing.
"Mizuki is as reserve as always. Mom and dad are troubled you know. You don't rely on us all that much. Would it hurt to at least let us help?" Another lady with black hair and gentle eyes slightly adjusted her backpack before coming to her daughter side.
"…I don't know…I feel…I don't know how to explain…strange."
"Strange? Do you feel anything, dear?" His slightly narrowed eyes scanned the surrounding.
"Not really…Mizuki, do your eyes feel differently?" The woman pondered before focusing her attention at Mizuki.
"Is that so? We just bought these glasses not so long ago. The doctor said that it should hold up for a long time…"
"I don't think that there is anything wrong with my glasses, but…I might just be anxious."
"Oh, I understand! Aren't you cute? My little daughter is anxious for our family outing in a long time." The man chuckled.
"That's true. It really has been a while since the last time we get to spend quality time together."
"It is pretty much the reason that this trip is quite elaborate. I picked the place with great view. I hope you can relax and enjoy it, Mizuki."
"Yatsugatake-Chuushin Kougen Quasi-National Park, is it? It was quite a distance from our home, but I guess it was worth it. I heard that lava plateau is a sight to see."
"Hahaha! Good taste, isn't it...ouch" His boast was interrupted by an accurate chop to the head. The man rubbed his wound comically.
"You are getting ahead of yourself." His wife quipped with mock stern eyes.
Mizuki looked on warmly at her parents loving relationship. She would also like to one day be in a relationship like them.
"By the way, the food is ready. Just so you know."
"Ara, you sure you did not burn anything?"
"Wah, that rude?! I am rather skillful with cooking out." The only response he got was a collective laughter from his family.
The family leisurely made their way toward the campfire and the source of the scent that tantalizingly whet up their appetite. Grilled salted fish seemed to be on the menu. Following the boisterous "itadakimasu" cry of her father with her softer version, she dug in. Her thought that was wandering for the source of her unease melted from the salty and slightly seasoned meal.
After their meal, the happy family decided to turn in early. The fatigue from their road trip and hiking finally caught up to them as the husband and wife collapsed like logs. The only person awake in their tent large tent was Mizuki.
The feeling that was plaguing Mizuki since the evening did not disappear and when she finally had some privacy in her own mind without any disturbance, the sense came back in full force. Since the last time she remembered, it was even closer to her this time around. However, rather than unease from the unexplainable feeling being closer, she actually felt much more relaxed. She did not feel anything other than that there was something there earlier, but she now got a clearly impression. The feeling she was receiving somehow could only be explained by the girl as innocence and bottomless energy.
Curious as to what could possibly radiate such feeling or if she was going to lose her mind, Mizuki rose and steeled herself. Slowly unzipped the tent, she slipped out silently and was greeted with the flat ground illuminated by moonlight and dotted sparsely by other tents. She panned her vision around, looking for something that could be the source of her feeling.
She finally stopped to look at the forest bordering the campsite. Mizuki could not explain the sensation, but she seemed to be compelled to go toward that direction. She was curious, terribly curious and had to see it for herself. The petite girl went back into the tent for flashlight and her feet started to carry her closer to the forest.
Normally, Mizuki was never a person to be reckless, but it seems that for the person with high pushion sensitivity were quite susceptible for their feelings to be influenced by the aura, especially from the true creature of magic such as fairies. However, Mizuki would not come to know of that fact until later.
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I would greatly appreciate it if everyone read the author's note and give me some feedback on my writing.
I just found out that I actually enjoyed rereading my own story. It has been a while since I started it, so early chapter started to fade from my mind. However, all the fun things aside, I found that the quality of my writing dropped quite a little bit and I found it harder to acquire idea. I will tell everyone that I am quite sorry for this, but I will try harder.
I will NOT rewrite this story just yet. Actually, not in any foreseeable future as the thing I hate the most in fanfiction is the feeling when the author decides to rewrite story. I am not blaming them for wanting to rewrite, but sometimes it is quite frustrating to have to wait for a LONG time until you can get your continuation to the story. I don't want to do this to any of you guys who read my fic, so yay, NO REWRITE.