The Shrine of Gensokyo:
Chapter 11: Of Miracles, Faith and Darkness
..
Author's Notes: First of all, my greatest apologizes for being, away.. so to speak. I was being demoralized by the sequel of this story and it kinda dragged on till I didn't even bother updating or checking the accounts. Needless to say, the lack of reviews did affect my mood on that.
Secondly, in that period, i was working periodically as well as handling IRL stuff, you can't blame me for that too much, but still, my apologizes.
Thirdly, I am currently working on another project of mine, a Sound Mystery Novel that I am scripting and coding, so it's taking lots of my time.
Right here, I'll be glad to openly ask for beta-readers and reviewers on that particular project. Drop me a pm if you're interested.
For those that are not interested, there's the usual. Double the volume, double the, emotional factor and double the insanity and miracles.
Enjoy,
Regards,
wrathie Winsre Syire.
--
--
--
--
[…]
There is a saying, or a scientific saying that a child told me once before: When you wake up after the dream just ended, or you were waken up in the middle of the dream, you can remember what the dream is vaguely for a few minutes before everything will be forgotten again.
I dreamt of a simple day at the Hakurei Shrine… just a simple, casual day that I would have at home…
Drinking tea, I lazed around at the first few steps of the shrine, staring up at the sky while beside me, Suika just uttered that she was bored repeatedly.
It feels so nostalgic that I just felt overwhelmed just sitting there and I looked around and took a hard look at myself.
Raising my hands, I saw that my sleeves were not attached to my outfit and I blushed, feeling the my kimono top brush against my bare bosoms and I clutched my chest hurriedly.
[….]
I was not wearing a sarashii and I hurriedly stop up, only to be pulled down by Suika.
..
..
[Reimu~ where are you going?]
[Ahh… I'm going to my room for a bit…]
[Then, could you get me some crackers?]
[Of course.]
Smiling, I nodded to her and she released me, allowing me to go my way.
..
..
[Reimu! Marisa is coming later!!]
As I pulled the sliding doors away, I heard Suika call and I felt my heart skip a beat, butterflies magically appearing in my stomach.
[… s-sure…]
..
..
Perhaps this time I would be able to fully see who Marisa is…
..
..
Stepping out of my geta, I set foot on the tatami mats and brushed myself off before looking around me. The room was just the same as mine and I just smiled, knowing that this really was my room, in the past and right now.
Running towards the room where I knew I had a mirror in my room, I was greeted with nothing more than a barrel of water and I slapped myself in annoyance at that sight.
[… oh yes… Gensokyo doesn't have modern technology…]
But the barrel of water will have to do and I walked towards it, nervous in what I would see.
[Ah…]
..
..
Giving a small cry of surprise at what I was greeted with: a young girl with long black hair that stretched to the middle of my back as I did a half-turn to see myself for the first time.
Running my fingers through my hair, I touched the big red ribbon that decorated the back of my head and I blushed, unable to believe I had the capabilities to wear something so cute so flawlessly. The ribbon was red in color and was laced with white laces at the end.
The dress that I wore resembled that of my shrine maiden outfit, but the kimono top was modified to be sleeveless and was laced with laces as well.
The detachable sleeves, which I knew was white was covered in details that I had not noticed before.
Lining the interior was a red ribbon which made the sleeves stay in position and acted as another decorative accessory with the red ribbons sewed on to each side of the sleeves in the already very flashy outfit.
On the front of my red-white top, was a yellow bow and although it clashes with the long red hakama pants that I was wearing, I looked very adorable… and… very familiar.
It felt right somehow, that I was wearing this clothes and I smiled as I touched my chest and prayed, prayed to the spirits for giving me the chance to see myself once more, the past me.
[… oh my…]
Giving another cry of surprise when I turned, I felt a little naked without my sarashii and I was uncomfortable with the fact that my shoulders were revealed and I clutched myself nervously, not wanting to let too much of my skin be exposed to air.
Perhaps, I was embarrassed if I meet with another member of the opposite gender and so I gingerly touched my own skin.
..
..
..
[…]
This was unfamiliar with me, the flashy dress, the flashy colors and the revealing state of my attire…
The color of red and white was favorable with Shrine Maidens but I am not comfortable with such colors, preferring to wear a blue or a black one, like one I am wearing now.
Being a girl, I am usually expected to wear more colorful colors but…my teacher's teachings must have sank inside me as I liked duller colors more preferred by men.
It made me seem more humble and insignificant as I do not like to stand out in a crowd…. Therefore, I was pleasantly surprised when Sakuya laid a red and white shrine Maiden outfit for me.
[….]
Slowly I stepped to my room and rummaged in one of the drawers for my sarashii and I quickly found it at the same place I placed it in my own room and I took it out.
[….]
Slipping my sleeves off me and slowly undressing myself, I felt very vulnerable as I looked all around the room, hoping that no one would barge in at the moment before I slipped the whole dress off and shivering with almost all of my whole body being exposed to the air so suddenly.
Reaching into another drawer where I would normally place my own personal mirror, I found a small copper plate and I took it out to use as a mirror.
The copper color reflected myself in such a weird fashion that I had to laugh at myself, naked and all in my room with my sarashii placed in front of me.
..
..
..
[REMIU! MARISA IS HERE!]
[AHH!]
Giving a small shriek when I saw Suika's shadow appear on the paper walls, I grabbed my top and tried desperately to put it on again, anything is better than being caught naked.
[Ahh… give me a moment, I am changing!!]
[Kay~~~]
Seeing Suika's form retreat, I breathed a sigh of relief and allowed the dress to drop before picking up my sarashii and started to bind my chest.
[… It's easier now…]
Laughing bitterly that I was perhaps a little lesser endowed as I am in the future, I turned and was about to put on my dress when the paper door slid open.
[!!!!]
Greeting me with a smile was a blonde witch and I…
..
..
..
..
[?]
Breaking out of my slumber, I shook my head to regain my bearings and I said a small prayer when I saw that the barrier was still intact.
[Ahh… the both of you are still here…]
Smiling at the two little fairies that were still floating above me, I reached out to touch them and to my pleasant surprise, they clutched on to my fingers and started pulling on it urgently.
[Y-yes… is there something wrong?]
Sensing the goodwill behind her(?) actions, I closed my eyes and prayed softly, trying to allow her to merge with my consciousness while lending me some of her strength.
..
..
[Spirits, tiny as you are… grant strength to me… and let me lend some of mine to you… let me hear your voice…]
..
..
Prayers are a funny thing, the words does that truly matter, what matters is your state of mind and how strong is your faith at the moment of praying.
The only notable ones are incantations, which are not truly prayers as they summon spirits or specific amulets that would lend the strength to me.
As I retreated inside myself, I could feel the tiny heartbeat of the tiny fairy and my pulse quickened tremendously when I sensed that I was succeeding and I smiled internally at the little fairies' emotions.
There were remarkably like a child, full of inquisitiveness and energy that I just felt so at ease with her, it might be a trick to make me feel comfortable but regardless of that, I still felt that I can trust this little spirit. She reminds me of Cirno, very innocent and very cheerful but now the cheerfulness was clouded over by fear, fear of something that is ahead.
..
..
[… you're afraid, aren't you…]
Getting up, I pulled out my gohei and I shattered the thin barrier in front of me, despite the tugging of the two fairies.
[I know you want me to be safe inside the barrier, but other people might be hurt if I don't do something…]
Patting their little heads, I raised the gohei in front of me before taking off into the air, heading into the forested area in front of me.
Night had fallen while I was asleep and I sighed, knowing that I had wasted lots of time trying to rest and then it struck me.
My injuries were all gone, the long scar that should be there as a result of the bite I had suffered was no longer present and even the bite injury on my neck was nonexistent. It was as if someone had just erased that part of me away as I touched it, trying to believe that it is real.
..
..
[I definitely was attacked and bitten… so… why?]
Landing on a small branch, I thought about it for a moment before I came to the conclusion that the blood transfusion had indeed done something to my body.
[Perhaps, I am half-youkai now…]
Shrugging, I did a small prayer before I took off again. My eyes were much better suited to seeing in the dark now and I just flew deeper and deeper into the forest, following a small road that I assumed was leading me right into the human village.
[Ara… what could that be…]
Smelling something cooking, I stopped and blushed when my stomach, instead of my brain responded and made soft growling noises, I clutched my stomach in a desperate bid to stop her from growling anymore.
..
..
[now… that's…]
Trying to hide my embarrassment as the tiny fairies, who were struggling to follow me, crowd around my stomach and looked up at me with a puzzled look on their faces.
Looking away from them, I was tempted to come up with an excuse to take off but I felt responsible for those two now and so I scooped them up in my arms and flew towards the smell, trying not to salivate as I did so.
[Oh spirits, do forgive me for being such a glutton…]
..
..
[… why… what's this…]
Landing on the floor a few feet away from the source of the smell, I took a hard look at it and tilted my head in surprise…
[A… cart?]
Looking confused at the small cart that was parked at the side of the road, I tentatively walked towards it as I tried to recall what it is meant for.
I have seen plenty of food-carts when the Hakurei Shrine holds the annual festival but I had never seen something so antique and worn out as this…
Approaching the small cart, I was greeted with the smell of grilled meat and I felt my mouth water.
[Ahh!! No..!!]
Being tempted so easily was a sin and I slapped my cheeks angrily, trying to shake myself free of the temptation.
[Welcome~~~]
As if by magic, a girl popped up in front of me and I jumped in fright.
[What will be your order~~?]
..
..
The most noticeable difference from a normal human is that she has ears that were like owls, all feathery and that her hair was a dull pink, a color that is not natural for a human. She had wings, bird like and tiny from the back of her body and she was dressed in a small brown dress with white sleeves. It made her look like an oriental maid and I smiled slightly.
Her grey eyes stared at me while I just bit and licked my lips, trying to form a sentence to refuse her offer when my stomach betrayed me.
..
..
[~~~]
[Ahh~~ You are hungry~~ Have a seat~~]
In a sing-song voice, she floated out of the stall quite literally and pulled a chair out for me.
Fluttering her bird like wings, she took off her hat and offered the seat to me while bowing deeply.
[Come~~ Have a seat~~~~]
Still in that sing-song voice, she smiled sweetly at me and I really had no other option but to take the seat offered while smiling at her.
[T-Thank you… Miss…]
[~~ I am Mystia~~ Mystia Lorelai~~~]
Singing as she flew back to the stall, her wings flapping silently behind her, I watched as she started grilling the pieces of meat on top of the fire that was inside the small food-cart.
..
..
The fire was contained, thankfully and I for the first time, found life might be quite unbearable without technology. The gas-stove that I used to cook rice and miso soup seems so important to me now as well as the lights that surrounded me all night were gone.
The darkness unnerves me and I unwillingly pressed against my arm a little too hard till a small hand tugged at me sleeves.
..
..
[Oh… t-thank you…]
Clapping my hands together, I apologized to the spirits and at the same time, prayed for the Great Hakurei Spirit to allow me a day to indulge myself in eating meat.
[…]
Ending the prayer, I looked up to see Mystia holding up a pair of sticks and I just stared at her.
[One~ or two~~]
Smiling happily, I could only just stare at her for a moment before I swallowed and replied nervously
[T-Two please…]
[Hai~ Hai~~]
Along with her sing-song voice, I saw her place the sticks on a piece of paper before passing it to me and holding up a bottle of sauce.
[Sauce~~]
[I-Is it… vegetarian?]
[Vegetarian~~?]
[You know… made of only plants…]
[…]
Looking at the bottle, Mystia paused for a while before putting it down.
[I don't know~~ So you won't want it~~]
Singing again, Mystia seemed to be going to cook another pair of sticks before I called out to her again, stopping her in mid-flight.
Fluttering her wings, Mystia turned and smiled at me, her feet hovering above the flower dangerously.
[D-Do you have anything for the both of them?]
Pointing to the two spirits that were sitting on my shoulder, Mystia seemed surprised at that as her grey eyes opened wide and she floated over to me.
..
...
..
[Are you sure~~ Youkai don't need to eat~~~ And.. are you sure~~~ that those youkai~~~ are following you~~~]
Pointing at the two little fairies, Mystia flew closer to me and the Spirits just pulled more of my kimono top to cover themselves with as she approached.
[I'm sure… could you just serve a little bit of meat for them?]
[~~ if you are sure~~ yes~~]
Smiling, Mystia turned her back at me before going towards the small fire again.
[… Don't be afraid… now, sit beside me…]
..
..
Patting their heads, I smiled at the two fairies who just clung on to my arm. This two are unlike other fairies who are vicious and mean to people, some other fairies that I have seen are perhaps as tranquil and non-aggressive then they are but they never showed any emotion, they were like beasts, floating around and trying to find food.
Rule of thumb, never bother spirits/youkai and they won't bother you…
But these two, are simply like small kids hugging their mother and I gently caressed them. Arriving in Gensokyo, Suika told me that Gensokyo was in trouble and that the youkai were striking back at humans for attacking them.
But now, it seems like the situation has calmed down after I arrived here…
Miss Knowledge's probe and conclusion after the search was that the Situation did in fact worsened a few days before I arrived, or came back and it had reparably turned better after my arrival.
..
..
[Although, I cannot fully and a hundred percent certain that you are the direct cause, whether conscious or unconsciously making that happen, or it is a result of your selfless actions or a result of that a little later, what I can gather is that… the incident is no doubt, linked or has something to do with you, Hakurei Reimu. The end of the trail leads to you, and to no one else. If there is a world-defining occurrence, then the fact that you, Hakurei Reimu has returned is world-defining and world shattering in a sense.]
..
..
Am I truly saving Gensokyo just by being here? Or is that due my actions that Gensokyo is saved?
[~Here you go~]
Breaking my train of thoughts, Mystia served the small plate to me and I smiled and thanked her for the meal before as I clapped my hands together for a small prayer.
[Thank you for the meal~]
Taking out my pair of chopsticks, I took a piece of meat and held it in front of one little fairy, who looked at it as if it was a toy.
[… no, you eat it.]
Shaking my head as she headbutted it, I took the piece of meat before popping it in my mouth.
[See~ like this…]
Smiling and laughing as the two little fairies nodded their little head, I took another piece of meat to feed the both of them and they chewed energetically.
..
..
Almost too energetically as after a minute they were still chewing.
[Swallow! Swallow!]
Waving my hands in front of me, I breathed a sigh of relief as they swallowed and flew around me happily.
[Is it nice…?]
[~~ Youkai can't really taste taste~~~ Unless they are in human form~~]
[… is that so…]
Mystia, still smiling, offered me a cup of tea before telling me that small bit of information.
..
..
[~they are lesser fairies~~ so they can't taste~~ but~~ it's the first time~~ I've seen fairies that behaved like us~~]
Clapping her hands together, Mystia took a sip of tea while fanning herself. It must be hot to cook food and I asked her for her recipe.
[… it's…. chicken?]
[!! ~~NOOOOOOOOO~~ I am a Night-Sparrow Youkai~~~ Eating Birds are not nice~~~]
Giving a small shriek but ending with a nice, casual voice, Mystia shrugged it off before smiling at me and pulling away some of the blinds of her food cart.
[~~ I open a Lamprey Stand~~~ The other Yakitori stand is gone~~~ so I am happy~~]
..
..
Fluttering in and out of her small food cart, Mystia sang happily before she dived back into her food cart, rummaging for something.
[Here, have another bite~]
Feeding the two small fairies made me feel very happy and I continued to feed them till the small plate of meat was totally finished and by then, Mystia came back with something surprising in her hands.
[~~~ I shall sing a song for you~~]
It was a wireless microphone and as I gawked at it, surprised at it's existence, Mystia pulled a couple of ropes energetically to open a couple of flaps in the foodcart.
..
..
[~Pettan~ Pettan~~ Pettan~~]
..
..
Singing softly to me, I just stared at her singing with the microphone before interrupting her.
[Erm… h-how did you get that?]
[~This? It is weird~~ the gap~~ youkai~~ gave~~ it to me~~ Pettan~~ Pettan~]
[…]
Racking my brains for the name of the gap youkai, which I am sure I knew, I enjoyed the song and drank some water as the fairies just sat on my shoulder, fluttering their wings slowly as they did so.
..
..
[Pettan~ Pettan~ tsurupettan~]
[Pettan, Pettan~ mochipettan~~]
[Flat~~ flat~~ smooth and flat~~]
[Today I'll sneakily hide in the trees again~~ and keep stalking Reimu!! (Stalking!!)~~
I'll wait~~ and steal some of the bean buns and sacred wines from the offerings~~
The little girl who throws parties every three days~~~ is actually a really heavy drinker~~
She sticks out her arms when she runs~~, is she going for the cute look~~?]
Author's Note: You should know what song it is by now ;
..
..
Coughing at the lyrics, I just stared at Mystia who kept singing to herself, oblivious to the fact that I, Hakurei Reimu was sitting in front of her.
[Kyou mo haigo ni ashioto hitahita~~~ Oyashiro-sama ga stalking!! (Stalking!!)~~
Tatari ni shissou~~ ikenie~~ goumon~~ oni kakushi tte tsumamigui?~~]
..
..
The more I listened to her song, the more confused I am, and rightly so as her lyrics does not make sense to me…
[Flat, flat, smooth and flat
Flat, flat, smooth and flat
Flat, flat, flat as a pancake
Flat, flat, flat-chested (Lets go!) ]
[Pettan, pettan, tsurupettan
Pettan, pettan, harupittan
Pettan, pettan, mochipettan
Pettan, pettan, mune pettan (hai hai) ]
..
..
[??]
The two of them, who were resting beside me suddenly tugged at my sleeves and I looked down at the two fairies, who were looking all around me in fear.
[? What's wrong?]
Clapping my hands together, I prayed softly as I tried to understand what they are feeling right now.
[You're afraid? Why are you afraid?]
Looking all around me, I tilted my head in confusion as I did not see any threats around me.
[… but… it sure got dark all of a sudden…]
Noticing that night has befallen so quickly, I raised an eyebrow at the lack of lights in the resident area and I started to pray.
[… You wouldn't mind if I turn on some lights… would you, Mystia?]
Asking her, I waited for a response as Mystia just sang on happily, totally ignoring me.
..
..
[Mystia… I'll take that as a yes?]
Clapping my hands together, I decided to call some spirits down anyway, light is important and it may help people to see that a stall is right here and would light their way back home.
..
[Spirits of the forest… listen to my call… please, answer my call… my selfish request…]
..
Praying softly, I felt my body turn lighter and as I looked at my hand, I saw that it was oozing light and glowing, something that should not happen.
Perhaps, the spirits were manifesting inside me as I prayed, something that might actually be true.
..
[Let there be light… light for the little children, light for the lost souls… light that will chase away the darkness… please, grant my selfish wish… ]
..
I wonder at times, why does the spirits answer my call, my wishes for their strength and… what are the price I have to pay when praying for strength.
But, my answer is always answered unwittingly by myself.
[…]
When I did not know, but Mystia stopped singing some time after I started praying and was staring at me, her eyes wide in surprise and her wings barely flapping to keep her aloft.
[… Thank you… for your strength…]
..
..
Ending the small prayer, I knew why they lent me their strength; they gain strength from me spiritually when I asked for strength from them. In a very technologically term, we are perhaps partners, we help each other as we go along.
[There… now it is lighter now… right?]
Smiling, I patted the two fairies' head softly to reassure them. For now, I must take care of those two for as long as they wish. I feel sort of attached to them now, seeing how they showed me the vision when I was at the Shrine.
[W-Who are you…]
Inching away from me, with her whole body frozen in a position that made her look extremely silly, Mystia swallowed when my eyes met with her.
[I… I've never seen a human like you… coming with a spirit… being able to see in my darkness inducing spell…. W-who are you!!]
Trembling in fright, Mystia raised a few lamprey sticks up defensively before brandishing them like a lance in my general direction.
..
..
..
[Don't come nearer!! I… I…]
[I would… like you to sing more…]
[?]
Smiling as I raised my glass, I clapped my hands softly but it made a profound effect on Mystia as she magically stopped shivering and just stared at me.
[R-Really?]
[You have a beautiful voice… can I hear more?]
[You… really want me to sing… Seriously… I… I…]
[Yes, please do…]
[A-Alright!! I Will! Please listen well!]
Regaining her energy, Mystia dropped the lamprey sticks and grabbed the microphone again.
..
..
[If… you want me to stop… I-I'm fine…]
[No please do… your voice, it's amazing…]
Continuing my applause, I cheered as she smiled shyly at me and started singing.
..
..
[Zenbu aishi te hoshii no
Zutto taisetsu ni shite hoshii no
Gyutto dakishimete hoshii no
Watashi tachi o o, yo, me, ni, shi, na, sa, i ]
[Zenshinzenrei de
"Musou Fuuin!"
Shuuchuu houka
"Misshingupawa~!"
Hanatsu kara
"Masuta~supa~ku!"
U~ke~to~me~, te! ]
[Some ta hoho wa anata no sei da yo
Betsuni samasa nakutemo ii kedo
Koi no tenshi yukue fumei demo
Koakuma, wa, i, ru, yo~ ]
..
..
[Amazing…]
As she sang, I clapped along to her song, as silly as it may seem but I still enjoyed myself, hearing her sing and as I did, I allowed her music to saturate my soul, if it is possible as I felt the emotions that were coming from her as she sang.
Songs, are perhaps a form of prayer as well as it makes others around you experience what the singer is trying to convey.
[There you go, Mystia!]
Hearing another voice appear beside me, I saw another girl, this time unmistakably youkai, fly up behind me.
Her unmistakable teal hair and the protruding feelers made it certain to me that was a insect youkai but what insect I am not certain.
Tucking her shirt in, she took a seat beside me before smiling at me, her blue eyes sparkling in the dim light that surrounded the foodcart.
..
..
[Yo!]
Waving at Mystia, who had stopped her song and was staring at her she urged her to continue before whispering to me.
[That Mystia, she's a good singer but she always get rejected due to her powers. Thanks for boosting her confidence for me.]
Smiling, she offered a hand to me before introducing herself.
[I am the princess of insects, Wriggle. Wriggle Nightbug, nice to meet you, human.]
Grinning, Wriggle flew into the foodcart and poured herself a drink before deciding to listen to Mystia perform.
With the insect queen beside me, I twitched uncomfortably but I still listened to Mystia and her amazing vocals.
..
..
[Rasuto superu kuchidukete
Namida afuredashite kirameku no
Kiseki hikari tsutsumarete
Motto mirai wa yasashiku nareru ]
[Mune no kodou genkai yo
Chotto dounika natte shimau no
Gyutto dakishimete hoshii no
Watashi tachi o o, yo, me, ni, shi, na, sa, i~]
[Zenshinzenrei de
"Hakurei Gen'ei!"
Shuuchuu houka
"Hyakuman Oni Yakou!"
Hanatsu kara
"Fainarusupa~ku!"
U~ke~to~me~te~
Shi~n~de~!! ]
..
..
Ending her song, Mystia blushed when the both of us clapped vigorously to award her performance.
[You're amazing, Mystia!]
[Told'cha you can do it, Mischi!]
Grinning happily as she banged the counter for an encore, Wriggle nudged me to do the same and I happily obliged as Mystia's voice is truly worthy of my admiration and so, I clapped and asked for an encore along with Wriggle.
..
[Oh no... ~~~ I… ~~~]
Returning to her sing-song accent, Mystia blushed as she looked away from us. I could have sworn I see smoke coming out of her ears as she hid her face by burying it in her small hands.
Her naturally white complexion made her blush all that more striking and I giggled to myself at how adorable that little girl is when she is embarrassed.
[~~ But~~ Wriggle~~ Why did you come~~~ you normally~~ wouldn't~~~ find me~~~]
[Yea well~]
Resting her head on the foodcart, Wriggle grinned as she just rested one leg on the counter, barely inches away from me and I raised an eyebrow in disgust.
It would never do for a little girl like her to do that but she was wearing pants, which made her a little tomboyish and I stopped myself, deciding that I would lecture her perhaps a little later on.
..
..
[I heard someone calling for me… it was like, someone asking for help… so I just flew over to help~ I can't explain it! It has been a long time since someone summoned me!!]
Looking up at the night sky, Wriggle smiled as she explained.
[I… heard someone asking for light so I just came… ha ha~ Mystia, you don't get it do you!]
I kept quiet throughout the whole exchange. Judging from what I had heard, I might be the one that had summoned Wriggle here, she being a firefly, she would illuminate the nightsky for sure… perhaps that is why she is here?
[I don't get it either…]
Shrugging, Mystia smiled nonetheless when Mystia flew over to sit beside her. The both of them appeared to be friends and they chatted happily for a while, with Wriggle being constantly frustrated with the lack of seriousness in Mystia's voice.
[~~ Wriggle doesn't get it~~ Lamprey is good~~ It keeps your eyes~~~ healthy~~]
Flapping her wings happily, Wystia was engaging in a vicious argument with Wriggle about lamprey when she suddenly flew to sit to the other side of my seat and peering at my face, letting Wriggle to sit beside me.
[~~ What do you~~ think, human?~~~~]
[Yea, what cha think, bout lamprey and all of that!]
Nudging me, Wriggle and Mystia both waited for my response, their eyes sparking with anticipation while I just simply licked my lips and thought to myself.
It seemed to be such a simple question that I feared that there might be a catch, perhaps I was putting too much thought into this little question posed to me.
[I think… lamprey is nice…]
[TOLD YOU!]
Slapping her back, Mystia giggled and stuck out a tongue at the defeated Wriggle, who simply just shook her head in disbelief. Her feelers tickled me as they brushed against my skin and I had to stop myself from grabbing them in response; just like a little kid and I blushed, chiding myself for being so childish.
[But… as I am mostly vegetarian by nature… I'm not that sure how other dishes taste…]
Admitting, I smiled apologetically when it was Wriggle's turn to scoff and stick a tongue out at Mystia, who was now tugging my sleeves while moaning for me to say that I was lying.
But, a Shrine Maiden does not lie and I shook my head, much to Mystia's despair.
..
..
[Admit defeat, Mystia!! WAHAHA!!]
Laughing happily at Mystia's expense, Wriggle dodged a dive from Mystia before the two of them flew up above the small Foodcart and started darting about in the air a few foot away from me.
Standing up, I looked up to see their flight, an aerial tag and hide-and-seek all rolled into one. It seemed like a game, what with the darting green glow that was Wriggle being chased by the purple visage that was Mystia daring about in the night sky, most of their forms hidden by the darkness.
It was a very beautiful and mesmerizing sight, as with many such sights I have seen when I returned to Gensokyo.
I say this now, 'returned' as opposed to 'arrive' in that I am certain now, certain that I had lived a portion of my life here. I had at first rejected it, thinking it to be too unbelievable and incredible for that to happen to me, a normal shrine maiden of the Shrine but gradually, I had my suspicions about this fact and now, I have embraced it. The smell and scent of Gensokyo was familiar to me and I nodded to myself, knowing that I, Hakurei Reimu made the right choice to come back.
..
..
[Say… who are you, Human… I've never seen one like you…]
[~~~ Me too~~ I've never seen~~ Fairies follow you~~ like that~~ they are~~ clever~~ like us~~]
Sitting beside me after the both of them had tired themselves out, I served some tea for them, using some tealeaves I had found in the small Foodcart and had entertained them as well as I can while bending down in the small cart.
[~~ She is not~~ Afraid of my darkness~~ Spell~~ or my madness~~ Inducing song~~~ she's~~ kind~~ and~~~ powerful~~~]
[you're the one who called me here…right? Human, you're amazing!]
Bowing to them in thanks, I wondered why they did not see through me and as I brushed a hand through my hair carelessly, it struck me. I was not wearing my ribbon and in the dim light, the darkness had masked the red-color of my shrine-outfit, thus making it look a different color.
Swallowing nervously, I bowed to them and muttered softly, wishing at the same time that they wouldn't run off.
..
..
..
[R-Reimu… Hakurei Reimu…]
[…]
[…]
For a brief moment, the two youkai just sat there, their smile still present before their heads slowly turned towards one another and their smiles were instantly wiped away.
[!!!]
[!!!]
Taking into the air, the two of them pointed an accusing finger at me as they slowly edged away from me as I slowly stepped out of the foodcart, both my hands placed at my side.
..
..
[Y-You youkai exterminator!]
[LIAR!! LIAR!!]
[P-Please… I… I just…]
Shaking my head, I struggled to come up with something that would persuade them to trust me but I could find none, even unearthing all the possibilities in my mind.
It was quite true that I was a youkai exterminator and I simply paused before allowing my shoulders to drop down in disappointment.
Perhaps, there are bridges that I still cannot bridge… even if the spirits were to accept me…
Drowning myself in such unhappy and hopeless thoughts, I was brought back to reality when the two little youkai called out to me.
..
..
..
[Hey! Reimu!]
[… y-yes?]
My expression must have displayed hope as Wriggle paused, her eyes wide open as she stared at me for a moment before she grinned, placed a hand on her hip and flew down in front of me, with no ill intent what so ever as she held her hands out in welcome.
[You're welcome here, as long as you don't hurt the foodcart and listen to Mystia sing, alright?]
[A-Alright… b-but how…]
My voice trembling, I took the hand Wriggle offered before looking towards Mystia, who was sighing at the two little fairies that from just now, were still hanging around me and the realization struck me like a ton of bricks.
[T-They couldn't have…]
[They did, now, let's party!]
Still grinning widely, she slapped my back and the three of us, or rather the five of us sat down at the stall and started drinking tea.
..
..
..
..
[Hmm… do we feel any different, you say?]
Chugging tea, Wriggle had a confused expression on her face as I asked her. The three of us, after introducing ourselves yet again, had spend a lovely evening chatting about things, random, casual things that they do.
I shared my experience as a Shrine Maiden to them and they listened intently, too intently I might add as Mystia for a moment, said she wanted to convert to the religion when Wriggle pointed out that I had probably prayed to her once in my multitude of prayers over the years.
[… hmm~~]
Pulling on her own feelers, Wriggle rubbed her chin for a moment before she answered me.
[… I haven't been affected, I didn't change.]
[~~ Me too~~~ nothing has changed~~~ for me~~]
[… Is… that so…]
After making friends with the two youkai, I was expecting a lead, anything at all to advance the case, but it seems as if my wish was not granted after all.
Asking the both of them seemed to be a logical way to grasp any information at all about the wild youkai, for a lack of better word and about any recent commotion among them.
..
..
[But… if you are saying about a few months ago… then yes, there has been a change….]
Biting her lip, Wriggle leaned over to Mystia and whispered something to her and all of a sudden, Mystia's face turn just slightly sterner and I too, paid attention to what they were about to say.
[A few months ago, the magic around us started becoming weaker and weaker.]
Relating her story to me, Wriggle raised her hand up and created a orb of light to better illustrate of me, something I had not expected that the little youkai would be capable of.
[We are magic, you know? We are made of magic!]
[~~ That's right~~ Most of what we are are magic~~~ Without magic, we are not youkai~~]
[A Loooong time ago, before Reimu was born, the magic was just a bit stronger… it's weaker now. But it's fine~ We are used to that.]
[~~ yes we are, yes we are!~~ but! That changed!!]
[changed? You mean magic?]
[yes~~ yes~~ Magic started disappearing~~ we felt weaker~~ and we… Wriggle and I didn't feel well~~]
[The only one who was fine was Rumia-chan, but she hide herself because her darkness power were disappearing too…]
[…. Rumia…]
..
..
Reminded of that child youkai, I shivered for a moment but Wriggle's words brought me out of that in a hurry when she explained.
[Youkai~ are magic.]
[~We are magic~ but Mystia, Me, is a night sparrow with LOTS of magic~ Wriggle is a firefly with Magic!]
[Without magic, we will be normal night sparrows and a firefly.]
Nodding her head in conclusion, Wriggle then turned to the small fairies and pointing at them.
[They will be gone.]
..
..
When the fairies nodded to her and started to fly around us, Wriggle nudged Mystia and Mystia hurriedly added on, waving her hands up and down in elaboration.
[~~ Rumia will be darkness~]
[…. Does… all youkai… have the same weakness?]
[yes! Even elder youkai is magic, if all magic is gone, they will turn back to who they are.]
[MM~~ They will slowly~~ turn back~~]
[… D-did something like that happen???]
Cutting their story short, Wriggle and Mystia explained that they were fine because a few days ago, when it seemed like magic was going to be weaker and weaker, it was suddenly restored.
[Mm~~ There was like, a big bang!]
[~~BIG BANG~~]
[yes, mystia, Big bang!]
[BIG BANG~~~]
[And magic turned back to normal…]
[…]
Reflecting on their extremely interesting narrative, I closed my eyes and prayed while searching inside me.
..
..
Magic… what is magic?
I… don't quite believe in magic but I do believe in spiritual power, the 'chi' the flows inside me… perhaps, that's magic?
..
..
[… Bless the spirits… Thank goodness the both of you weren't hurt…]
[If anyone was gong to be hurt, humans will be hurt before us!]
[~~That's right~~ we can fly! Humans can't! The elder youkai~~ will go on a rampage~~ and people will die~~]
Mystia never even flinched she mentioned such a disaster and I prayed for forgiveness on her behalf, closing my eyes as I did so.
[~~ Reimu~~ Elder youkai are scary! Without magic, they will go mad!]
[Not mad, Mystia! They will lose intelligence!!]
[Intelligence?]
..
..
Nodding her head, Wriggle elaborated again.
[yes, yes!! They will not listen to anyone!! They will be really dumb!! Heh~~]
[… that's not intelligence… that's rationality…]
[What's that?]
Tugging my sleeves, the two little youkai questioned me and I straightened my clothes out before starting to explain.
[Well, rationality is what makes us us! It is who we are, the ability to think and make decisions…]
[Make decisions?]
[Yes! Intelligence is making decisions that are appropriate.]
[Yes, I understand that.]
..
..
Crossing her arms, Wriggle nodded to herself even as Mystia still had question marks over her head, there is such a big difference between them that I could not help but ruffle a hand through Mystia's pale grey hair.
[Rationality is choosing to make decisions in a smart manner so that it causes the least harm and is mainly focused on one's ethics. If a person is not rational, he will do things like put his life in danger and so on!]
Explaining patiently to the two little youkai, I feel like I was reliving my life as a teacher of small students as the two of them nodded their head eagerly at me.
[I understand that…]
[But, will youkai do that? Does youkai have rationality??]
Once again, it was Mystia who posed the question but this time, it was the right question and I scratched my head as I tried to think about that in a youkai's point of view.
[…. Hmmm… I'm not sure…]
[Youkai are not human, human is not youkai~ no one will know whether youkai have rationality!! Youkai and Human rationality might be different~~]
..
..
That sentence was like a ton of bricks striking my chest and I found it hard to breath for a moment and I clutched my chest in both shock and revelation.
My heart was beating so fast that I could have sworn it would jump out of my chest if my ribcage did not stop it.
[T-That's right…]
My voice was a whisper and my vision swam somewhat as I just rested my head on the table, my hands wrapped around it as I did so.
[P-erhaps… t-that's why…]
[Reimu?]
[~~ Did I say something wrong?~~]
The two curious faces looked at me, one out of concern and one of fright but to me, they were like the voice of the spirits itself, harsh and beautiful at the same time.
H-How could I have missed something so simple like that?
[N-No… you said nothing wrong…]
..
[… Pray to the spirits for good luck kids!]
..
[Mm… may the spirits be with you…]
..
[Faith, do you have faith?]
..
[Why yes, the spirits are with me all the time…]
..
[No… my life is serving the spirits, the great spirit that resides at the shrine… so, I can't return your feelings…]
..
[… mm… the spirits are always present, it's just how you view it!]
..
[I gain strength from them, why don't you pray with me too?]
..
..
I… for as long as I can remember, can see spirits as easily as I can see you and me… people around me grew up with hearing me talk about spirits, spirits and nothing but spirits…
I, am talented, yes… I have faith… yes…
But… I am different from other people… that is true too…
For a person who has lived with spirits all of my life… my view of spirits is different from people…
[…]
Those weird glances that the people will give me when I am not looking at them, the hushed whispers as I preached to the children, chiding them to pray from time to time, the sneers that non-believes would give me as they slam the door in my face.
All of them, all of them do not understand or view spirits the same as I did…
…
…….
Youkai and humans are the same… youkai don't view humans as youkai but as humans… humans don't view youkai as humans as well…
We are different… there is no way to view each other as the same… despite the similarities…
Youkai is youkai, humans are humans… differences galore, we are different in thoughts, in behavior and in our worldly perspectives…
We can never get along… except for me…
..
One who has lived my whole life with spirits… I can… coexist with Spirits…
..
..
..
[…If… you're so concerned about that… why don't you tell me how you feel…]
[?]
Raising my head from it's resting spot, I smiled at the two of them as my hand slowly reached out to them. To me, it carried so much meaning imbedded in that little gesture. It was like a hand offering friendship, the handshake that symbolizes so many things but mostly…
Of me, a human reaching out to a youkai.
Two different life forms coexisting together peacefully, perhaps that is my goal…. My wish of peace in this lovely country.
One small step for a human, a giant leap for man-kind, is the world famous quote.
This is a small gesture from me…. Will it translate to something as large and important as that?
..
..
[Why not? It'll while away our time!]
[~~~ Okay~~~~ I have nothing else to do~~~]
Taking my hand, Wriggle grinned as she nodded to me. The firefly youkai is a very easy-going youkai and I thanked the gods silently for allowing me to meet her, to view her differently from the others.
..
..
It must be a strange sight, me and the two youkai, two different beings drinking tea and chatting away into the night; sitting at a food-cart of all places and right in the middle of a pitch dark forest. But, I would not want it any other way.
It must be fate, or a chance that the gods have given me to meet the two of them, for them to redirect me in my path, my determination and faith in myself.
Along the road, I will surely meet with more kinds of difficulty, decisions that will challenge my ethical values, challenges that may endanger my life and make me doubt myself… about my actions, my purpose and my belief.
But, just…
..
..
Let me…
..
..
Enjoy this little period of peace and happiness… things that I can cherish, things that I can hold dear in my memories.
Small things that matter; small things that touches me; small things that make life worth living for…
It's not the big picture in the long run, but the smaller things in life, that truly matters…
Those are my thoughts, as I smiled, joked and generally fawned upon the two little youkai as night drew deeper and deeper.
..
..
[…. That was fun…]
Resisting a yawn as I walked on down the path, I looked at the two small fairies on my shoulder and as they flapped their wings energetically, I took that as a yes to my answer and I smiled even more brilliantly than before.
Wandering alone now as the two of them had to leave for fear of the other youkai, I had followed the path for as long as I could till I could barely see my fingers as I held them in front of me. I was alone or so I believed, a shrine maiden with two fairy escort of sorts in the darkness.
[…]
Fear did not grip me as I just sighed and looked up, the forest canopy blocked my view of the nightsky and I sighed once more.
[I should take a quick nap…]
Yawning for the first time in ages, I blushed pink when the two small fairies took the opportunity to pop their heads in my mouth and I barely avoided chomping down and eating a fairy for a late supper.
[Now, stop that…]
Pulling them by the wings, I chided them as if they were my children and to my utmost surprise, they just looked away, seemingly oblivious to my scolding.
..
..
[Why now… are you ignoring me?]
Trying hard not to look amuse at their stubbornness, I giggled when they looked away even further, their little hands tucked behind their body, not wanting to look into my eyes.
[If you're ignoring me, I'm leaving!]
Releasing them, I willed my body to float and I flew up towards the canopy, trying hard not to look back at the two little fairies. They were cute, too cute for me to ignore them; a part of me argued but the other part, the shrine maiden part of me told me to.
Keep a bird caged and it will never learn to fly; allow a caged bird to go free and it may return, with the skills of flying.
..
It may be a lousy saying, but it suits the purpose and as I found a sturdy branch, I settled down on it and tried to make myself comfortable.
[…. This will do nicely!]
As I laid my back on the rugged branch, I heard the soft sounds of wings fluttering and I turned to hide my face in my shrine maiden sleeves, not wanting the small fairies know that I was smiling.
The same tugging of my sleeve gained no response from me and I just closed my eyes and tried to drift off to sleep. It had been a long day, a day that was too long in my opinion.
Goodness knows how long it will take before I resolve this incident, this incident that had seemingly has no harm except for a missing person…
..
..
Kirisame Marisa, an important person to me…
I knew that…
So… no matter how long it takes…
..
..
[!! Hey…]
Shaken out of my thoughts when the two fairies started pulling my hair, I just sighed and shook my head at the two of them, gripping my hair with their tiny hands, shaking their head furtively before dashing and hiding inside my clothes.
The tiny wings tickled me as they hugged me, their little hands grabbing what they could and I just sighed once more. I am like a mother to them now I suppose and I feel that way… Tiny spirits, out in the darkness where everything could eat them and they probably would…
..
[Everything is alright now… don't be afraid… I'm here…]
..
..
Softly cooing to them, I hummed softly and tried to mimick a lullaby that I once heard a mother sing to her child. Sadly to say, I am not a singer and my voice is horribly, much of it due to the consistent chanting that I have to do while I was at the shrine.
I had a nice voice, but that was it… if I tried to sing, it would end up horribly… so I hummed, hummed as best as I can.
[la la~~ la la~]
[…]
The throbbing on my chests, the signs of unrest among the two ceased and slowly, ever so slowly, their head popped out from my clothes, eyes wide and I just touched them, poking them at their cheeks.
[Now, sleep… it's a long day… and I'll keep you safe. I promise you…]
..
..
Hugging myself as hard as I dared to without crushing the two, I persuaded them to close their eyes.
I have no knowledge of youkai ever needing sleep. But they do need reassurance and I was giving it to them.
For as long as I can… let me look after them, just as if they had looked after me.
[for as long as I can…]
..
..
[…]
Light has broken, the faint sun beams hitting across my eyes as I winced and groan. It felt warm, and when I touched my face, I found that I was warm too.
The cold, darkness had left and in it's stead was gentle warmth from the sun. I must have fallen asleep and I hurriedly checked on the two fairies that were asleep in my clothes.
Asleep, for a lack of better word and I found them, still tucked in my clothes, their eyes closed and breathing.
[…]
A sense of happiness spread throughout me and I whispered to them softly.
[Good morning…]
It was the same feeling as I had when I had first met Suika, the feeling of having a family
Trust takes time. But once earn, it lasts forever. Once broken, it is almost impossible to mend.
..
[…]
Stretching myself, I felt my bones crack and I instinctively touched myself where it did.
Flawless I am not, but neither am I fatally flawed.
Running a hand around my neck, where Rumia had bit me, no such traces of that was found and I just sighed heavily. It was not natural for me to recover from my wounds so quickly and my thoughts quickly went back to the events of the Scarlet Devil Mansion where Remilia and the rest had transferred blood to me.
[I must be half-youkai… perhaps that's why…]
...
..
Coming to the conclusion, after knowing how quickly I had recovered, I guess I can safely say that I am perhaps, part youkai.
That too, might explain why the little fairies took to me so readily and not to any other human
[You're awake? W-What's wrong?]
Once again, it was the little fairies that pulled me back to earth and this time, I cursed silently when I paid attention to them. One does not need spiritual powers to know what is the matter when shrill shrieks can be heard over the peaceful tranquil afternoon.
[W-Wait?! Afternoon?]
Looking up, I just as quickly looked away when the sun's rays struck me full in the eyes.
[I-It can't be…]
My sense of time must be disoriented by the canopy, who blocked out most of the light, making afternoon seem like morning and I groaned once more, this time out of annoyance than anything else.
[I must be getting old…]
Speaking to no one in particular, I started to grouse about my age and about my ability to sleep like a log through the morning. I had the mistaken belief that once people started to feel their age, they would sleep more often.
[What ever the case… I still have to hurry!]
..
...
..
Pulling my gohei from my obi, I straightened my clothes before leaping from the branch and flying to where the fairies were directing me. God bless them, they were trying their best to hang on to dear life as I sped and darted through the forest, making sharp turns diving this way and that in a moment's notice.
It was like one of those arcade games, where I have to navigate my car through obstacles, only in this case the obstacle is the trees and branches.
[AHH!]
Another shrill shriek echoed in the forest and from how loud it was, I was near the source and I certainly hope that scream was human or at the least, from a friendly youkai as I had totally lost my bearings.
Navigating the forest in the quickest way was not the most enjoyable way and I was covered with scratches and dirt as I just flew, literally.
[? Oh my goodness!]
..
..
Even with my altitude, which was several feet from the undergrowth, I could see the imminent threat to the source of the voices.
A familiar orb of darkness had surrounded a clearing several metres wide, not too large but sufficient enough to keep the small group of children from daring to enter it.
[ANSWER ME!! HEY!!]
Screaming, the children were trying to call to someone in the darkness and from the silence that greeted them, the situation is quite dire.
[!! NOOOOOOOOO!!!!!]
..
..
Before I could say anything else, another shrill shriek broke through the silence and I covered my ears at the intensity of that scream. That echoed with me just a few days ago when I was at the mansion, well, perhaps not screaming for my life but you get the idea…
Whoever was in the darkness was no doubt being taunted and played by Rumia, if I do not intervene, she or he is going to be lunch.
[…]
Thinking so, I raised my gohei and slowly descended down, to the small group of children, a look of intensity etched on my features.
..
..
..
..
..
[Ah!]
Pointing up, I looked up to see a fairy, someone that looked like a fairy gently flying down towards us, her hands spread out like they were wings.
She looked so pretty and she looked just like the Shrine God Guardian that Miss Keine told us about that I just jumped and pointed it out to my friends.
..
..
[Look look!! It's the Shrine Maiden!! The God Guardian!!]
[What, where? Where???]
[… Children…]
..
..
As she reached the ground, I could see that she was so light that she just stepped out of the air and on the ground.
[Don't be afraid…]
Clapping her hands together, she spoke softly and surprisingly, everyone of us just nodded and gathered around her. Standing beside her, I looked up at her pretty face and could not resist the urge to hug her, to feel if she was real.
[… Children… are you afraid?]
..
..
She was real and to prove it, she bend down to kiss me on the forehead. She was so pretty that I just blushed and looked away. My friends too, were awestruck at her and refused to release her, clinging on to her for dear life.
[Miss guardian!! Our friends, our friends are…]
Pointing at the dark mist, one of us was about to explain to her when she shook her head and smiled at us.
[Don't worry… listen to me carefully…]
..
..
Going down on her knees, her arms wrapped around us and she hugged us. She smelled of leaves and tress, something that surprised me but I still hugged her and buried my face in her clothes.
[Pray with me.. okay? Pray with me…]
Clapping her hands together, she whispered to us as she closed her eyes.
[…]
All of us were silent and we didn't know what to do… pray? Pray to who… we… who shall we pray to? How can we pray?
..
..
[Miss Guardian… how can we pray?]
Without knowing it, I spoke up and asked her, the question hanging in the air for a moment before she replied.
The way her eyes fluttered open took my breath away and she smiled.
[Clap your hands together… and repeat after me… okay?]
[mm!]
In an instant, all of us clapped our hands together and the sound rang out loudly to me.
..
..
[Spirits…]
..
[Spirits…]
..
[Spirits, listen to my wish…]
..
[Spirits… listen to my wish…]
…
…..
[Spirits, listen to my wish, my selfish wish, my wish… just a simple wish…
I beg you… beg of you to lend me your strength… lend your almighty strength for to me…
I beg of you… to listen… to hear… my, selfish wish…
Put trust in spirits… put trust in humans..
Have faith in my faith…
Have strength in my strength…
Lend me your strength and I shall lend you mine…
Hear my prayer and I will hear your prayer…
Let me feel your pain, your joy and your sadness and you shall hear mine…
…
I serve the spirits…
I have faith in the spirits…
I draw strength from the spirits…
As I serve you… so do you…
So please… listen to my prayer… listen to my wish…
Grant me with your presence…
Grant me with your strength…
Let my spirit…
Let my soul…
Be part of you…
Be part of your strength…
So…
I offer this humble prayer…
Lend me your strength,
Spirits of my faith…
Lend me your strength.]
..
..
It is as if my ears were covered and my heart blinded…
Without faith, without belief…
Without understanding…
Without trust…
A prayer cannot be a prayer…
A person's chant cannot be a prayer..
.
..
Only when one's mind is free of doubts, free of suspicion and free of uncertainty can one feel the emotions of the spirits, their wants… and their true voices.
It is like tuning in to a badly tuned radio while listening to people around you speak and scream.
The people are the society, distracting you from the other thing that you want to concentrate on, the radio, the words from the radio.
If one gives up, one can never hear the radio, the feelings; emotions the spirits are telling you…
If one fights on to hear the radio, you'll forever be fighting against the crowd, asking oneself whether what you did is correct, while the others are telling you it's not…
If one… runs away with the radio… one will forever be isolated from them…
..
..
Letting the children do that… listening for the spirits' real emotions… real feelings…
Teaching them prayers, asking them to have faith…
Am I doing the right things?
..
..
..
..
[Have faith… put your faith in the spirits… children…]
[we shouldn't trust youkai… my mother told me!!]
..
[… will you trust me?]
Still kneeling down, I smiled at the particular child before running a hand through her hair.
..
[Will you trust… someone like me… who you have never seen before?]
Raising my gohei in the air, I waved it slowly in front of me, chanting as I floated towards the darkness.
I do not expect them to trust me at all, especially not after I told them to trust youkai…
Humans that live here in Gensokyo must not be very happy with youkai for them to tell their children this saying…
..
..
[Lend me your strength… please… I beg of you…]
Chanting to the spirits, I was at the edge of the darkness when I felt yet another tug on my clothes, this time more urgent.
..
..
[W-We do… you are the Shrine God Guardian… the Guardian of the Gods…]
[The servant of the spirits, children… I am the Servant of the spirit; a Shrine Maiden, the great spirit that resides in the shrine… and one who helps spread the faith around…]
[We believe in you, Shrine God Guardian… because, we heard of you… and… I… I know I can believe in you…]
..
..
When I looked at the child, I saw the determination in his eyes and that only strengthened when yet another shrill shriek came from the darkness.
If I do not hurry, the child will be eaten… but.. as I stared at the little boy, I could not help but feel a little shaken and awed at the capacity of the young one's heart.
To be able to accept something which he has been taught from the moment he can understand, that youkai should never be trusted..
Just a small request from me… a total stranger to abandon his resolve and his believe in what he was told to embrace something new.
Such… innocence…
..
..
[Alright… then… pray for me… pray with me…]
Bending down, I kissed him on the cheeks before asking him to follow me in chanting.
[So… lend me your strength… lend me the strength to banish the darkness… banish the fear that has gripped them…]
..
..
Waving my gohei in front of me, I felt energy surge through me and I am sure the children saw that too as I heard gasps of amazement from the small children as I slowly floated from the air.
From their perspective, I must be something of a fairy godmother to them, a person with magical abilities coming to save them. The fairies on my shoulder must have proven their points too as youkai never once would bond with a human, even now they just fluttered their wings beside me nervously.
..
..
I could sense their unease but nothing else besides that…
Raising a hand, I drew a few amulets from my sleeves and once more, I saw that my sleeves were glowing white.
..
..
[Please spirits… help me… help my friends! Please!!]
Hearing the small boy pray so vividly, I could feel more and more energy channel through me and I smiled confidently and happily as I walked into the darkness, amulet in hand and fairies beside me.
[REVELATION!]
..
..
There was a bright flash of light and then the darkness was gone, instead, surrounding us were little fairies that seem to gather around the Shrine GodGuardian. Smiling at us, she looked very beautiful and so… so…
So like a goddess!!
Author's Notes: So like a goddess? Well, that's how a child would speak of her i guess...