Think fast! How do we dodge THAT?
- Hey, earth bitch! Can't you do a ramp or something?
- Eh? Well... - Shin started doubting.
- JUST F**KING DO SOMETHING!
- *sob*
- Hey hey, don't scare her like that!
THUM!
As she started almost breaking down to tears, a ramp actually rose from the ground.
- You see? Just the correct motivation can do anything!
Poor girl...
- I don't know about you, but I don't think this boat isn't going fast enough!
- No problem at all. Hey, damn black-white! Mind giving us a boost?
- Okay! Here goes! - she said as she pointed her hakkero to the backside of the boat. Oh no...
- Grip on something, QUICK!
- MASTERRR...
This...will end badly.
- ...SPPPAAAARRKK!
Episode 25: Karmic Retribution...or maybe not
OH CRAAPP!
I think God finally felt pity for me for once, since the Master Spark did manage to make the boat faster, just enough to be sent flying.
Then I knew God bitch-slapped me in the face by making the youkai and human zombies able to fly.
*groaaaan*
- Okay...this is just completely absurd. I mean, how can zombies fly? For Christ's sake, this is just insane!
- Kid. We are in a place where girls can fly and youkai exist. Seriously, I think things are just "normal".
And for that...I'll need an aspirin.
Somehow, we managed to jump over the black wave, saving our skins (Well, technically my skin, since everyone else can fly or jump high or create a barrier of earth).
But then, the zombies created another black wave of bullets. However, this time, zombies were riding the wave. Surfers, eat your heart out.
- Are they doing what I think they are doing?
- I don't get it.
- You never will. - I said while creating saw shockwaves, which collided with the undead and ripped their bodies in half. However, it wasn't enough to stop the black tsunami.
- ...Any ideas?
- Move! - Reimu said as she drew her gohei and put it horizontally in front of her, along with a spell card. - Divine Arts "Omnidirectional Demon Binding Circle" !
A yellow barrier with a yin yang symbol engraved on it surrounded the boat completely. It held strongly as we passed through the wave. And Reimu seemed to be calm. Correction, she was annoyed.
- How did it end up to this? I thought this would be a normal day, but then, these things appear out of the ground and start making trouble. *sigh*
I know that feeling Reimu. Let's just deal with this.
Finally, we crossed to the other side of the wave. And what we find?
- That must be the most disgusting thing me and the kid have seen... - Take-Mikazuchi said.
It's like looking at Cthullu's asshole, only that that will crush our minds. Literally. This...thing...is like a T-rated version of it. I mean, it had seven eyes instead of a mouth, the mouth in question seemed to be on the top of the head, where the eyes were supposed to be were eyeless heads that seemed to be dying. Seriously, this looks like something taken of that...Warhammer thing or something...what was it's name?
Forget it. You know the point.
- What the hell is THAT? - Reimu said completely disgusted at the sight.
- ...Whatever it is, I will be seeing it in my nightmares. - I said neutrally. I mean, my face wanted to show both amusement and disgust at this point, but the facial muscles of the human face are...well, just to limited, if you understand what I'm saying. So my face just was blank. Yep, I'm starting to believe I'm a freak.
I mean seriously, the thing is bleeding some sort of dark liquid that resembles sewer water. It's nauseating... Thank goodness it is just at the base of the mountain, very far away from us.
Wait...this means...how huge is that THING?
- HAHAHAHAHA! AT LAST! THE BIG ONE! Alright, you pussies, lock and load! Let your bloodthrist fill your entire body! AND KILL EVERY F**KING PIECE OF THIS THING!
Wow. You're really excited about this...
- Say that when we arrive there! - Marisa said as she launched another Master Spark for boosting.
- Hey, scythe bitch, can't you make this piece of crap go faster?
- Don't insult my boat like that! - Komachi raised her voice. - And for how far we are...
Huh? Why is she thinking?
I wonder...why couldn't I shorten the distance between where we are and the mountain? My power should've shortened the distance between the mountain and us. Is something blocking it?
This is really weird...
- Hey! Earth to Komachi! What the hell are you thinking?
Komachi snapped back to reality. Seriously, what the deal with her? I dunno...nor I guess I care...
- Nevermind.
RROOMMM!
The giant...abomination slammed the ground, creating a fissure that opened in front of us. Ah crap...
- Hey Shin! We'll need another ramp quick! - Marisa said while sweatdropping.
Saying that the fissure was big would be an understatement...
- I...I...
- For the love of God's crap! Just DO something!
- Oh no!
Enough!
I jumped of the boat. All gasped (Take just raised an eyebrow). I just hope I don't screw up.
- Hey bastard! A little help here?
- As long as it is awesome, I'm fine by it.
Alright. Entering bullet time.
(0.000 sec)
Dark aura surrounded my feet.
KICK!
...And I kicked the bottom of the boat as strong as I could.
- Whoa! - Marisa gasped as the boat manage to rise a little.
(0.068 sec)
- Shoot now! - I said...no, I ordered.
- MASTERR...
*gulp* I wish this works...I'm still falling, you know...
- Beast X Burn My Dread... - I muttered as I slammed both cards together.
BA-DUMP!
(0.345 sec)
...No...Not NOW!
- GGRRRAAAAAAAHHHH! - I yelled atop my lungs, managing to subdue the pains of my body and "stabilizing" the spell card. - CARNAGE CLAW!
- ...SSPPPAAAARRKK!
(0.555 sec)
My left arm turned into the black and red claw as the humongous laser shone over me.
Remembering what Glid did before, I stretched my arm towards the accelerating flying boat.
- *grunt*
CLENCH!
- AHH! - Keine gasped as she saw the red and black claw gripping to the sides of the boat. - What is...?
It was in that moment I decided to pull myself up.
- Going up!
The demonic claw has stretched to a ridiculous length...I mean, how can a limb extend up to seven meters? Well...my sanity has been broken enough for me to swallow this.
Nevertheless, it's safe to say that the momentum made by the force applied to the arm, proportional to the length of the demonic arm claw, managed to rise me up.
...I kinda like physics, you know...
THUD!
(1.080 sec)
Alright...Enough bullet time.
Safe to say...I landed hard on the boat.
- Ugh...
- Okay. I gotta admit that was cool. - Marisa said as she finished shooting her Master Spark.
- But seriously, did you had to do such a stunt? - Reimu asked while still wary of the claw.
- Do you think there was another way? - I said while rubbing the back of my neck. - Damn. That hurt a lot.
Then I noticed I was scratching myself with the claw. *groan* I guess that is the reason it's still itching.
...
...*scratch*
Nope. It only makes things worse...
BOOM!
- Eek! - that was Shin.
- What the? - and that was me.
It's slimy...and green...and thankfully, it only hit the right side of the boat.
Is...is that thing spitting at US?
...Urge to kill...rising...
- Not my boat! - Komachi said irritated.
We looked (I groaned) at the zombie youkai and ninja, flying and jumping very dramatically, as they started to get close. To put matters worse, the giant...abomination that came out of nowhere slammed the earth again. Okay, now what are we...
...Wait a minute. I still got the claw, right?
- What are you...?
I ignored Reimu as I aimed at the nearest zombie flying.
- *grunt* - I streched my now black arm aiming at its torso.
SPLAT!
It hit. The zombies noticed it and started shooting another wave of black bullets.
Then this is when things go crazy.
- TEIYAH!
I pulled, launching us almost four meters higher, dodging the wave...and shredding the poor zombie's body. Ouch.
- Seems you using your head again. Well then, murder them all!
- They're already dead.
- A minor technisism.
The boat was upside down while we were having this conversation. I was gripping for dear life here.
Some stray bullets managed to reach us, but either Reimu's barriers of Komachi's scythe deflected them. That's enough time for me to...
SPLAT!
Stab other zombie just five meters away. I pulled us doing an arc to the left, smashing several zombies with the base of the boat.
Then I noticed another green...disgusting spit went heading our way. Okay...think...
- Here. Let me do something.
Huh? What are y-
The claw extended towards the spit, grabbed it (Eew!), made me spin and finally, threw it back at him. And guess what?
SPLAT!
- HA! Direct hit, motherf**ker!
Gah...I give up.
- Hey Komachi, are we there yet? - I said, still jaded by the fact that I just...grabbed goo. Ugh...
- Just a little more! We're getting cl-
CRACK!
Where the hell did this bone spike came from?
CRACK!
- AAHH!
The bone spike that came under the boat (piercing it) managed to cut the boat in half.
THUD!
WHY THE HELL I LANDED ON A ROCK? COME ON!
- Is everyone okay? - I asked while rubbing my back.
I looked around. Everyone was okay. It seems that everyone flew to save themselves and Take jumped and protected Shin. I'm still asking myself why am I the only one who suffers damage.
- God hates you. It's just that simple.
I'm getting more prone to believing that, you bastard...
- Did you just landed on a rock? And with your BACK? - Keine asked, unable to comprehend how was I still alive.
- Yeah. So what? - I said, standing up as if nothing happened. In fact, I don't feel the pain anymore...
- ...What are you, made of iron? - Marisa asked.
- ...I dunno. I'm just a normal human.
- Liar. You have a strange being in your head. - Reimu countered.
- Look, can we just talk about this later? - I snapped. - We have a giant...Lovecraftian abomination in front of us threatening to resurrect every zombie in Gensokyo, and...let me think... HE'S TRYING TO KILL US!
- Hey! You don't need to get that angry, you know. - Reimu countered.
- ...
Calm down. If you lose your cool, everything will be worse...
- ...Okay...I'm calm.
- Well, that was just too damn fast.
- Shut up. - I growled. - Well, it seems we're on foot from now on.
- ...You still forget we can fly, don't you?
- On. Foot. - I ignored Reimu.
- You know that we will still fly there. Just give up Raim.
- ...Why can't...you know what? Just forget it. - I gave up. - Do whatever you want.
And with that, all the girls (except Shin) flew towards the abomination.
- Well, that leaves us three.
- Four.
- Okay, four.
- Five.
- ARGH! Shut up already! - I snapped again.
- Whoa man. Take it easy. - Take-Mikazuchi tried to calm me down. It didn't work.
- Seriously...The bastard in my head is giving me a migraine.
- ...Um...may I ask you why are you so angry? - Shin interrupted.
- Imagine any normal day. Any. Then add a bat-shit insane, arrogant, bloodthirsty, battle maniac demon living inside your brain, mocking you everyday with whatever you do and, when there's a situation that it's...delicate, he adds more wood to the fire, making me take the blame...after a brutal beating from part of the offended. And sometimes, that said demon can possess me. THEN it gets beyond the impossible.
...Yep. I guess that sums up what I think about the bastard.
- I see... - Shin said, although I guess she didn't get all of that. - But then, haven't you tried being friends with him? - she asked innocently.
- ...
- ...
- ...
- ...
- AHAHAHAHAHAHA!... Oh wait, you're serious? - I said after laughing.
- Heh. What a load of bullshit. Me? Being friends with anyone? Earth bitch... you really don't know me very well, do you?
- W-why are you so rude? - Shin said offended.
- Aww... you're gonna cry? Then just f**king do it! It won't change a damn thing, you stupid bitch!
Whoa Glid...I think you're taking this too far...
- *sniff*...Wa...
Oh crap...see what you do?
*rumble*
...Why is the earth shaking?
CRACK!
- Ahh! - I jumped backwards to get out of the way of an opening fissure.
- Waaahhhh!
- Damn...she really cries a l-
- SHUT UP ALREADY! - I yelled at Glid. - Hey, calm down! Seriously...
CRACK! There's another fissure...
- Oh crap! Okay okay...err...Take, any help?
- You made her cry, you make her stop. - Take stated as he sat on the ground, even though it was shaking as hell.
- Grr...
I don't know how to stop people when they cry... Seriously, my social abilities are that bad. I guess it's time to improvise.
PUNCH!
- Huh? - Shin, miraculously stopped as I...*breathe* *exhale* ...punched my own face.
- The hell?
- Kid...I guess you have gone insane...
It hurts like hell...but thankfully she stopped.
- Why did you do that?
- Eh...I ran out of ideas. - I just shrugged. - Anyway, shall we move on and forget what just happened here?
There was a collective nod.
Thrid's PoV
- How far is your house? - Aya asked as she flew at a "very low" speed in order not to leave Kyoji behind.
- We're almost there. - Kyoji said as he panted. Even if Aya had "slowed down" a bit, he couldn't keep up. - Very low speed? You're practically going at the speed of a car!
Finally, after several minutes running (or flying), they arrived to...well...what Kyoji calls home.
- What the...? Who built this house? It's...weird.
- It's something wrong? - Kyoji asked.
- N-no... nothing. - Aya said, still...confused how can a house be built like that.
CRACK!
- Rrnnn...
- ...Oh, come on! Here TOO? - Kyoji rubbed his eyebrows in frustration. - You know, let's ignore them and enter inside.
- I agree.
Kyoji unlocked the door and both entered inside. But in there...
- Oh, you arrived.
They found that someone already was there...
- You're Yukari's shikigami if I'm not mistaken. - Aya said, referring to Ran who was looking around the house, while taking out a notepad. - Hmm...I didn't know you were capable of stealing.
- Wait, no! You got it all wrong! The backdoor was open so I thought that...
- Hold on! - Kyoji interrupted. - Backdoor? I didn't build a backdoor.
- I guess it belonged to the previous model of the house. You should keep closer attention in what you do, kid. - Cerberus added.
- Look, can we just forget about that? - he said while face palming. - Need to fix that later.
- Anyways, since I came here recently, I don't know exactly for sure what is going on. Mind explaining?
- I know it's sounds rude to a lady, but we don't have time. - Kyoji said while searching for his computer. - I need to send Suzaku over.
- Suzaku? Who's Suzaku? - Ran asked confused.
- Hard to explain. No time. - he said while trying to turn on his computer on. - Oh man, no power? I charged it this morning, for crying out loud!
- Charge? - Aya asked. - I see... This looks similar to the kappa technology, or something along those lines.
- Kappa have technology? - Kyoji asked incredulous. - Man, this place gets more interesting with each passing day!
But still, he needed power. After some thinking, his face lighted up as he got an idea.
- I knew this would come in handy... - he said while running towards the closet.
- ? What are you doing? - both Ran and Aya asked as Kyoji was searching for something.
After some seconds, he pulled out a bicycle. Then he pulled out a stand for the bicycle and a some sort of dynamo that could be attached to the rotation mechanism of the bycicle.
- A bicycle? - Aya said as Kyoji instaled the dynamo on the bicycle and put it over the stand. - Why do you need a bicycle in a time like this?
- Okay... I need someone to pedal this bicycle in order to generate enough electricity for the computer. Anyone would be perfect.
- What about you?
- ...Do you know how to use a computer, Aya? - Kyoji inquired.
- ...No.
- There you have it.
- Alright alright, I'll ride it.
- I was about to say that. - Kyoji added with a smile. - Since you have such a short skirt...
PUNCH!
- Argh!
- ...You're still thinking like that even on this situation? - Aya said angry while crossing her arms over her chest.
- ...Okay. - Kyoji let a defeated sigh. - I guess I need to focus more, huh? Hey, your name was Ran, wasn't it? Could you then...
Ran had to oblige. With Yukari asleep, she had to do everything in her power and knowledge to stop this before it gets out of hand.
Raim's PoV
How far are we from there? I think we've been running for ten minutes by now. Heck, I even activated "Red Speed", but even that didn't help much.
- Hey, how much longer?
- I don't know. - I said. - That mountain must be really big if that's the case.
I mean, just by looking it from here, it's looks big. But since we're not getting any closer, it means it is bigger. Wow...
- Anyways...what's your story? - I asked Shin out of the blue.
- Eh? - Shin said as she stopped running. If you want to know how did she kept up with me, I guess being undead makes your body lighter, thus making you run faster.
- You said you were a ninja back then. - I told her, trying to make the run more comfortable. - Also that you lived in the...Heian era, right?
- ...Yes.
- I hope you were nothing like that orange-clad ninja I hate. Seriously, what happened to the real ninjas, the ones that were awesome and could kill without being spotted?
Shin raised an eyebrow, not understanding what Glid was saying.
- Ignore the bastard. - I said. - Anyways, tell me.
- ...Okay.
I originally didn't want to become a ninja, but since my father was the member of a ninja clan and I was his only child, they had no choice but to train me in the way of the ninja...
...But frankly, I wasn't cut to be it.
- Gyah!
THUD!
I always failed some simple assignments, like getting undetected while crossing our headquarters...while having been attached bells in my ankles, wrists and belt...
- Ow...
Or learning how to hold my breath underwater...for a complete hour.
- *gurgle* *gurgle*
...Or to be put in the middle of a jungle god knows where with only a kunai for hunting. I think that day was really, really cold.
- Is somebody out there? Please, I'm lost...I'm scared...
I still can't believe I was eight years old when I did that...
*rip*
- Whoa whoa whoa! - I interrupted her. - Eight years old? Are you kidding me?
My god...she was a younger ninja than Naruto! Take that narutards!
- Okay...you may continue...
- Right.
Anyways...my family and I were hired for a certain mission. One of assassination, that is.
I didn't like killing, but it was my duty because I was the only heir of my family.
My memories are still fuzzy about that time, but I remember the contractor was one of the Fujiwara clan...
*rip*
Oh you gotta be kidding me...Again?
- First Yoshitsune. Now you?
- Eh? - Shin tilted her head slightly. - I don't understand.
- Nevermind... Also, something you said bothers me. I believed that ninjas were known since the 14th century or something along that time, but you say that ninjas existed during the Heian era, even earlier from what's told in history books. - I pointed out. - Is this true?
- I'm telling the truth! - Shin said. - My family and I lived during the Heian era!
- Then those bastards lied to us! - I roared, refering to historians everywhere. I'll find you someday...
- Hey hey. Now's not the time for getting worked up over this. Focus kid.
- ...Fine.
But still, another connection with the Fujiwara clan? Why do I feel I'll get involved in something that I won't like?
Anyways...my family and I were issued on assassinating one of the members of the Taira family.
-Taira? Like, Taira no Masakado? - I guessed.
- How did you know?
- So it was you! History said that the Fujiwara killed him, but in truth, you were the ones who killed him! - I deduced, partially surprised about the revelation.
- Could you let me continue, please?
- Eh? Oh, go on.
- As I was saying, we were ordered to assassinate Taira no Masakado. The conflict between the clan was getting out of hand, so we were contracted in order to "stop" it.
-You...YOU STOPPED THE CONFLICT IN THE HEIAN ERA BY ASSASSINATING MASAKADO?
- Yes. - her face didn't showed that she lied. - Still, I can't believe he gave us such trouble, even with our clan's ability of manipulating earth.
That's explains something...
More like impossible...but strangely, it makes a lot of sense. If ninja were employed in such an early time, then the shogunate must have developed some sort of counter measure...
...So this is the true meaning behind the origin of the samurai...or maybe it's just my baseless speculation.
But still...
- If I remember right (and if the Demonic Compendium's info about Masakado is right), didn't he have a bounty on his head due to his rebellion to capture three provinces? Why need ninjas anyway if almost everyone would've chased him non-stop until killing him?
Then, something clicked in my mind.
- Unless he...
- He stole something from the Fujiwara? Correct. - Shin said while getting serious. Okay, something's not right here...
- What exactly he stole? - I tried to get more information. Now I know how Aya feels when she finds a scoop. You can't stop when you find something out.
- ...I don't know.
- What? Why?
- Because, when I was about to find what it stole after killing him, someone killed me from behind.
- Oh? - that sparked my curiosity even more. - You remember his face?
- N-no...That's where it all ends. After that, I met you guys.
Hmm...her history seems interesting enough. I didn't know the Heian era had ninjas. This is indeed very interesting.
- Okay, enough chatter. - I said while starting to run again. - Let's go!
Third's PoV
- How disgusting... - Reimu said while looking at the...mesh of bodies that could only be described as Cthullu's own spit. No really, it's as disgusting as it could be.
- So...how are we're going to defeat...that? - Alice inquired, dolls ready for any attack.
Without warning, Marisa took out her hakkero and her (not-so) trademark spell card.
- With power, ze!
Before anyone could say anything, Marisa aimed directly at its head, as the hakkero started shining.
- MASTERR SPAAARRKK!
BOOM!
The Master Spark flew through the sky at high speeds as it headed towards the head of that...thing. It simply stood there, almost if it didn't care about it.
BOOM!
It's head blew off...Wait what?
- Marisa! I think you went a bit too far!
- You think? That thing's already dead, you know?
- Err... - Alice stopped, not knowing how to counter that comment.
But as she was thinking a comeback, the big...abomination regenerated his head. The only difference know was that he was angry and that it now knew where the girls where.
- *ROAR*
- See what you did? We need a strategy, not brute force!
- ...Well, power is the only way I know, ze...
- Would you mind focusing on that instead of bickering with each other? - Keine said, still jaded due to the appearance of that thing.
Before anyone could say something, the undead abomination send out its own stream of bullets that pierced the air. But since all of them were already used with these kinds of dogfights, they just simply dodged easily.
- What a lack of elegance... - Reimu said as she drew a spell card.
- Oh really?
!
- Who said that? - Reimu turned around in order to find...nothing.
- *chuckle* You think lowly of me...
- Where's that voice coming from?
- Geez, how stupid can you bitches be? You can't even find me!
- Show yourself!
- Don't need to. I'm right here.
Everyone then felt someone behind them. Whatever it was, it had killing intent. Slowly, all of them turned around.
- Who...the hell are you?
- Me? The question isn't who I am...
The being in question looked just like a human...only his skin was dead and his scelera were black and his irises a cold blue. His clothes were composed by a black hakama and a grey jacket with a hood. However, you could still see him (or it) smirk even with the hood on.
- ...is if you will stay alive to figure out.
Seriously, that smirk is completely disturbing.
- As if! I don't have time to deal with a youkai like you!
- Youkai? Ha! Don't give that crap! I'm no youkai!
- What? Then who...
He wasn't there anymore. Without anyone noticing, he managed to get behind Marisa and kicked her from behind. Then, as Alice was about to retaliate, it summoned some sort of corpse from a human body to protect itself from the bullets. Quickly, he broke down that said body he used as a shield and grabbed the arms as weapons, which by a strange reason, it grew spikes.
- What?
SLASH!
- Gyaah! - Keine fell down to the ground.
- Two down. Who's next? - he taunted.
SLASH!
Komachi attempted to strike him with her scythe, but he managed to block it with the corpse.
- Tch! Shinigami scum. Why don't you leave the dead do what they want, huh?
- Hey, I don't know what your problem is, but you're obviously connected to this incident. - Komachi said while parrying some of his attacks. - Who are you?
Before she could say more, the strange one made the corpse explode, making Komachi back out.
- Now now...saying who am I would leave me in a disadvantage. Besides, what kind of villain gives information to his enemies?
...He has a point.
- Malice Sign "Irresolute, Bound Spirit"!
Several spirits appeared around Komachi and headed towards the strange man.
- Huh? Is this supposed to be an attack? - the strange man said as the spirits didn't seem to harm him.
Komachi smirked as she slammed the bottom of her scythe on the ground. The man quickly noticed something was wrong as moved out of the way as the spirits exploded.
- Oh... And you call me a villain... Then why are you sacrificing these souls, huh?
- What you are doing is no different! Resurrecting the dead like that goes against the laws of life and death!
- I'm free! I can do anything I want!
- That isn't what freedom is!
- You too? Why is it all ruled by LAWS? The world is supposed to be free! Anyone can do anything they want! - the hooded man ranted while moving his arms violently. - Don't you see? This world is being manipulated. You may say you are free, but you're wrong!
- Shikieiki-sama would say something else...
-Look, I don't understand why you are talking about freedom like that, but the only thing I see is a troublemaker. - Reimu interrupted. - Stay still so I can shoot you down.
- Don't get in my way, eyesore!
- Eyesore? - Reimu apparently was a little ticked off because of that comment.
- Uh oh... Hey, strange guy, you shouldn't anger Reimu like that...
- Why do I care? Besides, what's with the st-
- Divine Spirit "Fantasy Seal"
The hooded man was cut short as large shining orbs started to hit him consecutively. But then, to the surprise of all of them, one orb tore a hole in his body.
- !
THUD!
And it fell hard towards the trees.
- ...And you tell me I should hold back. - Marisa said while looking at the scene.
While Reimu was pondering how could someone be killed by spell cards, they heard a laugh.
- Heh. Is that supposed to kill me?
Yes. The hooded man stood up, unfazed and not interested in the hole in the middle of his body.
- How the...?
- ...hell am I still alive? - he interrupted as the hole started regenerating by itself. - Have you asked yourselves that I may not be alive at all?
- You're dead?
- Bingo. It seems you have brains after all. - he mocked Reimu as he faked clapping. - But enough of that...now tell me, where's the way out of this place?
It seems this guy was half aware he was in a place closed off the world. His eyes seemed to pierce the soul, but with a chilly feeling behind.
- Out of Gensokyo? Why do you want that?
- To see the world being ruled by the dead...Oh, did I say that out loud?
The girls then noticed that the ground slowly started turning grey as a horrible stench filled the air. The hooded man started smirking.
- See? THIS IS THE ONLY TRUTH! NO MATTER WHAT YOU DO, YOU WILL DIE! IT'S FUTILE TO LIVE! Why can't you understand?
- Look, I don't know what you just did, but I'm forcing you to turn it back! - Reimu declared.
- Pfft. You're just lying to yourself.
- ? Nevermind... Just what are your true intentions?
- Oh. I'm surprised that you didn't notice that my partner is just behind all of you yet.
That got their attention. Then, the earth shook violently as a giant decayed arm attempted to crush all of them.
- When did it...?
- If you're wonder how that happened, let's just say that thing is my personal puppet and I can force him to go underground with no one noticing.
- Something of its size? - Marisa asked incredulously. - That's ridiculous!
- Oh, and shooting lasers of that size isn't? - the hooded man countered.
- Point taken.
- Hey, don't agree with the opponent! - Komachi added.
The giant abomination roared as it released a black laser almost akin of the Master Spark from its mouth. Marisa, quickly countered with her own Master Spark. At this point, both the giant abobination and Marisa struggled in a Beam-O-War while the rest of them focused on the other one.
- Tsk tsk... How amusing. Not even five people can defeat both of us.
- Shut up! As my duty as a shrine maiden, I must exterminate...
- DUTY? - apparently, that made him snap. - I told you, you should be held by laws! THEY'RE HERE JUST TO BIND US! IT RESTRAINS OUR POTENTIAL AS HUMANS...or when I was a human. BUT ANYWAY! Where's your sense of freedom?
- Freedom?
Reimu stopped and faced him.
- Free? I'm free. I can do anything I want. But there's a big difference between you and me. I still have morals, not like you who thinks that you're on the top of the world!
- STUPID! That's what you are! I'm sure you were imposed to be a shrine maiden!
!
- That's not... - Reimu started saying, somewhat affected by those words.
SLASH!
- ! - Reimu quickly snapped out of her confusion and raised a barrier that protected her just in time from his arm, which grew spikes.
- Oh come on!
- It's too late now. Soon, all the world will hear the call. Nothing can go wrong. Especially not right now.
- And...sending!
BEEP!
While Ran was pedaling the bicycle (while feeling really embarrassed at the same time), Kyoji managed to upload Suzaku to his computer, or as he calls it...
- Why do you call this a COMP when you already called it a computer? - Aya asked, her journalistic curiosity shining through.
- Well, you see...COMP stands for COMmunicational Personal demon terminal. Even though I think it's an over-the-top name, it kinda fits this.
- Really?
- Just forget about it. - Kyoji said while standing and looking outside. There were several zombie youkai out there, which started shooting bullets. Kyoji ducked as the bullets broke the window glass. - Oh great, now I have to make another one...
Aya smirked inwardly. Even though those guys out there will cause trouble, seeing Kyoji lament about how bad was his luck really comforted her.
- Hey, will you help or not? - that brought Aya from her mind to the room. - You too, you don't have to pedal any more.
- *pant* It was about time! - Ran said, getting off the bicycle.
- It has arrived! - Alexia, from the other side of the border, exclaimed. - About time! What took him so long?
- ...Just summon Suzaku. Now. We don't have much time - Hiroki muttered.
They were on the rooftop of an apartment building, five floors high. From up there, they could see the roads filled with zombies of different sizes and shapes (depends of the type of death. That's why suicides occur, you know).
- At least you could sound a little more worried, you know.
Suzaku represented the south.
Byakko represented the west.
Genbu the north and Seiryu the east. The four celestial beings of the Chinese myth aligned in their rightful positions.
Yeah, bear it with me. I knows it sounds cheesy, but hey, I works.
The four summoned beasts in the edges of Nagano let out a powerful cry (Suzaku was a little more weak, due to his laziness). If someone was watching this from a satellite, they would've seen a green barrier forming around Nagano and completely isolating it from the rest of Japan. Well, this is a big if. The society had already jammed satellite interference.
I must say, they are very careful with these sort of operations.
Back to Gensokyo...
- ? Something's wrong... - the hooded man said as he ducked an ascention kick from Reimu.
- If you want my opinion, you shouldn't have said that things couldn't go wrong.
Correct Reimu. You're learning.
- What does this mean? - the hooded man asked, apparently losing his cool. - Do you have allies outside?
- I think it's Kyoji. But it's more a friend of Raim than mine. That doesn't concern you.
While Reimu was fighting with the hooded man, Marisa and the other where holding back the giant abomination. Of course, four against one are really good odds, even if your enemy is a giant.
Well, except maybe if the giant thing is a mecha, but hey, this is no Shonen...is it?
- How can this things keep on regenerating? - Marisa dodged the arm swings of the creature...excuse me, Lovecraftian creature. - If this keep up, I'm sure we'll get tired, ze!
I think I see the advantage of being dead here. See, no matter how many times they can cut your body, a dead one can regenerate almost instantaneously, albeit with a few neurones intact.
- GROAR!
The same could be said with our guy here. They still manage to take him down, but he still stands up, only much more angry and stupid.
And also, your kill count when you kill dead people will be always zero because they are already dead. Learn the difference.
- Hey Komachi, can't you just extract its soul like with the other zombies?
- It's too big! I can't take out a soul if the body is of such magnitude!
- Oh...well, I'm out of ideas.
SLASH!
The head started sliding sideways, as if cut by a sharp object. The difference was...
THUD!
...that said object was a bokuto...or bokken...whatever you call it.
Raim's PoV
- Sorry, am I late? - I asked while smiling a little.
- What took you so long?
- Traffic. - I joked.
- Ha ha. Very funny. - Reimu commented with a drip of sarcasm. - No really, what took you so long?
- ...Well...
- How much long?
- I..um...I don't know! We've been running for several minutes right now.
Seriously? Damn, this place is much more big than I expected. I mean, I still can't get how could this place stay hidden for such a long time, even with that border thing.
In fact, there's so many things I don't understand yet. Like...
Why was Kraid inside that strange dimension?
Why is a psycho bastard inside my head and since when?
Why is that many things from the Heian era are popping out like vermin during the Dark Ages?
Who exactly are this "Demon Summoners"?
Why am I asking so many questions?
And...where the hell is everyone?
- Huh? Hey guys, where did you go? Shin? Take? - I called while looking around. - Anyone?
- Oh my. We meet again.
By pure instinct, I readied Kraid to slash the one who sneaked behind me, only to find out that...
- You? What are you doing here? - I said while looking at the man with the fedora from this morning.
- Quite aggressive. - he commented, not even flinching that a bokuto was near his jugular. - I recommend you quit that habit of yours.
- And you should stop sneaking behind people. - I said, putting Kraid back to...my back. - Anyways, what are you doing here?
- You seem to be full of questions.
Huh?
- I don't follow.
- It's natural I have answers.
- Oh? Like, what kind of answer?
- The solution to your...undead problem.
...What?
- Wait a sec. You actually found a way to stop this madness?
- Why yes. - the man now was smiling. I still can't see his eyes because of the fedora. - However...
*sigh* There's always a however...
- ...do you know the origin of all of this?
- Origin?
- You must know by now. You were looking for it this morning.
- The Necronomicon? - I said the only answer I could think off. - What of it?
- Would you believe me it has a time limit?
- ...No. Frankly, I think you're pulling my ass.
- *chuckle* What an odd sense of humor you have.
Really? I didn't figured.
- Anyways, how much time do I have?
- That's the variable in our equation. If I don't know the exact time of its activation, I can't be of help in that point.
Great. Just great.
- At least an estimate? - I asked.
- Six hours. But looking at things as they are...I'd say we have only half an hour left before this becomes irreversible.
- Perfect. Just what I needed. - I said with bitter sarcasm. - So now to the most important question... how the hell am I supposed to stop it?
- Destroy it.
- No way. - I said remembering Komachi's words. - I can't just destroy it. She told me that, in doing so, we'll be stuck with these guys forever.
- Are you sure?
- Huh? - I tilted my head, confused.
- Do you think she didn't lie to you? You don't know exactly what's that book's potential. Even worse, you can't just trust the words of someone you just met, don't you.
- ...
Come to think of it, yeah. I don't know Komachi well, but...
- She helped us. So the least I can do I give her to benefit of trust.
The man...somehow seemed pleased with that answer.
- ...Oh? And you're sure you can find another way to solve this incident, my dear friend?
- ...Er...
- You shouldn't charge towards the mysterious without a plan. Tell me, what do you plan to do when you rendezvous with your friends?
- ...I have no plan. That's how I roll.
He started laughing, but in a good way.
- *laughter* Well, if that's your attitude towards danger, then I'm sure you be just fine.
Is that a compliment? 'Cause, with your tone of voice, I doubt it.
- Well, here's a hint to you. The point of this is to find the Necronomicon as fast as you can. I suggest you don't get distracted by the human primal instinct of carnage, okay? I...have seen your...raw performance.
Since when I ask...
- Basically, ignore everything, find the book. I get it.
- But where it is...that's for you to find out.
- How so?
- Remember...the fruit doesn't fall to far from the tree. It should be near. You just need to find out where.
- That's a lot of help. - I said in sarcasm mode.
The man then turned around.
- Well, I should be going now. Don't try something risky or we'll be stuck with these rotting fellows for a loong time, if you know what I mean. - he started to walk away. - Oh, if by any chance you are free, come to Muenzuka. I live nearby.
- Okay okay...By the way. - I said while looking towards the mountain. - Who are you really? You seem to know too much, even for a scholar.
I could hear the man chuckling.
- Just a handsome guy with a fedora.
Before I could ask what does that mean exactly, he was gone. As if he wasn't even there to begin with...
Who the hell is that guy?
- Mr. Raim!
- Huh? - I turned to my left. I found both Shin and Take running towards me.
- Hey, you disappeared out of nowhere. Where in hell where you've been?
- Right here. - I answered. - You were the ones who disappeared!
- That's not true! - Shin countered. - After you asked how long we were walking, you just disappeared.
- Bullcrap! I mean, we were just talking to some strange guy about that shitty book. Guy told us to destroy it.
We disappeared? Impossible. Was I so distracted or...did he do something that separated us?
...No. That can't be. Kraid can nullify all sorts of abilities. Even if he did some sort of magic trick on us, we shouldn't be affected...or did he just ignored the ability completely?
...Just who is that guy? Gah...too many questions!
- Let's just focus on getting there as soon as we can. We only got half an hour left!
- WHAT?
- ...a minor inconvenience. We'll talk about it later.
Now, according to that fedora guy, the Necronomicon shouldn't be far away from this titan of corpses. Does that hooded man possess it?
...No. If he did have it, he wouldn't be able to fight this well and protect the book at the same time...
- The mountain perhaps?
- Nah. If that's the case, hood there wouldn't be to control our giant friend here. - I said, nicknaming the man who was fighting Reimu right now.
I ruled out the mountain and hood guy from having the book.
- What else...? Underground? ...No, too silly. - I shook my head. - Did hood fuse with the book? ...No. He wouldn't risk losing the book in a fight. Somewhere safe...somewhere normal humans wouldn't dare to...
I paused. I think I had a revelation...but I didn't like it.
I looked right at the undead colossus. Somewhere safe, that we don't want to enter, near the hooded man and that it sounds too disgusting to work!
IT'S INSIDE! THE BOOK IT'S FREAKING INSIDE OF THAT THING! ...or so I think.
- Wow. Hood there really thought this one out. No one would dare look inside, huh?
- Precisely. Only a fool would dare enter there.
- Let me gues... We ARE those fools, aren't we?
- Unfortunately...yeah. - I said, cursing my misfortune. - Hey Marisa!
- Huh? - she said while dodging the clumsy moves of the undead colossus. - What do you want, ze?
- Mind distracting this guy for me? - I asked while pointing towards the colossus.
- Sure! This is no problem for me! - she reassured me as she sported one of her usual cat grins.
- The same to you! - I refered to Alice, Keine and Komachi.
- Right, but... - Alice started asking. - What exactly is your plan?A
- To enter that guy. Just that.
- I see...wait WHAT? - that shocked Alice even more than expected.
Needless to say, hood man also noticed.
- He knows! HOW DOES HE KNOW?
He tried to reach me, but Reimu stopped him.
- Where do you think you're going? - Reimu asked. - At least be kind to stay in one place. It's really a pain to chase you around.
Have you ever played Shadow of the Colossus? If you have, then you know what am I going to do...
I started by clinging myself to the rotting leg of the colossus as Marisa blasted its face, buying me some time. Some seconds later, I reached its waist and that where's things got complicated.
Basically, it started spawning zombies out of his body, like if it was sweat. *groan*
BOOM!
Thankfully, Keine and Alice got my back covered.
The climb got slippery quickly, so I grabbed the skulls of some dismembered zombies as used them as gripping gloves. Don't ask me how I put them on, I don't have the time.
The colossus now noticed me and tried to squash me...
Just as planned.
I quickly jumped towards the giant hand, climbed over it and run like hell over his long arm. Not a second passed that zombies sprouted from said arm to stop me from advancing.
I'm starting to hate these guys.
- Slice them! And, if possible, sodomize them!
How can I sodomize a zombie? That's both impossible and downright wrong...
Anyways, I cut my way though several types of zombie until I reached its shoulder...which was split open. Great, as if things could get disturbing enough.
Since I had enough reach, I used the Carnage Claw to grab hold of the neck and pulled myself towards it. And seriously, how is this guy even emulating throat contractions is way beyond my understanding...
- Hey, are you serious about this? - Komachi asked, while helping me go up as she protected me from its arms.
- I'm dead serious...not pun intended.
- Are you sure? Even when I guide souls, I won't even dare to go inside something like this.
- Well...you gotta do what you gotta do. - I said, while grabbing from its nostrils...which were hanging bone arms. - HEY, LOVECRAFTIAN FREAK!
That made the abobination, believe it or not, raise an eyebrow.
- CLENCH THOSE TEETH!
SMASH!
The gratuitous sound of bone and rotting flesh breaking grazed my ears as I smashed the Carnage Claw directly to its teeth. The colossus roared...or tried to since my body blocked the sound.
Argh...it smells worse than I thought! And...gross! This guy doesn't even have a tongue...I don't know if I should be grateful or disturbed...
- Hey Reimu! - I shouted.
- What is it? - she said as blasted the hooded man once again. - Can you see I'm busy?
- After this...I'll need a bath.
And after that, while holding my breath and silencing my common sense for a bit, I jumped down the throat.
- BANZAI!
Author's Notes:
...I'm such a lazy bastard...
But if you want the REAL reason...let's just say I. HATE. UNLIMITED. RAGNA! Sweet Jesus, beating that guy is hell itself...Maybe I should write about Blazblue too...