Back in conventional reality, the Youkai of Boundaries stood at the foot of a mountain, looking up at the shrine atop it as rain poured down. While she would prefer to waltz in and negotiate like with Yagokoro, the Hakurei were significantly more trigger-happy. To say nothing of how their god might react.
No, better to wait on the edge of their barrier and wait for them to finally get curious enough to come out and ask what's going on. Hopefully soon. While she had a parasol, and could just manipulate the border between cold and warm to stay cozy, it didn't mean waiting out in the middle of a storm was enjoyable.
That and Yukari had class. Standing outside someone's home and staring at it until someone comes out was a bit too far on the desperate stalker side of things for her tastes.
Fortunately for her, a figure finally emerged from the building and began making its way down towards her. The distinctive red-and-white robes denoting their identity as one of the Hakurei's priests.
Well, that answered her question about how they viewed her arrival. If she was considered an active threat, the shrine maiden and her retinue would be bearing down on her right now. Only sending an expendable member, though there were probably quite a few more taking aim from the shrine, showed that they were cautious but not unavoidably hostile.
The priest made good time, reaching the bottom-quarter of the steps in a matter of minutes before halting his descent there.
"What brings the infamous Yukari Yakumo to our doorstep?" He asked, glaring down at Yukari as if looking at a particularly disgusting cockroach.
"There are some matters I need to discuss with the clan," Yukari replied, brushing off the man's attempts to smite her with his mind. "Ones pertaining to the continued existence of life as we know it."
"And what would a monster like you care about life?" He asked, offended at the very notion. "Whatever twisted plans you may have, abandon them and leave. Be grateful that we have more important tasks to attend to than purging the world of your miserable self."
Yukari stared at the priest through lidded eyes, absolute exasperation pervading her expression. Without breaking eye contact or blinking, she raised her left hand and snapped her fingers.
The rude priest immediately collapsed face-first onto the ground with a strangled gurgle. A line of drool began to trickle down his chin as shudders wracked his form.
The youkai ignored the quivering mess who had blocked her path and simply strode by him, ascending up towards the shrine. Absently taking in the rustling of the nearby foliage as it was jostled about by the rain and the few creatures passing through it.
Upon reaching the summit, she was met with a group of five angry Hakurei, who wasted no time unleashing a wave of ofuda at her.
"Really," Yukari sighed, the ofuda flying harmlessly into several gaps, which then sealed shut. "I can understand antipathy towards myself, given your clans' role it's only natural, but there is only so much disrespect I can tolerate."
Undeterred, her foes switched tactics; one charging forward for a devastating punch, another producing a sword and attempting to flank her from the left as a third produced an axe made of talismans and attempted to do the same from the right, and the last two held back and watched for an opening.
The brawler found that the stone surface provided much less traction than a moment ago, losing balance and slipping past Yukari to tumble down the stairs at unnatural speeds.
"Normally," Yukari continued as she continued to stride forward, unconcerned by her assailants. "I would simply make a note to arrange for a few humbling experiences and let bygones be bygones."
The sword-wielder and ax-user charged from both sides, hoping to overwhelm their foe. Only for their weapons to shatter into a thousand pieces before the two were smashed into the ground by the force of the raindrops, suddenly amplified a hundredfold.
"But with what's on the line? I can't afford to walk away this time."
Another Hakurei erupted from the bushes with lighting speed, knife drawn. Her timing was perfect, Yukari's back was turned and her attention on those in front of her. Even if she noticed the oncoming attack, there was no way she would be able to turn around to identify and deflect the blow in the moment before the blade reached her.
What she had not considered was that Yukari might not need to turn around to defend herself.
The instant before the tip of the knife met skin, it halted, straining against some invisible obstruction. Before the would-be assassin could react to this, a wave of pressure exploded out from the point of contact, tearing the dagger out of the Hakurei's hands and hurling it into the depths of the forest.
Unbalanced by the shockwave, she stumbled backward as she tried to correct her footing. Unfortunately for her, she never got the chance. A gap opened underneath her and, in her current state, she couldn't maneuver away, falling in before she could even open her mouth to scream.
Horrified, the two remaining guards reached for their tools only to suddenly grasp their throats. Despite their lungs desperately attempting to draw in air, there was none to be found, the area around their heads now a vacuum.
"So you'll have to forgive me for my behavior, but if I need to discipline some arrogant children to accomplish what I came here for, then so be it," Yukari declared, striding past the writhing forms of the attackers and into the shine proper. Behind her, the woman who had attempted to knife her fell out of a gap, with fresh burn marks all across her body and smoke wafting off of her.
Despite being met with a dozen more Hakurei upon entry, not a single one barred her path, though the tight grips on their weapons didn't paint the impression of willing hosts. The unmistakable spiritual aura of the clan head emitting from the heart of the shrine beckoning her onward.
Keeping up her awareness just to be safe, Yukari walked through the corridors of the clans' home, until she reached her destination.
There in front of her stood the head of the clan, garbed in a more ornate version of the miko uniform, wielding a gohei, and radiating power.
The atmosphere in the room was oppressive, as could be expected, the mutual awareness that a single wrong move would incite violence pushing them to simply stare at one another. The two of them silently weighing their options and waiting for one of them to act.
The deadlock continued for several moments, neither figure saying a word as they sized one another up.
Until finally, one of them spoke up.
"So, does this mean you've opted to hear me out?" Yukari inquired, entirely too casual for someone who had just marched into the other person's shrine after pulverizing several of their kin.
"It means that I'm not willing to throw away a good chunk of the clan on the chance that they can finally rid the world of you," the other woman replied tersely. "That and, for whatever reason, our god thinks you might actually have something worthwhile to say."
"Well, I'm more than happy to answer whatever questions they have on the matter," Yukari offered, smiling politely but with a hint of teeth. "After all, the entire reason I'm here is to seek their, and your, help."
The clan head didn't even bother responding to that statement, merely glaring at the intruding youkai before her body subtly relaxed and her eyes began softly glowing. "You trespass on my domain, harm my followers, and request aid," the possessed Hakurei stated. "I struggle to imagine what threat could be great enough for you to act so foolishly."
"Simply put, Salem's machinations have hit critical mass. Too many people believe they should overthrow the Brothers, and the moment they act on it the God of Darkness will end the world in retaliation."
The god stared at her, traces of shock and horror in it's eyes before they were quickly smothered by unyielding resolve.
"Repeat that," they demanded. An alien pressure, no doubt a truth field or something of the like, descending on the room.
Yukari did so, using the exact same words and inflections to head off any claims of deception. Judging from the way the god twitched, the results weren't to it's liking.
"And you believe that your plan can save at least some of the population?" It inquired, not even bothering to question if she had a plan.
"Yes," Yukari replied, nodding her head. "It's impossible to stop what's coming, but we can remove ourselves from the board so to speak."
"Hence your arrival," it concluded. "Such an endeavor would require the creation of an isolated space, one capable not only of maintaining metaphysical equilibrium but surviving the transition." It cocked it's head to the side. "I presume you have already spoken with the renegade Lunarians regarding that matter?"
Yukari nodded, a faint smile on her lips. "The doctor refused to answer without conferring with her princess, but neither of them are the sort to sit back and die. I imagine she'll have some work to present when we next meet."
"And so you've come here," the possessed shrine maiden's eyes narrowed. "To enlist my faithful's aid towards creating the necessary barrier. As well as ensuring the safety of your kind's food supply, no doubt."
"I'm aware that such a request runs counter to your usual methods, but that fact remains that it is necessary," Yukari took a deep breath, bracing herself for the god's response.
"Very well," it begrudgingly admitted. Leaving Yukari blinking in confusion, having expected the god to subject her to some sort of show of force or even threaten to kill her on the spot. This outright acceptance, however reluctant, flew in the face of everything she knew about it.
Noticing it's guest's confusion, the deity smiled slightly, always happy to get one over the many arrogant youkai infesting the planet. "I understand this may come as a surprise, but I am not unaware of what the consequences would be should I try to go through the plan without any of your kind."
"While the barrier could still be completed and the land prepared, my existence would inevitably weaken and fade without supernatural threats to oppose," it explained to the confused woman. "I would be willing to accept that outcome if it meant the safety of humanity, but there is no guarantee their new home would be viable without my power."
"So you and the Hakurei agree to work with myself and the others?" Yukari asked, her shaken state allowing hints of relief to leak through her habitual mask.
"I will inform the clan that your plan is the best chance humanity has to survive," the deity corrected her. "Whatever agreement you come to is up to them." And with that, the god departed it's channeler, leaving behind one exhausted clan head.
For a moment, the two simply stared at one another, neither speaking a word or making a move. Until, finally, Yukari opened her mouth to break the ice.
"So, are you one of those miko who can remember what they did while channeling their god, or do I have to repeat everything?" She asked, honest curiosity mixed with probing mockery.
"Don't bother," the Hakurei ground out between gritted teeth. "Now get out of my shrine, I have to try and convince my family to play along with your idea without sparking a civil war, and your presence won't make that any easier."
Aware that pushing further would just cause her problems, Yukari acquiesced and departed through a gap. Leaving the clan head to handle laying the groundwork for their great work, though she would return in time.
Negotiations, once the Hakurei had been convinced that this was not a ruse and those believing spiting the youkai was worth the end of all life were silenced, were fairly straightforward.
The clan was willing to create the barrier and act as guardians for the humans within, even refraining from exterminating youkai unless they violated the laws of Gensokyo, but they had some demands of their own.
In exchange for their aid, every member of the clan as well as their closest allies would be given refuge. Additionally, they would not be subject to any outside authority so long as they performed their duties adequately, and would serve as humanities' representatives among the various powers.
After three days of near-constant negotiation, largely made up of the clan debating every one of their demands among themselves at length and interspersed with the odd assassination, or in one memorable case, seduction, attempt on Yukari, the deal was sealed.
Of course, the others involved in the plan were far from idle during this time.
Okina had thrown herself into her work with gusto, putting together the blueprint for the land that would become their salvation. Plotting out how all the pieces might come together without interfering with one another.
Not only would the various biomes need to be stable, she was leaning towards mostly forests, plains, and mountains for the sake of simplicity, but the ley lines would have to carry the appropriate types of energy for each area without cross-contaminating the others or decaying.
The creation of a stable, self-sufficient, realm. A task usually reserved for the birth of a new pantheon or the work of abnormalities like Shinki.
An important task no doubt, but of possibly greater interest would be Eirin's discussion with princess Kaguya regarding their plans.
Following Yukari's departure, Eirin had gone to inform her princess about the new situation, after triple-checking for bugs or other 'surprises' that Yukari might have left behind of course. You could never be too careful with that one.
Eirin Yagokoro walked through the halls of Eientei, towards the room where Kaguya was currently waiting. The princess had been interested in investigating the incursion once the defenses identified the culprit, but she had thankfully been able to convince her to watch the confrontation remotely.
It wasn't likely Yakumo could actually do anything against the two of them, but unnecessary troubles for her lady should be avoided.
The renegade Lunarian let out a small hum, thinking about the problems the youkai had brought to her doorstep. Hence why she had opted to walk rather than teleport, her princess deserved the best answers she could give rather than off-the-cuff responses.
Granted, her worst was light-years beyond this world's best, but their incompetence was no reason to degrade her own work.
On that note, there was the matter of what could be done to avoid the oncoming end. Yakumo's plan was actually viable in a sense, but there were alternatives.
Vanishing into the cosmos would likely place them beyond the God of Darkness' wrath, given the damage seemed limited to the Earth and the Moon. A separate star system would almost certainly qualify as far enough away. Though hadn't the Dragon God been sighted in other solar systems by the Lunar Capital's long-range surveillance?
Though that would raise the issue of the necessary materials. Eirin could use magic to cover for a lot of deficiencies, but the transport would need to last the entire journey and carry the necessary amenities.
Given a few decades and a dedicated workforce, she could develop technologies that, while not equal to Lunarian engineering, would be sufficiently close for her purposes. Unfortunately, she only had three years.
While she could make do and slap together a ship with what she had, the result would carry higher risks than she would prefer. Yes, she and Kaguya would be fine even if the whole thing broke apart, but drifting through space for a potential eternity did not appeal to her.
Acquiring actual Lunarian technology and materials would certainly fix that issue, but as much weight as her name carries, even in exile, that might be more than she could get away with.
Finally, there existed the possibility of fleeing to another dimension or the like. Makai would likely be welcoming but also a potential target, the dream realm's stability in the face of such devastation was unclear, and hiding out in some random corner of reality was simply too unpredictable.
Details were crunched and variables accounted for, and by the time Eirin reached her destination she had devised plans for each of the scenarios: evacuation through the timestream, though the cosmos, or through the dimensions. Each with no less than three options and all with contingencies.
Normally, she could have put together twice as much in the same amount of time, but ever since her conversation with Yakumo her thoughts had been discordant. Her mind trying to unravel how she had missed what the Gap Youkai hadn't.
What the consequences for her failure would have been, and what other mistakes she may have made. A tiny sliver of fear, worming its way into her heart and reminding her that despite her age, achievements, and power, there lay things beyond her understanding. Things that could tear down everything she valued and truly hurt her and those she cared for.
Taking a deep breath and shoving those thoughts back into the mental box they broke out of, Eirin re-focused on her objective. The princess had to be warned and decisions had to be made.
On that note, she arrived in front of her destination: the entrance to Kaguya's room.
Knocking briefly to let her lady know she was coming in, she opened the door. Revealing Kaguya Houraisan seated in a very cozy chair and sipping tea with a radiant smile. She also had a heavily enchanted knife poking out of her other sleeve.
"Ah, Eirin!" She exclaimed happily at the sight of her companion, setting the teacup and weapon on a nearby table and rising to her feet. "How was your talk with Yukari?"
Unbothered by the weapon, it would have only been a painful inconvenience for her anyway, the doctor closed the door behind her before slowly letting out an exhausted sigh.
"It didn't go well then?" The princess guessed, frowning sympathetically at her companion's state. "Did she say something rude?"
"No, for once in her life she was something resembling civil," Eirin replied, and in any other situation watching that creature struggle to hold her tongue would have made her night. Unfortunately, the information that was revealed soured the pleasure of that particular experience," she explained, her features schooled into a grimace.
"Yakumo managed to find a loophole regarding the Brother's immunity to precognitive sight..." She trailed off, suddenly uncertain how to best convey what she had learned.
After a moment's hesitation, she opted for the direct approach. "We have three years until the God of Darkness wipes out all life, Hourai immortals and Lunarians included," the doctor admitted, a hitherto-unseen undercurrent of frustration and despair in her voice.
"I see..." Kaguya stated, serene warmth giving way to concern. "Then you wanted to ask me what I thought should be done?"
"Yes," Eirin nodded. "Yakumo has a somewhat viable plan, but this may also be our only chance for an ending. It's not my place to decide which path you should take, so I wanted to hear what you think is best before I give the youkai an answer."
There were a number of possible reactions that the Lunarian sage expected from her lady: she might answer for or against the plan, try to take a third option, or react with a somber answer or fiery rebuke. She did not expect for her to reach over and whack her over the head like she was a child.
"Nope," Kaguya huffed indignantly, wagging her index finger at her companion. "Stop being silly Eirin, it's not like you."
The doctor's legendary poise, which had survived Tewi, Yukari, and several hundred thousand years of exposure to the moon rabbit's antics shattered, leaving her staring at the Lunatic Princess in shock.
Said princess immediately took advantage of Eirin's gawking to elaborate on her statement.
"I made my decision all those years ago, and you've supported me ever since. Why would you think I would change my mind now?" She asked as if speaking to a confused child.
"Besides," she said, her smile momentarily turning devilish. "What would Mokou do if I vanished? The poor thing would just waste away without me."
Eirin wasn't quite sure if you could describe the homicidal pyrokinetic immortal in the same vein as a devoted pet, but her princess did have an odd sense of humor. Or it was just Kaguya's rarely-seen vindictive streak coming to the surface, as it often did with Fujiwara.
"Understood," she said, a faint smile on her face as she nodded in acknowledgment. "Then let me explain the plan and your part in all this."
And so, she did just that. Outlining Yukari's plan to preserve what they could by sequestering refugees in a pre-prepared landscape, sealing it away as its own pocket reality, and using the Gap Youkai and Kaguya's powers to turn said land into a lifeboat, carrying the refugees to a new home away from the God's wrath.
Right now, there was only the framework of the operation, but Eirin was fairly sure that Yukari was working on the Hakurei and Okina the land, meaning that once they were done it would be time to proceed to the populating of their wonderland.
Plenty of time for her to help the princess prepare for her task, as well as plan out how this endeavor might work out in practice. Though before all of that, there was one task she needed to dedicate herself to.
The Lunar Capital had to be warned of what was coming, had to know that there was a chance to survive.
Kaguya thankfully agreed, and Eirin sent a letter to her former students containing a summary of the situation, a warning of the fate that awaited the Lunarians, and several plans of action they could carry out.
With luck, it would be enough to open a path to the future for the Lunarians. But until then, the two of them would need to focus on their own problems.
Eirin began reviewing plans for Gensokyo, determining what would be needed for its long-term survival, how the various species and factions might fit together without unnecessary conflict, and what could and couldn't be safely brought along.
The doctor sat at her desk, a pile of papers covered in writing and/or images beside her and working on a half-finished outline. The Hourai Elixir ensured that her body needed neither rest nor sustenance, so she could devote her full attention to preparations.
The princess would no doubt scold her for this, but Eirin refused to allow Yakumo to hold a position of power in their next meeting. She would take time to recover in the following days, but for now, she needed to ensure that her plans were ready for what was coming.
Meanwhile, Kaguya would practice with her powers, working to render the distance between two points in space-time a single instant. While she had experience manipulating the instants making up time, she had never attempted to apply the other definition of her control over the instantaneous.
With her other potential contribution to the plan, the ability to render an area and objects eternal and unchanging old-hat for her, it was only natural that her first task would be to shore up her weaknesses.
The Lunatic Princess stared intently at the rubber ball in her hand, willing the countless instants ahead of it to coalesce into one. Despite her efforts, the ball refused to be moved, simply sitting in its fleshy cradle. Until suddenly, without warning, it wasn't.
Blinking in surprise at the disappearance, Kaguya literally jumped for joy once she realized what had just happened. Unfortunately, the ball reappeared under her foot as she descended, causing her to slip and fall backward, snapping her neck upon impact.
Fortunately, as a Hourai immortal, this barely rated an inconvenience. Mokou did far worse on her laziest day, to say nothing of when she felt like getting creative.
She simply pulled herself to her feet a moment later, mildly embarrassed, but invigorated by the fact that she had succeeded in skipping the ball ahead in time. Even if she still needed to figure out how to aim the displacement rather than let it flow down any particular probability,
For the first time in forever, there was a time limit, a need to rise to the situation or there would be truly impactful consequences. For someone who had grown up in a society where every need was met, and who later became the closest thing to a true immortal, the prospect of an actual deadline was rather novel.
And so, the pair continued to strive towards their goals, each readying themselves for what would be quite-possibly the greatest trial of their immortal lives.
Meanwhile, as the residents of the wonderfully impure world laid the foundation for a new home, the inhabitants of the pure moon were busy trying to keep theirs intact.
The Watatsuki sisters were not having a good day.
This wasn't anything new to them. In the wake of Junko's catastrophic attack three years ago, there had been more than a few pointed inquiries about the pair who were supposed to protect the Lunar Capital from exactly that sort of situation.
It was only through Lord Tsukiyomi's direct intervention and support that they had avoided banishment or even execution, 'merely' being stripped of all other responsibilities and relocated to the outskirts of the capital so that they could 'better perform their duties.'
It had not been an easy experience, but they had adapted. Yorihime found ways to continue looking after the remaining moon rabbits from afar, their mistress' death having left her the closest thing to an authority figure they had left, and Toyohime working together with their remaining allies to try and rebuild connections.
Receiving a letter from their old teacher should have been a moment of happiness, a respite from their troubles. Unfortunately, while she made it a point to leave the sisters with some comforting words, the message itself brought tidings of yet another threat to the Lunar Capital.
One greater than even the vengeful spirit who had wiped out the vast majority of their population, who had taken everything the Watatsukis and Lord Tsukiyomi had to defeat.
All things considered, it was a minor miracle that Toyohime had merely collapsed into her chair while Yorihime was driven to pace angrily around the room.
"Well," the elder sister began, "this is problematic."
"Problematic?!" Yorihime yelled back, coming to a stop and facing her sister. "We barely survived Junko, what chance do we have in the face of her patron?!"
"Yelling at me isn't going to get us anywhere," Toyohime replied. "Besides, our old teacher was kind enough to send us plans."
"Plans which we lack the influence to push through ourselves and would, at minimum, see the two of us executed for bringing it to the attention of those who do have clout," Yorihime pointed out caustically.
"Just because the probabilities of our outcomes are weighted far in favor of failure does not mean that success is impossible," Toyhime retorted, wagging her finger at her sister. "If the situation is unfavorable, then we just have to tilt it as far our way as we can."
"By which you mean speak to Lord Tsukiyomi, since he's the only one who won't ignore us and treat the letter as evidence of treason," Yorihime deadpanned, crossing her arms
"More or less," Toyohime sighed, leaning back in her chair to stare at the ceiling.
The two remained silent for the next few seconds, the weight of their situation pressing down on them before the quiet was broken by the sound of Yorihime flopping onto her own chair and letting out a bone-weary sigh.
"Even if we can convince his lordship, do you really think we can carry out Miss Yagokoro's instructions?" She asked softly. "Reconstruction is barely far enough along for everyone to have a home, let alone develop the sort of bleeding-edge techniques and technologies that we would need."
"We swore to defend the Lunar Capital, no matter the cost," Toyohime replied. "Even if our best might not be enough, I can't accept not trying. And I know you feel the same way."
"I do," Yorihime admitted. "No matter how bad things have gotten, this refuge from the Earth's impurity and corruption must be protected. It's something priceless that we'll never regain if lost."
"But?" Toyohime asked, knowing that there was something going unsaid.
"...But I'm not sure how much of the wonder we swore to defend is left," Yorihime admitted hesitantly. "We've barely begun to purify and restore the areas damaged in Junko's attack, our society is in chaos, the moon rabbits are nearly extinct, and the court is hellbent on cracking down on any sign of dissent."
Toyohime rose from her seat, walking over to her sister and laying a supportive hand on her shoulder. "What happened with Reisen wasn't your fault," she said softly. "She made her choice, as did the court."
Yorihime let out a derisive scoff at the mention of that ruling. "Some choice. What else was she to do? A single rabbit against someone who nearly killed the two of us and Lord Tsukiyomi by themselves? All staying there would have done was add her to the fatalities."
"Reasonable cause or not, desertion is still a crime," Toyohime reminded her younger sister. In the end, none of them had been able to deny that their pet had abandoned her duties.
"I know that," she ground out. "But the punishment should match the crime. What happened to her, it can't be called justice."
Toyohime winced, unable to dispute that point. "And if the Lunar Capital survives, one day we might overturn her sentence. But right now, all we can do is try and ensure that day comes."
Yorihime turned her head towards the nearest window, staring out at the lunar surface with barely-restrained melancholy before forcing her gaze back at her sister. "Right," she uttered, more to herself than Toyohime. "All we can do is keep moving forward."
Casting aside unnecessary thoughts, she rose from her chair, a previously lost sense of purpose suffusing her being. "I'll go prepare a list of ways I might be able to contribute to the evacuation plans. Can you arrange for the meeting with Lord Tsukiyomi?"
Toyohime' eyes widened slightly at the sudden shift before she recovered her mental equilibrium. "Right, I'll get on that," she said, nodding back at her younger sister. "Good luck."
Yorihime inclined her head towards her sister in acknowledgment and walked out of the room.
Now alone with her thoughts, Toyohime looked around the room, taking in the rustic decor and sparse trappings. The worst the Lunar Capital has to offer was still leagues beyond terrestrial quality, but the message still rankled. That, after everything, the Watatsukis were not a part of the Capital, that no one would save them if they stepped out of line.
She understood their reasoning, the sisters had objectively failed at their role, but she'd be lying if she said it didn't sting. Still, what happened happened, all that could be done was try to make the best of it.
Toyohime supposed that was the biggest difference between her and Yorihime. Her younger sister cared, deeply enough that she couldn't just ignore the wrongs done to her and those she was close to when it would be convenient. It was an admirable trait and a sign of a strong moral compass.
But in this situation, the two of them a hairsbreadth from being executed or exiled? It was a weakness they couldn't afford, one that was tearing Yorihime apart as she tried to manage it.
Toyohime let out an exhausted sigh before staring out the same window Yorihime had glanced at a minute ago.
The lunar landscape, once a symbol of purity and tranquility was ravaged and despoiled. Massive chasms littered the moon's surface, deep black scars pulsating with ominous purple light. Remnants of Junko's fateful rampage, large and numerous enough to form a web visible from Earth and leading straight to the crater that was previously the Lunar Capital.
Here and there, tiny patches of the previously immaculate surface remained, but even those seemed to shrink away by the day. Eroded by the corrosive taint that the spirit had spread with her every act.
In a way, the scene was symbolic of the Lunarian psyche. Ever since that day, the survivors had been thrown into a frenzy, doing everything in their power to regain the sense of security that had been taken from them. All while ignoring the dangers looming just out of sight, steadily worming their way into gaping vulnerabilities.
Lord Tsukiyomi did his best, but even he had been unable to pull their people away from the self-destructive path they had found themselves on. Where every hint of dissent was an unforgivable sin and the court cared more about making examples than impartial judgment.
Toyohime knew her duty, and she would fight to her last breath and beyond to protect the moon and its inhabitants. But looking out over the damage inflicted several years ago, wounds that had only worsened with time, she wondered deep in her heart if the battle was already lost.
So, remember how I said some things went very differently? Yeah, you just saw one of those.
Junko's hated Lunarians, and Chang'e specifically, for a long time, she just couldn't do anything about it in canon until she hooked up with Hectia. Here, there's an over-deity with a thing for destruction and a dislike of the His Brother's first creations who would happily lend his petitioner a hand. And, while he's more popular than in canon RWBY, the God of Darkness gets requests rarely enough that he's still willing to throw down with his Brother if He tries to interfere in the ones he likes, meaning no help from Them.
The original plan was to include the Fall of the Lunar Capital in the main story, but that bloated the narrative a bit. If you want to see what went down back then, it'll be covered in the eventual side story: Perishable Moon.
What do you all think about the chapter? Remember, constructive criticism is always appreciated.