The Shrine of Gensokyo: Gensokyo no Jinja
Chapter 35: Update on the Battle Front
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Original Concept: ZUN & Shanghai Alice
Written by: wrathie
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Author's Notes: I'm actually hitting a low point in my motivation to write...
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I heard low humming and when I looked up, I could hardly believe that I had not seen Ran at all. Charging a burst of danmaku at me, Ran grinned savagely as she released a rain of death all over me.
The assault from the cats and the foxes had stopped for a few hours after the sun went down but I had kept my guard up. I was caught napping however when I took a small nap to refresh myself.
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[Shanghai!]
Calling the name of my favorite doll, the both of us dived to the side and barely made it, the danmaku bullets exploding on impact and sending dirt and mixed charges of magical energy at us.
Thankfully I had raised a couple of magical shields that withstood the attack the moment I had dived away. Unfortunately as well the control over my doll army was lost in that split decisive moment and I found myself with only shanghai and a few handful of dolls near the vicinity.
Yakumo Ran is not a foe I can treat lightly however and I braced myself for the devastation that would surely follow, nervously fingering my grimoire while doing so.
[Ran, I will not fall so easily.]
Confidently I waved my hands to create a magical sigil that will bring all my dolls near to me. I will overwhelm Ran with numbers not brute strength.
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[Doll Legion: Surround the enemy!]
Pulling on the strings that attached me to them, all the dolls responded and quickly came to my side. If it comes to dexterity I am second to none, I have trained my mind and my body to react and to control multiple things all at once in a fraction of a second.
Controlling an army of dolls was a simple task to me. For a straightforward magician like Marisa and Patchouli however it might be a handful.
I possess the quickness of mind, quickness of reflexes and quickness of judgment. With these assets I have came so far and I will continue my studies to perfect my art.
Yes, I'll show her… how strong I'll become!
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With that thoughts, I recklessly baited Ran, using my dolls to make her defend herself endlessly. Sending lances in front and behind of her, I fired a laser to the side of her to force her into one single escape route, to the left.
[Magic Sign: Artful Sacrifice!]
Releasing the magical properties of one of my dolls in a split second, the form of the doll disappeared and it returned to it's original nature, powerful magic that wrecked havoc on Ran's body as it exploded in a flash of white light. The explosion made me unable to see for a moment but all was going to as planned.
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Ran had disappeared but I knew where she was and where she is hiding. Another youkai might have been fooled by the feign she did earlier but I sharper than she imagined.
Smiling confidently, I pulled and manipulated the dolls to scatter from Ran's position before ordering to fire simultaneously at the undergrowth where she was currently recuperating.
It is unlikely that even the Great Kyubi had escaped from my spellcard unscathed and the shock of being discovered will flush her out.
Running forward, I kicked Ran mightily with my steel tipped boots, sending her crashing into the undergrowth again.
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[Cursed Sign: Hanged Hourai Doll!]
Forming the form of another named doll, I fired off the black laser at Ran even as she too fired one round at me.
[Charming Siege from All Sides!]
All nine tails of hers started glowing and she fired golden beams straight into the path of mine. The two lasers clashed perfectly but I was surely winning the battle of magicks as I had an upper hand.
Ran's laser was powered by herself but mine is powered by reserves of magic I had collected over the years. Sums of magics spread around 20 individual dolls for the past few years should be enough to take on even the elder youka and that is not counting my own personal laser that I am firing through Shanghai.
[Maximum power, overwhelm her NOW!]
Digging in deep, I released all the magic I could safely and it overpowered Ran's lasers with a small screeching sound. The laser struck Ran and she was blasted clean off into the forest, the sound that I heard signaled that she at least was out of the commission for a while.
[?]
Was it not over yet?
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Sensing weird magic at work, I upped my guard by collecting my dolls in a circle around and above me, I had sensed this magic before, I had faced it in fact but what is it?
It was a mystery to me till I saw the telltale sign of a gap forming directly in front of me.
[Yakumo!]
Instinctively I shield myself and none too soon as a laser struck one of my dolls and caused it to explode.
[Mary-Ann!]
Yakumo Yukari, another puppet master in Gensokyo but she played a much higher 'game' than we do. To us we were jut pawns and parallel to her attitude towards us, her power is the same, overwhelming and practically unfair.
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As I returned fire while retreating as I did so, I heard the unmistakable sounds of tearing and ripping that signaled that Ran had recovered, to my immediate dismay. With Yukari in such close proximity, her powers were no doubt in full force.
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As per my previous findings that tallied with what Patchouli had estimated, Yakumo Ran is capable of unleashing precisely 78.451% of her true powers without Yukari's presence but if pushed she can be as dangerous as 92.84% of her full capabilities.
With Yukari egging her on however, Yakumo Ran was Yukari's equal in strength…
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[… Facing two Yukaris'… this is not optimal.]
I reasoned with myself as I retreated deeper and deeper into the forest in reflex. In truth I was thinking of using the trees as cover but on hindsight that is useless with Yukari, she is the gap youkai after all.
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[Hanged Dolls: Hourai Doll!]
Firing another powerful laser in Yukari's gap, it was my chance for a comeback as on cue, Yukari disappeared into a gap but I cancelled the spellcard in the same instant, throwing a tiny magical bomb into a gap that appeared behind me.
[… hmm…]
Rubbing my chin as a shockwave suddenly struck me, causing me to stagger a little, I turned white when the source of the commotion was found.
A couple of feet in front of me, Yakumo Ran was charging a gigantic orb of magic in front of her. The magic was so densely packed that it would surely take her out with it.
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[CHARMING DEVASTATION FROM ALL SIDES!]
Clapping her hands, Ran seemed to be meditating as the orb of energy burst and split apart to tiny fragments that littered the ground and the sky.
I hesitated for good reason, this did not seem right. The magical energies surrounding me is still hostile and I nervously stared at Ran for her next possible move she could make.
A kitsune is not a foe I should underestimate but as a low humming sound made me look up, I felt all the strength leaving me for a moment.
[…]
I am in deep trouble as I had given Yakumo Ran too little credit. She is unraveling a spell that was similar in design to the penultimate spellcard in Gensokyo.
The danmaku orbs formed around me in layers and layers of overlapping circles. I knew they were waiting for Ran to give the signal to converge on me.
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[…Blue Sign: Benevolent French Dolls!]
Pulling the magical threads, I converged the remaining dolls around me and collapsed their power inside me. I have to take a final gamble. If this fails I am out of options.
It is do or break time!
Releasing the energy, I took care to leave at least one doll by my side at all times as I navigated the tricky patterns by Ran. The contracting and retracting wall of orbs is nothing difficult but the difference was when Ran started traversing in circles around me, spinning like how she was renowned to and using Perfect Buddhist to hamper me.
It was tough going, I was hit multiple times and my concentration was broken a few times when Chen started popping up suddenly.
[Magic Sign: Artful Sacrifice!]
Shanghai knocked Chen away with a burst of colorful danmaku and I seized the opportunity. Timing it just right, I released the energy from one doll to cancel Ran's spell card in a decisive break that I followed up with a powerful kick that sent Ran flying.
[Doll Sign: Shanghai Doll!]
Deciding that I must end this quick, I fired the powerful laser at Ran to miss the most important sign that I should be looking for.
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[ALICE!]
Hearing the scream, I looked up to see Yukari charging at me, parasol in hand.
[Bewitching Butterfly in the Zen Temple!]
Golden claws extended from behind her and they came towards me with malicious intent. It was too late for me to erect a shield nor do I have the strength to do so. All I hoped for was a painless death for my efforts.
[Damn you, Yukari!]
I screamed in defiance as I closed my eyes, awaiting for my eventual death.
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[Alice…]
Yet, it is not time yet as I escaped deaths grip once more. It is the same as last time, my savior was the ever present Red-White, Hakurei Reimu.
She had erecting a barrier and thus Reimu had stopped Yukari within inches of slicing open my throat, the golden claws bending upon one another from the impact of hitting the barrier.
[Are… you okay?]
She panted beside me as she raised her gohei in the air and chanted.
[Protect this soul, protect the innocent, release the soul and release the innocence… Youkai buster!]
Spinning an amulet in front of her, Reimu blasted Ran away with a single shot and it left me awestruck at her powerful she was. Streams of magical energy was not gathered by Reimu, it CAME to Reimu naturally.
I can see magic quite clearly and this clearly is not normal magic. It is not the magic that is gathered by me from the forest, the streams or the earth that is used to power mine and Patchouli's spells. Reimu is drawing on spiritual magical energy. An energy that is drawn from the spirit of people….
But I am unsure about my hypothesis… how can this even be possible? To draw from one's spirit or soul… would it not rob one of life?
Like how my experiment misfired on me, I had unwillingly gave life to Shanghai…
Has she perfected the magic for that?
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[Stop this Yukari! Alice is not involved in this!]
[Oh yes she is. Everyone is…. Everyone will be before you strike me down Reimu! I gave them a break earlier… but now, now is the End! Do you hear their cries? Do you want to see their struggle, Reimu? HERE!]
Opening a few gaps in front of us, Yukari gloated as she showed us horrible images of our friends struggling against Yukari's minions. One of which was very dear to me…
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[KAGUYA!]
Screaming in anger as she had fallen behind again, I bit my lip to keep my concentration in holding the fire barrier. Out of the blue the earth suddenly shook and from the earth various youkai came out of the earth, moaning and groaning as they scrambled to free themselves from their earthly prison. It was looking like a dire situation as I battled youkai after youkai emerging from the ground.
They were endless, Yukari had somehow managed to raise the dead with her powers and they are rallying around her, probably to destroy us all.
At first I am a little relieved Kaguya was there to help out, she was struggling true; but she was looking after the villagers while I was facing the worst of it.
Tossing my ofudas at them, I was running out fast and I had to retrieve them, occasionally enduring a few hits from the youkai zombies as I kicked them away or with occasionally explosions I created from the dust that were floating about.
Suika had taught me that, that oni was useful after all.
By waiting for the dust to accumulate, I created a burst of flame that caused everything in the vicinity of the explosion to rip apart from the sheer intensity of the blast.
Due to the number game by Yukari, the explosion was highly effective and was a double edged sword as well. More often than I wanted to I would cause such explosions and they hurt a lot. The initial shockwave would carry me a few feet away and the landing was not pretty.
[DAMNIT KAGUYA!]
I cursed again at Kaguya, who was weakly fending them off with her rainbow danmaku, such worthless junk!
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[HEY CATCH!]
Forming a fireball in my hands, I flung it straight at Kaguya and she scattered like a rat. Good thing she did too as the resulting explosion threw her a few feet into the air but she was unscathed.
That felt good! But Kaguya just thanked me, what the heck!
[Thanks Mokou!]
She even waved as she sent more rainbow danmaku to pierce through the zombies that were approaching the hiding place of the villagers.
I mustn't get distracted now, I must reinforce the barrier if not…
My sentence left hanging in the air as I knew what would happen if the fire barrier failed and all the remaining foxes and kitsunes got in while we were still struggling.
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We will be wiped out, immortal or not.
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Damnit! I swore to Keine I'll protect the village and to him that I'll protect Keine.
Shit I felt so helpless as I tore off the many youkai that latched on to me as I sprinted to the barrier. These annoying youkai were trying to pin me down and not to kill me, immortals do not die after all! But it is frustrating…
[GET OFF ME!]
Screaming in rage, I ignited myself in a fiery cloak that vaporized all the things around me. The grass caught fire and even the rocks started changing color in the intense heat.
For me it is just a breeze, nothing much and I carried on, trudging my way through those despicable scum that still threw themselves at me.
Pitiful, they just want to pull me down and god damn they are doing it.
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[FLAW OF FORGVING SHRINE!]
Screaming, I unleashed a way of amulets that tore through the whole row of them, burning their bodies and almost choking at their stench.
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[… This might kill me…]
The smell was horrible and worst of all, they still came at me without their heads and bodies. Figures it'll be the night of the living dead against the immortal.
[ARGH!]
Slamming a fist on the ground, I finally mastered the technique of controlling magma and as the flow of magma concentrated around me, I blasted the zombies with molten rock after rock. This seems to work as they were crushed and subsequently incarcerated.
[Hmph, and STAY THERE]
They were more annoying then Eirin, which is quite hard to get rid of. These guys are endless and I might not make it in time, DAMNIT!
The fire barrier was flickering and if it is not maintained…
SHIT SHIT! SHIT!
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[Mokou!]
Suddenly, Kaguya started flying in my direction while I just swore.
Great, another mess to take care off
[KAGUYA GET BACK THERE!]
Throwing a fireball at her, I wavered a little when Kaguya calmly accepted the hit from me.
[Mokou, I'll take care of the barrier… you take care of the inside.]
Without giving an explanation, Kaguya simply charged forward and headed straight to the barrier, enduring the various rocks, danmaku and acidic spit from the zombie youkai.
[HEY WAIT!]
I called out for her to not do something so foolish, it is not that I am worried but I'm short-handed here! Kaguya you dimwit!
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Reaching her after charging straight through another mess of youkai, I looked back to see that some of the men had emerged and were fighting of the zombies.
SO they are not helpless after all.
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[Kaguya get back to the-]
But an explosion of light coming from Kaguya silenced me immediately.
What was that fool doing?
Kaguya was declaring a spellcard alright but what spellcard was it?
Racking my mind, I paused for a second too late as I remembered and recognized the spell incantations from her mouth.
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[Last Spell]
[No way, SHIT!]
Diving back, I did not expect that from her, not at this stage!
[KAGUYA!]
[END OF ETERNITY!]
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Hi, Kaguya here!
I know it's weird to be cheerful when in the middle of a life or death situation but I just felt like smiling in happiness. Mokou is actually listening and paying attention to me!
That itself made my heart swell in happiness. It's a long shot but it's a glimmer of hope that one day we could become friends… Friends! Me and Mokou! That'll be nice!
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[…]
But now is not the time to think these thoughts…
Jumping back, I wiped sweat from my brows before firing another round of rainbow danmaku that riddle the newest youkai zombie with holes. It did not stop it however and I was forced to blast it apart with magic. My rainbow danmaku is more of a scare tactic than one a powerful one and as I anticipated, it is more or less worthless against the zombie hordes.
I read about them once and they say they'll love to have a machine gun to get rid of them… but to get a machine gun is an Impossible Request about now…
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And what IS a machine gun?
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Leaping into the air, I called out another spellcard to protect the villagers. They are a really nice group of people, kind and caring towards me and shouting encouragement to Mokou.
[Impossible Request: Buddha's Stone Bowl!]
Magic gathered around the small circle where the villagers were hiding and formed a large magical barrier around them, as hard as diamond itself.
Satisfied, that they will be safe, I drew out another mystical weapon in my arsenal. If the Rainbow Danmaku won't do, I'll try all till it does!
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[Divine treasure: Brilliant Dragon Bullet!]
Feeling strength leave me, I was interrupted when one of the youkai rammed it's body against me and sent me sprawling back into the dirt. My clothes are getting dirty, oh dear…
Picking myself up, I once again regretted that I had not exercised for the past hundred years or so. Simple tasks like walking is making me pant now… How long can I last?
[Divine Treasure: Brilliant Dragon Bullet!]
Learning from my mistake, I dodged to the side as the youkais simultaneously tried the same tactic only to be blasted away with the Colorful lasers that even now made me clap my hands in delight.
They are beautiful, I remembered the first time I tried it out, it sparkled in the night sky like fireworks…
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[… Ah…]
But I am getting carried away again…
Running in fright at the large youkai that had risen from the earth, I gave a yelp of pain when a sudden fireball struck me but it took out the other youkai near me at the same time. My robe had been enchanted to resist fire and such a small explosion could not possibly hurt me…
But, like Mokou had said, it is endless and we're going to lose… lose very terribly in fact if the fire barrier did not hold… This is frightening to imagine… me and Mokou can survive the onslaught as we are immortal… but what about the children.
Looking back, they were hugging their parents in fear and they are so innocent and so full of life. It would be unfair for them to miss out on life due to my failure and my weakness…
I know I am weak but…. I never knew I am this weak, so helpless against such odds. Mokou she….
Looking forward, I see Mokou still struggling towards the barrier with perhaps seven youkai clinging on to her body and yet she is still trudging on, not giving a care in the world.
[… I, I mustn't let that happen!]
I do have a gambit in my hands that I can use, it'll work, I am sure of it… but the villagers… I can't protect them if I do that…
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What can I do?
What should I do?
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[AH!]
[Big sister, Watch out!]
A surprise attack by a youkai was stopped when a mud ball smacked right in it's face but in the process dirtying my kimono even more.
It'll stain!
It was one of the village children who saved me from a premature resurrection and I am ever so thankful as I drove the youkai crowd away again with a wave of the hourai branch.
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Mind racing, I finally decided to play one of my final cards…
[The last gamble… a final gambit.]
I remembered the time when Eirin did a magic trick for me to see, a sleight of hand. It was my turn to pick a card from the deck of life. It may give hope or it might come with it a sense of overwhelming doom and dread, but it is my turn to make the decision, to make the call that will influence what our next move shall be.
It is like blackjack… will it be another ace? Or will it be a two?
But I won't know if I don't try, isn't that right, Mokou?
Right, Reimu?
Even now I can sense your presence, see your acts of courage when struggling against Yukari, the most powerful being in Gensokyo. Their struggled is so epic in comparison to mine but she never wavered, she never quit and neither shall I.
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Taking into the air, I reached for a particular card that I kept at the end of my deck, it is one of those that I rarely, if ever use…
[Mokou!]
I was abandoning my post but I must do this, if not Mokou won't last! Not with so many youkai dragging her down. Even Mokou is not superwoman!
But when she threw a fireball at me, I calmly accepted the fireball with my hands and absorbed a majority of the impact into my spell. It'll be much of a bang now, ehe~
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[Mokou, I'll take care of the barrier… you take care of the inside.]
Landing in front of the fire barrier, I felt my whole body freeze at the sight that greeted me. Hundreds of cats were waiting patiently while hundreds of foxes likewise prowled the perimeter of the barrier, waiting for it to collapse.
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[No… ]
I was shivering now, I felt weak and helpless again like how I felt when I was in Mokou's mercy.
There is no way, no way that I can overcome this odds….
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[KAGUYA! GET BACK HERE!]
But it was her voice that brought me back to reality and from the suffocating darkness and helplessness that was fast taking over my mind.
[… Last Spell…]
A Last Spell, one that drains one of all energy and to some extent life… but this last spell is different from others. It is not like my other Last Spells… it is, a last word.
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[END OF ETERNITY!]
Brilliant light flashed from my body and in a remarkable short amount of time, destroyed everything in sight that I found displeasing.
It is like facing a god, a god of destruction that seals your fate with blinding light. It is an alright slaughter when this spellcard is concerned. It will use light energy to heat and vaporize all that stands in my path.
But it would not kill Hourai beings and… besides…
[… …]
I wobbled unsteadily before I felt gravity overcome my strength and I fell backwards much like what one sees on the theatrics straight into strong but trembling arms.
Ah… My head hurts
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I was frail and drained of all of my strength, a Last Spell does that to you and it is frustrating to feel so helpless and even more embarrassing when it is Mokou that had caught me. She was staring at me now and she looks absolutely stunning even when covered with blood and gore and with cuts everywhere.
Am I having some weird fetishes?
That doesn't matter for now, if she appreciates my effort than…
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[Oi oi! Stupid! Why did you have to do that for?]
[…]
[ANSWER ME KAGUYA!]
She roughly shook me and slowly coaxed me to my feet, Mokou does not know that is a last spell yet, does she?
[Why did you use a Last Spell!]
[… you… knew?]
[STUPID! I knew all your Spell cards! That was uncalled for!]
Mokou raised an arm and looked as if she is going to strike me for my carelessness but she stopped in the end, shaking her hand in anger.
[Don't do it! Stupid Kaguya!]
She crossed her arms and gave an all suffering sigh as she looked back towards the village, the villagers were coming out even when it is still dangerous… why?
[Heh… they came to help I think… can't for the life of me think why though…]
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[I can… can't you hear them?]
[Eh?]
Whispering softly, I slowly walked towards them, hearing fragments of their speech as they rushed forward.
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[We can't let two girls protect us!]
[That's right! This is our village, we have waited long enough! Let us protect it together!]
[Fujiwara-san has done so much for us! The Princess too! We can't depend on them forever!]
[Even though we were so horrible towards her… Fujiwara-san is protecting the village, we can't lose to her!]
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The villagers… they finally got the courage to accept her… I'm glad…
Mokou looks a little embarrassed too as she waved at them to go back, telling them it is not safe, not with the fire barrier still so weak…
They might get through at any moment!
[Hey hey! Get back where it's safe! These are youkai! They are magical!]
But try as they might they would not go back, Mokou just muttered something to Keine about not being her fault before turning back to me.
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[Kaguya… when are you gonna keep standing there, c'mon…]
Unwillingly, she motioned for me to come over to where they are gathered but… but…
[Kaguya?]
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[!]
She must have seen how I spat blood as her face turned to one of horror and then anger and then to one that I was perplexed by. The Last Spell hurts… oh it does hurt… Eirin… Eirin come save me… it hurts so much…
[KAGUYA!]
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But I won't give up… no I won't…
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[Onee-sama!]
Gritting my teeth, I focused my strength on maintaining the scarlet mist as requested and the situation was getting critical now. Flan is not tiring but I am tiring and tiring fast… I have underestimated that damn Yukari and not for the first time…
Her powers have somehow managed to sneak sunlight through to us, completely bypassing the fake moon by the lunarians all together.
Even with the boost in lunar power… the Sun… ugh…
I… I can't hold on…
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[ONEE-SAMA!]
Flan that brat… haven't I told her not to come near… … me…
I must have sank down to my knees as Flan was towering above me, she seemed so tall and imposing now… is that how I look like in her eyes, so powerful and untouchable?
[Onee-sama! Flandre will save you! Tell Flandre what's wrong!]
Ah, that brat… claiming she can save me when even all the power in the world can't…. ah the irony…
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[Onee-sama! Flan will! So tell Flandre! Tell Flandre like how I told you!]
Told… me?
[I want to protect Onee-sama too! Let me, Onee-sama! Let Flan save you, just once!]
… so that's it…
In her eyes, I saved her from so many ridiculous and trivial times… I am… her elder sister after all.
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Fat load of help that was… you can't save me Flan… this overwhelming strength that is shining above us. No vampire can stand that brilliant fireball… DAMNIT
[Do you need to go to the loo?]
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[You brat…]
[Ah, Onee-sama…]
What am I doing? What am I, a girl who pees in her pants? DAMN YOU FLAN… and thank you.
That helpless remark had cleared my mind a little… stupid joke it was…
[Flan.]
[Hai~ Onee-sama?]
[You silly…]
Managing a grin on my ragged face, I raised one hand and knocked her good on her forehead. That'll teach her.
[That hurts, Onee-sama~]
Flandre whimpered a little as she sat down beside me and started a temper tantrum, trust her to be laid back when death is just a step away from me.
My fate, it looks like it is about to run dry soon and why is she not afraid?
… if the sun breaks through the mist… we won't last… I knew that and that is why I am afraid… I fear for my death, who does not fear for one's own death?
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[Onee-sama~~ you're the greatest! You'll always protect Flan right? Forever and ever and ever…]
She clung on to me, ignoring all the cries of the youkai that is approaching the mansion. Why is she not afraid? Why is there no fear in this childish brat of a sister? Is there no logic left in that body of hers?
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Even devoid of hope, even knowing that fate has nothing left in store for me, why can she still smile and be reassured?
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[Onee-sama~ You'll protect Flandre, right? That's why my onee-sama is the greatest!]
[…]
So, she's always looking up to me… heh…
I gripped the earth in frustration, not caring if my dress got stained with the earth if I can just stand up. Flandre and everyone else is looking at me now, I won't admit defeat now; not when I had ordered Sakuya not to.
I look ridiculous… I can't be seen in this way… Stand up…
Stand up, Remilia Scarlet….
Is this the way you want to be seen by the others…
Is this the way you want Flandre to see you as?
Is this how the Scarlet Devil, the Mistress of the Elegant Izayoi Sakuya want to be seen?
HOW HUMILATING!
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[I will not bow to fate… I AM THE MISTRESS OF FATE!]
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[Everyone!]
Dashing towards where I knew everyone was, I held my twin guns tightly in my grasp, ready to fire at any given moment. Sakuya-san, Momizi-san… I won't, I won't hold back again!
Hearing the sounds of knives being thrown and battle cries being cried out loud, I burst through the undergrowth and started firing almost immediately.
The results too were immediate as the cats and foxes just fell like bowling pins.
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[Eh?]
I was glad to see Sakuya-san still fine, if a little tired but she sure was shocked at my reappearance.
She tried to say something but was stopped from doing so when she flung a knife into a cat that was creeping up behind her.
[…]
Reloading my guns, I simply dashed forward and used my guns to show my determination.
I won't hold back, I won't falter, I won't give in and I won't run away!
There is still time for me to make amends, I will do my best! I will have no regrets even if I die as I truly, put in my all.
As they say it, put all my eggs in the same basket, I'll throw in my all with the lot of you, like you Sakuya-san who placed everything in your hands in the outcome of this battle.
I, Reisen Udongein Inaba will place everything I have in this battle also…
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[Everyone, I'll handle this…]
Not even waiting for a reply, I focused my energies into the moon above me.
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[Spread Sign: Invisible Full Moon!]
The eerily colored scarlet moon flashed once and it was enough at that moment to unleash the full extent of my power. Surely but slowly in their eyes, shadows of myself appeared all around Gensokyo, their guns drawn and ready for combat. Anywhere the light of the moon shines I will show myself, I will cause insanity in every one of you!
My power manifests itself when you look into my eyes, the power to instill insanity is one is a power I would gladly not have but now it is my greatest asset. With the moon as my channel, everyone can be a victim and that includes all the cats and foxes that were staring apprehensively at nothing at all.
I can create illusions of anything but the best illusion is an illusion of myself… I will let them all drown in my illusion, struggle in my illusion and die in my illusion.
[… huff…. Huff…]
But all of that came at a price, the price of maintaining the illusion is the sanity of my fragmented will and mind… if the illusions is kept up for extended period of times… it may even drive me insane…
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[… Fire at will!]
Pointing my signature gesture at them, I allowed them to see the illusion of being fired at and the sensation of pain when there was none.
As expected they scattered, all of them into the woods and I fell down, winded but relieved.
[That took… a shorter time than I thought…]
Dropping to my knees in exhaustion, I was sure that it would come as a surprise to many in my side that I had forced a retreat of the force that we had been trying to exterminate for so long. It made me feel bad, if I had pulled this off earlier, lots of lives could perhaps be saved… the feeling of guilt was once again creeping up on me.
[… Reisen.]
Hearing the stern voice of Sakuya-san behind me, I wearily turned to greet her, my hands twiddling nervously behind my back as she glared at me. She was mad and she had the right to do so… I won't deny that I was holding back all this time.
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[That was not called for, Reisen! You could have killed yourself!]
I admit, what she said was not what I had expected and I found myself staring at her in disbelief. Was she actually saying what I did was useless?
[Inaba-san, we had them in the retreat, woof!]
Chiming in, my fellow commander Inubashiri Momizi growled in a mixture of disappointment and relief as the two of them helped me out.
[But, it did made things a little easier… Let us all take five!]
Raising her hands, Sakuya-san gave permission for all the troops to rest and I sat down under a tree with the two of them, listening to the current situation.
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[I am glad, that you showed what you are capable of, Reisen.]
Sakuya-san smiled warmly at me when she finished, it turns out the situation was not as bad as I had dreaded. The opposing force had retreated on sunset and had given our side ample time to regroup; the sudden attack was unexpected but nothing that our men and youkai cannot handle. Perhaps I had revealed my hand too soon?
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Asking the strategists in charge of the defense, Miss Knowledge, I was gratified to learn that it is an unexpected assist but it was worth the energy I had spent on it.
[It is a great psychological barrier they have to overcome, in doing so we will have the opportunity to strike them down in one decisive strike.]
[But Udongein…]
Flinching at the nickname that Eirin-sama used to refer to me, I nonetheless replied.
[yes, Eirin-sama?]
[So… you have decided to play all your cards?]
[Yes, Eirin-sama, I have.]
[… …]
[… …. Eirin-sama?]
[Even if it is futile?]
[Eirin-sama?]
[Tell me, Udongein, even if everything we do is futile?]
[… … yes, even if what I am doing is futile.]
I did not know what effect I had on Eirin-sama but she gave a deep and long suffering sigh.
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[The two of you, delinquents will be punished…]
[Eh?]
[… … Brace yourself, this time it will be a much rougher time.]
Standing to attention, the three of us drew our weapons and called for our men to stand ready, expecting an onslaught of more foxes and cats.
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[Esoterica: Astronomical Entombing!]
Streams of silver laser struck the earth in front of us and we shielded our eyes from the intense light before charging forward, Eirin-sama was clearing the path for us to victory. However, it did not completely mask our surprise as what we encountered were not cats or foxes but another vile monstrosity all together.
[SHOW THE PRIDE OF THE TENGU!]
That was my thought going into the fray but Momizi-san simply howled louder than I ever heard her do before as she split the youkai zombie in half with her glistening sword. Even being covered in zombie gore and sludge, Momizi-san still inspired the courage in me and I fired without hesitation, shooting a hole between the eyes of a youkai zombie that threatened to choke one of Momizi-san's white wolf guards.
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[!]
Even if what I am doing is futile, even if what I am defending will not last… it is now that counts!
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Even if it is hopeless I will not give up!
Even if fate decrees it to be, I will not cowed by it!
Even if what I am doing is meaningless, I will not give in!
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Author's Notes: Ah.. someone motivate me...