The Shrine of Gensokyo: Gensokyo no Jinja

by Wrathie Winsre

Reimu has left Gensokyo and it has been 14 years since. Now an ordinary Shrine Maiden, she is recalled to save her beloved homeland: Gensokyo. Her ways and demeanor has changed and so has her abilities throughout the years. Can she succeed once more?

42. Chapter 42

The Shrine of Gensokyo: Gensokyo No Ginja

Chapter 42: Judgment

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Original Concept by: ZUN & Shanghai Alice

Written by: wrathie

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Author's Notes: Oh, the ride is not over yet!

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[…]

I walked alone, slowly through the deep mist. I wondered where was I, why I was here but I... .slowly realized that actually, it does not matter why I am here, where I must be here…

I just know that I must be here… that is all.

For as I am Hakurei Reimu, Hakurei Reimu must be here.

Slowly making my way forward, I held my breath at witnessing the grandeur of the Sanzu River again. I've visited this place a few days ago, although it felt like years now.

[… It's beautiful.]

I had appreciated its beauty before but it seems… different now. Maybe I was different, my thoughts and beliefs molded me to view it differently.

[….]

The weight on my shoulder was gone as well; I felt more relaxed and more at ease with the world. It feels… fulfilling yet… it makes me feel a little disappointed to say the least.

It is the opposite of what I expected, I had expected myself to be happy, to be glad that I am free of my duties now that… I've passed on to the other side…

[… I am being… silly, it's all over now… I have nothing to regret about, nothing to be sad about… I… did it, I saved Gensokyo.]

Yes, I did save Gensokyo and I… I did keep my promise to Suika; I saw her face frozen in shock as my strength failed me.

[… stop… j-just stop…]

I wanted to cry, I feel saddened and helpless knowing that I left Suika behind. Suika… alone to fend for herself… and so many things that could happen to her after my passing.

Would she be able to take it? The pressure of being the Shrine Maiden? I don't know… I do not even know whether she would be willing to take on the role or would she even… even be strong enough to live through the rest of her life…

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[…]

I clutched myself in worry; I did not know what to do. My life… it has ended, surely it has and yet I am not free from my worries and my worldly desires…

I wanted to see them again, all of them… anyone of them again… But it is too little too late, I feel regret, anger and happiness all at the same time.

I regretted not doing more for them, not telling each and every one of them I loved them… I… I wished I did…

I feel anger too, of not being able to be stronger… I could be able to stop her… stop Yukari and perhaps this would not have happened, no one would be hurt…

And… in a twisted way, I am happy, happy that I am finally free of my responsibilities, I have done all I can, all I believe I could have done if someone else was placed in my shoes.

I clutched my head furtively, reminding myself that no, it was selfish of me to think this way… not when the rest of them…

[… I… I don't know what to do…]

Or what to think anymore for the matter… I did not want to be faced with this predicament at all… I… all I wanted to was…

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[… what did you want really, Reimu?]

I looked up and I saw Komachi, the death god looking at me from her gondola as she smiled grimly at me.

[W-was I talking out loud?]

[… Nah, we get that all the time, ya know? C'mon… it's your turn…]

She bit her lip as she ushered me on to the titanic. It felt odd, a little nostalgic and at the same time a sense of dread overcame me as I sat down on the gondola. It is the natural response for a person to feel fear when death faces you in the face.

Death itself, for no doubt it was her, Onuzuka Komachi pushed off from the bank and started rowing down the Sanzu River. She was not her usual chatty self and I know, I could tell that Komachi was feeling the strain of ferrying me and I apologized to her.

[I… I'm sorry…]

[…]

She paused for a while, considering her words as she reached towards me and pat me on the head.

[… Nah…]

She smiled; a very forced one as her grip on her scythed strengthened; so much so that you could practically see groves made on her scythe from the pressure.

[… I knew it… ya know? All along… that… well, you'll be my last customer for the day ya... You know, nothing is free in this world yea? Ahaha]

Komachi laughed awkwardly as we went further and further into the Sanzu River. The mist was so thick now that I could barely see anything at all. It was like I was reaching the end of my journey.

As we came from nothing, we in turn return to nothing…

[… Ya know…. It's a really busy day today… for everyone, huh? I r-really wanted to help…]

Komachi, her lip trembling, pushed herself harder as I moved closer to her. Even a death god is human or at the least, have human feelings and emotions.

[… Miss Komachi…]

I whispered softly to her as she kept speaking to herself, making idle chatter about nothing in particular.

She was running away from something and I for one, knew what it is…

[S-stop… please…]

I touched her and she riled away from me, fear in her eyes as she stared at me while I just, looked down on the floor sadly.

[… I-I know… I'm sorry…]

[… I… It's not fair… I, I never wanted you to see me like this… ya know?]

Komachi, she sat down on her gondola and sighed, all the while looking away from me.

[I'm the death god, you know? It's a job… I have to… do it…]

Komachi's lip trembled as I too, turned away, unable to look at her anymore.

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It was horrible; words could not describe how I felt then.

I felt bad for Komachi, whose job hurts her when she makes friends. Everyone, including youkai, who have long lives will in the end meet her and be ruthlessly ferried across for her judgment.

I say so with much hesitation on my side… … no matter how much wisdom I gather, how much knowledge I know… nothing can prepare me to understand her, someone likely immortal and who has gotten much more wisdom, worldly knowledge and pent up frustration as her.

No one, perhaps maybe the Yama herself can relate to that.

A death god must be ruthless in her tasks, not shedding a tear, not allowing her emotions, her ties with the mortal world, a world that she has lost all ties with, to interfere with her work.

Like me, I wonder if she had a choice in the matter… was she willing to take into the role? Or was she… like how I was initially, born into the role of the ferryman?

Unlike me however, Komachi she, she has no choice in the matter. It is her job, her job and her tasks not to let emotions get the better of her…

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[There is no… helping it, huh?]

Komachi swallowed nervously as she stood up again, this time she seemed determined as she hugged me.

[… But, somehow… it seems odd, ya know? That you'll be the last… I mean, last of my shift today. Ahaha…]

Komachi laughed as she started to push forward again, going deeper and deeper into the Sanzu River with me.

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[… we Death Gods, are to bring you to the judge ya know… …]

[Shiki-sama is going to be the one to judge you, before she passes you to the other judges… Shiki-sama and I are responsible for Gensokyo in General, I'm sure you know that, right?]

I nodded and Komachi smiled a little sadly at me.

[I've been here all of my life… seeing people go from time to time… But not people I know, unless it's youkai but that's rare too… This… is my first time, Reimu… I-I've never had a friend… I've never had to ferry a friend across…]

Komachi paused for a moment before she shrugged and confessed to me.

[I've considered you a friend, Reimu, that's why I got so emotional… AHAHA… you probably don't think of me … as a friend… I'm a Death god, we death gods, don't have friends.]

She smirked at me but I shook my head, rebutting her.

[No, you're my friend…]

[… … Thanks. Thou it's probably too late to ask you that, huh?]

Komachi smirked again, rubbing her nose as she sighed while looking around.

[Guess… this is it…]

[…]

Komachi suddenly stopped as she placed her scythe down and donned a large black hood. She was the Death God now, embodiment of death and I sat in front of her, trying hard not to run away in fear.

I paused as I stood up, there was nothing in sight and I felt butterflies in my stomach. This was it. I knew it, deep inside me I dreaded this part of the journey, where I would know the truth.

How I was about to be judged and how many of my sins I had not atoned for…

I recalled the passage I had read before, so many years ago.

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The Sanzu River, the place where those who could not pay the Ferrymen, is thrown to be eaten rather than be judged.

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I… am not about to be judged after all…

[…]

[L-Listen Reimu, this isn't what you think it is.]

Komachi was panicking, reading the expression I deemed unreadable, the expression everyone has when they are face to face with death.

My death however, was not going to be pretty…

[… Miss Komachi… I, I don't want you to get your hands dirty… I don't want to burden you…with this. I… don't want you to… remember that you…]

I stopped and smiled.

[Thank you, Miss Komachi… for being here with me, in my final journey.]

I stood at the edge of the gondola and jumped, certainly into my death into the Sanzu River.

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[Gee, Reimu… you're such a hassle.]

But my legs did not touch water, when I landed, instead of a splash I heard the sounds of bells ringing, jingling about as I walked a few steps into the otherwise solid ground.

W-what is happening? Was I not meant to drown in the Sanzu river? Why?

[I… didn't I not have enough… to pay for the passage, Miss Komachi?]

[I'm a pretty cheap ride ya know? Ahahaha… But man, I've never served a customer like you, Reimu. Look closely.]

She smiled as with a wave of her hands, the mist that clouded my view of the Sanzu River slowly parted. What I saw made my knees weak and I fell down, stunned and amazed.

Instead of water in the Sanzu River, it was overflowing with coins. The gondola was not travelling in water, but instead in coins.

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[… Shows how much you're missed, huh, Reimu? I've never seen something like this, ever. The people love you, Reimu… your friends and all those that you don't know the name of… everyone misses you… It's like Gensokyo itself mourns you.]

Komachi jumped from the gondola and took a fistful of coins and dropped them down, showing her significant this is to her and to me.

[You're a pretty rich person, Reimu, to get this haul even when you died. Ahaha.]

[… Everyone…]

I cried again, unsure what to say or what to do when faced with such a predicament. It should be something I am thankful and joyful for but it made me feel even sadder and hurt.

I… everyone…

[… Look, foreign currency… now that the Yen is strong I could probably use some of this. Reimu, you got people who miss you on the other side too…]

Komachi pat my shoulder before helping me up and drying my tears.

[Now, don't cry anymore. It's something to be happy about. You should know, memories of someone special and important to you never fade… You did your best, ya know? It's time, to move on.]

She pointed at a general direction and in the distance, I could see a pathway, lined with golden and black tiles.

[Shiki-sama is waiting for you…]

Komachi looked away before she jumped back to the gondola, leaving me still looking at the pathway, the path where I will have to face the ultimate judgment.

[… Thank you, Miss Komachi… again, for… being with me.]

[For your final journey eh?]

I started but I nodded too, it was the truth. This was probably going to be my final journey.

My knees were weak and I was trembling, I feared the worst but… it was what made me human.

Facing my fears, facing my distrust, facing my own beliefs, questioning and proving them without a doubt.

This, is what my journey in life was about.

Now, it is time for the answer… I wanted an answer… an answer to my journey…

No matter how harsh it is.

[I'll go to Gensokyo now, yours is the last I have to ferry today…]

Komachi turned and slowly disappeared into the remerging mist as I trudged towards the path, wading through the sea of coins slowly.

Here, I am no one, I am not the Hakurei Shrine Maiden nor was I Hakurei Reimu.

I am just another person, weak and helpless waiting for the ultimate judgment…

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As I walked slowly, the mist parted again and soon, I saw what awaited me, a grand hall built in the middle of seemingly nowhere and the person, sitting on the imposing judge's stand was the Yama of Paradise, Yamaxanadu Shikeiki.

She was preoccupied with paperwork but the moment I stepped into the court, a pair of doors slammed shut behind me as the open air-court enclosed itself, trapping me within.

[I have been expecting you, Hakurei Reimu.]

She slowly looked up and there was no trace of her any familiarity in her eyes.

This is her line, her profession and what she has excelled for as long as she serves the court.

[… Yes…]

I knelt down in front of the yama, what else could I do in the face of the penultimate person that rules my fate?

Everyone, upon reaching the end of their life will meet the Yama, who will judge one by their sins and their virtues…

[It seems you are willing to repent for your actions, whether it is your sins or your virtues. Very well, I shall announce to you the number of sins you have committed.]

Raising a hand, she made a scroll appeared in her hands and started reading out slowly and in detail what my sins were, from the date and the time to why and who it was committed to, the Yama-sama did not spare a single detail.

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[On the Date of 16th August in the Year of 2008 In the Western Calendar, you are guilty multiple times in assaulting and harming many various youkai fairies without explanation, this is a separate crime from what you did to the Komeji Sisters and their various subordinates

On the Date of 8th March in the Year of 2009 in the Western Calendar, you are guilty multiple times in assaulting a Mouse Youkai…. …

On the Date of…]

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As I heard all of them, I felt unsure of myself. Was all those crimes really committed by me? How…

I stopped myself before I could even ask that question, I should not dispute the Judge, not when… she has the final say… and I must put faith in her that she was right…

[…]

The Yama-sama paused for a moment before she looked at me, something akin to hesitation in her eyes.

[… you are different, Hakurei Reimu. You accept your fate and resist at that same time. By admitting your human nature and submitting to a higher order, you are repentant and not repentant at the same time. You wish for me to clarify your sins?

I accept that wish, Hakurei Reimu. It is, the least I can do, for you to rest in peace, regardless of the outcome of your judgment, I presume you would wish for that as well?]

A chance to know the right from wrong? I…

[yes, I would… like that. I would like to know, in the eyes of you, Yama-sama… whether my actions were right or wrong.]

The Yama, Yamaxanadu Shikeki with her ability to differentiate from right and wrong, would be able to tell me that.

It scares me sometimes, my wish to know the truth and now I trembled in fear and anticipation of knowing the basis and foundations of my actions.
Would I be justified or… proven wrong?

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[Would you, be able to handle the truth, Hakurei Reimu. Yes, it is a phrase that has been repeated over the ages but are you, truly prepared to handle the truth.]

[…]

[Yes, I am, Yama-sama… please, tell me.]

[Very well. I shall illustrate this to you, in the simplest way possible.]

The Yama stood up and walked in front of me, still kneeling on the floor before waving a hand in front of her.

[This, shall stand for your sins and this, shall stand for your virtues.]

Two books, one white and one black appeared in front of her.

[ Every action you do, every decision you make is a cause and effect for other things in the world, this is regardless you are or are not affected it. As others would put it, everything happens for a reason.

Your actions can be a virtue or a Sin when viewed differently. What we are concerned is not the amount of sins nor virtues you gathered. It is, in fact the amount of Sins weighted against the amount of Virtues accumulated against your actions.]

She paused before sighing.

[One may have many acts of sins but if those sins are reflected only in the sake of others, the virtues accumulated will weigh more than the Sins. Likewise, a person with many virtues to a selected few may find himself being burdened with more sins due to his treatment.

Only we, the Yamas can view the world in all of it's perspectives. Are you still willing to find out the truth, Hakurei Reimu, no matter how harsh reality is?]

She looked at me, her face haunted and serious and I nodded to her.

[yes, regardless of the cost.]

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[You, are truly different from others, Hakurei Reimu. You neither seek repentance nor do you justify your claims. You just want closure, am I not right?]

[Yes… Yama-sama… I wish to… know.]

She smiled and I felt myself relax a little, regardless of the truth… I would have the truth… and nothing else.

Only then, can I rest…

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[Then, let the judgment, begin!]

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Hakurei Reimu, you are guilty of endless crimes, committed throughout your life, from taking the lives of youkai to interrupting the duties of a death god and even to resist judgment from a higher being. Do you or do you not deny those crimes?

In front of my eyes, courtesy of the Yama-sama and her mirror, I saw myself as I was when I was young, perhaps fourteen to sixteen years of age.

I could only cover my eyes in horror as I saw myself killing and rendering so many fairies that had done nothing except act defensively to me intruding in their territory.

I am defending myself by saying this but perhaps the defensive attempt was aggressive to my younger self.

I do not know… I simply do not know…

Kneeling again, this time I prayed for forgiveness, I wanted forgiveness for my crimes, what I have done to them, taking a life without reason.

Nothing I could do would wash away my sins, I knew that. My hands were bloodied and as if proving it to me, I was drenched in blood almost instantly, the stench was so thick that I started gagging on the stench.

The smell was overpowering and when I tried to cup my mouth with my hands, I threw up almost immediately.

[!]

I tasted blood in my hands, it was everywhere and I spent the next few moments emptying the contents of my stomach.

[!]

When I recovered, the next thing I saw was an bloodied face peering at me in front of my knees.

The Yama spoke sternly at me while I struggled to even stop vomiting.

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[Do you imagine you have seen the depth of your crime, Hakurei Reimu?

Do you even begin to imagine or fathom the depths?

Do you think you can even share the same pain as them?

Do you think you can accept your life, taken prematurely like they have?]

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She questioned me as I knelt silently and I shook my head.

Not in shame or regret but in acceptance.

I accepted my crime, my sins and accept the knowledge that I will never understand their pain or their anguish or their feelings.

[You are wise, Hakurei.

Knowledge can corrupt and destroy, yet humans and youkai alike crave knowledge.

Do they not know the deeper one search to quench the thirst and to seek the forbidden fruit of knowledge, the deeper one's innocence and purity is corrupted?

How many crimes, how many things would you sacrifice before knowledge, even if impartial is granted to you?]

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Hands, numerous of them pulled at me from the bloody depths, each one trying to pull me down, to join them in their ranks like I did to them

I was the one who sent them there, to the land down under… I am the perpetrator and now I have came full circle, the ending of the circle that was my life.

I came from nothing and I will return to nothing…

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[The more one seeks enlightenment, the more one seeks to justify oneself, the more one seeks the truth… the heavier the burden on your shoulders.

You know that well, do you not, Hakurei Reimu?

You, who was blessed with the talents and abilities of the Shrine Maiden of Paradise, a title that was conferred to you on your birth, was in turn cursed with the responsibility and tasks of the Shrine Maiden.

With those powers of yours, you have stained your own hands with the blood of others.

With your intuition you have saved the lives of others, or had you?]

The Yama spoke coldly as she disappeared from the bloody pool and instead looked down on me as she sat on her judge's podium, which was situated far above me.

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[Hakurei Reimu, one do not know the future or the ultimate truth for a reason…

One cannot and should not be allowed to handle such burdens…

One with the power of seeing the truth will not be one that will be blessed…

Instead, one is cursed to endless despair.

No matter what the future holds, one will always have one single, solitary feeling that will enable one to last till the day of their demise.

That is, Hope. You do know that, Hakurei. Do you not?]

She paused as I nodded my head.

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[Likewise, the ultimate truth is not given nor granted to humans nor youkai…

One will not be able to accept the truth as it is…]

[Hakurei Reimu, you, are different.]

Yama-sama paused again and took a deep breath.

[You accepted the truth as it is, a simple thing, you would say… but your heart, it is pure, untainted like your soul.

Despite your hands being bloodied.

Despite you walking, wading through a pool of blood in your final journey.

Your heart and soul remains untouched, uncorrupted and is pure, full of hope and most importantly. You accept the ultimate truth as it is, you do not deny the truth, given to you as simple as it is in reality.]

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[A lesser person would have raged, a person of higher up bringing would have reasoned with me, demanding the truth when it is already in front of them.

Acceptance of the unknown… that is the truth one must accept.

Even if it might not be the answer one is searching for, even if it is the easy way out… even if it goes against everything you believe in…

One, needs courage, to admit there is something in the world one cannot fathom.

One, must know the extent of one's abilities before one can judge oneself. For those, who strive to search for the truth… in life itself, one is merely testing one's limit, one's strength and one's weakness… for those, who are ready to let go, to accept the position they are in… is the ones who are truly ready to move on.

For those, who continue to pursue the truth, the end of the journey is forever and endless… for what must one give up for the truth?

And once they have obtained it… what is left for them?]

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Yama-sama smiled, content with my actions as she continued.

[Knowing that one cannot fully understand and accepting it… Wonderful, truly wonderful! You are sincere and willing to repent and willing to shoulder the burden of your crimes.]

There was a blinding flash of light and the scenery was re-written in an instant. I was sitting in front of her as she produced a golden scale in front of me.

Her eyes twinkling, Shiki-sama showed me a lead weight that she dropped on one end of the scale.

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[Hakurei Reimu.]

She spoke again but this time she is a little less formal, it seems like Yama-sama was enjoying herself a little.

[This, are your sins… notice their weight…]

Dropping it on the Golden scale, the weight made the scale crash heavily on the table.

[We shall commence the judgment, Hakurei Reimu…]

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[Defendant Hakurei Reimu, on account of you acceptance of your crimes, bundled with your readiness to seek for forgiveness…

The weight of your crimes has decreased.]

Snapping her fingers, the weight shook a little and the scale rose up a little.

[Likewise, on account that it was indeed an act of aggression…

You were acting to save the innocent, that can be counted as a merit…

Yes, this is clearly the other party at fault, yet, you are not fully abscond from blame either…]

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As I watched the scale tilted slowly upwards with each comment made by Shiki-sama as she scrutinized my past. It was… somewhat comforting yet intimidating to know that my fate was being determined in front of my eyes.

Yama-sama, is this what you mean by showing me the truth?

Was this the truth to my actions being displayed in front of me one by one?

I shivered; anyone in my position would surely do so as I came to understand the power she has in her grasp as well as her strong state of mind.

Anyone weaker would have buckled with the stress, gone insane with the pressure or abandoned the post..but not her, Yamaxanadu Shikeki, unlike Onuzuka Komachi was chosen to take on this role and she herself had the choice to refuse or accept this offer.

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[It is just like you, Hakuei Reimu… or should I say, the nature of you humans to pay attention to others around you… rather than oneself. I would not be foolish to say that you do not know what fear is.

Indeed, someone who has faced you would be called fearless, to not wince in front of death is hard but you sit here, in front of me, pondering about me and my role in your life.

Truly magnificent.

Like many has mentioned before, one can never be fearless… like the truth, one must experience true fear to stand up to fear.

You, Hakurei Reimu is strong for the same reason you are weak. Your heart tells you the truth, just like how your heart crafts lies… You have faced Death in the face, the ultimate end to your existence and you have rebelled and subsequently overcame it.

Your feats are amazing in your own right, now is not the time to be concerned about me, Hakurei Reimu. Place not your concern in a person that is not worthy of the,

If you decide to burden yourself with the troubles of every single person you know, you will surely fall.

Just like the caterpillar emerging from it's chrysalis… it will never fly if one assist in it's struggle to escape.

Hakurei Reimu, serving and helping others is a merit yes but it might as well harm down. Do take heed of my warning.]

Yama-sama's gaze turned back to being stony and I bit my lip while my mind raced.

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I… I truly do not know what the purpose of my life is now… I… really do not know.

[… was it, all for nothing, Shikeki-sama?]

[…?]

She looked up briefly but she still paid an eye to her mirror, snapping her fingers and prodding the scales as I asked her.

[was… what I did for nothing? Was… all the things I did, all the things I believed in… all the pain and suffering I went through… for nothing? I… help others because I wanted to… I served the Hakurei Maiden because I have to… that is what I wanted to do… so… is it for nothing?]

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There was a long, agonizing pause that was broken when the Yama-sama laughed, a laughter that brought calm to me all of a sudden.

[Hakurei Reimu. That is something that can only be decided by your. You said it yourself, whether it is worth it… is not dependent on my judgment.

My judgment is solely on the issue of black and white. I view things as black and white and as such, am fit to decide which your virtues or your sins are. Regarding worth, only you yourself can decide. My warning; is only to be taken with a hint of salt.]

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She took a breath and placed her mirror away as she smiled at me, something which I found… yet again to be strangely comforting to see.

[Was your decision right to return to Gensokyo? Would you have done more in the other world or would you have done more in Gensokyo. It is all up to your own reasoning. Do you feel you made a difference?

Was it worth it to save Rumia and not eliminate her?. Was giving Rumia a chance worth it despite the pain she cost you?

My task is not concerned with that.

Your task now, is to determine it yourself.

Face your heart, Hakurei Reimu and tell yourself. Did it matter, did you matter? By then, I hope you will be able to move on and forget about your past.

You accepted your sins… now you must accept your actions… do you or do you not accept them, Hakurei Reimu?]

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[… I…]

I asked myself, was what I did important? Was I… necessary at all? Or was I just getting in the way, creating more hurt and more confusion just by my blind faith.

Did I ask myself, did they want salvation? Did they want to be safe? Would it not be wise to just… accept their death?

[… No.]

I shook my head suddenly and smiled, meeting the one that Shikeki-sama showed me.

[It was worth it. Everything… it was worth it.

Hope itself…]

I clapped my hands together and prayed the prayer that I had prayed for so long.

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[Spirits, hear my prayer… my simple, little and selfish prayer…

Lend me your strength and I shall lend you mine..

Lend me your faith and I shall lend you mine…

Just like how I draw strength from you, draw strength from me..

Please, spirits… hear my prayer… my simple and selfish people…

Just like how I served you… serve me…

Lend me your strength, spirits…]

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[If I can just rekindle hope, it is worth it… as if it is hope, Shikeiki-sama, it is the strongest asset one has…]

[… Truly, you are ready to move on, Hakurei Reimu.]

Shikeki-sama stood up and I followed suit. With a wave of her hands the golden scale disappeared and I stood face to face with her.

Raising her convincement rod, Shieki-sama muttered softly to me.

[Your judgment from the start has been decided. No matter the sins, no matter the virtues, each and every one judgment is the same. Accept your sins and virtues… for you will reap both sides of the coin.

The judgment has been reached. Do you or do you not accept the judgment, Hakurei Reimu.]

The yama-sama stared at me while I simply nodded my head.

[Yes, Shikeki-sama… I accept your judgment.]

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Author's Notes: This chapter is a little deep...but R&R!