-3rd Person POV-
It was a day like any other. Everyone in Gensokyo was enjoying the moment of peace before another youkai would cause an incident of sorts which might annoy some residents, depending if it involved them or not.
That was, until suddenly...
„AAAAAAA- UGH!" Screamed a voice before hitting the ground.
„AAAAA-"
„AAAAA-"
„EEAAAEEEAA-"
„WAWAWAWA-"
„WHATTHEFU-"
*Thud*
*Thud*
*Thud*
*Thud*
*Thud*
„Oof! What happened..."
„I don-"
„ARGH! GET DOWN FROM ME!" Yelled the man, who was on the bottom of the pile of humans.
Everyone climbed down and stood up, after regaining orientation.
„What the... Where the hell am I?! Who are you people!?" yelled one of the men.
„I would like to know that, too." Said another one in response.
All six men now were standing on their feet, dusting themselves off from the fall.
„Well, it looks like a forest to me." Said one of them.
„Damn, how did ya figure that one out, Einstein? Did the birds or trees give it away?" Said another one, sarcastically.
„Alright, Alright!" Said a man, which voice caught the attention of everyone present and made them silent and focus on what he has to say.
„I think before we figure out what's going on, we should first introduce each other. So we at least get a chance to know each other better, while we have to work together." Said the man.
„I guess you're right..." Says a man, while scratching his back.
„Let me introduce myself first." Said a man raising a hand up to catch everyone's attention. That man in particular is wearing what appears to be a light military uniform, it doesn't appear that he has any weapons on him. He has brown eyes, chestnut brown hair and is not the tallest but not the shortest in comparison of the others present. He appeared to be in his twenties.
„Paul Garmith. Soldier of the U.S. Army." Said Paul, giving a soldier salute.
„Well..." Everyone turned around to pay attention to the man who spoke up. He was wearing a similar military like uniform, however, it was one more suited for an engineer more than anything. He too, had brown eyes, and short chestnut brown hair. He was, by the looks of it, the shortest of them all. He appeared to be in his twenties, too.
„My name is Giovanni Mennini, but everyone calls me Mennini. I am a military engineer. But..." Mennini scratches the back of his head due to shame before continuing.
„I am not really good at my job..." Says Mennini, giving out a dry laugh. Nobody laughed. Everyone was just staring at him.
„I guess I'll take the spotlight before Mennini embarrasses himself more, ight?" The attention was now drawn to the next man. He was of average height, had greenish eyes and blond hair. He was dressed in a white shirt and dark blue pants, he also had a light beard. He appeared to be in his thirties.
„Names Mike. Mike Victorn." Said Mike, slightly bowing down.
„I am but a humble janitor. Took a week off so I can relax a bit, I guess I can scratch that, eh?"
Mennini and Paul nodded to that statement.
„Hmm. I see..." Everyone now turned around to pay attention to the man who was silent till now.
The man wore a brown fedora and brown coat, under which he wore a dark shirt. He also wore brown pants, his entire attire was mostly brown consisted. He was the tallest of them. One couldn't see his eyes well since the fedora was casting shade on them while he was looking at the ground. However, he soon looked up. He wore round glasses and had aquamarine eyes. His hair seemed to be very short and dark, mostly covered by the fedora he wore. Guessing his age appeared impossible, but given the tone of voice and strange choice of clothing. It seems he must be in his forties.
„Ah, where are my manners?" Said the man in brown.
„Johann von Hochmär, is the name. I am a priest. It is a pleasure of meeting you all." Said the man now known as Johann.
Mike was feeling a bit uneasy being near Johann, so he took a few steps back and stood beside Paul.
„And who might you be?" Said Johann, looking over at one of the last yet unnamed men.
„Me? Uhhh... I don't really feel like stating my name nor profession..." Says the man, refusing to give an answer. This makes everyone present a bit uneasy.
„What's that about? We gotta call you somehow, ya know?" Says Mike.
„Uhhh...!" The man has trouble saying why.
„Know what? I'll call you 17. Since you look rather young." Said Paul.
„Oh! Yeah! Let's go with that!" ,,17,, agrees.
„Good. Good..."
Everyone now looks at the man who was the first to suggest introducing each other.
„Now that all of you have introduced each other, its time I do so as well." Says the last yet unnamed man, nodding his head, likely to himself.
„I am a politician, who desires the safety of the nation. A politician, who is one with the people, the voice which speaks everyone's issues out loud so that they can be focused on. A politician, who doesn't back down but instead, climbs up to help..." The man is having a little speech.
„I am someone you, can rely on. Someone who only wants the best for you."
„I am..."
„Anton Drevov."
...
...
...
Silence befalls the forest. Nobody knows what to say. Paul, Mike and 17 are confused or suspicious. Mennini is taken aback. Only Johann seems impressed, rubbing his chin, he seems to be thinking about something.
„You know? I heard a sayin once." Started Mike, breaking the silence.
„You ever meet a politician claiming he has no ill intentions..." Mike stops for a moment. Looking into Anton's eyes.
„You turn around and avoid them at all costs." finishes Mike.
„I have to agree with Mike." Says Paul.
„This just stinks like something fishy is going on here, and the least person I am going to trust is a politician I know nothing about." Strongly states Paul.
„Uh... Y-Yeah! What those two said!" 17 joined the side of Paul and Mike.
Anton seemed to be insulted by these words. His eyebrows furrowed. Anton was wearing a suit you normally see politicians wear, however, it was a bit tattered. He had greyish eyes and light dark short hair. He also had a double pencil moustache. He was the second tallest among them. He was likely in his thirties.
„Ah, simple minded individuals." Attention was now drawn to Johann, who came over and stood next to Anton.
„Mr. Drevov here is only trying to help us, and this is how you act?" Johann smirks.
„tsk tsk tsk..." Johann was simply shaking his head.
„Y-Yeah, I think Anton here means no harm!" Says Mennini, who takes a stand on the left side of Anton.
...
Silence once again fills the air.
„Well, I don't really care. I think I will go this way. You are free to follow me." Says Paul, giving a glance to Mike and 17.
„Will do. Come on, 17. Let's get the hell out of this forest, eh?" Says Mike, slightly dragging 17 with him.
„You will regret your decision." Says Johann, simply smiling.
They watch them go into a direction until they cannot be seen anymore.
„Come, Mr. Drevov. We shall go the opposite direction." Advises Johann.
...
„Yeah, they can go die if they speak like that to me." Murmurs Anton, insulted by what they said about him.
Anton and Johann start to walk into the opposite direction.
„H-Huh? Hey! Wait up!" Yells Mennini after them. Catching up, and walking with them into the unknown.
-Keine Kamishirasawa's POV-
„Ahh- Achoo!"
„Ah, Miss Keine! Are you unwell?" Asks a villager.
„Ahh... No, it's nothing. Just a stray sneeze." I say that, but I really feel like I am going to pop soon.
„Hm, Miss Keine, I know you mean well, but if you truly feel unwell you do not have to push yourself." Says the villager.
„I'm fine. I'll just store these books away and then I will visit a friend afterwards. There is n- Ahh! Achoo!"
„I-I see..." The villager, doesn't look convinced.
„I wish a quick recovery." The villager politely bows down, before walking away.
Ahhh... My head hurts... I can't focus like this! I'll quickly put away these books were they belong and head out to visit Mokou. I can't let this nausea, illness or whatever is plaguing me at the moment get in the way!
I make my way to the school. I open the door with one hand while carrying the books with my second one. I step inside and head for the storage room. It is a small room used mostly for storing books which won't be used for a few weeks. Just like the ones I am currently carrying.
„Phew, there we g- Ahh! Achoo!"
„Nghh!"
I clench my nose with my hand. Why do I have to be bothered with something like this at this time? So much stuff to do and-
„Ahh- Achoo!"
„Grr..."
„..."
„Stay calm, Keine... just head over to the bamboo forest and pay Mokou a visit..." I say to myself, slowly breathing in and out.
„Phew. Good."
I place the books down, each one on the spot it is meant to be, and head out. Closing the storage door and locking it shut. I walk out the school building, and make my way to the nearest village gate, which path would lead me into The Bamboo Forest of the Lost.
„Ah- Achooo!"
The sneezes are only getting worse...
„Hey, who are these people...?"
„I don't know, they look like Outsiders..."
Hm?
I notice a few villagers whispering to each other, still being able to hear them. Taking a glance over on where they are looking, only to spot three individuals slowly making their way into the village from the village gate.
Hmm...
If they truly are Outsiders by the looks of it, they need to be informed of their situation as soon as possible! I'll g-
„Ahh! Achoo!"
No, I can't... Not like this... I'll just tell them where to go and get on my way...
If they stay in the village, nothing bad can happen to them.
I walk towards them.
-Giovanni Mennini's POV- (few minutes earlier. . .)
We were walking for a good few minutes now. Both Anton and Johann were discussing something. Meanwhile, I was just trying to get a good look around the area through which we were aimlessly walking.
The trees looked beautiful! I have never seen something like this from where I came from! I wonder just where we might be...?
As we were walking, I was thinking back.
I hope the other three guys are doing well. Maybe they already found help? I certainly hope they send people to help after us too, if so!
I don't really understand why they couldn't trust Mr. Drevov here. He seems like he means well. Just because he is a politician doesn't mean he isn't trying to help the rest of us, right?
From the way Anton spoke... I felt determined! I felt like he was going to get us out and into safety the very moment he finished speaking!
That is why I went with Anton. I... am not too sure about Johann, but he claims to be a priest. Priests are good people. The people of God. It likely is just that brown attire he is wearing which is making me feel uneasy.
I eventually snapped out of my thoughts, as something came to vision.
„Mr. Drevov, Mr. Mennini? It seems we are in luck. As it appears, we came across civilization." Remarked Johann.
What stood before us, was a wooden gate. Along the gate on both left and right side tall wooden walls were stretching far around the area. If I had to take a guess, it's some kind of camp, perhaps. Maybe a primitive military base? I sure hope someone who knows of me... Actually, it would be better if nobody knew of me...
Arriving at the gate, two armoured men stood guard. Why are they wearing steel armour pieces? One is carrying a spear, another... is that a katana...? I think it is... is it?
„Halt! Who are you? Are you human?"
„Huh? What kind of question is that?" Said a confused Anton.
„This is Giovanni Mennini." Says Anton, pointing at me.
„This one, Johann von..." Anton was saying, but I think he forgot Johann's name. ...What was it again? I don't remember it either...
„Johann. Johann von Hochmär." Said Johann, with a neutral face. I could tell it did rather annoy him but he let it slide.
„Right, and I am Anton Drevov." Says Anton, pointing his thumb at himself.
„Hmm... Outsiders, I see..." Says one of the two guards.
„Alright, you are allowed to enter. Do not cause trouble." Says the other guard.
The guards open the gate made out of wood, get out of the way and allow us to enter.
Johann nods his head while Anton just huffs and I walk behind them in silence. As we take a few steps, several ,,villagers,, I assume by the looks of it. Are looking at us in confusion.
I too, am looking at them in confusion. They all seem... Japanese? Are we in Japan? How did we get to Japan, if so? Wait, how do we even understand each ot-
„Hello! You must be very confused, right?"
!
-3rd Person POV-
„Hello! You must be very confused, right?"
Said none other than Keine Kamishirasawa.
„My name is Keine Kamishirasawa, I am the guardian and teacher of the Human Village." Said Keine, giving a slight bow.
Anton, took a closer look at her. Keine was wearing a dark blue and white dress of sorts and a weird building like hat on the top of her head. That was at least, what Anton thinks. After examining her a bit more Anton noted, that she owned brown eyes and long silver hair with blue highlights. She was also quite tall, but not as tall as Anton and Johann, only beating Mennini in terms of height. This took roughly five seconds, before Anton began to speak.
„Hm, we are quite confused indeed." Spoke Anton.
„Yeah, I think we somehow ended up in japan!" Said Mennini, in a distressed tone and looking wildly around him.
„You are currently in Gensokyo, a world separated from your world. This world is home to a lot of mythical creatures as well as the essence of magic itself." Said Keine.
Upon hearing this, Mennini was flabbergasted. He couldn't believe what he was hearing. Was the legends and myths he was hearing for years true all along?
Meanwhile, Anton just smiled and silently laughed to himself.
„Yeah, right. And next thing you tell me is that I can go visit several gods." Says Anton, sarcastically.
„You can. I, however, wouldn't do that if I was you. Here, in the Human Village you are safe. It is the only place where native humans and Outsiders are truly safe." Spoke Keine, in a serious tone.
Anton lost his cocky smile. He was starting to think that, that woman wasn't actually messing with him and was dead serious. He felt a knot in his stomach being formed. It quickly faded however, as Anton regained his composure and started speaking.
„Well, I am Anton, Anton Drevov. This here on my left is Giovanni Mennini... and here, on my right, is Johann von... von Hochmär." Introduced Anton.
All this time, Johann was just silently standing on the side lines and observing. Listening to every little detail. Carrying a face with no emotion. He was most certainly in deep thought.
„Aahh! Achoo!"
However, a loud sneeze breaks him out of his trance like state. Focusing solely on observing and listening once more.
„Agh... I would have loved to make sure you get well informed and settled in for the time being, but... I have to go now as I have to pay a visit to a friend." Said Keine, holding her nose.
„Wait, what a-" Mennini tried to speak, but was quickly interrupted.
„Go into that direction, you will get to a giant dragon statue, from there, if you keep going forwards you should end up at a larger looking building. Go in there, and ask for an appointment with Hieda no Akyuu." Says Keine. Pointing at a direction behind her.
„Excuse me, Chieda no what?" Mennini is more confused the more words are uttered.
„Hieda no Akyuu, she is a friend of mine. She will help you and also register your presence into her chronicles." Answers Keine, in the hopes of not causing any more confusion for poor Mennini.
„Ah, thank you very much, Miss... uhh... Kamirishivasawa?" Says Anton, trying to recall what her name was again.
„Just Keine is fine if you have difficulties pronouncing my last name." Says Keine, sighing.
„Right." Anton nods once.
„I'll be on my way, be sure to not leave the village until you know everythin- Ahh- Achoo!" Keine was saying, before being interrupted by a sneeze. She already passed the three men and walked through the village gate.
„Hm, weird lady." Anton said, in a quiet voice.
„Mr. Drevov, we should go where Ms. Keine told us to go." Said Johann.
„Of course." Anton agrees and starts walking in the direction Keine pointed at.
„H-Hey! Just because I am short doesn't mean you can ignore me! Wait up!" Called Mennini after Anton and Johann, who were already on their way to the one named Hieda no Akyuu for further information on their whereabouts.
-Other group, few minutes after the split up-
Paul Garmith, Mike Victorn and 17 were walking along a forest path. The direction opposite of the one Anton & Co went with. They were walking for only a few minutes, total silence was present. After about one more minute of silence, Mike spoke up.
„Say, Paul, was it? You claim to be a soldier, but I noticed you don't carry any weapon on you. At least, to my conclusion."
Paul turned his head around and gave Mike a quick glance, before turning his head back. He stopped in his step and took out what appeared to be a combat knife out of his right pocket on his pants.
„I do have a weapon, just not a gun." Said Paul, sighing.
„I am actually just a soldier in the making. I was only a few days apart from being an official soldier, you see?" Paul was saying.
„Tomorrow I was meant to practice firearms one more time before being given the permission to carry a firearm on me at all times." Paul finished saying, but added one last line.
„Weird rules, I know. Maybe it was only where I trained." Paul shrugged, finishing talking for good.
17 was amazed by the looks of the combat knife. It was certainly an expensive model, not a cheap knock off.
„Well, having a weapon of any kind will come in handy. You never know when ya need it." Said Mike. Paul nodded in confirmation.
They spend five more minutes walking along the path, until...
„Hey, do you hear that?" Whispered Paul, who froze still on the spot. Listening to the surrounding area.
„Hm? Wh-" 17 tried to ask what Paul meant, but he was quickly shutdown by Paul's hand being placed on his mouth.
„Shhh!" Murmured Paul to the group.
They were as if frozen in place, listening to the noise which Paul picked up.
„..."
„Sounds like... humming...?" Mike whispered towards the other two. 17 nodded in confirmation, he too, thought it sounded like the sound of someone humming a melody.
„Let me take a look..." Said Paul, who started to move out towards the centre of the noise. He already had his combat knife out, in case whatever was making these humming noises turned out to be some kind of wild animal which might get startled and aggressive.
He took a few steps away from the forest path and hid behind some bushes. He could easily make out that the source of the humming was coming from behind the very bushes he was hiding behind.
Paul looked at the other two, nodding. Both 17 and Mike nodded back, agreeing for Paul to do as he pleases. Of course, Paul simply wanted to push the bush apart and reveal what hides behind it. And so he did...
„Here goes nothing..." Said Paul to himself, only he could hear it.
Paul then proceeded to push aside the bush and reveal the source. The source, whom Paul picked up the humming from, was none other than... than...
„A little girl...?"
Said Paul. He no longer was distressed. The humming came from a little blond girl, sitting on a rock. Her back being turned to him.
At this moment, Paul was thinking. Perhaps that little girl lives nearby. If so, it means civilization must be just around the corner! Paul should ask the little girl for directions, just in case the forest road leads to nowhere. And so Paul did just that... If only Paul knew what big of a mistake he just made.
„Hey! Hey, you! Little girl!" Paul was calling towards the little girl, stepping closer to her. In the meantime, Mike and 17 now came closer and hid behind the bushes observing the scene unfolding in front of them.
The little girl finally took notice of Paul's presence. She turned around and looked him over, before saying...
„Oh! Hello! Are you a human?"
What a silly question, Paul thought. He now was under the assumption that the girl was younger in her mental age than what she appears to be. After all, only a toddler would ask such questions, right? That was what Paul was thinking.
However, in reality, in front of him was no one else but Rumia. Rumia, the Youkai of Darkness. Rumia has red eyes and short blonde hair. She wears a black vest and skirt, white blouse with a red tie bordered by two large red beads around her neck and also a small red ofuda tied to the left side of her hair, making it look like a ribbon. She is unable to touch it and removing it is a hell of a task on its own, considering it seems like it's been stuck to her hair for ages.
„Why, of course little one! Say, where are your parents?" Says Paul.
„Oh, is that so?~" Says Rumia, seemingly ignoring the second part of what Paul said. She stood up and slowly walked closer towards Paul.
„Yes, you see..." Paul wanted to keep talking, but he took notice of the blond girl's unnatural red eyes and went silent. He felt like something was wrong here.
„Are you a tasty human?~ Ahh, I was already starving! I'll just find out myself!" Says Rumia, being right in front of Paul.
„What th-"
„PAUL, WATCH OUT!" Yelled Mike from behind the bush.
What Paul didn't see but Mike and 17 did, was that the girl suddenly opened her mouth revealing several sharp and pointy teeth. Before Paul snapped out of the sudden daze he got, it was far too late.
*Chomp*
„AAAAAAAAAA!"
Paul screamed in agony. Rumia had tackled him to the ground and taken a large bite out of his arm which was holding the combat knife. Due to the unexpected tackle, Paul lost his grip on the combat knife, sending it flying towards 17's direction.
The combat knife landed right in front of 17, barely missing him. He took a hold of the knife and looked at where Paul was currently being torn to pieces by a monster, disguised as a little girl.
Paul was still alive and struggling, he was clinging onto dear life and was desperately punching and kicking Rumia everywhere he could manage to. This was quickly proving useless as Rumia, wasn't bothered the slightest by the physical attacks being used on her. In fact, all it did was tire out Paul more, making his death come quicker and quicker every passing second.
17 seeing Paul struggle, tried to rush in and save him. Alas, he was quickly grabbed by a hand and stopped.
„Don't play some kind of hero! We gotta get the hell outta here!" Said Mike, in a panic.
17 was torn between what to do.
Should he abandon Paul? Leave him to die in a cruel way, being eaten by a wolf in sheep clothing? Should he try to run away with Mike, in the hopes that the both of them survive? Leaving Paul behind as a sacrifice so both Mike and he get a head start in case that little girl disguised monster decides to go after them?
...
...
...
In the end, he didn't have a choice.
Mike forcefully picked him up and threw him over his shoulder while 17 was deep in thought. This snapped 17 out of mentioned deep thought and he was panicking on what was going on. Mike, as a janitor, was used to picking up heavy crates and moving them around from place to place. Picking up and carrying 17 was no different in his book.
Mike didn't want to waste any more time. It was only a matter of time, before that monster would be done with Paul and refocused on either him or 17. That was how Mike viewed the situation and what he expected to happen.
Mike started running as fast as he could while carrying 17.
It was only after Mike couldn't run no more with the extra weight where he took a sharp turn into the forest, down from the road and hid behind a wide tree. He placed down 17 and sit down against the tree to take a breather.
„If we ever get out of this alive, I am going to go for a change of career." Huffed Mike, closing his eyes.
-Meanwhile, back to Anton & Co-
Anton, Johann and Mennini were currently walking down a busy village street. From left to right, in front to back, everywhere were things going on, moving with the flow and set in motion. To villagers talking to each other, to children playing on the streets, to marketers and shopkeepers trying to gain the attention of potential customers.
They already passed what had to be that dragon statue Keine spoke about. They didn't pay much mind to it, since they assumed it was just some monument with no real value, acting as a sort of waypoint. However, Johann did notice the dragon having red eyes. He didn't care that much about it and moved along with Anton and Mennini shortly afterwards.
This leads us to the present time.
„That woman said something about going for a rather larger looking building, and finding someone named Heida... No Akyuu, was it?" Asked Anton, turning to Johann for confirmation.
„I suppose so." Answered Johann, looking at the buildings and people they were passing by.
„Hmm..." Anton was bothered by the lack of information they had on their hands.
„I must say, this village looks unlike anything I have ever seen." Stated Johann.
„How come?" Asked Mennini.
„Well, it's more alive and active then what I am used to." Says Johann, stopping while finishing the sentence.
„Hm, this seems like it. This building right there, don't you agree, Mr. Drevov?" Asks Johann, getting Anton's attention and pointing at a larger building. It was bigger and more expensive looking than the others which they have come across as of now.
„It must be the one." Says Anton. Observing the building for anything out of the ordinary.
„Well, do we go in and ask for an appointment with that Hieda person?" Asks Mennini.
„Why, of course." Says Johann.
They start walking towards the building. Once they reach it, they knock, as there was no doorbell of any kind to be seen. Shortly after, a servant opens the door.
„Yes, how may I help you?" Asks the servant.
„We would like to have an appointment or meeting with... the owner of this household." Says Anton, for he forgot about who it was they were supposed to meet. Anton, has always had issues memorizing names. If the names are foreign or hard to pronounce, the chance of him forgetting it is higher. Although, this time he was simply just having a black out. As the name got stuck on the tip of his tongue.
„Hieda no Akyuu." Interrupts Johann.
„We came to get better informed about our current whereabouts, situation and something about being written down, if I recall correctly from what Ms. Keine spoke about." Says Johann, looking through his glasses into the servants eyes.
„Oh, why didn't you say so right away? Follow me." Says the servant, turning around and walking deeper into the building.
Anton, Johann and Mennini look at each other before proceeding to follow right after the servant.
Mennini, being humble, closes the door behind him so no stray animals or anything gets in.
A long day awaits these three.
-Meanwhile, Keine Kamishirasawa-
Keine has already been walking in The Bamboo Forest of the Lost for a good while now. She normally would have already arrived or met Mokou, however...
„Ahh! Achoo!"
The sneezing was slowing her down as it intensified for the past half an hour. Not only that, she started to feel a headache coming.
„Argh... I feel like ripping out my nose..." Says Keine to herself, sighing.
„I recommend not doing that."
Keine looks up from the ground she was staring at to see who spoke out to her.
It was Mokou, who had her hands inside her pant pockets and was leaning on a bamboo stalk.
„Ah, hello Mokou. Sorry for being late..." Said Keine, a single sweat drop forming on her forehead.
„Hey, you did come in the end, didn't you? It's not like I don't have all the time in the world anyways." Says Mokou, slightly smiling from that little pun she made.
Mokou is immortal and possesses the power of the phoenix. That being fire, while the phoenix is more of a symbol given that, the phoenix bird is described as being immortal. Mokou has red eyes and ankle-length white hair. She wears a light brown shirt that appears as if it's been discoloured from fire, and dark red sashinuki hakama that are randomly decorated with paper charms. Her hair's tied with these same red and white paper charms. The paper talismans on Mokou's hakama and hair ribbons might be wards to protect her from being burned by fire. Her shirt, which lacks such talismans, appears to have been burnt repeatedly, while the ribbons and hakama show no such wear.
„Anyways, come, let's go to my place." Says Mokou, turning around, standing upright and heading towards her house which is located inside the bamboo forest. Her house is nothing out of the ordinary, sometimes even considered to be an abandoned shack from the outside perspective.
„R-Right..." Says Keine, following suit.
They shortly after arrive. Mokou opens the door and heads towards the kitchen, not bothering to close the door.
Keine, rolling her eyes, closes the door after she enters and follows after the noise in the kitchen.
„So, Keine. Anything interesting going on in the village?" Asks Mokou, as Keine enters and sits down by a round table on a chair. Mokou was cutting what appeared to be vegetables.
„Not much...Oh! Actually, as I was leaving, I ran into three Outsiders!" Proclaimed Keine.
„Outsiders? What fun..." Says Mokou, while cutting a few carrots.
„Hm, I told them to go talk to Akyuu. They should be fine by the time I com- Ah- Achooo!"
Mokou, because of the sudden unexpected sneeze, cut herself with the knife. This didn't bother her that much, since it healed after only a few seconds.
„What? Did you finally get sick from these children?" Said Mokou, meaning to make yet another joke. However, one glance at Keine could tell you that, Keine was not amused.
„Ha Ha, but no. It's nothing, just some stray snee- HaaA! Achoo!" Sneezed Keine once again.
Mokou finished cutting the veggies and placed them in a bowl and headed towards the table Keine was sitting by. Placing the bowl on it, she put both of her hands on her sides and looked Keine up and down.
„Yeah, nah. This aren't just some stray sneezes, alright." Concluded Mokou.
„Say, Keine. How do you feel?" Asks Mokou.
„I... I feel alright." Answers Keine.
Mokou furrows her eyebrows.
„...Maybe a little dizzy..." Weakly mutters Keine, avoiding eye contact.
Mokou walks over to Keine and placed a hand on her forehead.
„Mmm... Yup. Definitely a fewer, alright." Nodded Mokou to herself.
„It's nothing, really!" Protests Keine.
„Keine, we both know that a youkai hardly ever gets sick. If a youkai does get sick, it's most likely something serious." States Mokou, looking at Keine. Mokou hopes that she can get the point across to Keine. Keine can't ignore being sick.
„I know that!" Says Keine, standing up from her seat in a fast motion.
„Though I am telling you! I fell completely... fine..." Keine was saying, when suddenly...
*Thud*
„Keine!" Mokou said in a louder tone, as she quickly grabbed and pulled Keine back on her feet and forced her on the chair.
Keine, had suddenly fallen to the ground. It was so sudden, that Mokou failed to catch her while she was still falling.
„Keine, are you alright!?" Asks Mokou, making sure Keine didn't hurt herself in her small fall.
„I...I'm alright... *cough* *cough*" Coughed Keine.
„Definitely not!" Said Mokou in an angry tone.
„That's it! You won't be going anywhere. At least, not until you feel better." Stated Mokou, crossing her arms.
„W-What!? Mokou, no! I can't stay here! I have to go back to the village and make sure they ar- Ahh! Achoo!" Argued Keine.
„No arguing! The village can survive on their own for a few days anyways. It's not like they are completely incapable of defending themselves from any sort of threats. Besides, nothing ever happens there most of the time. So, it's likely that nothing will happen even now. I mean, what are the odds?" Shrugged Mokou.
„What about the children? I still need to teach them tomorrow!" Keine persisted.
„Teach them what? How loud a person can sneeze?" Mokou shakes her head.
„Just give up. You won't convince me to let you go and you know it. Even if you did, you risk not only yourself dropping unconscious in the middle of the way back but you may also endanger the very children. What if that sickness can also transmit to humans? Hm? It wouldn't bother me, but I can't speak for the children and their parents." Said Mokou, putting the final nail into the coffin.
„...Ugh... Fine, I guess you do make a point..." Keine finally admits defeat.
„You can use my bed, I don't use it that often anyways." Says Mokou, walking towards the kitchen entrance.
„Mokou, shouldn't I just get some medicine from Eientei?" Asked Keine, weakly.
„..." Mokou stopped walking, standing still. She seemed to be frozen, not moving a single muscle. She then spoke...
„No."
„No, I'll make sure you'll recover. All you need is some rest. If things really go bad I'll think of something..." Said Mokou, walking out of the kitchen.
Keine only shook her head, at least, as much as she could before the headache kicked in and stopped her from shaking it any further.
Keine knew Mokou wasn't going to consider Eientei a go to option. Keine would normally talk about it with Mokou, but she simply only felt like sleeping at the moment. Whatever has befallen her made her extremely tired right now. She had to trust Mokou in her decisions. Keine knew, however, if things really did go bad... Mokou would do anything if needed.
Keine laid her head down on the kitchen table, and promptly fell asleep.
-Meanwhile, Anton & Co once again-
„And that's about it?" Asks Anton.
„Indeed, you have been informed of all the basics you need to know about Gensokyo and I have you registered. You may now leave if you do not have any further questions." Says Akyuu.
Up until now, Anton, Johann and Mennini were talking with Hieda no Akyuu.
The servant brought them from the entrance into a large hall, where they were met with something unexpected. The one they were supposed to meet... Hieda no Akyuu... was younger than expected.
They quickly greeted each other, and sat down on pillows before both sides started to ask several questions. All questions from the Outsiders were answered and once they ran out of things they wanted to ask, it was Akyuu's turn. Akyuu, was asking about their personality, possible abilities and so on.
What did Akyuu get from this? Well...
First off, Giovanni Mennini.
Akyuu concluded, Mennini was a human Outsider. Mennini is no threat. Mennini is simply too afraid to do things on his own and is clumsy most of the time. Mennini's only ability which was worth mentioning was, that he was a decent engineer. If you consider that an ability, that is.
Next off, Johann von Hochmär.
Akyuu concluded, Johann was a human Outsider. Johann couldn't be defined whether he is a threat or not. Some answers he gave were very vague or even weird. It might have been the fact Akyuu didn't know that much about the current things going on in the Outside World, however, Johann made it clear that he has clear goals. What kind of goals? That remained a mystery. Johann's only ability worth mentioning was, that he was great at causing people to become uncomfortable and induce a sense of paranoia. This might however just be because of the brown attire he wore. The round glasses with the brown fedora cast a shadow on his face, which make him look a bit scary from certain angles.
Akyuu decided that she should later ask someone to keep an eye on Johann.
And finally...
Anton Drevov.
Akyuu concluded, Anton was a human Outsider. Anton was... likely a medium threat. Anton, once started, kept talking and talking and talking. At one point Akyuu just wished for him to stop inside her head. Eventually he did stop. What Akyuu got from Anton was, that Anton is a person with a natural authority surrounding him. He expects people to listen to him and to be on his side. Akyuu quickly noticed a few unique abilities Anton possessed. First one being, control over words. From the sheer amount of things Anton was, pretty much, ranting about, Akyuu noted right away that Anton knows exactly what to say to likely charm the hearts of people and sway them in his way. Its effectiveness may vary, however. Second one, his words and movements seem to fuel the surrounding humans with some sort of inspirational aura.
Akyuu noted, that Anton could either become a big help in the Human Village... or become a large issue.
Once Akyuu finished writing, she hid what she wrote from the eyes of the Outsiders. After all, she wouldn't want them to know ALL the things she wrote about them.
Akyuu still wasn't sure if she liked the way she wrote the information down. There certainly were gaps which needed to be filled or things needed to be changed. But Akyuu decided she will leave it for later. For now, the Outsiders were registered and that was the end of it.
Now back to the present time.
„I have one more question!" Spoke up Mennini, waving his hand in the air.
„How are we supposed to get a house or job in this village?"
...
„Mennini does have a point. I didn't even thing about this until now..." Says Anton, scratching his neck.
All the questions they asked were about this Gensokyo they were in. Not necessary on how to settle down in the village.
„The village chief should be able to provide you with a household. And you can find a job on a board which is located near the centre of the village. There should be a few available." Answered Akyuu.
„I must say, it was very pleasant to have a discussion with you." Says Johann, standing up from the pillow he was sitting on.
„But I think it is time for us to move on and clear out the next issue at hand. What do you say, Mr. Drevov?" Says Johann, turning to Anton.
„Mmm, yes. Yes, we should get going." Answered Anton.
„Thank you for providing us with the necessary information. We will now take our leave, if you don't mind." Says Anton, standing up as well.
„Uh, yeah! Have a nice day!" Said Mennini, quickly standing up and bowing down. Making sure to not be left behind by Anton and Johann.
„Farewell." Is all Akyuu said.
Once the three Outsiders departed. Akyuu's smile disappeared.
„Something felt wrong with them... I better have someone keep an eye out. Most certainly one for that Johann." Stated Akyuu to herself.
She stood up and walked into a different room.
Anton and the rest were walking along the main village road. They were trying to memorize the layout for better future navigation. After all, the village while seemingly quite small looking from the outside. Was much bigger from the inside.
They were walking along in silence until Mennini spoke up.
„So... What now?"
„Well, we should first acquire a place to live. Best case, we each get our own house." Huffed Anton, annoyed by all the noise around him.
„So we should head for the village leader, chief... whatever they call him here..." Said Anton, pinching his nose bridge.
„Now, we know who we should locate. But do we know, where, we should locate that chief?" Asked Johann, while looking like he already knew the answer.
The answer being...
„We didn't ask where to find him, huh..." Dryly coughed Mennini after he said that.
Anton slowly put his hands on his face. And then, slowly pulled them down. Anton was, to say the least, not happy about this.
„Great, now we will need t-" Anton was saying, before he was interrupted by a voice yelling behind the three of them.
„Attention everyone! The village chief he... he..." A villager was struggling to speak.
...
...
...
„He's dead!"
Many villagers all around gasped in fear. They knew the village chief was quite old, but not old enough to already pass away! Some villagers started to gossip, that there might likely have been a youkai involved. A youkai, which made sure the chief would die.
While the villagers were panicking, Anton & Co walked up to the villager who told the news, who was currently speaking with another villager about the news.
„I know! He was found dead in his bed! He must have died in his sleep!" The villager said to the other.
„Ahem, excuse me?" Both villagers looked over to meet Anton's gaze.
„You say the village chief passed away?" Asked Anton. A rhetorical question.
„Why yes, the chief is dead." Said one of the villagers.
„Yeah, and his son is still too young to be able to properly lead the village!" Said the other villager.
At this, a dirty smirk manifested onto Anton's face.
„In that case, let me be your new leader."
„Huh?" Both of the villagers looked at each other in confusion. Mennini too, was caught off guard. Only Johann kept a straight face.
„I can lead you, I have experience and since you seem to be in need of a new leader, allow me to fill that position in." Said Anton, crossing his arms and having a smug smile.
„Uh.. No?"
This broke the smile for Anton.
„You're an Outsider. Why should we give the leadership of the village to an Outsider?" Said the villager who informed everyone off the death.
„Yeah, we better ask Miss Keine for advice, come, follow me." Said the second villager to the first one.
Both villagers walk away, leaving a slowly fuming Anton behind.
„What do these people think they are...? I offer my help and they reject me like that!?" Anton felt like ranting for several hours. However, he managed to calm himself down. He turned around to Johann and Mennini.
„Let's get going. This way!" Said Anton, walking past them and continuing walking down the direction they were originally going with. Mennini and Johann following suit, alas, keeping their distance from the angered Anton.
After a few minutes, Anton started talking.
„Unbelievable..."
„What are we supposed to do in the meantime these villagers deal with their issues? Any suggestions?" Asked Anton, turning around and facing both Johann and Mennini.
Before anyone was able to respond, Johann already having his mouth open... Another disturbance occurred.
Yet another villager screamed something out.
„YOUKAI! BEAST YOUKAI ARE ATTACKING!" Yelled a villager running away from what appeared to be a gate. The very same gate they walked through when they arrived.
Before Anton, Johan or Mennini could even register what is going on, several more villagers ran past them in a hurry. Their faces were ones of fear.
„What is going on this time?!" Yelled Anton, turning around to see from where or what the villagers were running from. Seemingly annoyed at the behaviour of the villagers.
„Watch out!"
Johann and Mennini jumped to the side and took cover as barely five feet in front of Anton, landed and stood a large beast of sorts.
„hhaa..." Anton gasped at the sight. He was frozen in place, unable to budge a muscle.
Was this the end of him? Anton thought.
„Here, take this! We got to protect the village!"
At the sound of the voice, Anton snapped out. He slightly looked to his right, noticing something being thrown to him. He caught it and realized that it was a sword of sorts.
„What th- !" Anton was confused but he quickly noticed that the beast in front of him has launched an attack on him. In a panic, Anton tried to block the attack, closing his eyes as he expected the worst.
...
But nothing happened.
He opened his eyes to see a guard fighting the beast. He looked around and noticed several other guards fighting more beasts which came from the forest and tried their luck to catch a few humans off guard at the village borders.
Anton shook his head, and ran in.
If he had a weapon in hand and knew who to attack, he wasn't just going to stand there like a fool.
He was going to prove that he was very much capable of fighting.
He confronted the beast which was focused on the guard, who likely saved Anton's life. He was going to repay him by helping him right here, right now.
Anton used the chance and swiped down on the side of the beast, slightly injuring it. The beast howled and turned around, already preparing to swipe its claws at Anton.
Anton ducked and blocked the strike with the sword. Barely holding onto it as he underestimated the beast's strength.
The guard stabbed the beast in the back. This resulted in a guttural howl from the beast, this time the beast turned around even faster and managed to slash the guard, heavily injuring him.
At the sight of this, Anton clenched his teeth.
„Take this, you foul beast!" He screamed trough his teeth and with all his strength, landed a heavy blow to the neck of the beast.
The beast hissed in pain as it got knocked back. The beast looked at Anton. Ready to launch another attack at Anton...
However, the beast turned its head around and noticed that its pack already was retreating. The beast emitted an angry growl before fully turning around and running away with the rest of the youkai beasts.
...
...
Anton dropped the sword and ran to the guard who was heavily bleeding from the injury he suffered.
„H-Hey! We will get you some help, alright? Where do you people have a hospital?" Anton asked the guard, who he grabbed by the shoulders making sure he is still alive.
„*cough* Don't worry about me... I was just... *cough* doing my... job..."
Anton, fearing the worst, started to shake the guard.
„C'mon! Don't die on me! You saved my life! I won't allow you to die!" Anton was trying not to scream out loud.
Anton couldn't believe it. He was simply walking down the road when suddenly he was attacked by a youkai beast of sorts. He was saved by a guard. A guard, who now lies dead in front of Anton because Anton failed to save him in return.
While Anton was frozen in his own thoughts, both Johann and Mennini who came out of cover, walked over to where Anton was kneeling down.
Several guards, those who weren't badly injured ran over to Anton and inspected their fallen comrade. One kneeling down too, and checking for a pulse.
By the time someone spoke up, a large crowd has already gathered around the recent place of attack.
„Where was Keine? She would have protected us from these foul youkai!" Said a villager from the crowd, asking another villager.
„Why did they attack us? Something like this doesn't happen that often inside the village!" Said another villager in the crowd.
The guard, who inspected the one guard Anton was holding on to looked into Anton's eyes and said.
„Don't be angry for not being able to protect him. We guards are meant to protect both the native villagers and you, Outsiders. He did his job and we can only thank him for his dedication."
Both the guard and Anton stood up.
Anton, full of emotion, looked over at the large crowd in front of him.
...
And spoke.
„My dear friends, my name is Anton. Anton Drevov. And I have to ask you all... Is this something you have to live with each and every single day? Is this, what you have to fear? Fear, that perhaps one day, YOU will be in the boots of this brave guard who has left us so soon today?" Anton continued.
„If that is so... Then it needs to change."
„We, humans, are nothing but easy prey for these youkai, aren't we? That needs to change! WE should be able to live in the knowing comfort that these creatures can't touch us! Can't reach us! CAN'T KILL US!"
„Yeah!" The crowd agrees.
„How long do you wish for this to continue!? I may only have arrived here today, but I can clearly see the suffering YOU all had to go through each and every single day! Not knowing whether you wake up to see the sunshine rise from behind the mountains!"
„Is this the life you want to keep living!? A life, where you have to hide in fear from monsters which do not care about anything but destruction and your flesh!?"
„No!" The crowd answers, more people joining in.
„I say, it's time WE. HUMANS. Show these YOUKAI. Who the true ruler of this land really is! We shall no longer hide! We shall no longer tolerate this injustice! WE SHALL NO LONGER WATCH OUR FELLOW HUMANS DIE!"
„YEAH!" The crowd grows wilder and wilder.
„We shouldn't allow them to feast on our friends, family members, and children even! WE SHOULD TEACH THEM ALL A LESSON! A LESSON THEY WILL NEVER FORGET! THEY SHALL THINK TWICE BEFORE ATTACKING US, HUMANS!"
„YEAH!" The crowd only screams louder and louder.
„NO YOUKAI SHOULD EVER, AGAIN, BE ABLE TO HURT US! Not for a day, week or year... BUT FOR AS LONG AS WE, HUMANS, EXIST!"
„YEEAAH!" The crowd is now at its peak.
„LET ME BE YOUR NEW LEADER, SO THAT I CAN LEAD YOU TO SAFETY, PROSPERITY AND GLORY! I WILL NEVER AGAIN ALLOW YOUKAI TO HURT ANY OF YOU! I WILL NEVER LEAVE YOU IN THE DARK!"
„WE. WILL. CRUSH. THE. YOUKAI. MENACE. ONCE. AND. FOR. ALL!"
„YEEEAAAHH!"
„AN-TON! AN-TON! AN-TON!" The crowd of villagers are screaming the politicians name in new found strength and determination.
Anton only has his hands raised as he gestures the villagers to slowly calm down. Mennini is flabbergasted by the performance he just saw. Meanwhile, Johann is only smirking a toothy grin.
„If what you are saying is true, then we are with you." The guards which weren't hurt too badly who stood next to Anton spoke.
„It seems most of the villagers here want you to lead the village. Are you sure you are up to the task?" Asks an older looking guard.
Anton looks at the crowd, and smiles, revealing his teeth.
„Hear me once more! I will guide you all to a better life, to a safer life. A life, where youkai are all but a myth!"
The crowd cheers, claps and nods, only a few look unsure among the crowd.
„How do you want us to refer to you?" Asks a villager from the front of the crowd.
„Mr. Drevov, Chief?" Asks a villager next to the first one who spoke up.
Anton, thinks for only a few seconds.
He raises his head and says.
„I am Anton! Anton Drevov! I am the one, who will lead you until the day I die! And you, my people... will refer to me as..."
...
...
„The Vozhd!"