(WARNING!)
(From this chapter/point onwards, there will be a lot of violence, blood and other themes which might not suit everyone. Hence, from Chapter 6, the mature rating is taking effect until the end of this story.)
(YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED!)
Chapter 6 - Night of the Long Pikes (Part 2)
-17's POV- (Bamboo Forest of the Lost entrance, late morning...)
Glancing over to my right, I was quick to notice the face of pure terror forming on Mike's face. In front of us was that monster, youkai, disguised as a little girl, who mauled Paul alive. Right now, I could tell things were about to get ugly... real ugly...
„Hello? Are you deaf?" The youkai, Rumia, asks the both of us. Starting to slowly get irritated by not being responded to.
I could tell Mike was put on the spot and wouldn't be able to respond anytime soon, so... I had to try and tame the beast as best as I could...
„H-H-Hello. I-I am 17 a-and this i-is my f-friend Mike..." I try to speak, but stutter a lot due to the tension forming in the air and generally feeling vulnerable to any sudden attack I might not expect.
„Mmmm... You seem familiar..." Rumia squints her red eyes as she observes us for a brief moment.
Unable to respond, I remain silent and pray for someone or something to come and save us.
„Oh well, whatever. May I eat you?" ...
After hearing these words uttered, I could feel a cold chill, slide down my spine from top to bottom in barely a second. However, noticing sudden movement on my right, it appears it shook Mike out of his stupor and he was about to say something.
„Fuck that. If you come any closer, I will fucking kill you."
Mike was angry. Enraged even, he didn't want a repeat of what happened to Paul to happen to either me or him, I could tell from the determination I saw in his left eye.
Although scared, neither was I willing to stand idly around.
„Y-Yeah! D-Don't mess with us, R-Rumia!" I yell towards her, preparing for a lot of trouble to come our way.
...
Sadly, I wasn't wrong.
„Hehehe! Silly mister one and mister two! We can play for a bit, but shortly after I will eat you!" Rumia exclaims, slightly flying off ground...T-posing, for some reason...? before charging at...
...me!?
Just as Rumia is about to ram into me, I jump to the side onto the ground, dodging her, but hurting my left arm as a result of landing on it to ease my fall and dropping the knife.
Trying to stand up once more, I was quick to notice that Rumia was already charging at me a second time when I looked behind me. She much quicker stopped herself in the air than I stood up from the ground and turned around. Thinking about if I should throw myself onto the ground again, the answer was given to me rather quickly, but by something I didn't expect...
„FUCK OFF!"
*POW*
Just as Rumia was about to hit me and before I tried to dodge once more, Mike intervened by punching her on her right cheek. That must have hurt...
Rumia was sent flying only two meters as she quickly placed a hand on her cheek and stood up from the ground, looking at Mike with an expressionless face, devoid of any emotion.
„...You do realize that doesn't really hurt me, right?" Rumia says, nonchalantly.
„Oh really? Well, let's put that statement to the test, shall we?" Mike states, preparing to fight Rumia with his bare hands, not letting himself get intimidated.
Rumia starts to wickedly smile, as she once more floats slightly off the ground and approaches Mike.
Rumia is a youkai, I doubt hitting her with our mere fists is going to bother her and she certainly doesn't seem like giving up any time soon, however, what other choice do w- The knife!
I look at the ground only to notice the knife I dropped when I dodged, quickly picking it up, I think about what to do next.
Directly charging her? No, that wouldn't work.
Going for a sneak attack? Yeah, that should prove effective, as long as she is distracted and doesn't notice me sneaking up on her. Hell, I don't even know if the knife can hurt her. Still, I rather try it out than just sit around.
„SHIT!"
Noticing Mike is already getting overwhelmed, I quickly make my way towards Rumia, hoping that, she won't notice me.
„You smell good! But do you also taste as good?" Rumia asks, landing on the ground as Mike is knocked down on the ground.
„Let's find out, mister..."
...
Now or never...
„GET AWAY!"
„Huh...?"
*STAB*
I screamed before I plunged the knife down on her, however, due to the scream she quickly turned around and...
„AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA! MY EYE! MY EYE!"
Rumia yelled and was spinning around, blood dripping from her face onto the ground, turning it as red as a cherry.
In her frenzy, she managed to knock into me and throw me onto my back! Woah, she certainly has strength! I really wouldn't like receiving a direct hit from her...
I quickly pulled myself back on my feet, and ran towards Mike, who was still on the ground.
Planning on helping Mike, I quickly reach my hand to him and as he grabs it I pull him up, back on his two feet.
„Sheesh, thanks, mate. Any longer and I might have been a goner." Mike says, giving me a smile that tells me he is proud of me. But that moment of joy is short lived, as I hear someone angrily breathing behind me.
„Oh... I will make you pay for that! I will eat you alive... slowly..." Rumia says, grabbing the handle of the knife, which is still impaled in her eye socket.
„AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!" She screams, as she tears the knife out and more blood spills out, before throwing the knife to the side.
„Seems you made her angry..." Mike whispers into my ear, as we watch Rumia float above ground and make a sphere of darkness surround her, making her pretty much invisible as we can't see inside the darkness.
„A-Are you hurt?" I ask Mike.
„Minimal, don't worry about me, and better watch out. Here she comes!" Mike yells the last part, as he pushes me to the side and jumps away from me to the other, making Rumia miss as she flew in between us.
Deciding that the best thing to do would be to retrieve the bloodied knife, I run for it.
„Watch out!" Mike yells.
Throwing myself to the side and rolling for a bit, I notice the sphere of darkness pass me as it quickly turns around and aims for me again. She seems faster, I should be careful of my next move.
Being aware I might not be fast enough to stand up before the sphere knocks into me, I instead roll to my left and once more, dodge her attack.
„ARGH! STOP DODGING AND DIE!" Rumia screams from inside the black sphere, as I quickly stand up and continue running towards the knif-
„BEHIND YOU!"
!?
„AGH! IT HURTS!" I yell, as I stumble to my side.
Looking at my left hand, I notice the reason why. It is completely red and hurts like hell, as if a jellyfish stung me and a cat bit me at the same time.
On the side of my vision, I quickly realized why this was happening.
Rumia started shooting orbs at us!
Starting to dodge, I realize her aim was horrible! ...thankfully.
But getting hit even once is a butt load of pain to take in!
This must be that "Danmaku" Remilia mentioned back then when she explained our situation to us! She said it doesn't kill but really hurts, however, I feel like regular humans might still get killed because of it, from the pain alone. So as it stands, just dodge. Dodge. DODGE!
I keep dodging as I get closer and closer to the knife... almost... th-
*TUD*
...I was too slow...
„Ahahahaha... finally..."
Rumia speaks inside her black sphere as she pinned me down on the ground, covering my lower half in it.
„I-I am s-sorry! P-Please don't e-e-eat me!" I start to beg, tears falling down my face.
Struggling as much as I can, I find myself unable to remove her powerful grip from me. I try to look for Mike but am unable to spot him anywhere...
...is this how I die...?
„Let's eat..." I hear Rumia say, as I close my eyes... preparing for the incoming pain of having a piece of flesh torn from me...
„Yeah, eat a piece of THIS!"
*BAM*
Opening my eyes, I no longer feel the weight of someone on me as I quickly roll to my left and try to get on my feet while clenching my teeth shut due to the pain. I was slightly bleeding from scratches which I gained by falling to the ground several times, but it was manageable.
Standing up, I look over to what happened.
From what I can safely assume, it's that Mike kicked into the black sphere and managed to hit Rumia, knocking her off of me.
„ARGH! THAT'S NOT FAIR!" Rumia yells, still inside her sphere.
„Not fair? Not FAIR!?" Mike yells, pointing at the black sphere.
„We are only alive thanks to teamwork and ya own fucking incompetence and ya scream UN-FUCKING-FAIR!?" Mike starts to release all the build-up tension at Rumia it seems, for some reason thought, it appears Rumia isn't doing anything. Just floating inside her black sphere and listening.
„Ya think ya something better just cause ya an idiotic youkai!? Fuck off! Ya can't even aim properly with the shit ye bombarded us with!" Mike starts screaming in a quick manner, almost hard to understand.
„BUT I-" Rumia interjects, this proves useless.
„YA NOTHIN'! YA LOSE FOCUS ON YE SURROUNDIN' QUICKER THAN A FUCKIN' FLY!"
„B-But-" Rumia tries once again, this time, it felt... quieter...?
She was noticeably slowly flying towards the ground, eventually only slightly levitating above it.
„BUT SHUT UP! YA NOT EVEN FUCKIN' SCARY! THE ONLY THIN' SCARY BOUT YE IS HOW SOMETHIN' AS PATHETIC AS YA IS STILL AROUND!"
...
After letting all his anger out, Mike shakily breaths in and out before fully calming down.
Suddenly, the darkness around Rumia disappeared and... was she... crying...?
Rumia looked horrible. She was missing and eye and was covered in blood. Tears were flowing down her one remaining eye and a stream of blood from her eye socket which was missing an eye.
Looking over at Mike, it seems he too, noticed her tears.
„*sniff* I-I'm going to t-tell my f-friends how mean you a-are! *sniff* T-Then we will beat y-you up!" Rumia says, before floating away, into the forest we came from.
Huh... She didn't really seem to care about the fact that she lost an eye and was still bleeding... Since she is a youkai, does she just regenerate it after a while...? I would assume so, at least...
„...damn."
Once more, I glance over to where Mike was standing and notice him sit down onto the ground, the parts of it which aren't covered in blood...
I walk over to him and sit next to him, remaining silent as I still need to process the event which we just went through... Still feeling a bit shaken up from...nearly dying, I guess...
...The blood on us and around us doesn't help either...
„...I made her cry, didn't I?"
Turning my head to stare at Mike, noticing his gaze is fixed onto the ground, I ask the most complex question I could think of at this very moment.
...
„What...?"
„I... I didn't mean to yell like that and say the stuff I said..." Mike says, covering his face with his bloodied hands. Not the best idea...
„But... why do you feel sorry? She attacked us! N-Not to mention, she is a youkai who e-eats humans!" I explain. I do understand what he means, but still, this was a life and death situation!
„...I know that it's a monster! It's just... her teary face was no different from an actual human child..." Mike said, placing his hands down onto his legs.
„Not only that... she also acts like a child, sounds like one... hell, she might just be a fucking child..."
...
„...and I lost my temper on her..." Mike says, taking in a deep breath after closing his eyes.
„Y-Yeah... but you don't need to put the blame on yourself, right? No one is to blame." I say, which makes Mike face me and look me in the eyes.
„No one...? Fuck... You do have a point, she was the attacker and was going to kill us, but... damn... I feel bad about myself, I never wanted to make a child cry. Human or not." Mike said, brushing dirt out of his hair with his hands.
„I guess it's just my morals screaming at me... for what an asshole I can be..." Mike says, as he stands up.
„Ight... We should probably go to that shrine about now. Not only is morning time already over but the longer we wait here, covered in blood no less, the more we risk of either other youkai coming here to eat us or..."
...
„...or Rumia coming back with her friends to turn us into meat paste, I bet." Mike says, offering me a hand.
As I stare at him, I see him trying to form a small smile. A smile to keep us safe for the journey ahead. But he faces difficulties, as he still is ashamed for fully losing his cool. I don't blame him and I hope Rumia, if we ever meet again, would forgive us for the actions we took to defend ourselves...
...funny.
If a human really wants to, a human can become the worst kind of monster.
Reaching for Mike's hand, he pulls me up and brushes off the dirt from my hair.
„Hm, you are slightly bleeding... Here..."
*rip*
Mike turns his dark blue pants into dark blue shorts, and uses the extra material from them as to make makeshift bandages to stop the bleeding.
„There... are you hurt anywhere else?" Mike asks, looking me over for anything else out of the ordinary.
„No, don't think so. Just feeling a little light headed..." I answer.
„That's to be expected, once we arrive at the shrine, we ask for either a bottle of water or a cup of tea. Just hold on tight, ight?" Mike reassures me and turns around as he begins walking back into the forest, just slightly a different way just to make sure we don't bump into Rumia right away again.
„...and you? Are you hurt anywhere? She did overpower you and force you on the ground..." I ask, noticing the many scratches on his arms and back. His white shirt has certainly seen better days...
„Nah, just a scratch here and there... nothing too serious..." Mike says, before grunting and saying out load one last sentence.
„We either were lucky, or that youkai really wasn't as horrible as we first assumed... we could have saved Paul back then...fuck..." Mike realizes something which... which pains me to think about...
„Doesn't matter. What happened, happened. Let's move on, ight kid?" Mike says, offering me a determined smile, which clearly yells "We will get through this no matter what". Returning a determined smile, I nod and we make our way to the shrine.
...
„Oh, least I forget!" I exclaim.
Turning around and bending down, I pick up the now bloodied knife and hold onto it.
„Alright, let's go."
-3rd Person POV- (Eientei, early afternoon...)
„...aaaaaaaand back the way we came we go!" Tewi said, telling everyone to once more, follow her.
While 17 and Mike had to survive their encounter with Rumia, Johann and the cart travelled through the bamboo forest without any disturbances. Likely due to Tewi guiding them and telling them where to avoid the traps along the way.
Now, they were already on their way back once more, aiming to get to the Human Village as fast as they can. While the now weapons filled cart was slowly pulled by several men, Johann decided to ask a few questions, hoping Takeo would be willing to answer them if he knew the answer... or not hide it...
„I must say, this was slightly odd." Johann said, as he walked besides Takeo.
„Hm?" Takeo turned his head to look at Johann, before asking what he means.
„What exactly? That no youkai attacked us?"
„That too, however, I am mostly curious about why they already prepared a bursting cart filled with weaponry, before they even received the resources, which they requested in the first place for the weaponry to be made off." Johann explained his train of thought.
„You should be grateful. The sooner we have them, the sooner we can end the youkai threat once and for all." Takeo harshly said, turning his head back to face the road ahead.
„Quite the statement. Wasn't the initial purpose for defensive practices?" Johann inquired.
„...What? Our leader said, with the help of these weapons, we will be able to achieve salvation for the human race." Takeo explained, unsure what Johann meant.
„That reminds me, when you say "our leader" you refer to Mr. A, yes?" Johann inquired more, pushing into Takeo to spill out more information.
„Hai. Our leader is a great man and the future hero of Gensokyo." Takeo stated.
„How did you end up working for him?" Johann asked.
...
...
„He... He adopted me when I was an orphan."
Takeo began to talk for a while, Johann silently listened to his story as they moved through the bamboo forest, along with the cart and several other men, with Tewi in front, guiding them.
„My parents died due to a youkai attack. We lived outside the village walls in a small farm house, so it was only a matter of time, but..."
„That night, when my father yelled at me to run to the village while they hold the youkai off to give me a chance... I felt hopeless... alone and afraid..."
„I didn't feel any better when I managed to get to the village. Screaming for help, several people came to ask what's wrong..."
„When I told them what happened, many guards shortly ran out towards the farmhouse we lived in, however..."
...
„They were too late."
„Life was tough. Always has been and always will be. But it was especially hard for just a child my age..."
„At first, some villagers were generous enough to help me but, they too, didn't have much to spare. After all, they also had their own children to feed and the year's harvest was rather poor..."
„I was certain, that I was going to die in the coming days or winter, if I were to survive that long..."
...
...
„Only then, when I have lost all hope, did I meet a man I can only speak great words about."
„He took me from the streets and put me into sheets. Gave me food and taught me many things. He gave me something I thought I would never see again..."
...
„A family. Thanks to him, I have found myself once more. Once I was an adult, I swore to always do everything he needed me to do. Never would I betray him or leave him for dead."
„As such, he has given me one last gift..."
...
...
„A new identity. A new start. A new..."
„...name."
Johann raised his eyebrow at that, and speaking up after a long silence.
„I see, so "Takeo" isn't your real name?"
„Hai. It is more of a nickname, but, I came to love it as if it was my only name." Takeo proudly answered.
„Very touching story, I cannot deny. Wou-"
„Ey! Careful now! Not gonna take any blame if you walk into that one!" Tewi yelled.
Both Johann and Takeo looked to their side to notice one of the men walking besides the cart almost falling into a deep pothole.
...The very same one Reisen fell into.
„Takeo." Johann said.
Takeo turned to look at Johann and waited for Johann to continue talking.
„Once we arrive at the village, I would appreciate it if you were kind enough to deliver the cart with the rest of your kind to your leader. I have some business to attend to." Johann said, looking up towards the sky, the sun now standing tall, reflecting a few sun rays off of his glasses.
„Hai. Business at Suzunaan?" Takeo accepted the request, but questioned the business part.
„Precisely." Johann confirmed.
„Heya! Here we are! Thank you for travelling with Tewi g-"
„What the hell!?" A man yelled, cutting off whatever joke Tewi was trying to make.
„What's wrong? ... What happened here!?" Another man started panicking.
Both Takeo and Johann proceeded to approach the several men to see what was wrong. However, before their eyes could witness it, their noses already spoiled it.
Something iron heavy was in the air, and it certainly wasn't coming from the weapons in the cart, which they were escorting.
„Just what is..." Takeo said in disbelief.
„Curious..." Johann said in interest.
For in front of the entrance to the Bamboo Forest of the Lost, there was blood spilled almost everywhere.
„Ah. It probably was just a youkai trashing someone. Anyways, have fun~!" Tewi said, before running back into the bamboo forest and leaving everyone confused and on high alert.
„We gotta hurry up! We can't risk getting ambushed!" One of the men pulling the cart said, starting to pull it and push through the bloodied field.
„Agreed. Our leader said we should have a safe passage, so it must be so." Another man said, proceeding to escort the cart.
Soon, everyone proceeded as normal, including Takeo and Johann.
After all, why get all worked up over a few blood puddles? As long as nothing is in sight, the goal to reach the village remains without a change.
High on their toes, they move on into the forest.
(Hakurei Shrine grounds, early afternoon...)
After a horrid day yesterday, Reimu tried to relax today with tea in hand, watching the blue sky as white clouds slowly pass by, with the occasional youkai flying up high from time to time.
Taking another big sip, and happily exhaling all her worries, feeling light as a feather... is only temporary, as a certain someone starts yelling at the top of her lungs.
„YOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO, REIMUUUUUUUUUUUUU!"
*sigh*
Knowing this ordeal like the back of her head, Reimu only sighs and takes another sip to calm her nerves.
Shortly after, the peace breaker and local witch also known as Marisa, jumps down from her broom in front of Reimu, before starting to speak in such haste, as if she would die any second.
„Sup Reimu! Have ya been readin' that latest newspaper from Aya?!"
Reimu, after finishing another sip, spoke much slower and audible. Unlike Marisa.
„No. I was dead tired yesterday and couldn't bother reading that over exaggerated tengu's personal opinions this morning." Reimu said, calmly. Taking yet another sip from her warm brew.
„Okok, get this, ze!" Marisa said, making hand motions to fully catch Reimu's attention before she started going on a little rant.
„So yesterday, I encountered two humans close to the Forest of Magic, and guess what!"
„They both were Outsiders!"
After hearing this, Reimu started choking as she accidently swallowed down the tea as she was taking another sip.
„Outsiders!? How di- Oh. I swear, if Yukari is planning something again, I will..." Reimu was saying, while also cursing a certain person, when Marisa continued her rant.
„That's not all, ze! I brought them here but you were gone, so I dropped them off at the Human Village for the time being and told them I would come back for them tomorrow, and th-"
„Wait. That's today. Why didn't you bring them here right now?" Reimu interrupted, looking at Marisa with a confused stare.
„I... hehe... I... might have... forgot..."
...
...
*sigh*
Reimu wasn't even surprised at all, to say the least.
„I-I got distracted by Alice, okay!? She made me breakfast!" Marisa explained.
„You mean, you "MADE" her make you breakfast by plaguing her?" Reimu asked, already knowing the answer.
„Same thing, doesn't matter, ze!" Marisa exclaimed. Reimu only sweat dropped at that.
„A-Anyways! That's not the point!" Marisa once more, tries to get back on track.
„Alice told me about it and then gave me this newspaper and, and- here! Just take a look!"
Marisa pulled out from under her hat a crumbled up newspaper. It was the Bunbunmaru newspaper from yesterday. It depicted everything from the death of the village leader, the youkai attack, the coup and a lot of stuff about the Vozhd. Much was written with slight inaccuracies, as either Aya didn't know the full picture and filled the gaps in with her imagination or personal opinions. One thing for sure, it sent forth a strong message, as Reimu had her mouth wide open upon finishing the newspaper.
„Marisa. Excuse me. I need to go have a word with this "Vozhd" guy."
Throwing the newspaper aside, Reimu made pace to fly towards the Human Village.
„Reimu! Wait for me, da ze!" Marisa yelled, quickly hoping on her broom and flying after her.
(Human Village, early afternoon...)
Anton was currently out and about, trying to see who has put faith in him and who refuses to even look at him. Meanwhile, Mennini was sitting down by a small table and was cleaning the two revolvers while tinkering with a few things he found around the building.
Mennini was deep in thought, the more time passed the less he was sure about what's right or wrong.
Tonight, a crackdown is supposed to be held. Targeting those disloyal towards Anton.
However, Mennini knew better. He knew right away that the word "crackdown" was just the word "Purge" in fancier clothes. He didn't want anybody to get hurt, yet, he might have been a major role in this. After all, by doing everything he was told to do he just played into both Anton's and Mr. A's cards.
He kept thinking about what Mike told him yesterday.
„Not playing the lapdog, huh... I guess I took a shot in the dark on that one..."
Mennini mumbled under his nose, looking over the now polished revolvers, placing them aside and letting his head rest on the table.
He was tired. Tired for multiple reasons. The most obvious one being from lack of sleep, as he keeps having nightmares. Nightmares which... he fails to remember each time after waking up in a cold sweat. Only a few broken pieces of details remain, but he can't put anything together.
Maybe this time will be different... he thinks to himself as he closes his eyes.
...
...
While Mennini was out cold, Anton was about to return home. Anton noticed a few people who seemed angry at him or something similar. However, he could also have sworn he noticed a few... youkai... among the villagers. Where there youkai in disguise or was he just being paranoid?
Amongst the few people, there were also two people he recognized.
The first one being someone influential. It was Hieda no Akyuu. Ever since Mr. A allegedly "took care" of her, she avoided almost everyone who was fully on his side. Anton couldn't even remember the last time he heard her speak a single word. She was doing as told, but one could tell it was forced.
Another person, while not directly recognizing, but rather being told about her, was Kosuzu Motoori.
Anton never met her in person or even spoke to her. However, Johann informed him about her importance of the future prosperity of the village and how she should be kept safe.
At first, Anton was suspicious. Johann already decided to play the teacher and possibly scare the living daylights out of children with his uneasy appearance but now also taking interest in someone specifically?
Anton only realized what Johann was talking about when he explained how she was able to decipher any text and could come handy once Mr. A secures something in need of translation.
In the end, Anton simply knew that these two, although not that loyal, are valuable assets. However, same cannot be said about the other few people...
Before Anton could think any further, he had already arrived at the HQ and was about to enter when, out of nowhere...
„Hey! You there! Are you that "Vozhd" guy?"
Anton was quick to get agitated at the voice behind him calling him out with no respect.
„Yes, but let me ask YOU, about where you learned your manne...rs..."
Anton hissed back, but after turning his head around to face the person who spoke to him, quickly regretted in doing so.
For after seeing a flying red shrine maiden and a black and white witch land onto the ground in front of him, his blood froze in an instant.
„Oooooo! Ya gonna just take that, Reimu!?" Marisa said, only causing the tension forming in the air to worsen.
Reimu was quick to point her gohei right onto Anton. Making him sweat bullets.
„Explain who you are and what you are doing. Right now."
„Well..."
Anton, was terrified to the bone. He had only heard about a shrine maiden being the big deal around here but not much else, as he couldn't bother learning more about that. He rather planned the future of the village layout and deal with the villager's problems to try and improve their situation.
After a good while, everyone calmed down as Anton finished explaining the situation.
„...and that is all. Now, please... Put that stick away from my face." Anton said, shaken up from the interrogation.
Reimu did so, giving Anton some more room to breathe.
„...you mentioned you fell from the sky... did you by any chance notice something akin to a tear in the air with many eyes peering out?" Reimu asked, trying to confirm a theory of hers.
„Hm, now that you mention it... I recall catching a very slight glance of something... but I don't know if it was real or just my mind playing tricks on me." Anton pondered, recalling back the memory of falling down onto the hard, dirty ground.
„Go figure... okay, so I will do the following." Reimu said, as she turned around and started to float in the air.
„Since you do seem to have no ill intentions, I will let you alone. However, do something. ANYTHING. And you will quickly have a problem on your hands, is that clear?" Reimu said.
„Yes, of course." Anton nodded his head.
While Anton mostly said the truth, he withheld certain key words to make him appear as just a humble protector of the Human Village. Not only that, he said he alone fell from the sky, and when Reimu asked about if he saw anyone else fall, he claimed he didn't. Reimu seemed to have believed him, mostly at least. Since she can't really consider everything Aya wrote in that newspaper of hers as the sole truth.
„Aaaaaaaaaaaaa... Finally! I was startin' to fall asleep ere, ze!" Marisa said, yawning while she stretched her limbs a bit, before jumping on the broom and slowly floating after Reimu.
„Remember, you are allowed to protect the villagers from youkai attacks as you have in the past. But don't get too ambitious." Reimu said, before flying off with Marisa in tow.
...
...
„Heh. Idiots... Thinking they could order me around... pft... I'll show them how good I can lead this village, just you all wait..." Anton mumbled, insulted for being berated by two teenagers.
He knows more than they would ever be able to in terms of leadership! Is what Anton kept telling himself in his thoughts. Going inside the HQ, he went upstairs to search for Mr. A. After all, Johann should be arriving at any time now.
...
With weapons he never mentioned to the shrine maiden and witch...
(Near the Hakurei Shrine, late afternoon...)
„...Ight, I think it's safe. C'mon, were almost there... I think." Mike said, peeking out from behind a tree.
„Are we sure these noises are real and not just us hearing things...?" 17 asked, getting out of the tall grass he hid in.
„Not sure, but better safe than sorry." Mike said, fully coming out from behind the tree.
„Wouldn't youkai be able to smell our presence?" 17 questioned.
„Ha. Better hope not. Not only are we covered in both our and youkai blood, we smell so bad I wouldn't be surprised if anythin' which gets a whiff of us starts running in the opposite direction of our location!" Mike said, humouring the situation they are in.
„Now that you mention it... I am getting quite sick of this smell..." 17 said, holding his nose shut and making a puking noise.
„That, we can agree both upon." Mike said, before walking off.
„Lets hurry up and- Gr! Shit..."
17 hurries over to where Mike suddenly stopped moving and was examining his hand.
„What's wrong?" 17 asked, looking at Mike's hand.
„Eh, guess that youkai, Rumia, did do me worse than I first assumed..."
„D-Did she bite you? 17 asked, worry in his voice."
„Nah, ma hand is just a bit strained. She did twist it quite a lot. Coulda been torn if ya didn't intervene." Mike said, putting his hand back down after checking it.
„Yeah..." 17, not knowing what else to add on, ended it there.
Both of them continued on for several minutes without further disturbances, until they arrived at a huge stairway, which would lead them to the Hakurei Shrine if they were brave enough to climb them without getting tired halfway.
„...Who the fuck would go to a shrine if one has to climb THIS fucking monster of a stairway! All I can see are stairs, stairs, more stairs and even MORE stairs!" Mike said, feeling his legs give up before they even made an effort to climb these stairs.
„Lots of steps, huh... I can see that red gate thingy, thou. I guess flying there is more convenient than climbing." 17 stated.
„No shit. But let's be honest here, which regular human being would bother? If ya can't fly, don't try." Mike huffed, before starting his ascend up the stairs.
„Only us. For we have no other fuckin' choice, do we now? Well... unless ya plan to be someone's dinner. I know for a fact that I don't, but can't say the same about you, can I?" Mike joked.
„Haha, no, not really feeling up to it. Wait up!" 17 laughed, catching up to Mike before both slowly climbed the stairway, step by step.
17 wasn't sure if he was just starting to lose his mind, or if he was being delirious, but he didn't seem to be as scared anymore. Maybe he adapted enough to this world's logic? He couldn't know for sure.
Hell, it might just be because he lost too much blood, he was bleeding a little for a while, but every tiny bit adds up to the greater number.
In the end, it didn't matter that much right now, what did matter is to make sure they get up and don't trip and fall down, for that would not only be painful, but could end deadly. After all, a regular human can survive a lot of deadly situations, but also die by just slipping on a banana peel and hitting the head against the ground. The human body is a complex thing, that's for sure.
As they were around ninety percent there, both could hear two people talking, or rather, arguing. One voice sounded very familiar, but the other was new.
„Really Reimu? Ya won't do anything against that guy? Just a lousy warning?!"
„What? You wanted me to beat him up until he begged me to stop? Not worth the effort."
„But that guy literally took over the entire village! Ain'tcha worried he'll do something!?"
„Do what? I made sure to let him know that if he does something stupid that he's done for. Besides, who would be stupid enough to risk the lives of the villagers for no reason?"
„I could name several people! Both youkai and human, ze!"
„Whatever, it's not like I could have done anything else."
„...Whaddya mean?"
Both Mike and 17 were pretty much at the top, they just wanted to listen into the conversation before popping in. As of now, they both needed to climb ten more steps in order to have bested the stairway.
„Yesterday, I wasn't here until the night because I had to exterminate a few troublesome youkai who attacked the Human Village."
„Yea, did somethin' happen?"
„Not at the time, but once I was on my way back, a thought started to bother me."
„Ya mean, why they attacked villagers inside the Human Village, ze?"
„Exactly. It just didn't make sense. But now, I think I have a pretty clear picture of what's going on."
„Really? Well, lemme hear it!"
„One wor- No. Two words."
...
...
„Gap hag."
„Ah, that explains everythin'."
„It really does, doesn't it? She certainly has her dirty hands involved, that's for sure. I just don't know why. What does she want to achieve from doing this?"
„Eh, it's Yukari. Nobody knows what she plans and why she does it in the way she does it, ze."
„That's why I only warned him. I could feel her watching from nearby and she would likely interfere if I was to take direct action."
„Hm, yea. Probably doesn't want ya messin' with her toys when she still is usin' em...*sniff*"
„*sniff**sniff* Hey... Do ya smell that...?"
„*sniff* Now that you mention it..."
Not surprised, Mike and 17 knew exactly what smell they were talking about. Deciding to no longer linger behind and risk getting caught listening in on their conversation, they both climbed up the last remaining steps and pretended to huff, as if they climbed all the steps in one go.
„Woah, those stairs sure are a hand full to deal with..." Mike said, not suspiciously at all.
„...Yeah... sure are..." 17 agreed, less suspicious.
„Who are you? And why are you walking around, covered in blood?" Reimu asked, a stoic expression on her face.
„Oh! Those are the two outsiders I mentioned earlier!" Marisa chirped in.
„Great. Why are they covered in blood?" Reimu asked, looking at Marisa.
„I have no idea, da ze!" Marisa answered.
„Let's just say..." Everyone turned to look at Mike, who stepped forward and spoke.
„We had a small youkai encounter, which we somehow managed to get out of alive."
„Ya fought a youkai!?" Marisa yelled, concerned about the two outsiders.
„Marisa, please." Reimu said, before she motioned Marisa to quiet down.
„Sheesh, aight." Marisa threw her hands in the air while walking closer to the blood covered outsiders.
„Ya aren't hurt, are ya?" Marisa asked, with a frown.
„No, we're mostly fine..." 17 answered.
„We would have been better, if someone actually bothered to pick us up as was promised, ya know." Mike said, not wanting to point any fingers.
„Ehehehe... oops..." Marisa weakly laughed, scratching the back of her head.
„Anyways, I am Mike. This is 17. We would like to go back to our world. Please. Thank you." Mike said in a hurry, just trying to get outta this world.
„Not so fast. First, go take a bath." Reimu ordered. Starting to get sick from this stench coming from them.
„Ight, fair enough. Where can we find a shower?" Mike asked.
„There is a pond behind the shrine, you can wash yourselves there. I'll allow it if it gets this horrid smell to go away." Reimu said, pinching her nose.
Mike didn't like the idea, but didn't bother arguing and just nodded and proceeded to walk in the direction Reimu pointed to.
„Once we do that, what then? Will you send us home?" 17 asked slowly walking past Marisa and Reimu.
„No, I have a few questions to ask before that." Reimu stated, crossing her arms.
„Don't worry, I'll be here too so the scary Reimu doesn't hurt you, ze!"
*bonk*
„OW!" Marisa joked, before regretting it when Reimu bonked her with her purification rod.
„You better, I still need to have a word with you." Reimu sternly said, before walking inside her shrine.
„Ehehe... this is gonna be boring, ze..." Marisa said, pretending to be sad before a smile made its way onto her face.
„Go on! Get clean and come inside, we can then talk and give ya answers to the question ya have, ze!" Marisa said, before rushing in after Reimu with her broom in hand.
17 took a deep breath, before deciding to follow after Mike.
...
...
A long and gruesome night awaits.
-Giovanni Mennini's POV- (Human Village, late afternoon...)
...
...
GAH!
...
„Not again... another nightmare..." I huffed, grabbing a piece of cloth from a nearby stool to clean the sweat off my face. Once more, I was woken up due to a terrible dream. A dream, which I can't seem to remember no matter how many times I deeply think about it.
All I can recall is a loud bang before I wake up all sweaty.
Deciding to go see what's going on at the moment, I stand up and walk towards the door, gently sliding it open and aiming to go to the meeting room, since that's where mostly everyone always is.
However, apparently not this time. Once I arrived, I quickly noticed that everyone, even Mr. A, was absent. That was, until I noticed a letter on one of the two tables in the room. ...I don't think there were two tables before, someone must have moved one from the other room on this floor.
Regardless, I went over to pick up the letter and see what's written on it. To my surprise, the letter was talking about a tengu reporter! I think it must have been that very same we encountered on our way to that store, where Anton got that fancy uniform and I found that revolver! ...oh, and Johann also got something, but I forgot what it was.
„Hmm... That's... quite unsettling, to say the least..."
I said outload to myself, after reading the contents of the letter. From what I can tell, it was written by Mr. A and was meant to be handed to someone called "Takeo". It talked about how that certain tengu could prove problematic and might need to be put on the side-line soon in order to ensure everything goes according to plan and no major interruptions occur. It states that once the weaponry arrives and the guards as well as his own SHA/SHS members get trained well enough to be able to operate them with at least a sixty-five percent efficiency, that Mr. A himself would try to catch the tengu off guard, as she has been spotted lurking around the village and gathering information, some which cannot possibly be exposed to the eyes of powerful entities and therefore must be made sure everything remains as unsuspicious and secretive as possible. The less information is out for the naked eye, the easier the job will be done.
The letter ends with a sentence, which sends chills down my spine just thinking about the meaning behind it.
"If capture isn't possible, I will inform you when to dispose of the evidence. After all, it would be bad for us if someone who goes looking were to find even a piece of something."
...
...
„I have a terrible feeling about this..."
Placing the letter back down on the table, as I have found it. I quickly turn around and plan to head outside to get some fresh air and clear my mind.
In a turn of events, that was likely the best choice I could have made. For when I was in the main hall, I heard someone was about to slide the door open and enter the building. Quickly hiding behind a wall, I shortly noticed it was Mr. A, who headed upstairs into the meeting room I was just in without spotting me.
Deciding to get the hell out of this building for my own safety, a single thought kept circling inside my mind...
"Should I tell Anton about it? About what Mr. A is doing behind our backs?"
But then it occurred to me, what if he already knows? Or, what if he would be ok with it? After all, just yesterday night, he was fully distressed and talked about having to make sure that everyone in this village was loyal to him. It almost seemed like he was afraid of something, but why? Did that dinner invitation make him afraid of something without him being aware? And if that isn't the case, then why did he suddenly decide that he needs to maintain loyalty? All of this is just bizarre...
In the end, I decided to just stick with Anton and maybe try to reason with him. It still wasn't too late to make sure things wouldn't get crazy or out of hand.
„Ah, Mennini. Good timing."
I heard a voice say from behind me, which made me jump as I turned around.
„Calm down, it's just me." Says Anton, as he went past me to move forwards down the street.
„Follow me." He says, as he quickly turns to look me in the eyes.
He had the cap from the suit on top of his head, so I could only assume he was about to do something important and wanted me to be present.
Not trying to make him angry or annoyed, I quickly nodded and walked besides him.
„Could you tell me what's going on?" I asked, seeing as I was needed somewhere apparently.
„The delivery is here and me, you and Johann, need to teach these villagers how to use these new weapons in order to make sure, that everyone can protect the village in case of another attack on the village." Anton was quick to answer, as I hardly processed everything he said.
„O-Oh, right..."
We continued to walk in silence until we arrived next to the big dragon statue. Close by, where a lot of villagers. They can be split into two groups. Guards and members of the SHA/SHS. Along with what appears a few volunteers and perhaps future guards.
We walk in front of the statue, and to my surprise, instead of Johann, there is someone else standing in front. It appears to be a member from the SHA/SHS. Next to him is what I can only guess is the mentioned delivery. The cart filled with weaponry. Or, guns... to be more precise...
...or rifles? Firearms? It-It doesn't matter...
Suddenly, I remember something.
„I-I forgot the revolv-"
I was trying to say that I left the revolvers on my table when I woke up, but Anton stretched his arm in front of me and interrupted me by saying.
„That's alright, you can demonstrate with one of these from the cart. I myself will need to take a look at how exactly they are made. Maybe you too, should take a closer look, Mennini."
Nodding, I went over to grab a gun from the cart. It was a bit weird but seemed to be similar to the ones in our world. I only sighed to what was possibly a big mistake in the making.
„...Where the hell is Johann? He's usually on time from what I can tell." Anton was complaining while looking around, however, to his dismay, didn't spot any signs of Johann.
„Johann has told me to inform you, my Vozhd. That he was needed elsewhere more importantly and as a result, couldn't attend."
I stopped analysing the weapon and instead turned around to see who spoke up. It was that SHA/SHS member who stood in front.
„What!? Who does he think he is!? I specifically requested him to be present! There are only three of us here who have the slightest amount of knowledge on how to use firearms, and he dares, tell me there is something more important which needed his presence!?" Anton was fuming with anger, I could clearly see and hear the steam coming from his ears, metaphorically.
„What a moron! We don't have any time to waste, we must make haste!" Now yelling at the SHA/SHS member, ordering him to go get Johann right now, this instant.
„Now, now... No need to worry! I am sure the both of you and Mennini can handle this just fine."
I could feel a shiver run down my spine, as Mr. A arrived at the scene. Trying to calm down Anton.
„Takeo, come, there is something we need to talk about. We may as well go inform Johann as well, no? That would certainly prove more efficient. You start explaining, I prepare a few safety measures and get Johann." Mr. A spoke to both Anton and the SHA/SHS member who I now know is called "Takeo".
...
So THIS, is the Takeo the letter was written for. But why write it when you can just say it?
„...Alright, but I want Johann to get here before midnight. Otherwise..." ...?
I knew Anton wanted to continue talking about something, but... he stopped himself from doing so.
After that, Mr. A and Takeo left to do... what I can only assume can't be anything good...
While me and Anton remained to explain how firearms work to these guards and... the members which I doubt would be wise to teach.
After all, the guards only want to defend against attacks... the SHA/SHS on the other hand... I view them more as those who are likely to cause mischief outside of village walls, which... could end up REALLY bad.
It seems even this world has to deal with fanatical cults. With Mr. A being the leader to no one's surprise... He is truly a madman.
Yet, I can't find it in me to go against my only friends... I-I hope that they are, at least...
Oh...please, may fate have mercy on my soul...
„Alright, Mennini and I will now explain the following. Listen carefully..."
-Mike Victorn's POV- (Hakurei Shrine, meanwhile...)
After we got cleaned up, we were told to sit down on a pillow inside the shrine while „Reimu" the shrine maiden, is going to prepare us all some tea and some light snacks.
Just by entering this shrine, I could tell that the first impressions didn't lie back then. Even inside, you could spot a crack or two, here and there. The whole shrine seems to have survived centuries against anything coming its way, while barely being maintained. Or perhaps it was wrecked by disasters and meekly rebuild.
Regardless, tea will come in handy dandy at the moment. I need to relax my head a bit and 17 needs something to refresh himself. He has been bleeding and lost a good amount of blood. But he is a champ and managed to hold on tight!
I remember when I was bleeding badly back in high school, that day will always stick to me. It taught me to always protect those who find themselves unable too.
...Bill was a great guy. I wonder how he is faring.
„Here, careful, it is still hot."
Reimu says as she placed everything down on that weird table I know Japanese love. I just can't recall what it was called... was it kimono...? Eh, whatever it may be, it isn't my top priority.
„Thank you." 17 bows down to show his gratitude before he grabbed a tea cup.
I'll grab one as my own too.
...
Mmm... while it is still hot, it is manageable. But boy, oooohoooo! What a refreshment! It almost feels like as if all my lost energy recharged with a single sip!
„Aaaahh~ I have to say, ya always got the best tea, ze!"
„I can only agree! That's gotta be the best tea I have eva had!" Seriously, this is borderline a drug.
...
...what if there are drugs in it?
Heh, well, I certainly wouldn't complain! But I might want to ask next time I eat or drink something from this world...
Oh right.
There won't be a next time.
„Now, since we are all cleaned up and refreshed. How abou-"
„No. Now, I want you two to answer a few questions." Reimu, do not ruin your first impression.
„How did you get into Gensokyo?"
...
„Ugh, fine. But after you get the answers, ya get us outta this insane asylum, ight?"
Reimu remained silent, awaiting the answer to the question she asked.
„Six of us fell outta the sky and had no idea what the hell was going on. Satisfied?"
„There are SIX of you!?" ...Ha, I could see the terror on her face.
„...Well, not anymore..." ...Really, 17? Did ya have to cut so deep?
„Oh, yea, sorry for your loss. Musta been harsh." Marisa seems to care more than Reimu.
„A-Anyways, next question." Another question, by Rei- Wait a minute! I just remembered somethin'!
„Oi, Marisa, right?" I ask, turning to face Marisa, who sits next to Reimu.
„Yea? What's up, ze?"
„Ya old man sends his regards, says he would like it if you were to visit."
...
Huh...?
Marisa suddenly turned melancholic, before standing up. She slowly walked past us.
„Hey, what's the matter? Afraid of ya father, he-"
!?
„AGH! L-LETG-G-G-"
„I don't know what he told you, but my family is my problem. Not yours."
„M-Marisa...! Please let him go! You're choking him!"
„Eugh... huff...huff... fuck..."
Ah, I can finally freely breathe once more. Shit, I think I poked the bear with a stick this time. Hell, I didn't mean no harm, but... I get it. I didn't know there was something goin' on between them. No wonder her father seemed so... weirdly worried, I guess...? ...oh man...
„I... I am sorry! I-I need to get some fresh air real quick! I'll be back!"
Marisa quickly exclaimed before running off with her broom.
For how petite and small she appears, she has got hella strength in those arms, I'll give her that!
„Great. Now we shouldn't get interrupted any further. Now, as I was saying..."
...
Reimu is a great friend. She isn't worried about her friends little outburst which occurred right about now, noooo... she has to get her answers first. Priorities.
„Did you by any chance see a weird tear in the sky you fell from, which had eyes in it?"
...Oi, I think there WERE drugs in the tea!
„What nonsense is that!? Of course not! I would remember seeing something like THAT!"
„...I did." ...?
I glance at 17 who claims he saw... whatever she mentioned.
„Hmm. Good. Then I have no further questions." ...
...
...
„Really? Is that it? Ya don't want to ask about what we went through? Or how we almost fuckin' died?"
„No."
„Really...? Why? Do you just not give a fuck or...?"
„Don't feel like it. Besides, I still would like to relax for a bit before I take a nap~."
...
...
She just stretches as if everythin' was casual business. Unbelievable. *Sigh* What more could I have expected? Hell, even her whole look screams lazy. I may not know Japanese culture that well, and I certainly don't. But I refuse to believe that shrine maidens have their armpits exposed.
Perhaps she cut her clothes because she was too lazy to change to something else when summer came.
Ight, enough. Time to go home.
„Well, since ya done, l-"
„Tomorrow."
„Fuck no."
„No fuck this. I spend enough time here." That's it, I'm going to lose my shit for real this time.
„M-Mike, don't. Let her explain at least... please...?" Dammit, 17! Whose side are you on?!
...
„Fine. Explain. Elaborate. I don't care what, just... Do it now."
„Uhu... Well, it's almost night and you will likely get lost." ...
„Know what? I am so done with everything. I just accept it as it is. You hear? I'll do as you suggest. Fuck it."
Can't be bothered.
„So Reimu, we havin' a sleepover, da ze!?"
I and 17 turn around to notice that Marisa returned, seemingly cheerful again.
„Just because I will allow two Outsiders to spend the night here until tomorrow, doesn't mean you are invited to trash the night here." Reimu firmly says.
„Awww... Ya so meeeeeaaan, Reimuuu~." Marisa acts as if hurt.
„Marisa, real quick, sorry. Didn't mean to make you upset o-"
I tried to apologize but was quickly interrupted. Wooooo... Who could have guessed...
„No no, its fine. I should be the one to, again, apologize for nearly choking ya to death, hehehe..."
Afterwards, everyone just talked a bit while Reimu was mostly just listening into the conversations, but refusing to admit to it. Well, this room is certainly filled by a bunch of personalities. Each having their goods and bads. I am no exception. And while I do feel shame for sometimes being too harsh, I gotta remember that this is who I am. I can't fix my flaws, but I can contain them. To the best of my capabilities, of course.
Ah, while I did enjoy a few moments here in Gensokyo, it was overall horrible. And I would not wish any other human being from our world to experience what both I and 17 went through. Not even my worst enemies...
...That reminds me... I wonder what that madman Anton is doing right now...
Not to mention, how long did we spend talking...?
-3rd Person POV- (Human Village, almost midnight.)
„The time has come." Anton said, standing in front of his most trusted people. Varying from guards, to SHA/SHS members. He handpicked the most skill full and loyal amongst them for this very task.
Over the past several hours, the guards and SHA/SHS members were trained by Anton and Mennini on how to operate firearms. At first, only the best of the best managed to get a grip and land a few shots on the target practices. However, slowly but surely, more and more had acceptable results. Still, many remained who rather stick with their swords, katanas, maces and spears... or pikes, even.
Once it was already night, everyone was sent to guard their new positions. Positions, which were equipped with a bigger turret like gun, which worked on the very same principle as the firearms in terms of usage. So the more skill full guards taught the lesser ones and the knowledge spread through the whole village in mere hours. Eientei certainly was more charitable than expected.
As night was about to strike midnight, and Anton gathered his most trusted men into the very same storage when the coup happened. It almost seemed nostalgic for what was about to happen. However this time... this time blood would be spilled.
„My dear friends and people. I have chosen you tonight, to do a deed which will ensure the future safety of the village for the coming decades!"
„Tonight, we shall punish every disloyal traitor who planned to backstab us, as was revealed to you by Mr. A. Someone who knows very well about who wants to harm us, humans, the most by ratting us out!"
Everyone present seemed to agree with that statement. It is very likely Mennini would be against it, but he specifically asked if he could have free to get some sleep, since he hasn't slept very well and teaching the guards was weary exhausting. To his luck, Anton granted him the luxury for he was very pleased by the results and his diligence until now. Little did he know, Mennini just wanted to avoid everything which was going to happen tonight.
„We shall also find every youkai hiding among us, and exterminate them from the surface of this world!"
The crowd agreed even louder, with this being the main objective. Johann too, wasn't present. Actually... he hasn't been seen ever since he told Takeo that he would be at Suzunaan, for he discovered something of great interest.
„To unite and protect all of humanity, we must expel those who yearn to make us bleed!"
The chosen villagers were ready, prepared to sweep through the streets of the village and ensure total loyalty to the Vozhd. Mr. A, wasn't present either. Only Takeo could be seen amongst the people. After all, Mr. A had to ensure that everything was safe to proceed with. Safe... in his own terms.
„Let us rejoice, in a new golden age for humanity in Gensokyo!"
With that, the Night of the Long Pikes truly begun.
And the start, of the end.
Just minutes later, screams could be heard coming from the village. There were only a few, but they were loud and horrible. For those who dared to take a peek outside on what was going on, awaited only regret, dread and the horrible feeling of emptying ones stomach onto the ground.
For those who did so, witnessed the most brutal sights they never imagined they would see. Such as a fellow worker, being beheaded and the head impaled onto a pike, carried around as a trophy.
A fellow friend, being impaled right through the heart, with yet another pike.
Many followed, all those who defied or didn't trust the Vozhd, those who knew, that nothing good could come out of this.
In a few cases, where youkai hiding in human clothes were found, a similar fate awaited if they didn't run or fly away before they were noticed.
Sekibanki, is one good example. She knew the Vozhd could only mean trouble from the first time she saw him holding a speech. She wasn't wrong. The guards were flooding in from left to right, with members of the SHA/SHS even more so, being at their peak in years. However, Sekibanki was prepared, and she wasn't alone. Akyuu and Sekibanki secretly planned ahead in case Anton or Mr. A did something. And tonight was the time, where they would attempt to escape their own sanctuary, the village they lived in for years..
Everything went as planned, and Sekibanki managed to get out and flee through a blind spot which Akyuu managed to create by distracting the guards and SHA/SHS members. However, as Akyuu herself planned to make a run for it, she was grabbed by no one else... but Mr. A himself.
„Now, now little Akyuu... We wouldn't want to leave so soon, would we now?"
A terrific smile was plastered on his visage, as he dragged Akyuu back into her home, before locking her into a room, with two of his members, one outside and one inside the room, making sure she couldn't get away.
Akyuu could only hope Sekibanki would warn everyone about what was going on.
...
...
„Ayayaya... this... this isn't good..."
From the darkness emerges Aya, the crow tengu reporter, the one who has already made loads of success out of the Vozhd, for he interested many. But this... this was too much scoop, which seemed impossible, even for her.
„I... I can't waste any more time! I have to inform Reimu, she can resolve this madness!"
But before Aya was able to fly off, faster than the speed of light one may say, she got jumped from behind by a SHA/SHS fanatic, ready to plunge a sword into her.
Being too fast and hearing the sword being raised last second, she managed to grab the fanatic by the arms and make sure the sword wouldn't budge an inch towards her.
„AYAYA! Get the hell off me! Let go!"
However, the fanatic, held on, refusing to let her escape, before calling for fellow members to come capture her.
...or kill her.
„I said... let... GO!"
Suddenly, crimson blood is sprayed all over the alleyway, as Aya accidently used too much strength and tore both arms off of the fanatic.
„Ohh... Oops..."
Was all Aya manged to say, before the pain kicked in for the fanatic, which started to yell in agony
„MY ARMS! MY ARMS! SHE RIPPED MY ARMS OFF! AAAAAAAAAAAAA!"
Just as the screaming started, both guards and more SHA/SHS fanatics arrived, seeing the scene in front of them, all of them assumed only one thing.
The youkai did this. All of this.
„This is getting too hot for me... Bye!"
Aya said and was about to fly off, when a bullet, fired from a firearm from Eientei, designed to be lethal managed to hit her in the knee as she was about to jump up high into the air.
Not having expected them to be so fast, despite having seen them be fired on target practices earlier, she was caught off guard and hit.
„I would reconsider, dear reporter."
The voice of Mr. A appeared behind Aya, as she crouched onto the ground, watching as blood slowly poured from the wound.
„I will give you two options here... You come with us. Or you die. What will it be, my dear?"
Aya knew what she had to do...
...
...
With the speed of wind, she roundhouse kicked Mr. A, several meters away! Before flying off!
However, a true bullet hell began. Dodging left and right, she grazed many shots, but eventually got hit two more times, which forced her to consider.
How can they hit me from so far away!? Or am I just too slow!? Perhaps I should get down!
She plunged into the forest below, as the bullet storm stopped. She knew she was too hurt to risk flying off again, after all. Those weapons seemed to hit her from far distances! Where they truly that powerful to eradicate youkai? Aya was worried, she needed to inform Reimu before more lives could be lost. After all, she knew. What happened in that village...
Would soon happen to all of Gensokyo.
She started running, as fast as she could. Before she tripped, and fell on top of a log. Her leg burnt! It was in much pain, the bullet, enchanted with whatever it may be, was clearly not doing her any favours.
Deciding she couldn't carry on like, this, she slowly limped towards the shrine. Taking breaks from time to time. Hoping she would arrive before the sun would rise. Fearing, that this is only the beginning, of certain demise.
In another forest made of bamboo, Mokou carried Keine to the doctor called Eirin. She had lost hope that she could cure her all by herself. She decided to gulp down her pride, and go to Eientei and risk Kaguya laughing at her. She couldn't care any less anymore, for she, was saving a friend who couldn't go on like this no more. Keine wasn't getting any worse, but neither any better.
When she arrived, she explained the situation. And asked Eirin for help. Eirin only looked down onto the floor, saddened, before she agreed to help.
Mokou couldn't help but feel suspicious. At the same time, she couldn't help as if something horrible was going on. She felt anger building up inside her. In the end, she assumed it was because of the presence behind her.
„Oh, Mokou~! Fancy seeing you here!" Kaguya chirped.
„Leave me alone, I am not in the mood to deal with your bullshit." Mokou stated.
„Oh, but why? It's not like you're in pain, are you now?" Kaguya inquired, slightly irritating Mokou.
„Very funny. I know that you must have been watching me talk with Eirin. You know exactly what's going on. Drop the act." Mokou claimed, crossing her arms.
„Mmmm... Should I? I believe that would ruin the surprise!" Kaguya laughed, covering her mouth with her long sleeve.
„Surprise? What are you on about?" Mokou asked, confused.
„Oh, my dear Mokou... What would you do, if I were to tell you, that I knew from the very start...?"
...
Silence was present. Cold as ever. A phoenix was present, yet still, it wasn't any better.
„What do you mean..." Mokou asked, starting to consider.
„Mokou, think about it. You feel the pain, but eventually, the pain goes away... but there is another type of pain, which won't ever go away... what is it?" Kaguya said, a wicked smile forming on her perfect face.
...
„You..." Mokou started heating up, starting to piece it all together.
„YOU..."
That was the moment, hell was about to break lose, a grand fire, larger than ever.
„YOU DID THIS!? YOU POISENED KEINE!?"
The phoenix has awoken, long forgotten was the promise to be calm, when Keine asked for Mokou to behave.
„You blameth me without proof? How shameful of thy, thou family honour must have fallen deeper than thy yakitori stand's success!"
„I WILL BURN YOU INTO FUCKING NOTHINGNESS!"
„Ahh~! Tonight's going to be fun!"
...
...
Not only were the pikes high tonight, so where the flames of hatred up all night.
-People/Factions and their allegiance/opinion towards The Vozhd, Anton Drevov-
-Night of the Long Pikes Occurred-
Johann von Hochmär - Loyal
Giovanni Mennini - Loyal?
Mr. A - Somewhat Loyal
Mr. A's followers (The SHA/SHS) - Accepting (Loyal to Mr. A)
Takeo - Accepting (Loyal to Mr. A)
Paul Garmith - ?
Mike Victorn - Furious
17 - Suspicious (Friends with Mike)
Villagers - Scared
Loyalist Guards - Loyal (no matter what.)
Guards - Unsure
Youkai - Hostile
Kappa - Friendly (Unaware)
Eientei - Supportive
SDM - Indifferent
(More factions will be added when the need arrives...)