Crimson Butterfly
A Fatal Frame Fanfiction
By Chendzee'a Li
www.chendzeealihotmail.com
All characters belong to Tecmo.
Chapter 7
Abandoned
The apparition was tall and imposing, a priest of sorts, adorned in crimson embroidered robes. Though veiled, Mio could sense the malevolent gaze of the ghost glaring at her.
"Leave us alone!" She screamed, pulling Mayu behind her.
"Mio the door, it's locked!" Mayu cried as she fumbled feebly at the handle.
"Why do you resist…" The ghost hissed, stepping forward, the butt of its ceremonial staff striking the old wooden floor loudly. Chime's hanging from the staff sounded peacefully contrasting the air of malice that enveloped the large chamber.
"You were born for this purpose…" The phantom whispered quizzically, as if confused by their resistance.
"No!" Mio cried, hand trembling. Raising the Camera Obscura, she fired the flash in the thing's face. Muttering a sound of annoyance, the ghost recoiled, turned away, then faded into nothingness.
Her previous encounters made her wary and Mio turned to check her surroundings. Sure enough the ghost had appeared behind her. The realization did her little. Weakened and weary she was to slow to counter its attack. Raising its staff above its head the ghost brought it down sharply to strike her in the shoulder. The blow crumpled her to knees, as formidable as the phantoms appeared; their physical blows had little substance. It was the cold, the biting, life draining cold. Dazed, she scrambled back awkwardly in hopes of putting some distance between them. To her surprise the ghost ignored her and instead focused its attention to Mayu who'd collapsed in fear and curled into a ball.
"The place… the ritual that must not be seen." The ghost whispered, reaching for her.
"Mayu!" Mio screamed, rising quickly to her feet.
The ghost turned towards her slowly as if bored then casually tapped its staff onto the floor, muttering quietly. With a howl a skull appeared before it, wreathed in greenish flames. Stunned, Mio could only mutter a silent cry before the thing flew screaming at her. The burning skull struck her in the chest, passing through her; it then faded into nothingness. In a reflexive spasm of pain and panic, she fired off a series of flashes from the camera obscure then collapsed onto her back. Caught off guard, the veiled priest staggered back from the blinding light then crumbled forward.
"The sacrifice… it is your destiny…" It hissed, then vanished into the floor amid black smoke.
A presence, warm, welcoming and a scent, faint, lavender.
"A dream…?" Mio mused, in the darkness. "Perhaps I'm dead… Mayu… I'm sorry. I'm sorry…"
"Don't leave me…" A voice called, sad, full of fear and sorrow.
Cold, biting, horrible cold, it made her want to sleep.
"Please… you can't go…." The voice pleaded.
"Mayu…? Yes… dear, delicate Mayu… I'm sorry, it seems all I can do is hurt you."
"You can't give up… I need you…"
"I need you too… more than you know…"
"Mio please… not like this… not before…"
"Darkness… I'm afraid…"
With a wincing tortured cry, Mio opened her eyes. The pain in her chest was cold and dull, clinging to her heart like a fist. There was a weight against her, warm, soft. Opening her eyes slowly she squinted faintly at light given off by nearby candles. Studying her surroundings, she sighed in relief to find Mayu cradled against her chest. Resting back once more, she stared quietly at the high ceiling of the altar room.
They were safe, alive, luck had been on their side once more, but how long would it last. How long could they last?
Mayu shifted slightly, nuzzling against her.
"I thought I lost you…" She muttered softly.
"No…" Mio whispered, running a hand through her hair.
Mayu sniffled and shuddered against her wearily. Sighing sadly, Mio hugged her tightly "I'm okay, I promise." She offered, hoping to ease her mind.
"I want to go home…" Mayu whimpered still unwilling to meet her gaze.
"We'll be okay…." Mio whispered half-heartedly, her mind drifting back to the overgrown, briar filled path in the forest.
"We should risk it…." She thought darkly.
"I could make it, just take it slow…"
"But Mayu, she'd never make it, she's not strong enough."
"Could I leave her?"
"I could get help, she could hide…"
"I'd abandon her?"
"She'd be safe…"
"No she wouldn't, they'd come for her…"
"I could leave her the camera…"
"She wouldn't survive, you know it."
"Could I leave her…"
"She'd die…"
"We both will."
"If only she were stronger…"
"It's my fault…"
"We're going to die here…"
"I don't want to die."
"I could make it… I could bring help…"
"Are you okay?" Mayu whispered worriedly, slowly moving to meet her gaze. Mio looked to her sullenly, her eyes dancing as she studied her.
"I'm fine…" Mio answered, sitting up.
Moving away from her timidly, Mayu could sense the turmoil in her mind.
"Mio, I'm sorry…"
"How long was I out?" Mio coughed, wishing to change the subject.
Mayu watched her quietly, trying to read her.
"Mayu?" Mio asked again, unable to look at her.
"Not long…" Mayu whispered, turning away.
"Come on… lets find those keys." Mio grumbled, moving stiffly.
Nodding silently, Mayu followed the best she could.
Something was wrong, Mayu could sense it, something beyond their predicament, something private, something personal, something between them alone.
"She's going to leave…." Mayu thought quietly as she kept a dutiful pace behind her sibling.
"Perhaps it's for the best… At least she could escape… perhaps they only want me."
The thought terrified her and she reached out for Mio's hand reflexively.
Mio didn't return the gesture, leaving her grip limp and emotionless.
"Mio…?" Mayu breathed worriedly.
"You'll be fine." Mio replied, glance over her shoulder.
"You're upset…" Mayu whimpered.
"No I'm not…"
"Yes you are, I can tell."
"Mayu I'm fine, I'm just tired…"
"I don't believe you, something's changed."
Pausing, Mio frowned then turned.
"I'm scared, okay… scared and tired."
"I'm sorry…" Mayu whimpered.
Sighing, Mio gripped her hand warmly and caressed her cheek.
"It's not your fault okay…?"
"I'm sorry…"
"Stop that."
"I…"
"Mayu."
"Okay…" Mayu sighed, hanging her head.
"Mayu…" Mio groaned, stepping closer. "Listen, we'll get out of here, both of us. I promised didn't I?"
"Yes…"
"Nothings going to happen to you, not while I'm around."
"I…"
"No, listen to me." Mio interrupted. "It'll be okay… Do you trust me?"
"Yes…"
"Then stop worrying." Mio ordered with a wry smirk and hug.
"Easy for you to say…" Mayu replied with a faint smile.
Mio returned the smile and kissed her brow.
Abruptly, Mayu clapped Mio on the shoulder and pointed behind her.
"Oh, look, look." She gestured, pointing to moonlight streaming hazily from around the corner.
Turning, Mio walked slowly over to take a peek. Peering around the corner she stared curiously as the hall opened into an outside balcony. Cherry trees loomed over the walls of the small garden and moonlight bathed everything in a blue light, adding a near magical quality to the place. Lined with vine covered lattices the garden had a peaceful feeling and dancing amongst the trees, crimson butterflies could be seen dancing like otherworldly lightning bugs.
"Destiny… Our destiny…" Mayu muttered quietly.
"Mayu, don't." Mio snapped. "Don't listen to them…." She warned, now fully aware of the effect the spirits had over her sister.
"I'm sorry…" Mayu murmured, shaking her head slightly.
Looking farther into the moonlit garden, Mio noticed two wooden paths reaching out from the balcony to lead towards a tall tower.
Looming a far bit over the rest of the estate, the tower was designed in the old Shinto style, complete with dark, ceramic tiles along its multi-tiered and ornate woodcarvings.
"It's pretty out here…" Mayu whispered nervously. Mio nodded in agreement and crept towards the tower. The main path split in two and both trails twisted side by side until the arrived at two separate but similar doors at the base of the tower.
"Odd…" Mio mouthed.
"Twins…" Mayu whispered.
"Shush…" Mio frowned.
Tentatively, she tried the door before her, only to find it locked. Looking to the other door she found it, separated from them by lattice and vines.
"Symbolism." Mayu muttered.
"What?" Mio sighed.
"Twins… perhaps if we try it at the same time."
"I'd have to run around, I don't think I want to leave you."
"It'll only be for a minute, right…?" Mayu smiled trustingly.
Mio stared quietly at her then gave a solemn nod.
"Yes…just a moment."
"Hurry then…" Mayu winked.
Looking across to the other door, Mio bit her lip then regarded her sister once more before hurrying back up the trail and down the other.
"Please hurry…" Mayu called nervously as the once calm garden began to take on a decidedly eerie feel.
"Okay." Mio chirped, waving to her from the other side of the lattice. As she stepped towards the door, the floor under the two shifted slightly and a dull click sounded.
"Should we try now?" Mayu muttered, somewhat cautiously, eager to be reunited.
"Okay, just be careful…" Mio nodded, then pushed slightly on the door. With a creak, the door shifted and swung open. Nodding to Mayu to do the same, both young women then stepped into a dark entryway.
Once inside, an apparition materialized before them. Veiled and tall, the figure was one of the priests she'd encountered earlier.
"The twins have returned…" The phantom gurgled then faded.
Mio stood stiffly, unsure what to expect next. Moments past in silence as the only sound to be heard was their breathing.
"Mio…" Mayu whispered, clinging to her arm.
"I think it's gone…." Mio said quietly, disengaging herself from her so she could look around. Small and unassuming, the entryway led to a sliding, double door. Moving quietly, Mio pressed her ear to the door to make sure nothing sinister waited beyond. Hearing nothing amiss, she carefully slid the door open and peered inside.
Darkness greeted her, broken only by soft streams of moonlight. Beyond stood a large octagon chamber. Stepping inside, she bid Mayu to follow. The chamber was oppressive with pillars circling a fairly large altar of sorts. Atop the altar lay several wicked looking blades and hooks, the items were old and corroded, apparently they'd not been used in some time. As eerie as the scene was, it dulled in comparison to what hovered overhead. Ropes crisscrossed the chamber, strung from the pillars. The ropes strung with prayer scrolls held something, high above their heads. A dark mass bound in ropes and cobwebs. In the darkness, Mio could only make out a vague shape but decided not to ponder it. Remembering her vision of similar scene she had little doubt as to what, or better yet, who, hung above them.
"The folklorist…" Mayu whispered.
"Yeah…" Mio nodded. "How did you?" She started to ask but grew silent.
Instead, she focused on the matter at hand, finding the keys to help them escape the accursed house. Through intuition or the influence of the phantom folklorist, Mio knew she was searching in the right place, something was here, amid the dust and darkness.
Looking to the altar, she winced and set about prodding the various tools and implements. Mayu meanwhile hovered behind her while looked around nervously, there was something evil in the air, tortured.
With a yelp of joy, Mio rose up holding a large ornate key, carved with a symbol of the moon.
"That's one" She smiled in satisfaction.
"Are you sure…?"
"Yes." Mio smiled.
"But, how did you know…?"
"Well…" She responded thoughtfully. "The folklorist… I think he's trying to help us… guiding us."
"I hope you're right…"
"Me too…"
It was like a notion more than impulse, gently prodding, lightly pushing, guiding her towards her objective. There had to be a way out of the house, the village. She tried to keep focused on the matter at hand, tried to ignore what was happening between Mayu and her. There was something different in the air, tenseness. Mayu, bless her, sorely wished to confront it, that much at least Mio could tell. She gritted her teeth in confusion, perhaps it'd always been that way.
"Talk to me?" Mayu muttered, quietly following behind her.
"About what?" Mio sighed.
"Anything…"
"There's nothing to say…"
"Oh…." Mayu mumbled, hanging her head.
Silence once more reigned.
"She hates me…." Mayu thought sadly. "She's always hated me…."
"No I don't…" Mio said aloud, as if reading her thoughts.
"What?" Mayu blinked, looking up at her.
Mio still walked ahead, but did not turn to face her.
"I don't hate you…"
"I didn't…"
"Don't lie… I know you to well." Mio said coolly, looking over her shoulder.
"I know…" Mayu frowned, humbled by her gaze.
"I… Mayu… it's just that…" Mio sighed in annoyance, finally turning towards her.
"I don't want to loose you…" Mayu whimpered. "I don't want you to hate me."
"Mayu, I don't hate you. Wherever you got that notion I have no idea… But I wish you'd stop it."
"I'm sorry."
Mio could have screamed, they had no time for this. Her sisters submissive meekness while adorable at times was also maddening. That combined with the stress she'd endured finally caused her to snap.
"Stop that!" She blurted, causing Mayu to jump.
"I…" Mayu whimpered.
"Don't you say it!" Mio shouted, grabbing her firmly by the shoulders.
"Mio…"
"Stop it!" Mio screamed putting her hands over her ears. "Stop apologizing all the time, stop doubting me! I'm not going to leave you, I don't hate you, I just want us to get out here in once piece! After that, we'll talk, we'll talk all night, and we'll talk until your sick of it… but now, now… I need some piece and quiet! Now, I need to think, without out you crying in my ear every five minutes! Do you think you can do that Mayu? Just for a little while?" With that, she shoved her away and stormed off a few steps before pausing to compose herself.
Mayu said nothing and Mio turned to regard her. Mayu hung her head as she hitched quietly, tears flowing from her eyes. Alone, in the darkness, she looked so small, so lost.
"Mayu I…" Mio sighed, feeling horrible.
Unable to meet her gaze, Mayu stood silently weeping, awaiting for whatever was to befall her.
"Mayu… look at me…"
"I understand…" Mayu whispered, still not looking up to meet her gaze.
"Mayu… I'm sorry, I'm tired…"
"It's okay…"
"No it's not… Mayu come here…"
"You should go…"
"Mayu…" Mio frowned, tears forming in her eyes.
"You're right…"
"Damn it Mayu… You have to understand…"
"I do… I really do…" Mayu said quietly, finally looking up at her. The abandoned, hopeless look in her eyes made Mio want to die.
"I'm sorry Mayu, it's just so hard, I'm scared…."
"I know."
"Please Mayu… I need you with me… Don't give up on me now." Mio sighed, offering a faint smile.
"You need me…?" Mayu whimpered, her gaze brightening slightly.
"Of course I do…you know that." Mio smiled, reaching out to her.
"I…"
"Come on, it'll be okay… I love you silly… No matter what you think, I won't leave you."
"You promise?" Mayu asked weakly.
"You remember…." Mio smiled. "We'll be together forever, I promise."
Mayu smiled softly then took her hand. Mio quickly pulled her to her and hugged her tightly.
"I'm sorry Mayu…"
"It's okay. I understand, really." Mayu sighed, resting her head against her chest. Mio held her close, murmuring into her hair.
"I never wanted to hurt you…"
"I know…" Mayu whispered then broke their embrace. Wiping her eyes, she looked around curiously. "Where are we?"
"Honestly…" Mio smiled thoughtfully. "I've no idea, I got twisted around."
"Here…" Mayu said, fishing around the small pockets of her dress.
"What?" Mio asked curiously.
Mayu smiled and retrieved a candy bar.
"Where did you find that?" Mio asked warily.
"I brought it from home."
"Oh… um thanks." Mio grinned then frowned.
"You keep it, you've not eaten in a while."
"I'm okay, you need your strength if you're going to get us out of here." Mayu smiled.
"Half it then."
"Oh stop it."
"I'm not going to sit here and eat while you starve, you can just stop that right now."
"I'm not going to starve." Mayu giggled.
Mio wasn't smiling. Taking the candy bar, she snapped it in half and handed part back to Mayu.
"Eat." She ordered.
"Okay…" Mayu nodded, nibbling quietly as Mio all but devoured her share.
With constant darkness, she had no idea how long they'd been trapped in the village, though considering they were in fairly good shape it couldn't have been to long.
With their brief respite completed, Mio looked around.
"This way." She muttered thoughtfully. Mayu nodded and followed quietly behind her. Looking back, Mio smiled and reached for her hand.
"Come on." She winked. Mayu beamed warmly and took her hand.
Following her intuition, Mio soon found herself in familiar territory. Rounding a corner she paused as a chill washed through her. Worriedly, she glanced back to Mayu who stared blankly at her.
"Did you feel that?" Mio asked curiously.
Mayu didn't respond and Mio frowned worriedly.
"Mayu?" Mio frowned, facing her.
"Mio…" Mayu breathed, her gaze distant. "Everyone is calling me…"
"Mayu, snap out of it." Mio said firmly, while giving her a gentle shake.
"I have to get back… the ritual… we were born for this…. Destiny…"
"Mayu!" Mio shouted, hoping to snap her out of her daze.
It worked, and Mayu looked at her blankly.
"Mio… someone's near." She whispered, her gaze clearing.
Mio spun around and peered into the darkness. A familiar doorway stood nearby and an eerie presence could be sense within.
"Come on…" Mio mouthed, creeping closer.
"Mio…"
Mio shushed her and moved closer to the door. A dim glow shone through the cracks in the wood panels and a voice could be heard within.
"The mourners are causing a fuss…." The voice breathed. Mio recognized it immediately, the ceremony master of the village, Kurosawa. "They must be fearing the trembling of that place… we must prepare the Kusabi immediately."
With that, the light faded away, and the voices ceased.
"A memory…" Mayu whispered.
"Yeah…" Mio nodded. "Like the folklorist."
"That place…" Mayu whispered. "The Kusabi…"
"Don't think about it…"
"They killed him to seal…" She started, but couldn't bring herself to finish.
"Yes…"
"It didn't work."
"No…" Mio frowned, then tried the door. The door slid easily revealing the antiques room they'd discovered earlier. As before, the statues and masks peered out at them with quiet eyes.
"I remember this place…" Mayu frowned. "We're walking in circles…"
"Help me look…" Mio mumbled absently. "I know its here…"
Mayu nodded, and scanned the shadows, while Mio scrounged through the various antiques.
"Mio…" Mayu called quietly, walking over to a small Buddha statue serving as a bookend. "I found it."
Mio hurried over as Mayu examined the statue. The oddly jovial figure seemed out of place in a place like this. Perched atop its lap was a key engraved with a rune resembling the sun.
"That has to be it." Mio smiled, quickly taking it.
Seemingly possessed, she quickly turned and hurried towards the door. Startled by her abrupt movement Mayu hobbled after her.
"Mio wait!" She called out worriedly.
Mio turned regarding her a moment then walked back to take her hand.
"Let's get out of here." She smiled with growing optimism. Hurrying back through familiar territory, they quickly made their way back to the cell that once held the doomed folklorist.
Slipping past the heavy outer door, Mio focused her attention on the locked gate. Turning back to smile at Mayu, she tried the first key then the second, with a welcoming click the locks released. Mio beamed brightly and let out a sigh. The gate was small, short, she'd have to crawl to enter. Without a second thought she opened it and crawled through. Mayu had second thoughts, the room was small, cramped, and she didn't like the idea of going inside.
"It's okay, you can stay there." Mio smiled, walking over to the small writing desk. Atop the desk lay the small journal she sought and under it a key. Scanning through it she nodded knowingly.
"This is it… this is his journal… his final words…"
Curious, Mayu crawled through the opening and crept to her side.
"Anything that can help us…?" She asked hopefully.
"Well…" Mio frowned. "It says the key to the cell door is in the Osaka house… He must mean the big door… And this key." She said, holding it up. "Opens a door in the basement… someone managed to get it to him… He was so close to escaping…" She added sadly.
"That poor man…" Mayu sighed. "Does it say how he planned to get out of the village?" She asked hopefully.
"No it doesn't…" Mio frowned in dismay, then thumbed through the journal once more, looking for anything of use. Mayu meanwhile looked around thoughtfully.
"They stored some scrolls here too, perhaps…" She started then grew silent. Mio, engrossed in her search didn't notice.
The journal indeed held a wealth of information about the village. About, the Crimson Sacrifice Ritual; a ritual in which one sister would slay the other and seal the hellish abyss. Everything was documented, even about the creation of the Kusabi. An unseen ritual involving an outsider, tortured and slain in the event of a failed Crimson Ritual in hopes to appease the abyss until a proper sacrifice could be made.
"Something went wrong… they failed." Mio whispered.
"I knew… I knew…" Mayu muttered hauntingly, catching her attention and causing her to turn. Entranced, Mayu stood staring blankly into the darkness. Hurrying to her, Mio shook her gently.
"Mayu." She called out, caressing her cheek.
"It was to come to this…" Mayu whimpered quietly, lost in a trance. "We should have done the ritual."
"Mayu, wake up." Mio said sharply, shaking her once more. The trances were becoming more common and that worried her. Gasping as if she'd been holding her breath, Mayu blinked and looked at her in confusion.
"Mio…"
"It's okay, we can go now. We can leave through the basement…"
"What about the village?"
"We'll think of something… come on."
"Okay." Mayu nodded.
Crawling out of the cell Mio exited through the heavy outer door and was just turning towards Mayu when the large door slammed between them.
"No!!" Mio shouted as she was tossed aside. "Mayu!"
Trapped within the cell, Mayu let out a cry of fear. Scrambling, Mio hurried to the door and pulled with all her might but to no avail. Crying out through a small hole at the bottom of the door Mio could hear Mayu calling for her.
"Don't leave me!"
Crouching, Mio tried see her through the hole.
"Mayu, the door's locked, it won't open."
Nearly in a wild panic, Mayu cried fearfully.
"What do we do!?
"The key… the journal said it's in the Osaka house, we've been there before right? I just have find it."
"No!" Mayu shrieked in terror. "Don't leave me, please don't leave me!"
"Mayu, I have to get you out!"
"Stay with me, please!"
"Mayu calm down, I can't help you like this, I have to open the door!"
"You promised…. You wouldn't leave me again…" Mayu whimpered.
A memory, that awful day, years ago. A day Mio wished she could forget.
"I left you behind…" She remembered. "You fell… I found you… torn and broken… It was my fault, I was so mean to you… can you ever forgive me… I'm sorry… I'm sorry… I'll never leave you again… I promise… We'll always be together… forever…"
She would break her promise. She had to, it was the only way.
"Don't leave me… Don't leave me anymore…" Mayu whispered, sounding lost and devoid of hope.
"Mayu…"
No response and Mio grew chill with fear. Squinting, she tried to see inside the cell. Mayu, wrapped in the shadows of the tiny cell could barely be seen. Mio's heart ached, she seemed so far away and the only sound she could hear was a soft whimpering.
Choking back tears of her own she stood.
"I'll be back for you…" She muttered feebly then turned to leave while she still had the strength.
"Dear sister…" A voice called hauntingly from within the cell. Mio paused, and turned. "Are you leaving me again…?" It didn't sound like Mayu, it was cold, devoid of warmth.
Turning towards the door, Mio looked in horror. Mayu's face appeared at the hole, her features heavily shadowed.
"Mio… don't go… stay with me…"
"I can't…." Mio cried softly. "I'll be back for you…"
Turning once more she walked away. A voice called to her, sad and distant.
"Yae… you broke your promise again… don't go… please don't leave me in this place…"
Mio closed her eyes and gathered her strength and then, without looking back, left her sister behind.
End Chapter 7
To be continued…