Sorry about the delay with this one. A mix of vacations and writer's block was seriously hindering the creation of this chapter, though I won't deny that laziness also played a part.
I'll talk a bit more at the end.
...
[Hoover Dam]
3rd POV
After shredding down all the Legion forces on the dam, the only things standing between the Courier and control of the Mojave Wasteland were Legate Lanius and General Oliver. He broke through the gate into the Legion camp and instantly began mowing down any Legion who dared to stand in his way.
He snapped the necks of the Legion Mongrels who got close to him, and cleaved many of the Praetorians into pieces with his Blade of the West. However, none of the Praetorians dared to back down, as they knew that if the Courier doesn't kill them, the Legate will.
Eventually, there was not a soul that stood between the Courier and the current Leader of the Legion.
"And who are you to come before me... You don't bear the mark of the Bear, yet you are ready for battle." Lanius spoke as the Courier approached.
"It doesn't matter who I am, or who I represent. What matters is that I'm going to kill you." The Courier wasted no time in making his intentions known.
"Enough words, then. Let our strength settle this." The Legate pulled out the Blade of the East and got into a stance.
Without missing a beat, the Courier was upon Lanius, delivering blow after blow with the humongous sword, with each hit being blocked by Lanius' own sword. After being constantly pushed back, the Legate finally countered and swung horizontally at the Courier's abdomen.
However, the attack whiffed due to the Courier ducking beneath the massive blade. After that, the Courier charged and tackled the Legate off the edge of the small hill they had been battling on. After the both recollected themselves, they began fighting in the center of the camp.
Their blades clashed as the fight raged on. Both sides had received considerable damage, with the Legate utilizing a Healing Powder, and the Courier a Stimpak. They locked blades and attempted to push the other down. They both stepped back a few feet, and then charged. The blades collided again, and this dance was repeated many times until the Courier was launched backwards. He quickly recovered and sprinted at the Legate. When he got close, he leaped into the air and prepared to bring his sword down on top of Lanius.
However, the Legate had also begun a horizontal swing that threatened to cleave the Courier in half.
The blades inched closer and closer to each swordsman, until-
[Inside the SDM]
Courier Six POV
"Mister Six!"
"AH- Gah! I'm awake!" I shot up into a standing position, accidentally pushing the person in front of me.
"Ugh. My mistress has agreed to speak to you. Follow me." The woman that I now recognize as Sakuya began walking away.
"Uh, yeah, I'm coming." I shook my head to wake up faster, and jogged after her.
We began walking down a lot of long, winding hallways. I was honestly confused as to how she knew how to get around, but didn't bother asking. As we walked, I saw a multitude of humanoid... things flying around and doing chores. Some of them stopped to stare at me, but Sakuya quickly reprimanded them.
We eventually made it into what looked like a dining area, with a very long table that stretched across the room. At the end farthest from us, I saw a few people. I could recognize the red-haired guard from earlier, but the others were unfamiliar.
As we approached, I could make out more features of the others. Oddly, the one seated at the end of the table seemed to be a young girl. It was strange, but there was probably an explanation. The other woman I didn't recognize had purple hair and a set of... Pink pajamas? Also odd, but I don't care to ask.
"Hm. So you're the one who caused the ruckus in the forest, I presume." The child spoke up. She sounded older than she looked.
"If you're talkin' about the explosion, then yes, yes I did." I crossed my arms.
"And, even after causing a commotion that soured my night, you seek refuge in my mansion?" She frowned.
Hold up. "Wait... Your mansion?"
"Yes. My mansion." She scoffed.
"Uh... How old are you?" I scratched the back of my helmet.
"500 years and counting." She sat up.
…
…
…
"What."
"Mistress, I forgot to mention that this man is an outsider. He is mostly unaware of how Gensokyo operates." Sakuya spoke up after the long silence.
"Ah, then he wouldn't know what I am, now would he?" The not-so-young girl smiled.
"Yeah, uh... What are you?" I was dumbfounded.
"I'm a vampire. We... live for a long time." She spoke like it was obvious.
"Uh-huh..." I'll look into this later.
"Anyways, back to what we were talking about. Why, exactly, should I allow you to stay the night here?"
"Well, honestly, I'm kinda leaving that part up to you. If you need me to do something, then I will. I'm a little desperate at the moment." I shrugged.
"Hm. Will you do anything?" She had a small grin.
"Almost. It has to be something I can feasibly accomplish. Like, if you ask me to go out and kill God or something, that's not gonna work."
"Hm... I believe I might have something in mind..." She spoke with malicious intent.
"Well, then, let's hear it." I held my arms out to my sides.
"Your blood."
"Uhh... Are you threatening me or something?" I crossed my arms.
"Of course not. I'm a vampire, and as a vampire, I feed on blood. If you give me some of yours, I will let you stay the night." She smiled.
"Well, uh, I can't do that. It's not for my safety, but for yours." I shrugged.
"Huh? What do you mean?" She looked kinda surprised. Must not have expected this.
"Here, it'll be better if I just demonstrate." I brought a knife and a small glass vial out of storage. I took off my glove and used the knife to make a cut across my hand. I let the blood drip into the vial before using a stimpak to close the wound. After around 10 seconds, the blood began bubbling before a sizzling noise could be heard as it melted straight through the bottom of the vial. It then melted into the wooden floor, and kept going until the hole became too deep to see in.
The people around me all had faces of shock.
Suddenly, the red-haired guard spoke up. "Wait, didn't you say that you're covered in your own blood? Why isn't it melting your clothes?"
I slowly turned my head to her for dramatic effect. "I lied."
She shut her mouth and just stood at attention.
"Hm... So, I guess that won't work..." The vampire lady spoke again.
"Yeah. So, you got any other ideas?" I put my tools back into storage.
"I believe I have one, but we can discuss it in the morning. Sakuya told me about what happened to you out there, so you must be tired." She smiled again.
"Yeah, I guess. By the way, I don't think anybody here has introduced themselves, me included." I gestured to the people around me.
"That is true. My name is Remilia Scarlet, and I own the Scarlet Devil Mansion that we are inside of." She puffed out her chest with pride.
"My name is Hong Meiling! You can call me Meiling." The red-haired guard smiled at me.
I looked over to the last woman, who was now reading a book. She looked up for only a moment. "Patchouli Knowledge." She gave a small wave and then went back to reading.
"Cool. My name's Courier Six. Call me Six. And before you ask, it's not my real name, but it's the only name I have." I gave an exaggerated bow.
"Well, Mister Six, I hope we can get along. Sakuya, please escort him to a guest room." Remilia waved us off.
"Of course, mistress. Please follow me, Mister Six." Sakuya began walking away.
"Hey, uh, do you think we could stop at a bathroom along the way? I'm still covered in blood." I gestured to my blood-stained clothes.
"Oh- Um, of course."
We eventually reached a bathroom where I could use some Abraxo Cleaner to clean myself up. I walked out of the bathroom to meet Sakuya.
"Are you done?" She asked.
"Yeah, let's go." I gestured for her to lead.
…
After getting to the room I would be using, Sakuya left me to my own devices. I used the time to fix up some of my equipment that got damaged during the battle. It was pretty boring, but I did end up using pieces of a chessboard to repair the sides of my armor.
Although, I did get to thinking about things as I was banging out dents in my helmet.
How the hell would I feasibly get back to the Mojave?
If what that kid in the forest told me was true, then I'm at least on a different planet. Worst case scenario would be different dimension, but I seriously hope that's not the case. I doubt the Transportalponder would work, but maybe I could try it out later. Things are looking bleak.
Because of all this thinking, I couldn't get myself to fall asleep. It's not really an issue I've had before, so I don't know how to combat it. Now I'm just sitting on my bed trying to get my brain to shut up.
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"Ah, fuck it." I stood up and walked to the door. A walk might tire me enough.
I stepped out into the hallway and looked around. It became evident that it would be difficult to discern my room from the others, so I left one of my Cowboy Hats on the doorknob. There was also the issue of finding my way back, so I decided to just stick to the rightmost wall so that if I wanted to come back, I can just turn around and stick to the left.
I started my walk and very quickly noticed how long this hallway was. I couldn't even see the end, so it seemed to go on forever. The rooms themselves all looked the same as well, and it was kinda mesmerizing.
Along my walk, I also encountered more of those humanoid things with wings earlier. Some of them stared as I walked by, and I chose to just ask them what they are so I can stop thinking about it. Apparently, they're supposed to be "Fairies". They also claimed to be maids for the mansion. With that question cleared, I continued on my way.
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…
Eventually, I came upon a turn, and it took me into more long hallways, but this time they were more decorated.
Without warning, someone appeared in front of me and there was something sharp at my throat.
"What are you doing?" I recognized the voice as the maid, Sakuya.
"Uhh, walking?" I shrugged.
"And where might you be walking to?" She pressed the knife in her hand closer.
"Nowhere, really." I tried to back up, but she walked with me.
"Why are you not sleeping?"
"I couldn't. I had a lot on my mind, so I thought a walk might help." She finally pulled the knife away, so I rubbed my throat.
"I guess that seems understandable. I will allow you to continue, but I'll be watching you." She gave me a menacing look before disappearing.
With that short obstruction gone, I decided I'd walk only a bit more before turning around.
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…
Not much happened up to the point before I turned around. I sat down to talk with a few of the fairy maids, but it was otherwise uneventful. I chose to turn around at the next intersection.
I just made it into the hallway that my room resided in when something odd happened. I heard a... jingling of something. It sounded like glass constantly clanking together. It seemed to be pretty far away, but it was definitely getting closer.
Before I could ponder on it, a hand was on my shoulder.
"Mister Six, I heavily advise you to get back to your room as soon as possible."
"Huh? Wait, what's going o-"
"Mister Six, that wasn't just a suggestion. Get back. Now."
"You still haven't explained what's happening-"
Suddenly, a voice echoed through the halls. "Oh Saaaakuyaaaaa! I heard we have a new guest!" It sounded childlike. Similar to Remilia's, but with less... cockiness.
"Mister Six! Go!"
"Why though? This sounds interest-"
"There you are!" The child's voice was now significantly closer.
"Stop cutting me off!"
Without warning, something was rapidly approaching from down the hallway. On instinct, I bended backwards to dodge as it zoomed inches past my face. Sakuya and I whipped around to see what looked like a small child similar to Remilia floating in the air. She had blonde hair, and was wearing an odd red & white outfit. She also had some very distracting light-crystal-things hanging off what seemed to be very thin wings on her back.
"Hahaha! You're good at this!" She was staring at me.
"So, are you my new toy?"
There wasn't much action this chapter, as we were establishing new characters. It's also kinda short, but I hope the encounter with Flandre in the next chapter can balance out any disappointment you may feel, though I don't know when the next one will be coming out.
It's already been shown that I have a pretty bad work ethic, and I'm really trying to fix it.
This chapter will probably be edited later to fix any issues. But anyways, that's all I really have to see you. Hope to see you next chapter.
Arrivederci