A soft wind gently blows along the seaside region of a city. The day was quite warm for a woman heading through the pathway decorated and endowed with the finest silk garments, gold and gems. The long brown hair led past her shoulders both in front and behind while the top of it the circlet was designed elegantly with a purple and black gemstone to make it into a single eye.
Her destination was towards the center of this city and what looked like a grand shrine of marble and stone. The steps leading up littered with men and women alike engorging themselves on offerings bestowed and blessed by the god. Passing them A towering icon of war itself sat in a mighty seat adorned with weapons and armor from his conquest and foes both god and animal alike, but that was not who she was after.
Instead she bowed her head in respect and pleaded to the towering figure "O God of War, may I speak with your son of Fear?" offering in exchange a basket of bread and wine.
Upon her words the doors just to the left of his seat slowly opened. Out stepped a strange man with purple sclera and black eyes. Wrapped in a simple robe decorated with the stars and night sky as a gift from his aunt. With a wide smile, the priestess couldn't hold her excitement any longer.
"The Celebration is underway! You have to show up this year!" her enthusiasm for the god to accompany her to this supposed celebration was nothing short of pent up excitement. The god of war chuckled in delight at how happy she was.
The strange black eyed man stroked his chin. "It's been a while since I have showed my presence. I do not see why not if you will escort me, my devoted priestess?"
"Of course! Anything for you..."
"Nahumar?"
"NA-HU-MAR!?"
A sudden smack to his head as Nahumar looked up to see the Hakurei Priestess holding a spoon behind him. Sitting up at the small table he realized soon why he was here. Lunch.
"Geeze...For a god you sure tend to be dozing off a lot." Reimu announced while twirling the wooden spoon between her fingers. Nahumar gently scratched his head of dim purple hair. He chuckled at the comment.
"Apologies. I was having a nice dream again and waking felt like a hassle."
"You can dream all you like after lunch. We're going to Saute the mushrooms."
The Hakurei Shrine in the land of Gensokyo one warm summer afternoon. The gentle breeze blowing into the open aired room where Nahumar waited with another visitor across from him. Marisa Kirisami, the black and white witch that lived in the forest of magic was busy feeding a Nighthare that took resident close by a carrot as she watched it carefully. Making sure it's eyes remained shut but also petting it.
Nahumar never fully changed to the ways of japanese and other asian cultures, only in his attire foregoing the simplicity of silk for a more formal look. He kept the starry sky aspect while adding one of his purple Nighthares. Even sitting the way they do was a bit of a challenge as he opted to cross his legs instead or leave them sticking out.
Marisa took a moment to ask him "So what were you dreaming about? Anyone special?" The smug look on this black and white witch trying to tease Nahumar but he could only answer bluntly
"I was remembering the past and a festival I would attend with-" Nahumar didn't remember her name. The priestess who had been at his side long ago. "...an old friend."
"Hmm? A festival? What kind was it?" The curious Marisa beamed at Nahumar.
"...It was quite long ago. I remember...Food, merchants, Gods and Humans alike mingling and giving faith to their respective deities. It's quite foggy but the celebration was quite enjoyable." the more Nahumar tried to remember, the less he could recall. As if his memories were warped and twisted. Incapable of recalling.
"You know, Reimu puts on a festival at the shrine on occasion. Maybe come on over and see what goes on! We got games, food, masks and more!" Marisa just couldn't keep her energy down just as Reimu came back with the dishes of mushrooms.
"It's quite a good time. I'd recommend stopping by at night." Reimu reinforced his choice as these three individuals were about to eat-
"Reimu! I need your help!" The voice of a concerned human with her breath escaping. The long white hair against her blue dress with a red bowtie on it. Of all the days to get a call to action it was now. So with an annoyed groan, Reimu got up.
"Mind if i eat along the way, Keine? I really don't want to miss lunch..." To which she turned to both Marisa and Nahumar to ask
"And can you two watch the shrine for a bit? I won't be long...Don't have any Danmaku matches either." Glaring at Marisa especially who just gave the ok.
"No problem! We got this, right Mar?"
"Yeah we can hold the place."
Reimu had a bad feeling leaving both of them at the shrine but there was no telling what Kenie asked of her. Once they took off, Marisa looked to Nahumar and started to ask him some questions.
"So Nahumar! You and Reimu are close now huh?" The black and white witch gave a deviate grin at Nahumar who remained composed in body and voice with a simple reply.
"As close as business partners." then returning to his food.
"Eeehh!? Come on! Don't you like Reimu?"
"I do, but not romantically." Again the response came fast and hard as Marisa failed to tease the God.
"Let me guess, you're more for the reserve types like Alice?"
"Nope."
"Youmu?"
"Nada."
"Mmmrrrggg...How about-"
"Can you stop please?" Finally Nahumar took a more serious tone with Marisa. "Your teasing is getting a bit out of control. I find it kind of rude you would ask about who i'm in love with." then he returned to his mushrooms to finish. Leaving poor Marisa to lay on her back to stare at the ceiling in contemplation. A plan then formed in her head...
"Can we at least play truth or dare? It's a fun way to know one another." Marisa sat back up with hope in her eyes again.
"How does one play it?" Nahumar asked.
"It's easy! We take turns asking the other if they want to tell a truth or perform a dare! And you cannot back out of the choice unless you pick the other option. Like I'll ask you Truth or Dare now. What do you pick?" Seemed easy. He thought on what Marisa could do to him and replied
"Truth."
Marisa's smile came and asked her question. "Do you have a thing for blonde hair girls?"
"R-really? Are you doing this?" Nahumar could feel the trap she placed triggering. He couldn't back down from a game, even one he was willing to try. So he openly told Marisa...
"I have no strong feelings on hair color." This just made Marisa pout. "What kind of answer was that!? So lame and boring. Okay do me then!"
He blinked. His truths were not good enough? Maybe next round. "Okay. Truth or Dare?"
"DARE!" She stood triumphantly looking to get a bit of excitement. Nahumar looked around, picked up the Nighthare and held it up to Marisa.
"I dare you to lick this Nighthare."
"EW! I ain't doing that!"
"Then pick truth."
"F-fine...Truth..."
Nahumar had to think of a decent question. Coming up with the best kind of question.
"Do you like me?" Nahumar pointed to himself, causing Marisa to widen her eyes.
"Yeah as a friend. Should be obvious." then it started again. "Truth or Dare?"
"Truth." Again the option of least danger came and Marisa felt annoyed he wouldn't take the risk.
"Aw come on. Not even one dare?" Nahumar remained adamant towards the choice. Marisa shrugged and asked with a mellowed and calm tone.
"Do you like Gensokyo so far?"
He nodded. "Yes. I'm surprised to see how wonderful the land is. So does Reimu really keep peace here?" asking out of the game but Marisa paid no mind since at this point the game was meaningless.
"Reimu is awesome and cool but i worry at times she's pushing herself too much. Always solving the incidents that get out of control. Though rarely i've seen her actually exterminate Youkai." despite admitting to the claim, Marisa did remember on and off Reimu doing such things when they were far too violent.
Nahumar took the information to heart and laid on his back. The Nighthare snuggled up against him for warmth and comfort, allowing Nahumar to pet him. "I had a Danmaku Practice match with her before. She's super strong and yet after i passed out-" he remembered that Reimu let him lay on her lap and the soothing warmth of such an area brought his cheeks pink enough for Marisa to grab some fuel.
"Oh? What she do to you?"
"N-nothing!"
"Just tell me, I promise i won't share the information." Marisa gave her grin while approaching Nahumar closer and closer. There was no way out of it.
"S-she...let me rest my head in her lap." thus turning the God of Fear into a God of Shame.
"You're lucky then! Reimu's lap is heavenly and soft." Marisa mentioned as if she did it common enough. Then again, the way their relationship worked was always very friendly enough for contact. To Nahumar such things he learned so commonly like that was quite reserved than open.
After a few hours, Reimu returned back at the shrine to find Marisa and Nahumar still lounging around though with Nahumar he was sleeping soundly. Marisa turned her head and waved. "Everything alright in the village?" She asked the priestess who let out an exhausted sigh. "Some kids ran off and people thought a Youkai was behind it...turns out they were just chasing a random dog the whole time." she sat upon the shrine steps and stretched her arms up just as Marisa had walked beside Reimu with her hat and broom on.
"No one else came to the shrine so today was quite a bore. I'll be heading off now."
"Going to the Mansion I bet?"
"Yep! Flandre wanted to show me some new patterns later tonight."
With no more words the black and white witch took off into the sky. Reimu looked back to the sleeping Nahumar just as the Nighthare hopped over and landed in her lap for pets and affection.
"You really seem to like me that much?" The smile from Reimu showed her fondness of animals deep inside the stoic expression of a maiden of fantasy. Each pet of the Nighthare brought it glee and delight. The light scar on it's leg did seem to indicate it was the Nighthare she saved from the trap.
"Hakurei Priestess." A voice rang out with the arrival of a new individual. Standing tall and wearing clothing that could only be described as from the outside world, a plaid style skirt with red, blue and green coloration among the black, a T-shirt that hung about her shoulders and the orbital spheres connected by chains to her collar it was the goddess of hell, Hecatia. The blue hair she sported indicated she used her Earth body to check in.
"Long time no see! Came around to check how Clownpiece has been lately?"
"Hm? Aside the one time she almost burned down the shrine trying to roast some meat under it, she's been acting better."
"Ahaha. Fairies be fairies."
but with Hecatia here...Reimu had to dig in. There's no telling if Nahumar said was true or not.
"Say, Hecatia I have a question."
The Goddess of Hell blinked. "Hm? Go on."
"Do you know of someone named Nahumar?" Reimu boldly asked while the rabbit hopped away to let her stand. Hecatia scratched her head a bit.
"Ahhh...Nope. Does not ring a bell. Why?"
Reimu mentally rolled her eyes considering the lie was true. "Someone claimed to be your Nephew but I figured he was kind of lying to get information out of you."
"Do you know what he looks like?" Hecatia asked. Reimu instead walked into the shrine and shook the God of Fear awake. "Nahumar. Someone's here for you." stirring the sleeping god from his slumber as he sat up.
"And i was having a good nap..."
"NAP LATER, LAZY!" she snapped and got Nahumar to finally emerge from around the corner after kicking his side in.
"If this is Aya, I swear-" He froze upon seeing Hecatia and in turn, Hecatia froze as well. Her eyes widen in shock as she tried to cover her mouth from letting out a loud gasp. Light tears welling up.
"I-Is that really you, Phobos?" Finally the Goddess of Hell asked. Nahumar- or rather Phobos had the same kind of reaction.
"Auntie!?"
"HUH!?" Now Reimu was both confused and kind of scared that he was really related to this goddess. "Hold on a second-" Hecatia made a mad dash past Reimu to grab Nahumar and held him tightly in a caring hug.
"Oh it's been so long since i've seen you, Phobos! You're doing well? Healthy? What happened to your Toga I gave you for a birthday present? How is your mother? Where-"
"Hold on just one second you two!" Reimu erupted after being ignored while the two gods turned to her.
"YOU!" she pointed angrily at Nahumar. "You said your name is Nahumar but she is calling you Phobos? What exactly is going on!?" then the two looked at each other before back at Reimu. Nahumar having to spill some beans.
"Y-you see...I wanted to start anew in Gensokyo after our land fell in a big war. I'm sorry if I decieved you...but i wanted to be known as Nahumar here, not my old name." and now things started to make a bit of sense as she scratched her head. Hecatia though just smiled.
"Don't be so hard on the boy. He's merely trying to adjust to life here. I'm more than happy to see my Nephew thriving! But if you're here then that means your brother must be around." this new info that Hecatia gave made Reimu feel this wave of annoyance becoming a headache.
"Good lord there's TWO of you?" but even with her own frustration at this news...The letter that Yukari left a few days ago started to make sense. The pieces of Nahumar's previous reason for being sealed...she was smarter than most but for now-
"You're still as cute as the day you were born!" She had to deal with seeing an aunt nuzzle her head right up against Nahumar's true sphere form. Nahumar looked so awkward and uncomfortable from the affection.
"S-stop it, Auntie..." Nahumar was completely at her mercy.
Only after a lengthy discussion on the events that led Nahumar to the situation did Hecatia nodded. A hand gently petting Nahumar in her lap while hearing Reimu out. "I see. So he was sealed here early on in Gensokyo? I guess Yukari snagged him and his brother up without me being aware...and here I thought they died in the outside world with the others." Hecatia showing a more reserved and compassionate side.
"You mentioned a brother. What is that all about?" With a sip of tea, Reimu was ready to listen to an explanation...
"Phobos is the God of Fear, his brother named Deimos is the God of Terror. The two aided their father who is my brother, The God of War in numerous exploits and served as advisors to him for those unable to make the trip to his palace of worship. Phobos and Deimos however were different and conflicted with their views despite holding on by their botherly bond. Deimos was always for conflict and strife...Phobos was for love and compassion. Either way you slice it, they never truly got along.
A war would break out in our later years and for the first time, it was the council of gods who decided that Phobos would help his mother and myself with evacuating civilians while Deimos would go to war. Deimos was against this choice but the fear the citizens had was so immense it cascaded onto the others and made the process take longer. We needed him to help manage it.
After the fall of our civilization and my brother's demise at the hands of another god, I feared the worst that everyone vanished...including my Nephews. Deimos never forgave Phobos. Citing that had Phobos been there to fight, their father would of lived."
Perhaps the loss of her family at gods is what also drove Hecatia to feel a sense of familiarity with Junko on top of their shared hatred with the Lunarians. She felt the pain of losing a whole family lineage but never sought the same revenge as Junko. Reimu looked into her tea, noticing the leaves still at the bottom while imagining the situation in her head.
"So where is this Deimos?"
Hecatia shrugged. "Who knows? He could be anywhere in Gensokyo now. But...I hope he still does not hold a grudge on his brother. It wasn't his fault." Hecatia gently patting the sphere in her lap as Nahumar had been silent the whole time until now.
"I wish to be called Nahumar now." he stated. "I wish to have a clean slate and be happy here." Then hopping off of Hecatia's lap to sit beside both her and Reimu when he shifted back to his human form. Hecatia just smiled and patted his head.
"Alright then. I'll just call you Nahumar in public but when you visit me again, I'm going to call you Phobos like old times."
The little visit with Hecatia took quite a while and by now the sun was setting on the land. Nahumar idly stretched from his seat.
"I should start heading home myself-" but it was Reimu who tugged at his sleeve and gave a very unhappy glance.
"Don't do anything stupid. I rather not clean up after your mess." Whether her tone was serious or not, Nahumar nodded to Reimu. "Of course. The last thing I want is to get sealed away again."
Within Former Hell as the light of the world fails to reach the land it was a new day starting for Yakyosho and the residents. Waking up on the top floor of an apartment, the odd being got up from his futon with only some pants on him, then he opened the blinds to stare out onto the streets below. Her he was met with a familiar face dangling upside down.
"Hey Yakyosho-Kun! Good Morning!" Her golden ponytail hair, brown and yellow clothing with black sleeves and the way her eyes shined made it clear Yamame was the first to greet his day. Yakyosho however looked un-phased and un-amused in his expression. Deep down he thought it was cute. Never could he admit a spider was his favorite creature to her...
"Yamame. Good morning to you too." He replied back while opening the window. "Come on inside."
Yamame swung in with grace and finesse like a spider though misjudging her momentum and slamming her back against his wall. She winced in light pain. Yakyosho in the meantime took it upon himself to wash up. Only emerging from the other room when cleaned up.
"So what brought you here this early? Did Satori-Sama need my aid?" he asked while looking for clothes to wear after a shower. Yamame fixed her posture at his table and gave her reason.
"Actually I heard you had a day off today so...Think we could hang out?" she watched Yakyosho grabbing a buttoned shirt when she noticed a mark on his back. It was a strange black formation. An ink blot of sorts yet it looked more like a tattoo. The longer Yamame stared at the marking the weirder it looked. Close and closer it's shape changed to her eyes. A slow fear started building.
"Hang out? I don't see why not." Yakyosho finally covered the back with his shirt of choice and button the white blouse up. Yamame shook her head not sure if she should ask about the marking. Instead keeping it to herself.
"Y-yeah. Today there's going to be a 'market'. No idea what Satori means by it but it is food." This prompted the entity to blink. His white pupils against the black sclera hinting his interest.
"Market...Well my pantry does look bare now. Why don't we do that? I'll even buy you something."
"Really!? Awesome!" The giggling Tsuchigumo bounced on the pillow she was kneeling on in glee. All that Yakyosho could think while seeing it was a cute spider bouncing happilly on her webbing.
"She's so adorable..."
A short walks down the way brought the two to the market row set up along the alleys. The owners ranging in demon to yokai type of all sizes and shapes. The food on display either imported from above with an agreement from other beings or grown here. To Yakyosho he felt a small bit of nostalgia and a fragment of his past coming up. The scent of fresh bread. While he did zone out, it was less noticeable.
"Oi, Ph_bos. Keep up."
"Sorry brother...The food looks so good though."
"You're always so excited about food. How about some bread."
"Oh really? Can we get Sourdough?"
"EH!? Sourdough? I'm not made of coin."
"Please brother?"
"...F-fine. Only cause it's good with eggs."
Part of the memory was coming clearer but still some parts felt locked away. Without realizing it however, Yakyosho was in front of the bread he heard about. Sourdough Bread. The round and airy yet hard bread before him. The warm scent bringing his focus to the grain.
"How about Sourdough Bread?" Yakyosho offered to Yamame.
"Sourdough? BLECH! Sounds nasty."
"It really is not. Especially when you put scrambled eggs on top of toasted bread. Oh it's quite a delight." He tried to convince Yamame while buying the loaf then breaking off a small bit for her to try. With a nibble, Yamame changed her tune.
"It's...got a unique taste. You sure toasting it will be better?"
"Trust me." Yakyosho patted his chest in pride. "My brother-" What was he remembering now? The moment he uttered those words, it sent a shock in his system. Yamame quickly dragged Yakyosho into an alleyway so no one saw his odd head holding.
"Hey! Yakyosho! Don't start passing out now. What's this about a brother?" Yamame tried shaking him out of the state. Only to be met with a slow stop and gaze to her direction. He was starting to remember his past.
"I remember..."
Later at the massive hot springs, Yuugi monitored the whole affair while enjoying it herself. A swig of Sake and relaxation time. It all seemed peaceful until Yamame came bursting through like a wrecking ball on her webbing.
"Y-YUUGI! YAKYOSHO! H-H-HE-" Her shaky scared tone only nullified with Yuugi's more stoic aura while easing the spider girl down on the ground. "What's this about Yakyosho?"
"We were at the marketplace together and after a few bits of conversation he just suddenly headed to the surface! He said he's going to look for his brother! I'm sorry! I tried to stop him but...but he was too scary for me!"
"Heh. Seems like I was correct all along?" the distant higher pitched tone came from a short oni with two profound horns. "Seems Yakyosho is related to Nahumar I found at the Shrine Viewing Party."
Yuugi turned to Suika with a broad smile of acceptance. "Then he's going to look for his brother right? No harm in that-"
"THERE WILL BE!" Yamame screeched again as her arms flailed. "He told me that he's going to kill his brother for something in the past!"
Now on the surface it seemed like typical family matters...but Suika would remind them-
"If Yakyosho starts a commotion above, we are looking at an incident that will involve Reimu."
"Meaning That Hakurei Priestess and Witch will no doubt try to solve it coming here after she stops him. I get it." Yuugi siad with a tired and unamused tone. "I'll go up to the surface then with Suika. Get him back and try to understand the whole mess." In one fell swoop she managed to finish the sake without a problem. These two Oni had a task to bring back a resident or things might look sour...
Yakyosho had fled the underground and began his search for his brother.
"Are you sure about this, Yukari?"
"It's the best chance we go as a backup if things go wrong. I have faith in Reimu she can solve it. We just need to 'remove' the King."
"Then I'll have Youmu prepare for a guest of honor."