Disclaimer: Shin Megami Tensei: Persona belongs to ATLUS. Touhou Project belongs to Zun. I have no ownership of the copyrights of either series in any way.
Chapter 24: Fly me from the Moon
I'm not entirely sure why I was called to Mayohiga. For as close as I am to Yukari Yakumo, I've never actually ever been to the place that she called home. I'd just left Reimu's place after I was done to come see my teasing benefactor, leaving Sukuna in Ruukoto's care while I was at it. I have no idea what's going to happen, and I don't want Sukuna involved. Currently I stood on the building's outskirts. It was a quaint unassuming Japanese styled home. It may have been somewhat large, but that wouldn't have been unusual for this style.
For what could have been considered one of the most powerful beings on the face of the planet, not just Gensokyou, she lived in a modest arrangement. I walked over to the door, and slowly raised my hand towards it. I was still nervous as this was the first time she had ever explicitly called out to me to come to her. She otherwise just appears on her own. I was about to knock, however-
"Welcome, Arisato-sama. Please make yourself at home." The door opened before my hand could even begin to rise above my chest. Inside, a youkai that I should have expected to see at some point appeared in sight. A nine-tailed fox, or a Kyubi, stood before me; her nine tails all a beautiful golden color like that of wheat. She wore a white hat that almost seemed like a jester's cap, but then I realized that it most likely was pointed that way to house her fox ears. Well probably for that purpose anyways. Her dress was similar to Yukari's as well, only instead of having purple as a secondary color, it was a strong shade of blue. And all over her dress and hat were rectangular paper charms for whatever reason.
"Um… I'm coming in then," I said in response as I entered the complex, taking my shoes off in the process and putting on the slippers provided.
"My name is Ran Yakumo," she answered before I was able to ask. "Please take a seat in here as I inform my master of your arrival," she asked as she opened a side door to reveal a waiting room.
"Thank you," I said as I entered the room and took a seat at the lone table in the middle of the room. Settling down, I could see that the interior matched the exterior for the most part, being Japanese through and through. After a quick look, I returned my gaze towards Ran who then-
"CHEEEEEEEEEEEEN!" She suddenly yelled, much to my surprise. Not a moment later, another individual entered the room from the same door I had just entered, looking eager to please. Realizing I had my hands over my ears, I promptly put them back down, and returned to watching the scene unfold. Was that really necessary?
"Yes, Ran-sama?" The young girl who had appeared to the call of 'CHEEEEEEEEEEN', seemed to be a nekomata youkai, sporting two black tails and a pair of black cat ears. The ears were situated on her brown hair along with a green hat. Her tail was poking out of what I assume is a hole in her red dress that had white poufy sleeves. Her brown eyes were currently looking expectantly at her master.
"I apologize for my outburst, Arisato-sama, but my familiar, Chen Yakumo, is still young and from such, results in difficulty when it comes to being called through magical means," Ran explained without turning to me, though her eyes were closed. "Chen, would you mind retrieving refreshments for our esteemed guest while he waits?"
"Sure! What does he want?" She asked while bouncing in place a little without ever leaving the ground. Ran turned to me, an ear from her under her hat turning a bit in my direction.
"Tea will be fine," I told the two of them. In this case it might be rude to refuse hospitality. Also, I'm still wary of Yukari Yakumo in general, so I want to try and avoid doing anything to greatly attract her ire.
"Well with that settled, I will go inform my master," Ran said before walking out of sight into the halls of the building.
"I'll get your tea right away!" Chen ran off in another direction, to where I presume the kitchen was, leaving me all alone. With nothing to do I stared intently at the table I was sitting at. It was the standard kind of table that you could put a kotatsu on, though of course currently there was no kotatsu it. It seemed to be a nice mahogany, made of authentic wood and none of that plaster material. Good echo when I knock on it as well. Man, I'm really bored if I'm looking at a table so intently. I grab at my MP3 and begin to flip through my selection.
Then the floor stopped being a floor. For just a split second I found myself surrounded by a void of eyes, the sight of my previous location quickly disappearing into a gap in reality. Just as quickly, I seemed to fall out of that place and on to… a bed I think? With a soft landing, I wasn't hurt much in the fall. From what I could immediately tell I was on a western styled bed with curtains surrounding the mattress. The curtains prevented much light from passing through, so it was too dark to make out anything but the general shape of things. Western curtains in an Eastern abode; how odd. Feeling about with my right hand, I found cloth that was very much like the sheets of a bed. From my left hand?
"Nya," I heard a sleepy moan from my side. Before I could take a look, I found myself taken into an embrace. Still disoriented, I found it difficult to retaliate in time. Pinned as I was, the only thing I could see with turning my head was the ceiling. Okay, there's only one person I know who would do something like this; could do something like this. Just have to bite the bullet.
Finally mustering up the strength to look; Yukari and I were in the same bed together, and she, for what it looked like, was using me as a make shift body pillow. She was wearing a simplistic purple night dress that seemed loose and comfortable, her trademark hat sitting on one of the poles that jutted out at the corners of the bed. "You have to be gentler…" She sleepily let out.
"Um, Yukari-san?" I said, hoping that she would answer me. "I'm going to assume there's a reason the meeting is taking place here." If I had expected an answer to my inquiry, I would have been disappointed. Luckily, I did not expect any answer of worth.
"You came too early in the day. We'll be up all night so sleep," Yukari asked me in a groggy manner as she seemed to squeeze tighter. It's quite the effort to ignore what's pushing itself on me, but I can get on fine. Well I hope I can anyways. Yeah, I'll be fine.
"I'll come back later then," I said as I tried to push her off as gently as I could.
"No. You sleep with me now," She groggily commanded as she maintained a tight grip on me despite otherwise looking already asleep.
"Can I go?" I asked bluntly in hopes that I could be set free.
"No," was her only response, this time whispering it into my ear. I'm going to try and ignore that as much as I can; ignore the whispered breath as it… I'm not doing a good job of that. Well I guess there's nothing to do but sleep. Before I had realized it, she'd already forced my body into a state that I can't really control it all that well anymore. With my body made of borders, manipulation of it was child's play for her; my kryptonite really. I hope I'll get the tea I was promised later at the very least. It will help keep me awake for whatever shenanigans this woman wants to put me through, and it better not be that.
Break
"It's a pond." Not that it was miniscule, but it was certainly no lake. In the clear night, the pond perfectly reflected the moon up in the sky. I stood at its edge while Yukari simply sat inside one of her gaps.
"Quite, and it reflects the moon so clearly, I must say," Yukari said, all dressed up in her usual attire and with her usual demeanor now that she had rested up. Luckily that personality shift seems to only surface when she's sleepy. A quick glance revealed that even at night she still carries around her umbrella. Seems excessive, but women's fashion always escaped me, no matter how many times Yukari occasionally tried to tell me in greater depth what made what outfit cute or another one in style as opposed to out of fashion. The other Yukari that is, the one I actually dated and came to love… and one I have to apologize to with the rest of them.
"The full moon is especially special." I shifted my attention back towards the Yukari that was currently next to me. To be fair, she and I did not have as extensive a history as any of my other female companions, but she is the one that freed me from the seal. Her teasing really was nothing more than that, and honestly, she's never given me the impression of wanting ill intention to fall upon me. But it was difficult all the same to make out what exactly that intention was. Her mentioning of the moon did sour my mood. I don't have good memories of full moons, but that's just me. Though it is difficult to have good memories in my case.
"Don't worry, you took care of all those shadows yourself, yes? You just have to find out why that tower is here, but that is not for tonight. You can play in the Dark Hour some other time." As always, I wonder how she knows, but the feeling of asking melts quickly away as if I already know the answer. I feel like I do. I've told her before, haven't I? "Hmmmm, yes this is the correct spot," she whispered a bit loudly after looking around the pond for a bit.
"For what?" I ask as I still don't know the reason as to why I was called here.
"In a moment," She answered before pointing a finger and the reflected moon in the pond and looking like she was concentrating on something. "Have you ever heard the story of that one monkey?" She asked suddenly.
"The one where it saw the moon as a reflection and tried to catch it?" It's an old Asiatic fable, of which one it originated from I don't know, but it's famous enough to be known even by some in the west.
"Yes, that's the one! I remember telling you that I am not entirely all powerful before. So, I suppose you've probably thought that means I have certain limitations." I have thought that, but never in depth. I felt that it was a hassle to think of it when I couldn't do much about it. "The moon is one of the places I have trouble getting to, even with my gaps."
"And that has what to do with me?" So far it seems to be her problem. I don't see how I could do anything to help her, especially since she's the more powerful of the two of us. At least, she has a kind of stranglehold on this body anyways, making any intention of mine to oppose her a fruitless one. Well, if I had any such intention anyways.
"Come closer and look at the moon in the water." She beckoned, gesturing with her hand to come closer to her.
"Why should I?" I suppose it is quite mean to hold such reservation for her, but after hearing all about her from Reimu and Kasen, it's difficult not to have my opinion colored. I still trust her almost to a fault though, despite my outward misgivings, so admittedly my response was more so to act the gadfly to her than anything else.
"Please…" She asked politely, not that she needed to as if she wanted, she could force me to come to her. I suppose thanks to that, it's more a sign of how much she wants me to. Relenting, I looked at the moon in the water. "The moon is a place I loathe, and yet I adore with fondness. It's cold and empty, and yet filled with sweet, warm memories," Yukari wistfully told me as I stared at the still waters of the pond, the reflection of the moon like a perfect mirror. "You know, I feel comfortable saying this to you: When I first went to the moon, I met many different people. Most of them I've come to hate as the years have passed, but there was one exception. It was only recently that I've been allowed to remember and reminisce on those things."
"How so?"
"Oh, perhaps you'll find out if you go there yourself one day." I suppose ask a vague question, get a vague answer.
"Typical," was all I could muster myself to say in response. She and I stayed like that in silence for a few moments. The wind was still, and crickets were nowhere to be heard at all. It felt like time had stopped completely. The water reflected the both of us standing together looking at the lunar image upon the water, ourselves reflected just below at the water's edge; the only ones aside from the silver circle. Once I had eno-
"Have fun up there!" Wait, what? Before I could react, she pushed me into the lake and towards the spot where the moon's reflection was, but a moment before I could fly out, another gap opened where the reflection once was and seemed to suck me in. "Be sure to hide in the festival going on in the main square!" And like that I was completely enveloped by another gap. All sight was replaced by the eyes… Dammit Yukari!
Break
"Well I didn't expect this…" I said to myself on what apparently was the ocean on the moon, and by that, I mean an actual, watery ocean. The Earth hung in the clear blue sky above of which held my home planet. Forest behind me of both familiar and unfamiliar flora, yellow beach below me that ebbed and flowed with the waves of the lunar maria; on the moon was a world that seemed teaming with beauty and life. I don't think this was something I learned in class. Kaguya was helpful enough to have told me beforehand what the moon was like though so it's not like I'm completely unprepared for this. I'd also been to Nyx before, who took the form of the Dark Hour's Moon, but the real one was much different from anything I could have imagined. So, where's the American Flag?
"I could get used to this," I said to myself as I took my shoes off and lay down on the sandy beach. There was a calm serenity about being here. It was pure, innocent, and untouched. It was very much like Kaguya had described it whenever she talked about it, which took some coaxing on my part; including about the people who lived on the moon. I suppose I should greet them at some point though. They're not very good at staying hidden, what with the gossip they've been making for the past ten minutes.
"I know you're behind me," I told whoever's presence that was. In but a moment afterward, rustling from the forest behind me could be heard. Turning around, I found that the people who came to greet me, in a sense, were bunny girls that were very much like Reisen. Rabbit ears, pinkish-purple hair, red eyes, school suits… and guns, real guns. Well isn't this welcoming?
"I-invader! Y-you are under arrest! Please s-surrender peacefully!" I never thought I would end up in a situation like this, though it is mildly amusing. Despite of the obvious danger of their weaponry, it was also similarly obvious that these bunny girls wouldn't be able to fire at me that easily. I stood up from where I was sitting, and then put my shoes back on. The girls that had come to arrest me flinched at my every movement, perhaps afraid that I might do something in retaliation. They then stood agape at what I had done next.
"I surrender," I said as I calmly raised my hands up. I don't feel like struggling for something that wasn't my fault. I don't feel like doing whatever it is Yukari wants me to do. Then again, it's just a cycle of I know she knows I know, so honestly who knows if I'm not, but screw it. I'll just go with the option of least effort here. The, I guess, police force stood their ground for a moment in a blatant stupor, most likely surprised that I did surrender. Then one of them seemed to perk up, and then the rest of them did the same. Truly a pack mentality going on here, kind like the bunnies back on earth, only more timid. Do they have a leader like Tewi? I doubt it given their timidity. Tewi would whip'em into shape and show them whose boss.
"Right! Well please put these on and come with us!" The one who spoke produced a set of handcuffs; very modern hand cuffs. Their logic however was a bit faulty.
"I can't put those on by myself," Asking me to put those on is faulty logic by itself.
"Oh! Right… Well, here!" The bunny girl said as she finally finagled the thing on me.
"Now follow us, and don't try anything funny!" She commanded weakly as a girl behind me began to push me with the muzzle of her gun. Well at least food will most likely be free.
Break
The cell was actually really simple, but it had quite a few amenities. A bed, a barred window, table, bathroom. All in all, it could have been worse. They put me in a cell somewhere in the middle of the compound that was simply a really long building of cells lined one after the other. Given the size of the complex, they might not have that much crime. They didn't have any prisoners in the preceding cells I was marched past. Crime is either really low, or they're big supporters of the death penalty. With nothing else to do, I set about sitting at another table for the day. Maybe this time I'll be able to actually listen to something… or not.
"H-hey! Is anyone in there?" A female voice called from one of the cells deeper in. I couldn't see just who it was I was talking to, not that I was particularly interested to begin with. It sounded like it came from a cell diagonal to mine. Oh well, I just want out of here. Jail was not on the to-do list today. "Hello? Are you there?"
"I'm not," I answered as I began to reach for my headphones. Okay, so maybe that was a bad idea to respond now that I have a second to think about it.
"Oh, well sorry to… Hey!" She finally caught up. "That's not very nice."
"Sorry," I said in response, as I did feel a small twinge of guilt for playing with someone I didn't know.
"That's okay, but don't do that again," the voice reprimanded. A pause had made itself at home between us as she stayed quiet for a bit. It wasn't for very long though as she began to speak again. "My name's Maribel, Maribel Hearn. What's your name?" A European name?
"Minato, Minato Arisato," I responded.
"Oh! You're Japanese, just like my friend Renko! Hmmm…" She ended, her humming of which I guess, indicated her trying to think of how to continue the conversation. I don't think I left the best impression, and consequently, the best way to continue. "So how did you get thrown in here?" Well there is that.
"Trespassing, as it were." Not that it was my fault however. Regardless, that was the crime that was saddled on to my person. I suppose in retrospect, Reimu telling me that Yukari only has trouble for others feels more and more true encounter after encounter.
"Oh? It's the same for me. It seems these Lunarians don't really like us Earthlings being here for some reason," Maribel shared after hearing my answer. "Um, I'm not bothering you am I, Arisato-san? I mean if I'm bothering you, you can just tell me."
"I don't mind," I replied in hopes to alleviate her nervousness. With the conversation this far in, no response would be rude.
"Re-really?" She asked once more, showing that my attempt had fallen short.
"I don't. You can keep going," I prompted her with a bit more zeal in my voice in hopes of inspiring her own.
"Um, okay. Well…" she let out, seeming to struggle to come out with a proper topic for the conversation. "Do-do you have a girlfriend, Aristao-san?"
"That's a fairly random question," I noted.
"Oh, is it too private? I'm sorry about that," Maribel apologized. "I just sort of panicked trying to think of something to talk about and-" I let out a sigh in the middle of her sentence and promptly interrupted her before she becomes a complete nervous wreck.
"No, it's fine, I can answer it if you still want me to," I told her as I walked over to the bars at the edge of my cell so that I could hear her better and to hopefully catch a glimpse of my fellow prisoner.
"A-alright, sure," she weakly answered, but answered all the same.
"I don't have a girlfriend, but I have been in relationships," I, perhaps a little bluntly, stated.
"I see," she said in a bit of surprise, probably due to the swiftness and previously stated bluntness of my answer. "Can you tell me about some of them?" I raised an eyebrow she couldn't see, but it seemed she also realized how forward that question was. "Oh no! I mean… Well, you don't have to-"
"Sure, I'll answer. Not that there's anything else to do," I said to try and relieve her of her embarrassment once more. "Hmm…" I intoned. Well, I suppose that one will do. It will help to think of the one I'm fonder of to begin with; a good palate cleanser. "Well, in my second year of High-school, I was dating this girl named Yukari Takeba." Well her and a few others, but let's not make her think I'm the scum of the earth.
"Yukari… Yukari… Yukari as in violet?" I heard her ask beyond my cell.
"Well that is one reading…" That's Yakumo's reading. "But actually, her name was written with 'Connection'. It fit I guess since she was the popular girl in school. While she could be a bit preppy, she never let me feel out of place when I hung out with her. I remember that she preferred the color pink; it was her favorite. I rarely ever saw her without her pink sweater jacket or heart choker, and I also remember our first date which was at the flower shop. In fact, that's when she told me it was her favorite color. I remember just how happy and just how much of a good mood she seemed to be in that day." I don't think I had seen her smile so much until that day actually. We were all carrying just a bit too much baggage. Except Junpei, but that's Junpei for you.
"You sound fond of her," Maribel noted. I could hear shuffling going on in the other cell. Most likely it was her as trying to move into a more comfortable position to talk to me. "But then why did you break up with her. You said you 'have been in relationships'. So, what caused it to end?"
"Well, I sort of had to… move far away. It couldn't be helped," I tried to half explain.
"Uh-huh, though I'm guessing that place isn't the moon though," Maribel started to say with a surprising amount of spine she didn't show at first. I guess she just has trouble breaking the ice.
"It wasn't, but who expects to go to the moon?" I replied back.
"I suppose no one but astronauts." She said wistfully. "Well that or space tours." Wait did she just say space tours? "Arisato-san, just how old are you?"
"I'm… I'll be 19 this year," I was about 16, 17 years old when I was still at Gekoukkan. I've been in Gensokyou for about a year now… has it really been that long? Yukari and Junpei should be in college right now. Well that is if Junpei got into college. I just can't imagine him in academia. Mitsuru and Akihiko should be in their second year of college, with Mitsuru simultaneously running the Kirijo Foundation. Ken's probably well into middle school. Koromaru's probably just lazing about living the good life. And Aigis…
"Oh, so I'm older than you," Maribel noted. "I've been a university student for a while."
"What do you major in?" I asked her to keep this going. University huh? I wonder what I would have majored in if I had gone, if I could have gone.
"Relativistive Psychology." Is that a thing? I guess that's a thing. I've never heard of it before, but it's apparently a thing. "Are you in College, Arisato-san?" She then asked when I didn't make a remark.
"Well… no," I a bit nervously answered.
"Oh? Played too much in High-school and didn't study enough as a result?" Okay, now she's really comfortable.
"No, I… I became ill, in a sense. One day I fell asleep, and I wouldn't wake up after that." I died actually. "It wasn't for a while until I woke back up, but afterwards I had to be kept an eye on in order to prevent it from happening again."
"Oh, sorry for insinuating," and now she's back to being a bit on the meek side.
"No, it's no trouble at all. I did do a lot of playing in my High School days, so your intuition wasn't wrong." I waited for a few moments, but she didn't answer. I waited for just a bit more, thinking that it was perhaps she was still nervous, but then suddenly-
"And… there!" I heard in the background as the sound of a cell door opening sounded through the hall. "Hold on, I'll come get you too!" I guess she managed to get out of the cell somehow. I guess I'll just ask how she got out in a bit.
"Um…" I started as I heard the footsteps approach, and before I could continue, she finally came into view.
Maribel's appearance immediately sprung a phrase in my mind: pretty. Maribel, as it turns out, was a Caucasian girl who sported a set of innocent purple eyes. Of all things, she wore a mob cap that evoked the image of a European night cap. She wore a very simple dress of western origin that was predominantly light purple of which revealed white knee socks and black shoes at the bottom. Strangely though, at her collar was a red ribbon. I could swear however, that I've seen something like this before, but just where escapes me, to my displeasure.
"What are you staring at? I thought you've had girlfriends before," she teased like an older sister trying to annoy her younger brother. "Come on, it will only take a second," she said as she closed her eyes in concentration. I wondered for a moment just what it was she was attempting to do, but my question was answered almost immediately as the door to my cell suddenly popped open.
"Door unlocking powers?" I asked.
"Well they can be used like that, but…" Maribel was about to elaborate, however after an aside glance, she for some reason stopped in her tracks to look at me again. It felt like she was dissecting me with her stare, as if she was looking at something baffling; something that was simply, and for lack of any other descriptor, wrong. "How can-" but before she could continue, a shout down the hall made it known that we weren't going to get away without a scene.
"H-hey! What are you doing!?" One of the bunny guards shouted to us from the distance, just as meek as they were on the beach.
"Well that's a problem," I said to my fellow escapee.
"Oh no. I didn't think they'd be back so soon!" Maribel said worryingly. It seemed that despite whatever power she had now, she couldn't figure out a way to put it into combat. Well I suppose now's as good a time as any.
"Let's go," I quickly told Maribel as I then grabbed her hand to guarantee her safety.
"Wha-what?" She let out in surprise as I ran back into my cell. "What are you doing?"
"Something tells me that the place those guards are coming from is also the only exit out. In that case we'll just have to make another one." [CHANGE] I let Maribel's hand go.
"Oh! Well in that-" Whatever Maribel was about to say was drowned out by what happened next.
"Persona…" I called as my persona Kaguya sprang forth. Kaguya… ironic that I got this one from Mokou of all people. It looked nothing like the real one. A strange looking humanoid whose body was like that of an alien grey, elongated and thin while wearing a red jump suit highlighted by gold at the joints and a green jewel at the chest area. Its head wore a space helmet of sorts where the only thing visible underneath were glowing red albino eyes. Atop the helmet was a pair of rabbit ears that cutely wiggled about with each movement alongside flowing white hair like structures that reached the ankles. Attached to its hands was the multi layered sets of kimono cloth of multiple colors of which the outer most was black with intricated weave like designs. When I showed this to the both of them, they were both amused and befuddled by it.
"Go…" I let out on instinct as Kaguya then preformed a pirouette causing the wall of the cell to disintegrate thanks to a burst of light magic that was called forth. Behind revealed the rest of the Lunar Capital as I heard it called. Loud noises and festivities could be heard in the distance.
"Did you have to be so destructive!?" Maribel railed at me with a panic. "I could have easily-"
"W-what was that noise?" The guards I could hear timidly ask in a much clearer, louder tone, indicating their nearer proximity in relation to ours.
"No time. Got to go, now!" I grabbed her hand once more and ran for the hole in the wall. Though we were on the second floor, it wouldn't be a problem.
"Wh-whoa!" She shouted as we jumped out of the hole. "KYAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHH!" Taking her into my arms at this point so that I was carrying her in what was called 'bridal carry', I ignored her screaming and began to float gently down to the ground. Despite the ear-splitting scream assaulting my aural senses at the moment, I noticed that we were currently going to touch down in what was apparently a garden of peach trees. As my feet finally began to crumple grass, Maribel finally ran out of breath to scream. At some point the university student had curled her arms around my neck in an attempt to improve her level of safety. Her eyes had closed, and tears had formed at the edges. She was also shivering. I guess I still have something to learn about delicacy. I'll probably ask the real Kaguya for some lessons later, and Sanae for some others I might be missing. In fact, it's probably best to just ask all the girls I know personally just to be safe.
"Sorry about that. Are you hurt?" I asked her to try and get her to calm down.
"Huh?" She finally realized that the two of us had safely landed. Opening her eyes, she quickly looked from side to side to be completely sure that the two of us were relatively safe.
"I'll put you down now," I told her preemptively. She took a small instant to register my prompt before looking back at me and then slowly nodding a yes. Taking it slowly, I put her down as gently as I could, angling my hold such that the moment I let her feet gently touch the ground, she was for the most part standing. Once she felt her feet on the ground, she then quickly stood up, practically jumping out of my arms. Perhaps because of her zeal, her momentum caused her to begin falling forward despite the care I took to put her down gently.
"Whoa, whoa, whoa!" She let out as she then finally began to tip over from her unbalanced stance. Moving quickly to catch her-
"…omph…" I quietly let out as I grab her in a hug to hold her up. "Are you okay?" I ask to make sure she didn't fall because she was hurt, and also to make sure she was able to maintain her own balance.
"Ye-yeah…" She stayed in my arms for a moment before I simply let her go. Her face is blushed. "Thanks, um…" she started as I kept a look out. "Since our first introduction was from those cells…" Once I found that we were relatively safe, I turned back to Maribel, her squeamish demeanor having taken hold again. "How about some proper introductions?" She asked in what was almost a whisper. I couldn't help but smile a small bit.
"Sure, I'm Minato Arisato," I began.
"Right, I'm Maribel Hearn, but my friends call me Merry. Nice to meet you Minato-kun, and you can call me Merry as well."
*CRACK*
Thou art I… And I am thou…
Thou hast tempered your bond…
Thou shalt have our blessing when thou chooses
To create a Persona of the Popess Arcana…
I saw the card that resembled the High Priestess in many ways, but something was off. It feels too strong. Every time before, my social Links would always start weak at first, but this one… felt almost complete. It felt like it was already about to become an unbreakable bond. How is this possible? I've only just met her.
"Minato-kun? Minato-kuuun? Are you okay? You're spacing out." I shook my head small bit as I refocused myself on reality. I can deal with that later as it isn't a malicious thing anyways. "Minato-kun?"
"I'm fine," I tried to assure her. "I'm just a bit tired is all." It was technically night when I left Gensokyou, so I would normally be asleep right about now. Though sometimes, it might be better to ask, when am I awake?
"Okay, but what should we do now? We've escaped, but we're still on the moon, and I think they're still after us," she said while pointing up to reveal two forms floating in the sky, thanks to the angle and distance however, it was difficult to discern just who they were. Regardless though, I doubt they would be anyone friendly if they're given free rein to fly like that.
"Let's lose them," I suggested as I grabbed her hand again and began to run, holding back my maximum speed to make sure she could keep up safely. "There's a festival going on by the sound of it. We can lose them in the crowds there."
"Are you sure!?" She stated in a rush as we began to reach a wall at the edge of the garden.
"More than sure, hang on!" I told her as I then grabbed her again and jumped over the wall.
"Kyah!" She screamed as we made our parabolic arc over the wall. My feet landed on the stone without too much difficulty, making only the slightest noise thanks to my flight charm slowing my descent just a tad. "Don't do that!" She yelled.
"Sorry, but we don't really have time to waste," I half apologized, half told her as I noticed the figures having gotten a bit closer. "Let's go!" I said as I then just ran this time, not bothering to let her down this time.
"Wait, at least let me down!" She told me as she then wrapped her arms around my neck to keep from falling.
"Sorry, but not until we get away."
"Hey! Hey! HEY!"
Break
"This is… unexpectedly normal," Merry cautiously noted as we took in the sight of the festival that was apparently taking place on the Lunar Capital. I myself would be inclined to agree, despite the rest of the capital containing futuristic buildings if they weren't classic Japanese architecture, the festival seemed to be the kind of thing you'd find during the summer of a typical Japanese town. Stands lined the road, and people in Yukata and other light Japanese clothes filled the streets, walking in merriment as they took in the sights just like we were doing. If not that, then they were playing with prize toys they won from the games or eating festival food such as yakisoba, cotton candy, caramel apples, and takoyaki. Do they take Yen?
"They don't take Earth money, do they?" It seems Merry was thinking the same thing that I was.
"Hey there!" We almost jumped as we heard ourselves being called out. The two of us began to scan the area in hopes that it wasn't somebody chasing us. "Over here!" The voice called again, the second time allowing us to find where the voice was coming from. Focusing there, Merry and I found that the place we were looking at was in fact the takoyaki stand, a tall woman wearing a haori manned the stand and was waving towards us. Just to be sure that she was talking to us, I then pointed to myself and Merry. "Yeah! You two! Come over here!" Merry and looked at each other, slowly nodding to one another, we then walked over to the stand.
"Um… Hello…" Merry greeted the women.
"Hey there, you two look hungry! How about some takoyaki for the two of you to share," The women offered at light speed, a box of scrumptious, crunchy, perfectly fried takoyaki appearing in her extended hand.
"Sorry, but we don't have any money…" I told the women.
"Oh, you didn't hear? The Watatsuki sisters have paid for everything this time. Everything's free! Well within reason anyways, you know? So, come on, don't be shy."
"Wait, so everything's free?" Merry asked to confirm.
"Yeah… within reason, a stand's not going to be giving you all their stuff after all, but for the most part, you won't have to pay for anything." Merry and I looked at each other. I don't know what face I made but I could see that Merry seemed a bit flustered and nervous after a second of looking at me. I turn back to the store owner.
"What's the occasion?" Merry asked the woman.
"No occasion, just the usual festival, don't you know? We hold these all the time, you can't be that ignorant. It's how we keep things lively on the moon."
"So, things are normally boring?" Merry continued inquisitively.
"Well… yeah, most people here have lived so long that life's sort of gotten stale. Even with no sadness or anger, boredom will still find a way in. Have to keep apathy away somehow," The woman stated in a bit of a tired voice.
"I see… thank you for telling us," Merry said, and I was inclined to agree. It was an interesting thing to hear.
"No problem! So, are you going to have some or what?"
"Can we have two boxes?" I ask the woman at the stand. The store owner, as if she didn't hear me, took a second to look at the Merry and me. She then suddenly gave an amused huff, before beckoning me closer. I lean in before she then began to speak.
"Tell you what," she started to whisper to me. "I'll give you one box with twice the contents, whether or not you use both toothpicks though…" Oh I see where this is going.
"She's isn't my girlfriend, in fact we just met today," I clarified to the shop keep. I have enough love troubles as is, and the pile already seems to get bigger without my noticing.
"Really? But you two seem so perfect together," the woman exclaimed in surprise.
"Perfect together?" Merry overheard. "I- I don't…"
"Come on, young lady. I've done my fair share of dancing, so I know it when I see it, but what does your women's intuition say?"
"Intuition… Um… well…" Maribel stuttered. "Well it… I feel… it wouldn't be bad." Okay, I better shut this down quickly before she gets added to that occasional meeting Kaguya holds amongst my suitors. I mean seriously that's just weird.
"She and I are barely friends. We don't even know each other all that well. Suffice to say, a relationship like that is out of the question." I tried to speak as clinically as possibly, scrubbing my voice of any fluster. I think I got the point across without any greater hints.
"You're no fun. Are you saying that just because this poor young girl isn't your type?" The store owner teased. I looked at Merry, hoping for her to be more reasonable and to agree with my logic… I forget some women really value their intuition.
"What is your type, Minato-kun?" Merry asked me. I swear there was slightly more menace in her voice than before, but it was for such a split second that I couldn't fully tell. I'll just pretend it didn't happen.
"Um…" Okay so what would be a convincing type that is not Maribel? "A confident domineering woman with bigger proportions… who isn't unwilling to show her body to me, and is always looking out for me" Did I just describe Yukari Yakumo? Well, aside from some things, they aren't anything alike, so it should work out.
"Uh-huh… Well I hope you find her then," Merry, with a huff, stormed off in the other direction. Crap I shouldn't have said that. I tried to say something that was as far from Merry as possible. The solace of my plan working isn't really actually any solace right now. I seemed to have also forgotten that women also dislike blunt, negative responses. Mine especially since it had no tact involved. I did not have that much longer to contemplate that thought however, as pain surged from the top of my head alongside an audible smack resonating from the epicenter of the attack.
"Ow!" I yelled as I was hit from the back to the head with what I think was a punch.
"You're a real dolt, huh?" The shop owner told me. "Here, take this box and go after her!" She pushed a really packed looking box of takoyaki along with a baggie of napkins and toothpicks. "Don't just stare, go!" I nod before saying-
"Thanks!" She gives me a nod and I run in the direction where Merry went. We don't have time for this…
Break
"There you are," I said as I found Merry sitting on two a seater bench between two of the stalls. "I've been looking for you." I let out as I took the seat next to her. "I've brought some takoyaki." I held out a toothpick to give to her, but she ignored me, not even bothering to acknowledge my existence with even a glance. "Um… I'm sorry about what I said earlier. It's just that… well, we've only met today, so, well…" I scratched my head. I need to figure out a way to- Hmmm? "I'll leave the takoyaki here for a second. Help yourself to some while I'm gone." Taking a small glance as I leave, I notice that Merry was surprised to see me walking off, or maybe she was wearing that expression much earlier. I don't know. Regardless, I walked over to what I had noticed just a bit earlier, a shooting gallery with various prizes.
"Hey there!" The owner greeted me. "Something catch your eye?" He seemed friendly enough
"You could say that," I replied, glancing over the entire stall, just to be sure of what it was. Luckily just as I had guessed, it looked to be a shooting gallery.
"Ah, well Just so you know, like everything else, this here game's free, but to make up for that, you only get three shots, and one prize. Scared off, or do you still feeling like trying your shooting out?"
"I'll give it a chance," I've got nothing to lose from trying.
"Alright then, just grab one of the rifles and take aim," the shop keeper said as he gestured to the single rifle he had on the stand while walking off to the side so as not to get shot.
"Hmm…" I let out as I looked at the selection of prizes. Some of the ranged from the fitting to the odd. Cooking utensils, dolls, toys, umbrellas, and even… I have no idea what that is. Is that a- never mind I don't want to know what apparently single women in their 30s do with that. Better be safe and just go with the Teddy Bear. I took aim at the bear that sat between the umbrella and cooking utensils. Breathe in… and out… the rifle gave a pop sound as the first shot then landed square on to, well, the back net.
"Oooh, missed, but you still have two more shots. Be careful, that thing has a bit of a fickleness to it. It's old, so you can't fully trust it." Way to tell me that now. Oh well, that's typical for this sort of thing, especially since it's all free. I took aim again, this time adjusting myself. I shot too far to the left last time, almost hitting the umbrella. I have to compensate. The rifle let out a second pop as I fired my next shot, only to overshoot too far to the right.
"Tch…" I let out. I overestimated it. I can fire no problem when it's my own evoker and bullets, but a pop gun? Apparently significantly harder; probably getting cheated.
"Only one more shot, kiddo. Think you can aim for the prize this time? Don't get too stiff." He's just saying that to make me nervous. I can't let him get to me. Okay, breathe in, breathe out. Breathe in, breathe out. I can do this, and breathe in-
"Minato-kun?"
"Merry!?" I jerk from suddenly hearing my name from the girl who had been giving me what I presumed was the silent treatment. Unfortunately, that meant I jerked my rifle too far to the left and-
"We Have a winner!" The store owner shouted as the congratulatory bell sounded out with dings in a measured rhythm. "Congratulations on getting your umbrella! Made with the finest of Lunar based materials, this thing will last nigh forever, able to handle any conditions, and it looks cute too." I stood in a bit of disbelief as the Shop Keep handed to me the umbrella. It was pink and frilly, but it looked oddly familiar. I know I've seen this before.
"Minato-kun?" I heard Merry call again.
"Huh?" I instinctively let out.
"I'm sorry."
"Uh… no it's okay. It's my fault I missed that shot."
"Um, not that… well that too, but what I mean was getting mad at you like that earlier. You're right, we don't know each other that well. It's just, I don't know. I just felt that there was something when I met you. My instincts told me that there was something special," Her face flushed as she seems to come to some realization. "I mean, not that I mean love or anything, but I mean there was something there!" I don't what she said that with. Was it confidence? It seems like it, but it was a bit on the bubbly side of things.
"No, I understand. Here," I said, handing to her the umbrella I had won.
"Hmm?" Merry looked at it with a bit of curiosity.
"I tried to win you the Teddy Bear, but I messed up the shot." I couldn't help but scratch the back of my head again. I should really stop, or Sukuna is going to make fun of me going bald. She might respect me, but she can be a real brat sometimes and make the occasional joke or remark at my expense; rare, but still happens.
"Oh," Merry seemed to finally realize that what I was giving her was supposed to be a gift. "Um, well… I always wanted a new umbrella." She flapped it open and placed it on her shoulder. It looked almost natural. No, it looked like it was supposed to be there, like the final piece of the puzzle. "Oh, it's so cute! I'll be sure to take care of it!" She began to twirl the umbrella in place, fascinated by whatever she apparently was fascinated by. It made me feel a little better about missing the shot.
"So, I guess that means everything's okay?" Somebody had to ask, and Merry doesn't seem like the type who could ask. Or was she? I feel like I'm mixing her up with someone else. This is getting really annoying. Who does she remind me of?
"Um, sure, yeah, everything's okay," Merry said with a soft smile when suddenly a procession of various drums and instruments walked by us. Merry and I couldn't help but stare as they passed by, the people around us all fired up and with the mood. As you would expect loud music, cheering, people carrying various floats and such, Taiko drumming. It was comforting to see something so familiar, but the occasional bunny girl, strange alien clothing on some of the parade participants, and just the weird floats by themselves, reminded me that I'm nowhere near home.
"You know, where did you end up when you came to the moon?" I finally asked. The parade still roaring in front of us.
"Um, a beach. I don't know what sea, but I can find it if I need to." She replied, still looking at the parade, but with a much more bedazzled look. I couldn't help but be happy for her. I couldn't muster the same enthusiasm, not after what I learned from Eirin, and Kaguya.
"Oh, I ended up on a beach too," Is that a common point of landing? Both of us first landing near a beach can't just be coincidence.
"Really? What a coincidence. I guess that's where we'll head too after this is all said and done. That will probably be our best bet home." She turned to look at me for the first time since the parade started. "But until then, we should enjoy ourselves," she said as she couldn't help but giggle a bit before taking my hand and beginning to walk towards another stall.
"Probably for the best. We still need to stay low and staying in the festival can help lose our pursuers and pass the time." I replied, as I began to speed up my own pace with hers so that we were instead walking side by side.
"I like the way you think," Merry said. "By the way, I'm still hungry."
"What about the Takoyaki?"
"Finished that, now come on! Let's see what else they have!" Before I could say anything else, Merry broke into a run dragging me along again. I guess there's nothing to do but to enjoy ourselves for now. It's not like you get to party on the moon all the time.
*CRACK*
Thou art I… And I am thou…
Thou hast tempered your bond…
Thou shalt have our blessing when thou chooses
To create a Persona of the Popess Arcana…
Break
"It's still really pretty isn't it?" Merry asked me as we finally made it back to the beach where we both apparently ended up at. After hanging out at the festival for a little over another three or so hours, we felt that the coast was clear enough to make a break for it and head over. It really was difficult to comprehend that the place where we were was in fact the moon. The only thing that let us know that it was the moon was the Earth that hung low on the horizon, shining ever so blue.
"It is," was all I could say about that. "So, how are we going to get out of here?"
"Well, did I ever explain my power to you?" She shifted slightly, twirling her umbrella again.
"Power, you mean the lockpicking you did earlier?" I asked, remembering that I meant to ask her about that before being interrupted by the bunny police.
"Yes, that! Well, my power wasn't always able to do that." Merry took an aside glance away, probably because she was nervous about having to explain something like that.
"What do you mean?"
"Well, my power is, well was, just the ability to see borders," Merry clenched her eyes seeming as if she was bracing herself for some sort of rebuttal. I have my own questions, but I'll leave it at the pertinent one. Seeing as my mind is currently racing with other things going, I'll keep this simple.
"But I'm going to guess that that's not really all?" Merry's eyes shot wide open when I asked.
"You, believe me?" I gave her a simple nod before answering verbally.
"We're on the moon, and I've seen weirder. Given the circumstances, believing would be easier than not." I've also seen better with that power.
"I see," she said, her tone sounding relieved for some reason.
"So, what were you going to continue with?"
"Oh yes! Right, so as I was saying, my ability is the ability to see borders, but it's changing. Now, I don't just see them, but can also touch them and change them. Tonight, was my latest experiment: going to the moon. But I didn't think it would end up like this."
"I don't think many people on Earth know about the moon, well this moon. Would probably cause mass panic, and re-evaluation of life as humans know it."
"Right. So anyways, I'm thinking we can go back if I manipulate the border again." Merry began to walk towards the beach's edge, but then suddenly-
"Well, well, this is where you are! Trying to leave without your proper punishment? A haughty voice rang out behind Merry and me. The both of us turned around, Merry's in fear and my own in curiosity. "I thought you learned your lesson the first time," the voice said as a sort of side note, but before I could retort, a sword (whose trajectory implied having been thrown) fell from the sky. Swords sprang from the ground around Merry and me upon the first swords planting into the ground blade first. Oh boy, good thing I did one specific re-fusion the other day. [Change]
"You know, it's quite rude to trap people with swords," I told whoever it was who trapped Merry and me. "If you're not careful you could cut someone with this."
"I don't feel that manners are the first thing that should come to mind when dealing with invaders who are committing a repeat offense," The voice said as footsteps began to sound from the forest along with sound of rustling leaves. "I see that you two are different from the people who invaded last time, so I'll introduce myself, I'm Watatsuki no Yorihime." The person that finally came into view wore her light blue hair in a tied ponytail using a yellow ribbon. Her brownish-maroon eyes looked confidently at us but seeing as she believed us to be held in duress, I suppose that would be expected. Her dark red dress for some reason had only a single strap over her right shoulder. Under it she wore a white blouse with short somewhat poufy sleeves. A belt hung loose over her waist sporting a gold buckle that was fashioned to look like it had a sword in the middle of it.
"I'm Minato Arisato."
"I'm Maribel Hearn," Merry followed my lead, a bit of confidence in her voice, despite the fear that the rest of her displayed. Maybe she followed my lead a bit too much.
"Well pleasantries aside, there is no escaping your punishment, invaders."
"I don't feel like being punished," especially not for something I couldn't have helped.
"Well then at least you have company in that regard as I don't think many people would like to be punished," She returned. "Now how are we going to do this?"
"How about like this?" I calmly said as I rushed out of the blade field, ignoring any damage completely.
"What!? How are you unharmed!?" She let out in surprise, but then quickly regained her composure. "Well at least this is interesting!" She pulled out the blade from the ground, retracting the blades it had summoned, and prepared it in a stance as I approached. In response, I summoned from my ring Youmu's gift blade she gave me, preparing for a strike.
"Hah!" She and I both let out as we made our strikes, her's a simple downward slash, and mine a horizontal one due to it being a draw strike. The two blades locked into place upon impact, a screech of clashing metal made itself known as our blades continued to grind against one another.
"Well you at least have some skill, but it's but a pittance compared to mine." A confident smirk painted itself on her face. Unfortunately, though, she might be right. Seeing that this doesn't look good, it would probably be best to bring out my other sword.
"We'll see about that" I returned the sheathe to the ring, and then brought out my second blade, Lucifer's Blade, in the hand that had held the sheathe. "Hah!" I yelled as a kiai, attempting to striker her side while she was stuck in place.
"Hoh?" She intoned in an amused manner as she jumped away with an almost insulting lack of effort. "Not bad, hiding that up your sleeve, I wonder just how many more tricks you have?"
"You'll just have to wait and see…" I told her in bravado as I dematerialized Lucifer's blade to free up me hand in case I needed to summon a Persona. I have to be careful. This woman… Eirin told me about her. A great swordsman I think? But I remember her telling me something else. More importantly though, "Merry!" I turn to my friend, hoping that I gathered her attention. Her looking at me seemed to indicate I had. "Get out of here!" I don't think she has any ability to fight. In that case, she needs to get out of here as soon as possible.
"But what about you?" She asked. I'm touched by her concern, but more importantly-
"I'll be fine, I've been through worse." I've died before. Barring that it's not like things could get much worse for me honestly.
"Are you sure?" A fourth voice said from out of my view. "I doubt you've ever met anyone like my sister and me." Sure enough, as soon as the sentence finished, a person floated down behind the first Watatsuki taking a bow as she landed. "A pleasure, to meet you, earthlings. I'm Watatsuki no Toyohime." The woman who appeared now held similar facial feature as her sister. Unlike her sister, her long, untied, sandy blonde hair was topped by a simple white bonnet-like hat that sported a pink ribbon on the side. She wore a dark blue dress, with a long-sleeved button up shirt underneath, that had a similar design as her sister's only with its single strap being over her left shoulder as opposed to her right. Lastly, she also wore a loose belt that had a gold buckle, only instead of a sword design, it was made to look like a mirror of some sort.
"Minato Arisato," I said on instinct to being introduced.
"Maribel Hearn," I heard Merry follow.
"Merry, now's probably the best time to go," I advised, raising my swords up again so that I would be ready to strike.
"Now go where exactly?" In a blink, the second sister of the Watatsukis suddenly appeared behind Merry, her expression being one that would normally be of kindness like Yuyuko-nee's, but in this instance it seemed like one of extreme confidence. "You've gone through all this effort to come here to the moon and introduce yourselves so politely. The least we can do is give you our best welcome."
"Pleasantries aside," I turned back around to see the other sister right in front of me, not even bothering with any stance at all, in response I jumped back, readying my sword again. With an amused huff, she continued, saying "We're not letting you go that easily. Normally we'd send you back to Earth anyways, but since that doesn't seem to be a punishment in this case, we'll just have to beat into… at least you, the notion of never coming back."
"What kind of punishment would be just sending us back?" Merry asked before I could get a word in edge-wise. I was going to ask the same, actually.
"The most suitable for you sins," Yorihime started.
"But what sin? Coming to the moon?" Merry continued to inquire.
"No," Toyohime cut in. "The sin is living on earth, as such your punishment is to live on earth." I could see Merry begin to seethe, her shy demeanor cutting away to reveal her confident other side as she began to boil over in anger. Honestly, I would be too, if it weren't for the fact that being calm is the safer option right now… "Such is the nature of things in a tainted world," Toyohime ended her clarification.
"What kind of logic is that!?" Merry yelled at the two of them. "Living on Earth? That's our punishment for the sin of 'Living on Earth'? That's utterly insane!"
"Not entirely…" I interject, trying to get Merry to calm down. I look at Merry, to see her sporting a look that almost seemed like betrayal.
"You can't honestly be agreeing with there's insanity!? The sin of living on Earth? No one can help where, and how they're born. Punishing someone for something they can't truly help is-"
"You're not wrong either Merry!" I said in a raised voice to get her to listen. Though still indignant, she gave me her full attention as I told her, "However, their logic isn't… completely faulty." I turned towards Yorihime, as Toyohime still stood behind Merry. "If I recall correctly," I started, "Long ago, there was a sect of humans that wished to escape the impurity that plagued the Earth. In order to make that escape, they changed the nature of probabilities to go to the Moon, which was pure. Am I correct?"
"I'm surprised… who told you?" I could see the two sisters giving me grave glares after Toyohime asked her question. The two's attention having changed from amusement, to one of caution.
"Two women I met, one by the name of Eirin Yagokoro, and the other being Kaguya Houraisen, the latter being an especially dear friend of mine, and the former I've had a number of lectures by on the matter." The two's eyes widened upon hearing those names. I'm not surprised, but the claims the two had about being high ranking on the moon are becoming more and more true.
"How impertinent for an Earthling to try and associate with Sensei and the Princess," Yorihime said as if I had performed some sort of sleight. However, given her expression, it would seem that I indeed performed quite the faux pas.
"I just make friends, it doesn't really matter who," I've made friends with Death, multiple different incarnations.
"Regardless, it does seem like he knows…" Toyohime interjected.
"You're right, sister…" Yorihime conceded before turning back to me. "You know the nature of the filth of the Earth and the purity of the moon, and yet you still come here?"
"I didn't have very much choice in the matter. I was sort of thrown up here without my consent. Honestly, I planned to return home, but somebody thought it fit to fly me to the moon instead."
"Well then I doubt you'd have as many reservations about being thrown back to that filthy place," Yorihime spoke again, contempt for my home being clear as day.
"Filth…" I whispered just loud enough for it to be heard. "You know when Yagakoro-sensei had first told me about it, I wondered what she meant by it. At first, I thought it was just the fact that death was prevalent, but when I was told of pure lands, my thoughts began to wander even further."
"Pure Lands?" Merry asked, her voice seeming like an oasis given its lack of hostility for me.
"Places that do not have Earth's impurities, places that do not change; not with time, nor the seasons. My home, the Netherworld, the shrine of Hakugyokurou, is one such place apparently." Once I finished explaining that to Merry, I turned my attention back to Yorihime. "A true Pure Land doesn't have anything to fear from impurities. They simply wouldn't matter in places such as those."
"What are you saying?" Yorihime said, her contempt for me growing more and more as time went on. I would be lying if I said the feeling wasn't mutual.
"Having lived for at least a year in such a place, I can say that trying to make a pure land out of the moon is quite stupid, especially if it's death you're trying to escape. It's pure right now because it's currently barren and empty; abandoned." Perhaps as an indication of their confidence, the two sisters didn't flinch, nor outwardly react to the reveal of my view of their home. I mean they tried to escape death by going to the Moon, to Nyx; what irony. Regardless, Yorihime, who I've come to expect as the more extroverted one, spoke to me once again, a sense of amusement beginning to creep upon her face.
"And what do you know? I'll admit that I'm interested in hearing more of what an actual pure land is like, but it's clear your knowledge of the moon is lacking. I suppose you couldn't possibly have absorbed Eirin-sensei's teachings properly." she said, almost half laughing at me.
"I thought he was going to say something interesting, but in the end, it's just nonsense," Toyohime added as she instantly appeared next to her sister. I turned back to Merry to find her falling to her legs, shaking as she did so.
"True, but let's humor him," Yorihime said back, the smile on her face growing bit by bit. Swallowing my pride, I ran over to where Merry was.
"You okay, Merry?" I asked as I placed a hand over her back to try and reassure her.
"Yeah, just… a bit… winded…" she said in heavy pants between her words.
"What a fragile thing. I guess I did go too far…" Toyohime said, though to my surprise she seemed serious about her care. She genuinely appeared worried over Merry's health.
"Don't go giving them too much sympathy. We can't have any more pets at home," Yorihime reprimanded.
"Aww… not even one more?" Toyohime pouted as she was told. It doesn't seem like they're paying us attention…
"Merry, now's your chance to run," I whisper to her.
"But…"
"Just go. I'll be fine. As long as we're okay, we can see each other again, right?"
"But are you going to be okay?" Merry kept asking.
"If death couldn't kill me, then really nothing can," I said as I gave her a reassuring, confident smile. "Now get going while the goings good."
"R-right…" Merry closed her eyes after affirming to me her agreement; though just a bit confused on my death comment. It took a few moments, of which I could hear the two sisters continue to bicker in jest, but suddenly… A gap, it was unmistakably a gap that appeared including the eyes, the ribbons at the ends, it was exactly the same. "Um, I'll be going now. Be safe."
"Don't worry, I will. Now go…" She gave me a nod and ran.
"Hey wait!" I heard Yorihime shout, but it was too late. Merry ran into the gap without a hitch, and as soon as she stepped inside, the gap closed like sewn fabric. Well, that's a load off my shoulders. It's good to now she's safe now. "Why didn't you stop her?" I heard Yorihime yell. Turning around I could see that she was actually speaking to her sister.
"I just thought the poor thing had been through enough. I think we scared that one enough."
"Ugh, sometimes I wonder if we are sisters…"
"You can check the records to find that we are," Toyohime responded, her smile never wavering.
"I know that…" Yorihime responded back, somewhat giving up. I'd make a quip about the two, but the more distracted they are the better. I just have to wait for my gap to get me out of here. "As for you…" Well so much for biding my time. "Why didn't you run?"
"I have a different ride home," and I don't know when she's going to show up.
"Well then, lucky us. That means we'll still have some quality time together," Yorihime said as she readied her stance again.
"Let's be quick about this. We've been searching all day, and I'm getting tired." Toyohime added with a yawn at the end. "And I want to eat some more peaches."
"You always want to eat more peaches." Well there they go again. "But anyways, you never did answer why you felt that our home being built on the moon was stupid," Yorihime re-railed the conversation on the previous track. "What could an earthling possibly understand about our home in such little time."
"Well it would take too long to explain honestly. Maybe I won't tell you at all…" I whispered that last part. Though it seems their senses were quite sharp.
"So, you're just bluffing then," she said with a sigh. "And here I thought maybe giving you a second chance to impress us would yield something." Before I could reply, she jettisoned forth, my reflexes barely reacting in time to block her strike. "Not bad. I can see that you blocking my strike from before wasn't a fluke." She said as our swords clashed again. "Tell you what, I'll make this fair. I know of your spell card rules and am willing to play them." Oh? I won't question where she learned them, but-
"Sorry, don't like winning too easily. I think I'd rather take the fight." It's been a while since I've just had a straight up fight with anything outside of Tartarus. "If you're not careful, you're the one who'll need the duel, not me." After saying such, I disengaged and pointed my evoker forward, shooting the descending card to let loose my currently equipped Persona.
"Helel! Morning Star!" I yelled as the almighty energy fell from above. I'm not taking any chances. I just have to bombard her to the point that she can't fight anymore. I don't know about her sister, but looking over there, she doesn't seem bothered, or even interested at all. I think I can discount her for now but should keep my guard up just in case. Once the light died down, as expected, she was still standing, not even scratch.
"Was that supposed to hurt? Because if so, then I'll commend you for at least making me have to squint a bit from how uselessly bright it was." This is bad. It dealt less damage than I had expected. Given her strength I expected her to be able to tank the hit, but not to this extent. Wait, there something behind her, channeling through her. I can't make it out clearly, but it clearly looks divine.
"Arisato-san," I turned to Toyohime, who was lackadaisically sitting down on the sand. "Perhaps I should at least inform you, so you are aware of how you will be defeated. My sister can channel the gods to give her any strength she needs. Whatever power she requires, whatever attack she must brave, she can stand to meet it. You with only your own power will never be able to defeat her for she will match your measly strength."
"Crap…" I let out unintentionally. That sounds suspiciously like my own power: The Fool, 0. Before I could continue, Yorihime planted her sword into the ground again, causing countless blades to rise from the ground around me, probably hoping to trap me. Given that I haven't displayed the ability to fly, nor has she seemed to have figured out what happened last time I'll play along. "Crap…" I said again to better sell my distress.
"Whatever trick you pulled last time, it won't work this time!" She screamed confidently as she barreled towards me, her fists aglow with the same energy as the new god she seemed to channel. [Change]
"Dammit," I let out as I had switch off Helel, who I refused so he could block everything but almighty, to the one given to me by Sanae. "Verthandi! Azure Cessation!" I called out, blowing away the blades and Yorihime in a blast of fire. I see, I think that god earlier just was one that could block the power of Morning Star, the almighty element. The god she had now probably could do the same, so she wasn't prepared to meet a fire attack head on instead. Should probably change back before another onslaught. Have to also still act like I'm vulnerable or else who knows what they'll bring out to stop me. [Change]
"Tricky, seems I underestimated you," she said, righting herself before landing next to her sword that was blown away during the attack. This time she had visible burns and wounds. Looks like I just have to surprise her as much as possible if I want to succeed. Have to make every attack count.
"You'll find that I'm quite surprising in a number of ways."
"Sister, are you alright?" I heard off in the distance, Toyohime actually looking distressed for once.
"I'm fine, just let my guard down. It's only a minor burn, nothing that isn't already healing." Crap she's right, they're already almost gone. Turning back to me, she picked up her sword. "I have to admit I haven't been hurt like that in a long time. I'll admit that you're quite good."
"Thanks," I mean praise is praise. However, she disappeared from view. Quickly, I dove into a slide barely dodging a sword swung at me from behind; the water and sand flying from my movement. Eventually, my momentum stopped me in the middle of the shallows.
"Yes, quite good indeed to have dodge my attack when I was making every intention to cut you down right then at 60%." Damn… I barely dodged that. And she can go faster? Then I should just go ahead and get it done then. [Change]
"Kaguya! Debilitate! Heat Riser!" Kaguya normally wasn't supposed to learn Debilitate or Heat Riser, in fact the two spells were wholly new to me until just recently. Fusion can do some funny things though thanks to inheritance.
"What the?" Three colored orbs encircled Yorihime before eventually closing in entirely. She made an effort to escape, flying every which way, but the simply enclosed upon her before mashing together with her at the center into a black mash up of energy. I on the other hand had three pillars of different colored light rise up beneath me instead. Now this should even the playing field. "What… What did you do?" She asked as she seemed to be switching gods constantly to find a solution to her situation, but it would appear to no avail.
It wasn't really a curse, it wasn't really any type of spell really. These just change parameters temporarily. Unless she has something like Dekaja or Dekunda, she'll be stuck like that for a while. Honestly at worst it would distract her long enough for me to get a cheap shot in if she could. I was lucky she seemed to not have a work around. [Change]
"You should really pay attention to the battle," I said to her while she was still switching through as I summoned my next attack. "Come Alice! Die for Me!" I called as my Persona Alice sprang forth and called for card soldiers to rain from the sky.
"Huh? Kyaaaaaa!" Yorihime screamed as the fell down upon her. Seeing how strong she was, it was clear she would survive, but the lances the soldier brought down upon her, during her distraction, coupled with the speed and defense reduction, meant that the blood flying from her wounds were not a ruse. As the smoke cleared she reappeared disheveled, and clearly angry. "This time a dirty Trick," she growled. "You're nothing but tricks. I've enough of you!" She screamed as-
"Ugh!" I let out as a solid punch to my stomach made me lurch backwards. Dammit… even though I reduced her speed. I couldn't see it at all. Jumping back a bit, I couldn't help but fall to the ground coughing in order to get back my breath as well as hold down stomach contents. As I tried to recover though-
"We're not done yet!" She stated as she picked me up by the scruff of my neck before throwing me into the air and kicking me into the ocean. Dammit I forgot to switch back to Helel and am now paying for my lapse in attention. That kick was insane! If I hadn't reduced her power earlier, that might have torn all my organs apart. As soon as I reoriented myself in the water, I quickly flew up to the surface to meet my opponents. [Change]
"Verthandi! Diarahan!" I yelled barely making it in time before she flew forward to meet me with sword in hand. [Change]
"RRRAAAAAAHHHH!" She let out as I sent forth some dolls to distract her long enough for me to regain my breath. "Don't make me laugh!" She yelled as she effortlessly knocked my dolls out of the way and into the water, just as planned. The distraction being just long enough, I raised my own sword, which I still held onto despite the assault, and met her blade with my own. Or at least I tried before she disappeared from view and attempted to slash at me from behind again.
Thanks to the buffs and debuffs, blocking it this time just a tad easier, a shockwave emanating from the impact that rocked the water below. However, she then disappeared again, only to appear at my side with another slash. And once more I blocked it again. And the she disappeared, only to try again. And again, and again, and again. She was going completely all out on me, putting me completely on the defense as I could do nothing but block strike after strike. She wasn't leaving any opening that I could find on my own, but luckily, I wasn't entirely on my own.
Before she could slash at me again, she instead flew out of the way as some of my dolls flew in from the side to skewer her. Without letting her pause I flew after her with those dolls in tow and tried to get in my own hit. The reverse of before it was my turn to slash at her as she blocked my attacks, only every now and then I was able to graze her with a doll strike.
"If you leave, I'll let you go. I'm not really invested in this fight honestly. I just want to wait for my ride to get me home. What do you say?" I asked beneath the sounds of our swords clashing, hoping that maybe she'll quit right now, and I can avoid having to keep fighting the two of them.
"Funny, I was about to ask you the same thing!" She said as she blocked my strikes again and again. "Unfortunately for you, you'll still have to undergo punishment, but will let go after- Ahh!" She yelled as another doll managed to draw some blood. Good Job!
"Sister!" Toyohime cried in worry as she saw Yorihime injured again. "Please allow me to-"
"Be quiet and stay there! We cannot allow another earthling to humiliate us again! We need to-" Whatever she was about to say she didn't finish. [Change]
"Messiah! God Hand!" I called as I fired my evoker skyward to call a golden fist to fly downward to send her flying into the water. I could faintly hear Toyohime cry out once more, but I had to concentrate. Channeling some personas into the dolls I still had in the water. I had them go ahead and unleash their spells. "Orpheus! Thanatos! Maziodyne!" I commanded as I fried the water at max voltage. The water lit up immediately shining bright and blinding the surroundings. The cackle of lightening thundering in my eardrums as they danced over and through the water's surface. Good thing Alice-sensei made the dolls really sturdy. Finally, I quickly had the dolls rise out of the water before having one of them channel another Persona "Lucifer! Mabufudyne!" I called as the water then froze entirely. [Change]
"Phew…" I let out as switched back to Helel and took in the sight of my plan succeeding as I had hoped. Distracting her long enough to forget my dolls so I could do this to her later on. Unfortunately, that meant I couldn't use my dolls for Persona Channeling or else they would have caught on, but that shouldn't be a problem any-
"YOU!" was all I heard before I was suddenly struck by an invisible force that tore through Helel's defenses. I could feel parts of my torso ripping open from the force as I flew from the impact.
"RAAAHH!" I couldn't help but scream in combination to the pain that racked my body and the momentum skipping across the frozen ocean until I simply stopped bouncing and began to slide upon the frozen surface. What, what the hell was that attack? It just felt like I was being ripped apart. I shouldn't have let my guard down. Yorihime's attacks I can so far block, but that? That was almighty elemental. I can't block that. I shouldn't have underestimated Toyohime.
"Completely unforgivable," I strained to raise myself upwards. Opening my eyes, I could see that I was making a pool of blood. How numb was I that I couldn't feel that? My arms shook like jelly as they tried to hold up my upper body, only to collapse back on the floor. I have to get up. I'll die if I don't. I'll genuinely be erased if I don't. "It was amusing honestly to see someone actually give Sister a challenge after so long. However, I will not allow you to hurt her any longer." She told me with the coldest of tones that I had ever heard, looking down upon me like I was a cockroach, a pest. Like how they used to look at me as they threw me to the next relative.
In the distance I could see a portion of the frozen ocean quickly melting down before the ice simply blew into the sky. Yorihime could be seen above, slowly descending towards us, and it looks like my debuffs are gone. Dammit! I barely held my own against Yorihime when I had them up and when I could still pull tricks out of my sleeve. Now they know most of what I could be expected to do. My options are running dry.
"I'll admit you've got spunk. Creative and powerful, I can believe now that you were taught at least something by Eirin-sensei," Yorihime spoke. As she drew closer I could see the wounds I inflicted already starting to heal. "However, with that power, I cannot let you live. If you were to survive, you might just come back to destroy us, and we can't risk that happening. I must admit I wasn't expecting a genuine threat to the Lunarian people to show up all of a sudden. You only have yourself to blame. If you gave up, you could have left with but a few minor injuries. Now you won't even leave at all."
"Sister, though your injuries have healed, you still appear to be tired. Allow me dispose of him." I can't die. I can't die until I see them again. Until I see Junpei, Yukari, Mitsuru, Akihiko, Ken, Koromaru. Until I see everyone again, all of my friends! I tried to get up again, only to be given a swift kick to my side.
"Argh!" I couldn't help but scream as the pain jolted through me and supplemented the wounds already inflicted.
"Give it up. I'll admit you almost did nearly do me in, but here on the moon, us Lunarians can't die. We will always remain no matter what. I'll give to you that it was a genuinely valiant effort and that any other time it would have won you the day. But your enemy was something you couldn't kill. Something which death cannot reach," Yorihime said as she began to wipe the blood off her foot by scrapping it along the ice. "As to what you said Sister, yeah go ahead."
"Well then. I hope that in your next life you won't be so suicidal." Toyohime then raised her fan. This… is it? Isn't it? I'm… I'm sorry everyone. I couldn't see you guys again and tell you that I was okay. I'm sorry that I won't be able to answer your feelings girls. I'm sorry that you might not know I'm gone. I'm-
"Goodbye!" I couldn't help but close my eyes before she swung her fan. I hope the seal will be okay. Only instead of pain…
"Kyaaaah!" I heard from the two of them as they sounded like they were blown away. An equally shrill sound of something being reflected also reached my ears. Opening my eyes, I could see what almost looked to be a strange but familiar looking aura. Surrounding me was this hazy white barrier. I remember what this is!
"The arcana is the means by which all is revealed, but I really didn't expect this." Before I could say anything, I felt myself being picked up. "Diarahan!" I heard him say as my wounds knitted themselves back together and my stamina restored. "Long time no see," I heard him say as I looked to my side to find him with his usual smirk.
"Ryoji!" It was him! Ryoji Mochizuki! And he looked exactly as he did before with his black swept back hair and blue eyes, which had a beauty mark under the left one. He even still wore the Gekkoukan High uniform and suspenders Along with that stupid yellow scarf. Yeah, he looked right out of my memories.
"Didn't except to see you back so soon buddy. But man, the company up here isn't the nicest around. Think they'd calm down with a date?" He jokingly asked as I gathered my scattered things with my dolls.
"Probably not. They don't seem too keen on earthlings." I retorted as I looked over my sword and evoker for damage. It seemed everything was, aside from a couple of scratches, alright. Though Alice is going to kill me about needing new clothes for my dolls.
"Hmm… yeah I guess I would count as an earthling since that's where I was born. Even though Nyx is the Moon itself," Ryoji mused.
"I have to ask though-"
"How am I here? Well I did just say I was the moon! Technically I'm already here. Though if you're asking about me specifically, then that's because of you. Kind of." He let out a hearty chuckle as he pat me on the back a bit.
"Me? I don't get it?" I mean when he puts it that way, him being here on the moon isn't the strangest thing but isn't that consciousness locked behind the Seal?
"I was awakened because the seal itself was on the moon. I'd explain more, but I don't think we have that kind of time," he stated as he refocused off to the side. Looking to where he was staring at the sisters were walking back up to us, clearly not amused in the slightest.
"How? How did you reflect that? That was an attack that can purify at the atomic level. Nothing should have been able to withstand it," Toyohime spoke in shock and disbelief as the two of them tried to stand their ground.
"Well I honestly don't know, but the Moonless Gown has so far proven to be able to reflect anything so there's that," Ryoji explained in his usual carefree manner.
"What kind of explanation is that?" Yorihime asked annoyed.
"Hey, I'm kind of just borrowing these powers as the Nyx Avatar," Ryoji casually stated.
"The what? Anyhow, this changes nothing. We'll defeat you two pests before you can bring harm to the Moon." Yorihime began to ready herself again. In response I matched her, only for Ryoji to continue to speak.
"Me? Harm to the Moon. If anything, I'd consider the two of you pests." Yeah, I guess Ryoji was the one who should say that. "I didn't mind people being on the body but seeing as you were about to hurt Minato over here, I couldn't let that slide."
"Your body? What? Do you think you're the moon itself? Not only are you tainted, but you're delusional as well…" Toyohime stated in pity. This woman is probably much nicer when not dealing with us I'm willing to guess.
"I mean yeah I am." Ryoji, I don't think they believe you.
"Sister, let's just remove them from our sight. It's not like they have the means to end our lives. Let's just go ahead and-" Suddenly before Yorihime could continue, the ice began to crack enmasse below us. Without hesitation, Yorihime, Toyohime, and I all flew up as Ryoji casually stayed in place. Suddenly the water began to fall and the sound of it crashing down could be heard. In but a moment, the ocean was replaced with a gaping hole. And below at its depths, a red core could be seen.
"Though Nyx is sealed I can still unleash a bit her power, just below the amount that would call Erebus' attention. This should be enough to remind you of the truth. The moment man devoured the fruit of knowledge he sealed his fate… Entrusting his future to the cards, man clings to a dim hope, yet, the arcana is the means by which all is revealed… Beyond the beaten path lies the absolute end. It matters not who you are… Death awaits you." Ryoji told him, those familiar words, as he floated up to where we were.
"What have you done!?" Yorihime shouted, fear and confusion setting in as she took in the sight that once nearly ended life on Earth.
"This… this feeling?" Toyohime stammered with clear tremble in her voice.
"Now's our chance," Ryoji said, ignoring the moon princess, as he materialized a sword reminiscent of the one he used in our battle atop Tartarus. "While they can feel death's embrace! Moonless Gown!" He yelled, dispelling the barrier that was protecting us. "Almighty Attack!" He yelled as his slash produced a wave of red energy that flew towards the sisters.
"AAAAAHHHHHH!" The two of the screamed as they flew from the force of the attack. The two of them however managed to right themselves before flying too far away.
"You'll pay for that!" Yorihime shouted as she began to channel another god.
"Put it on our tab!" I yelled as I finally made a move to intercept her blocking her sword strike. "Thanatos! Brave Blade!" I commanded one of my dolls. Before it could connect though, she managed to kick me off of her and block the strike. "Satan! Black Viper!" I soon followed with another doll as I followed the spell to strike in tandem with it.
"Argh!" She yelped in pain as my attack connected while she blocked Black Viper.
"Get off of her!" I heard Toyohime yell in the back ground as she wound up to strike at me with her fan.
"Not so fast! I'm you're dance partner! Almighty Attack!" Ryoji literally cut in. The wave flew towards Toyohime at break neck pace, only for her to suddenly disappear. "What!?" He let out as Toyohime suddenly appeared behind him.
"Predictable!" She yelled as she swung her fan.
"Moonless Gown!" Ryoji called as the aura returned, reflecting the attack right back at her.
"Kya!" She cried as she flew from getting struck by her own attack.
"Sister!" Yorihime called. "Out of my way!" She yelled at me as she then sped up suddenly, knocking me to the side.
"Now's our chance to end this in one shot! Can you keep them pinned for just a short moment?" I heard Ryoji yell. I don't know what he's got planned but it's not like I have one. Besides, I trust him.
"Got it!" I replied as I commanded my dolls to chase after Yorihime.
"Sister!" Yorihime called as she flew next to a weakened Toyohime and began to hold her up.
"Sister, something is wrong. We're not healing properly," Toyohime told her as she struggled to keep her strength up.
"What are you talking abou-" Before she could finish, she turned her attention to the dolls that I had surround them.
"FIRE!" I commanded as I had each of them drop a curtain of bullets, each empowered by a Persona. The two of them managed to block or dodge them for the most part, but it was doing its job of keeping them on the defensive and pinned.
"There!" I heard Yorihime cry as she knocked one of the dolls out of the way and was about to escape with Toyohime.
"Kaguya! Shining Arrows!" I called from the knocked away doll as it fired bullets empowered by Kaguya's unique skill. Arrows of light began to rain down into the opening, forcing them back into the center. "Ryoji! You ready?" I asked after stuffing the two of them back into the doll formation.
"Just in time! Get behind me!" I nodded silently before disengaging my dolls and flying behind the Nyx Avatar.
"Go for it!" I told him with anticipation as to what exactly it was that he was about to do. He gave me a silent nod back and refocused on the Princesses. The two, exhausted from fending off the onslaught I fired earlier could only watch.
"Now then," Ryoji said as he gathered the last of the needed energy into his being. "No regrets! This is the path of your choosing! Night Queen!" Suddenly black and red energy began to fire from below, from within the red core of the moon, Nyx. Rising to strike the two sisters as Yorihime and Toyohime tried in vain to dodge, getting struck again and again; being lifted higher and higher with each hit. I knew what it was like to be struck by that attack, but seeing from outside the attack, it truly was brutal. Constant bombardment without reprieve from an attack of pure energy and death before a final explosion burst forth consuming the two in a bright light. The sound of the attack was so loud that I couldn't even hear them scream or anything.
"Damn… that looked like it hurt," was all I could say in both response to the actual attack itself and the memories resurfacing of that attack hitting me and SEES. The smoke from the explosion didn't take long to clear however. From the center I could see Yorihime holding onto an unconscious Toyohime, both of them looking exceptionally injured.
"Why… Why aren't we healing!? We're on the moon, us Lunarians should be healing! We're supposed to be immortal!" Yorihime partly cried in exasperation, partly in desperation, and partly in fear. I see Night Queen inflicted fear upon her.
"Because I am death itself," Ryoji bluntly answered them. "The moon is Nyx, the very incarnation of mortal death. Though it was asleep. I awakened it just long enough for our battle. To escape to the moon to escape death. Talk about out of the frying pan and into the fire." I couldn't help but hear the pity in Ryoji's voice.
"This… this can't be! But everything we've known-"
"I don't know what you know, but it's probably wrong," Ryoji cut her off. Man, this was leaving a bad taste in my mouth. I really don't have anything against them. I just didn't want to go along with them. I just wanted to get home. I didn't want to completely shatter their world and most likely leave them broken messes. The moon really doesn't give me too many pleasant memories.
"Offer still stands," I quipped. "Leave now, and let me wait for my ride home, and Ryoji will turn things back to the way they are. He'll turn the moon back into an artificial pure land. I'll promise not to return. Not a bad deal at this stage. How about it Ryoji?"
"I'll follow your lead," He stated without hesitation. "Though you might want to make it quick, if I leave Nyx open up any longer, it might wake Erebus up," he whispered. I looked back to the still conscious sister.
"Do we have a deal?" It probably was the fear of death that gripped her still, but it took a while before she could answer me.
"Y-you promise to return the moon to how it was and to never return? How can we trust you?" She tried to bluster her way through, but it was clear the lengths she was pushing herself to not completely breakdown.
"I didn't want to come here in the first place. I want to leave. I stated this before we fought. Can you at least believe that?" I just want some damn sleep right now. Though I guess- "Ryoji, close it."
"Roger!" Ryoji then, pointing an open palm towards the gaping hole he made, silently commanded it to close. The entire moon seemed to shake as slowly the center was covered up by the enclosing surface, the trees rustled and the sea that was still there began to fill the space. In a few moments it looked as it was before, though the beach portion seemed larger.
"And you're promise to leave?" Yorihime stated, though she sounded a bit more relieved than before, understandably.
"Hey, my ride isn't the most reliable. I promise to leave, but it's up to her when." I mean I might be able to fly back from here, but I won't be able to hold my breath that long.
"I mean didn't you fly up here before?" Ryoji asked.
"I think, but that was a while ago, and space wasn't exactly normal at the time." I half remember it, half don't. Honestly it was kind of like a dream; like my body moved on its own. "Besides I'm kind of running on empty here. Not enough for the trip back, even without considering things like lack of atmosphere."
"Fair enough," Ryoji acquiesced with a shrug.
"You have the rest of the Day, be gone by then." Before I could even turn back to face her, she and her sister were already in the distance, flying fast and far away. Even with that threat I doubt she'll be able to follow up on it, given how fast they're retreating just now. Probably trying to recoup as possible and check for any damage. Or maybe they're just running. I don't know. Jeez… I'm not that scary, am I? I can't ask Sukuna, since she'll give a biased opinion. Maybe I should ask Nue.
"Well they certainly left in a hurry," Ryoji said. "And all before I could ask them on a date."
"Would have been a good time. They have a festival going on at the Lunar Capital," I told him as he and I proceeded to land on the beach. "Would have been the perfect place to have a date." Upon landing, I took of my shoes and proceeded to rest my feet in the water. Ah, that's nice. Just what I needed after a battle.
"Man, maybe we beat them too hard?" Ryoji said as he proceeded to join me.
"Maybe," I said as I began to look up at the lunar sky. Rather than just a solid blue, it was an amalgamation of color. Kind of like an aurora borealis, if it was the whole sky honestly. "So, by the way just how did you get out of the seal always?"
"Well the seal was weakening just now, specifically through a battle that took place not too long ago." Ryoji said in a slightly jabbing manner, most likely at me.
"Oh, so it was because I was dying that happened?" I probably should be a lot more careful. I mean I should be, but getting that wakeup call certainly puts things into perspective.
"That and you were also on the moon. Some resonance occurred due to your presence on the moon, the seal weakening, and some of your thoughts kind of woke me up," Ryoji said as he began to kick his feet in the water. "Well at least I think that's what happened. It's all just speculation on my part, but I'd like to say I'm probably 80% correct."
"Well regardless I'm just glad to see you again." He was the last person I was expecting to see any time soon. So just even talking with him again, it's kind of like a dream come true.
"When you put it like that, it almost makes me wish you were girl instead. Getting fawned over by a guy isn't exactly my style," he said. "Joking! I wouldn't have you any other way, but a girl you would be interesting honestly." He guffawed at the thought while all I could do was wonder where the hell he got his girl crazy from. Was it from me? I don't think it was me… It was probably me wasn't it, watching me date all those girls at once? "On a serious note, though you have to be more careful."
"You're talking about protecting the seal?" Ryoji gave me a nod, the look on his face solemn and lacking the jovialness it had just moments earlier. Though at least it wasn't as grave a look he had on that day.
"If something happens to the you here, it will put serious damage on the seal. Luckily it was avoided this time, but next time someone might not be there to bail you out of a jam." He stated with all seriousness that was needed.
"Yeah, thanks for the heal by the way."
"No problem. I don't want to be causing mass genocide anytime soon anyhow."
"Yeah, I want to see them all alive and well," I said as the memories of school began to flood in thanks to our conversation. Those days seemed like years ago, us just hanging out in class, talking about just the most random things.
"So why haven't you seen them yet?" Ryoji asked, this time just with sincerity in his curiosity.
"Well it's because, who expects a dead man to just suddenly show up all of a sudden? Hey, I'm back, kind of sort of. I mean would they even believe me?" Honestly, I don't know what they would do. I don't even know if Yakumo would let me.
"Hmm, sounds like you're afraid," Ryoji said as he began to splash some of the water with his hands.
"That's… pretty much it yeah," I can't think of a better way to describe it. "I'm afraid-"
"That they'll reject you?" Ryoji finished for me
"That, and, they also have their own lives now. I watched it from Reimu's TV. Amazingly she gets signal. But anyways, on there I managed to catch the new season of Phoenix Ranger Featherman. You want to know who was on there?"
"Sounds like it's someone we know."
"Yeah, it was Yukari. She was the Pink Ranger."
"Woah seriously? I mean she had the looks and personality for some lime light, but damn!" Ryoji excitedly said as he looked up and at the Earth, probably trying to focus on Japan.
"But that made me realize that I haven't been a part of their lives for over a year now, actually nearly two now that I think about it." I turned to see Ryoji was back to being serious. "Do I have the right to just barge in like that? At this point they've probably moved on. I mean it's not like they'll forget me that easily. However, I think they've fully adjusted to the idea that they'll never see me again. It's unfair honestly."
"Kind of sounds like it. But it's also unfair that you're not really giving them a chance, you know?" He said as soon as he could respond.
"I know, but I-"
"No buts. You should give them the chance to know you're okay. I mean look at the two of us! We seem to be fine even after all this time," He said as he got up and spread his arms open with his shoes in his left hand.
"Our circumstances are a bit different." I couldn't help but fall into my old habit of scratching my head given my confusion.
"I don't think that difference matters here though. I mean you still think of them as friends, right?" He said with a jovial tone like that of a child. Honestly it reminded me of his Pharos days.
"Yeah," was all I could respond with. Perhaps more than that with some of them, but I don't think I'll ever not think of them as my dear friends.
"Then you should go ahead and let them know you're okay," he said like it was the most natural thing in the world.
"Yeah, you're right. When I thought I was about to die, they were the first ones I thought about before anything else. I suppose I should just bite the bullet and see them if I can." It's telling what a person thinks of in their final moments from what I've read. Though in my case it was more reminder than anything else. I want to see those guys again.
"Yeah, hold on to that," Ryoji followed up with as he placed the hand with his shoes on his hips and his other simply hanging at his side.
"Hold on to it? I have a lot of things I don't want to let go of. Kaguya-san was right. I am quite greedy." I couldn't help but chuckle a bit. Kaguya really still doesn't let go of that. Though she talks a bit about plans for consorts or something… I don't know. Honestly, I hope she's just joking.
"Nothing wrong with that in this instance I'd say. The more the merrier." Well he was close.
"Well, more like… more like I don't want to lose any of them. I don't want to lose any of my friends in Gensokyou either." I've kind of just made them as I went. Before I knew it, I don't want to lose any of them.
"Then just don't. Don't let go of any of them. For you, that will be your will to live, more than just your reason to exist." Jeez it just doesn't fit when he talks like that, but he isn't wrong though.
"Yeah, Thank Ryoji." I told him, as I got up and put my shoes back on my feet.
"No problem! So, say about those girls-" Before he could ask about the girls I met in Gensokyou, a gap appeared just to our side above the shore of the lunar ocean. Inside I could see the many eyes all just staring at the two of us.
"She has the worst timing honestly." I couldn't help but sigh as I made the final adjustments to my shoes.
"Is it on purpose? Also, what's with those eyes? I thought I looked creepy as the Nyx Avatar." He said, genuinely disturbed as he looked within.
"It's probably not in this case, but it's really hard to tell sometimes. Yes, those are eyes, and yeah that was pretty creepy." I said, as the two of us just gave a quick glance to the other and laughed one final hearty laugh.
"Well I suppose I shouldn't be out any longer either. Could bait Erebus any moment now, and god knows we don't want that to happen," he said as he patted me on the back to set me off.
"Right. Then, I'll see you next time." I said, trying to keep my footing after getting shoved. He put too much power in that one. It's almost like he wants me to leave, bastard.
"Yeah, not goodbye, but see you next time." And with that I walked right in, waving to him until the gap closed and he was gone.
Break
A second gap awaited me at the ponds edge. For a moment couldn't tell what she wanted, but it was clear enough that she wanted me to go through it. Without a single moment's hesitation, I step through. In an instant the scenery changed from the pond in the middle of Gensokyou, to wonderland's mountainous edge. Sighing from fatigue, I sat at the cliffs edge… This… this is the same spot Yukari took me to when I first came to Gensokyou… isn't it?
"I see you recognize it," Yukari said, as I heard her footsteps. "Stand up, I'll put a cloth down." I did as she told and stood up, getting out of the way so that she could teleport a picnic cloth down onto the cliff's edge. She then sat down on it such that she left space for me. "Come, sit. "She patted the side of the ground she left open for me. I took the seat offered to me. "So how was the moon?" She asked just as I felt comfortable sitting. What good timing…
"It wasn't bad. I didn't think that there was a civilization on the moon, let alone it being so advanced. I guess Kaguya wasn't lying after all." Not that I doubted her but seeing does help in believing.
"That's no-good Mina-chan. You don't talk about other girls when you're spending time alone with another." Same old Yukari I see…
"You're right, Sorry." I'm tired…
"Oh? Not enough energy to talk back? That's fine since you've been through a lot today. I'll lend you my shoulder." She placed an arm around my head as she then brought me closer to her. Yukari wasn't really one to worry about modesty or indecent behavior when I'm around, despite what I would like. It isn't a shoulder, but it is soft though… as always...
"Thanks…" I said, trying to be polite.
"Happy to help," she said…
"So… where's your umbrella," I asked her as she didn't have it on her at the moment.
"At home. The weather is nice enough that I don't need it, and it is getting old. As much as I take care of it, it won't last forever, no matter what it's made of." I guess I should ask now. It's not like it's going to resolve itself. I'll start with that question then.
"You know, I don't think you've ever told me why you made this body for me."
"Hmm? So, are you aware then?"
"You mean aware that the me here is only a part of the whole, that my other is still in the seal? Yeah, I figured that out after a while. It's hard figuring out who's thinking what sometimes, or is it that we share the same thought space…"
"It's a situation similar to that of Shinto Gods, of whom are able to infinitely split their spirits. However, in your case there are still repercussions to doing so as opposed to the gods which can do so without consequence."
"What consequences?"
"Well what do you believe them to be?" Right… I suppose it would be bad for the seal if I split too much. "If we are to move back to your original question however, what reason do you think I had for wanting to give that body to you?"
"I'm going to assume you remembered me or something to that effect?"
"Maybe… or maybe I did it for another reason," Yukari coyly teased with a soft giggle.
"If that's the case then, I don't think I would ever be able to reasonably guess."
"Then a hint," Yukari said with a wink and a point of her finger. "I completely forgot about you after about a few hundred years. Memories do fade, especially if they're about only one night amongst a few tens of thousands. No, you just reminded me of another dear friend of mine." Another dear friend? How? I'll just ask another question.
"What is relativistive psychology anyways?"
"You know… I've completely forgotten. It's been more than a thousand years since I've last been in University, and it was my major of all things. Though I suppose that you're asking these questions because you've finally gotten all the pieces down. It was easy to see as such with your first question."
"You haven't really been subtle about it either."
"When did you figure it out?" She asked with amusement, her little play having been found out.
"Some time before the fight with the Watatsuki sisters. I had suspicions when I first saw her, but I couldn't be sure. I still don't get how… was she something you made or…"
"Time is a funny thing, Mina-chan. Most people think it just goes forwards." Ah, I think I get it then.
"So how is the future?"
"Well, moon tours were common place. We had to grow strawberries in artificial biomes as the world couldn't support them in the wild, and we still hadn't discovered magic," Yukari described in a bit of nostalgia.
"Sounds different."
"Not really. Just the things that people were capable of were different, but ultimately Humanity hadn't changed a bit." She sounded genuinely world weary there. Showing her age, I suppose.
"So how did you end up in the past?" I asked her, of which was a most pertinent question.
"Well tonight was an accident which happened after I tried to make a gap to see the Lunar Capital, the one that made me stay however… Secret!"
"That's lame," I let out.
"A woman has to keep her secrets; must maintain an air of mystery," Yukari teased as she began to stroke the hair of my head.
"Please don't do that," I asked her.
"No." Well I certainly can't argue that. There's nothing to argue at all. "You know," she started again. "I never did thank you for giving me that umbrella… so, thank you. I loved it."
"It wasn't much."
"It seems you don't understand how much a present can mean to a girl," the way she said it made me imagine that she was pouting right about now.
"I barely get by as is."
"If that's what you call getting by, many men would probably try to come at you with a knife. Of course, not that I'd let them, or any of those seeking your hand."
"… you're right… I guess it helps to have perspective. It's not like I dislike the attention, it's just that I feel like I haven't put enough effort to warrant it."
"Sometimes that's just how it is, like a talent. You just have it, even if you don't mean to," Yukari mused. "On the other hand, what you said about your preferences in women were quite mean."
"I blame you for that," was all I said in response to that.
"What do you… I am nothing like what you had described!"
"Yes, you are. It's exactly why I used you as an example to try and shut the other you down that time." Just the fact that you were able to connect the dots…
"Well in that case, let me show you the whole bosom of this promiscuous women!" Yukari suddenly grabbed my head and- I CAN'T BREATHE!
"MPHMPHYPYHPYPHMPH!"
"Having fun?" I could hear Yukari above me muffled cries. It's a marshmallow hell!
"MPHPHPHPMPHPYHPMHPYMPHPYMPH!"
"Hmm… 3… 2… 1… there!" Yukari then let my head go. Upon release I sat upright and took in a huge breath of air.
"Damn… I think I almost died…"
"Almost, but not quite, but I hope that teaches you to not to mess with a maiden's heart."
"Are you a maiden?" I asked before really thinking out what I said.
"What was that?" She asked me, a strange glint in her eye indicating rage. I saw only glimmer of that look just once when everyone at Gekkoukan was helping to tear down the culture festival.
"Nothing…"
"Right… I'll have you know that I still wear my maiden head," Yukari told me proudly.
"That wasn't something I was wondering about, but okay." Upon finishing my sentence, Yukari then began to lean on my shoulder instead of the other way around.
"It feels like I've grown wings, not that I need them," Yukari suddenly said with a weariness that I couldn't pin point the origin of.
"What do you mean?"
"You probably know that this whole time I've known you, or for at least a good portion of time, I've remembered that day up on the moon. I wouldn't call it love at first sight… but... it was something like that." Yukari wrapped her arms around the one arm that she was leaning on.
"You already know how I feel about that, about being in a relationship right now."
"And you know that I'm just like those girls: We don't easily give up." Yukari's voice was a bit basted in mirth. "I'm not going to go so far as to say it outright, but you know how I feel right? You're not so dense as to not know."
"I see that your shyness hadn't gone completely away." I couldn't help but feel a bit happy about that.
"No, I suppose not. Some things are simply part of a person." The wind blew over the mountain. The night was quiet. In the light of the moon, Gensokyou was bathed in that softness. It was no less filled with majesty as it was the first time I was here. "It's been one year since I brought you here."
"So that's why you brought me here?"
"Where else for a one-year anniversary?" She said with a small giggle as she held me tighter.
"Thanks…"
"Hmm?" Yukari gave me a curious look.
"Thanks for giving me this life. I don't think I've ever formally thanked you for it so, Thank you."
"Ho?" She let out with an elongation. "That took a while, but I don't mind being thanked."
"I don't have much else to give you thanks for," I said as a riposte.
"Oh, but what about those times I showed you my body? Or when I let you grope me earlier when we were sleeping together?" She looked at me with a pleading look, which she was always dangerously good with, but the moon tonight gave it an even greater quality of irresistibility. "Those were really embarrassing for me to do, you know?" Given who she used to be, I can't be sure if she's lying or not. Best to just not think about it at this point I've realized.
"Alright, fine… thanks."
"You pervert," she said as she quickly let go of me arm and turned her body away, holding her breasts in bashfulness. I let out an exasperated sigh. I just cannot win with this woman.
"Just what do you want from me?" I let out from my annoyance. Yukari let out a small giggle thanks to her joke I suppose.
"Well…" Yukari said with an upward elongation, gathering my attention to look at her to-
Suddenly all became still. The first thing I registered was the closeness of her face to mine, or was it the softness of what was touching my lips? I couldn't tell. It all happened at such a close instance that perhaps it happened all at once. Her eyes were softly closed; completely relaxed. After about a second of contact, her eyes steadily opened, but they stopped at about halfway before I could feel her body shift, her arms wrapping around my neck. Taking advantage of my still stunned state, the weight of her body pushed against my own, and despite her relative lightness, managed to push me down onto the picnic cloth. Finally letting the kiss go… she and I began to breath heavily, but she managed to regain her breath first and began to speak.
"I just want you to be you, Minato," Yukari said with heavy pants while addressing me by my name without alteration of honorifics. I suppose that all in all, that is who Yukari is… She may tease me, she may do things I can't understand, but I can always believe in her. I will always be able to trust her.
*CRACK*
Thou art I… And I am thou…
Thou hast Matured an Unbreakable bond that ties the Universe as one…
The Innermost power of the Popess be set free within you…
May you use this Ultimate power of your own Free Will…
"That isn't much," I replied, as she simply lay on top of me. The conversation was difficult to hold since one party is lying on solid rock (even if said rock was padded with a cloth), but I soldiered on since Yukari probably wasn't going to let me get up any time soon.
"Hmmm… well then," Yukari said, settling herself into a comfortable position on top of me, reaching down so that she was holding my hands. "How about… can you call me that? Only when we're alone?"
"I can't promise the alone part."
"Well I guess I'll just have to settle for making sure you're the only one who can call me that…" She let out a resigned huff. "So… please?"
"Sure… Merry."
"Hmmm…" she intoned. "I haven't heard that name in so long, but it feels so good right now; so nostalgic."
"Just wait until Reimu hears it," I joked.
"Oh, I'll make sure she will never utter it if she does," Yukari said in a dead voice. Her face was smiling, but her eyes screamed murderous hatred.
"Um…"
"I did say I'll just have to settle on making sure you're the only one who can say it, didn't I?" I didn't think she'd take it to that extreme though…
"Um, yeah."
"Oh, don't take it so seriously. You of all people should know how I am," Yukari broke off with a small laugh. No Yukari, it's because it's you I can't tell at all. "By the way…" Yukari started.
"Yes?"
"Was there anything else that happened on the moon? After I left that is?" she asked, trying to evoke something resembling puppy dog eyes. Ignore it. Ignore it.
"You can figure it out yourself." I told her, seeing as I finally realized that as a border, she can just read me anyways. I can't believe it took me this long to figure it out.
"I just wanted to see if you would tell me yourself. That is all. But I can see that it's something you seem to wish to hold dear. I'll respect that then. Also, Popess was it?" Yukari, never mind…
"Yeah, that's the Social Link Tarot."
"Did you know that the Popess was the old name of the High Priestess?" she extoled with a bit of a teasing tone.
"No… I didn't." I've only seen the Tarot in form tonight. "But what of it?"
"Well, for a woman, the Priestess, and also the Popess, can have the meaning of being independent, even without a man in her life." Yukari lifted her head such that she and I were facing each other despite her laying on me.
"And for men?" Yukari nuzzled her head against my chest, the position allowing me to feel the vibrations of her voice through my chest.
"It means the perfect woman in a man's life." I snapped my head upwards to look at Yukari, and because of her snuggling, her face was what took the majority of my sight when I turned to look at her. The only thing I let out from hearing that fact was given a joking and exasperated tone. I could feel a small wry smile creep up on my face.
"Yeah right…"
Break
"Oh, if it isn't our esteemed guest?" Theo was mysteriously the only one in the room today... He seemed to be cleaning the table that Igor would do fusions on. "It seems you have come at a most inconvenient time as the master has not returned from his errands. Though perhaps in a way this was fortuitous, your timing that is." I see, well that isn't entirely unusual these days. "As your current attendant I must inform you that something dreadful has occurred." Theo's face fell from his usually calm confident demeanor towards one of sadness and fear.
"What is it Theo?"
"Well… I am sad to say that our other apprentice, Koishi Komeiji, has disappeared. She simply left the room just yesterday. I'm sorry for being unable to keep her here," Theo said with an apologetic, low bow.
"What? Where did she go?" I stammered out in a panic. Koishi, what? Leave?
"Again, my apologies, dear guest," Theo repeated, his position unchanged and unfrazzled by my sudden outburst. "However, I am unaware of just where exactly she has gone to."
"There's nothing for you to be sorry about. It's not your fault…" I said, taking deep breaths to calm myself, but to no avail. Just why would she leave? "Do you have any idea of where she could have gone?"
"If I may though, Ms. Komeiji seemed to have left for a particularly interesting place, but I am unsure. However, I believe that if you search for places of the heart, you may yet find her in short order. I do not know if she left for such a place unconsciously or not, but in a place where the heart is, is where you will find her." He stated, with genuine concern. It seems he also missed our little resident youkai.
"…Thank you, Theo… it's a start…" It was more than I had hoped for given the suddenness and her strangeness… "Any ideas as to why she would leave?" I mean her just up and disappearing, even after all we'd talked about before, is just strange.
"I'm sorry, but it was surprise for me. One moment I was simply tidying up a bit, and the next she was gone. Not even a moment or peep as to why. If you're also wondering, this occurred only just recently. I cannot give you a time frame however, as the time in the Velvet Room is independent of the outside world," Theo stated in no uncertain terms while being quite forthcoming.
"I see. I guess there's nothing for it then but to ask her if I find her." I am going to find her. "I'll come back later when Igor is in. I'm probably going to need those services more now."
"Of course, I eagerly await your next visit, hopefully with my fellow apprentice in tow." I guess Theo might see her as a little sister. I should ask when the situation isn't more pressing what it's like to have Elizabeth as a sister.
"I'll be sure to." I got up and left the room… I think… Koishi… where are you? I have to find her… I don't want to lose anything.
Author's Notes:
I had planned to get this out as soon as possible after the previous chapter, seeing as this was already 90% finished about a year ago. Unfortunately I had decided half way through editing to change entire sections and rewrite half of it. The result? It was bout 13k words when I started editing, and 20k+ afterwards. Want to know the major addition? Ryoji. Ryoji was not originally going to be in this chapter, but then looking back I thought, that doesn't make sense if Ryoji doesn't appear because he's literally on the Moon. He's on Nyx. That has to mean something. So there, the rest of the rewrites were for things I thought were awkward (at least more so), and stuff that also didn't make as much sense going forward. That goes to show, always reread your stuff kids, and just ask why everywhere like the most annoying 5 year old ever. It's also fun, the idea of curb stomping things with the power of a god, which is what I tell myself in DBFZ when I play Goku, Goku, and Goku.
I also hope that this answer's Yakumo's view on Minato, since there was some questions by a few that were wondering if she really cared about him. She does, quite a bit.
On other things, Kaguya's Arcana is The Arcana with no name, the arcana that shouldn't be, ie Death. Since some were guessing wrong. Death is about the end of cycles and a previous time to give way to something new. Thought that was obvious, but hey maybe I made it more subtle than I thought. Kudos I guess. Chapter 26 is already 90% done, but Chapter 25 I'll admit is something I'm adding because I need it to. Otherwise things are going to jump super hard and without sufficient reason. A time skip would not do, I need to actually write it.
Next chapter we're going back into the saddle of another character so place your bets on who it will be. A hint, it won't be a Persona Character, and it won't be any of the previous ones.
Honestly, that is something I really regret doing about this fic, making it first person. If I had a chance to do it over, I'd do it in third person. I do better with Third Person honestly, which you might agree with if you've read all my other stuff which are instead in third person. The reason is just limitations of having to constantly drive home thoughts and being unable to more completely tell a tale. First Person has its uses, but I don't think it was a good fit. Oh well, reap what you sow, might as well learn from it.
Anyways, as per usual if you found something wrong, tell me so I can feel bad about myself as I grind out the KNK event in FGO for the next two weeks. I say that but two days in I'm 92/99 missions completed. Criticism especially detailed and useful for improvement, are more than welcome.
Anyways, thank you for reading, and have a wonderful day.
