Hinamizawa Hell
"The Truth of Fate" Arc: 3
Ch. 2: The Traveler
/
Her dreams rushed forth in a flurry of memories, of different colors and shades, and in different shapes and spectrums. What began from an easy pace into a peaceful sleep soon turned into something which became much more possible and realistic than some dream ever could be. Everything around her in the expansiveness area was felt, from the light to the darkness of this massive yet towering room. And all that Rika Furude could understand was that she sat in some room, where she now confronted a man dressed in a peculiar way.
They were in an 8 sided room, sitting in opposite chairs from one another and studying each other's appearance as if preparing for some mental exam. Rika wore her common green dress, whereas the man wore something similar to combat garbs in black and white colors, and, for the most part, wore odd bandages over his eyes. His hair was grayish, spiked even to some length; likewise, his stature seemed that of a calm yet confident man. In all regards, Rika could tell right off the bat that this man looked exactly like Komoto, but instead found it better in that this man was someone different. As they sat across from one another, while the light and darkness of the room shifted in many ways along the ground, the man spoke up.
"Rika Furude…I'm glad I was able to reach you at last."
"Who…are you?"
"Reimei Ryuu. I am a traveler of dimensions, but to be blunt I don't have much time to talk. Human dream cycles, while connected to this world, are rather short and not to my liking. Please, while you're here just hear me out…"
"Heh, if this is some dream, then please don't make it turn into some nightmare. That's all I ask, Nipah!" Rika smiled at the Reimei, trying to seem sincere at best. He just smiled in response, sighing and trying to regain his thoughts.
"Then listen well, Rika-chan. I already know what you are thinking, more so, everything in fact. My appearance seems to make you confused, but that is because I am Komoto Hagara's, and many other's, counterpart. My goal is to protect the worlds they live in; to rid it of Evil in all its forms. Through Komoto I have been able to keep an old promise of mine so far by protecting you and the others since you beat Fate's hand. However, it will take much more than him and your friends to overcome what Evil has in store for you next. I'm afraid…that the final fight is near…"
Rika was surprised as to how this man knew exactly what she was thinking. If anything, she could only guess this man's eyes had something to do with it. When Komoto's eyes changed and had some ability to peer into the depths of peoples souls, she thought it was all but some odd phenomenon of seeing into the hearts of those who were inhabitants from Hinamizawa. However, if this was some other power that Reimei possessed, then Rika could only fear such a thing. This man knew exactly what she was thinking, bringing his thoughts and hopes on the matter to the point.
"Hanyuu spoke of such things before, and as of late I've been dwelling on it greatly. If you truly are an ally, then tell me what it is so that I can face it head on. Tell me what Evil plans to do to us, and tell me how I can defeat it once and for all." Rika seemed wiser in tone to the man, who surprisingly only shook his head in response with a frown. Rika began to feel somewhat worried at her simple request.
"I can not…"
"Why? What keeps you from such a simple request?"
"Rika-chan, I am capable of practically destroying Evil with my Will alone in this dimension, but I can not interfere any more than this. There are things beyond my own power which prevent me from helping. It will come down to you and the others if you wish to destroy Evil and save this dimension. To truly destroy Evil, you will need to realize the Truth of Fate…"
"The Truth of Fate?"
At this, the man smiled and reached into his pocket for some item. In seconds he threw into the gap of space between them an object which Rika could see in slow motion. As time slowed down whilst the it traveled in mid flight, Rika realized that this item was something of a shard, blue in form and glowing with images only known to Rika as her past lives. As she reached out for the item, everything started to become dark once more, the whispers of the man echoing into her dreams.
"The past will collide, and so will every life feel this impact of worlds. You already know the answer, so find the pieces to the puzzle…"
"WAIT! Tell me, where do I look? How do I solve it?" she yelled out once more, trying to find some sort of answer.
"Look to the places…which defined who you all are…"
/
"GAH!"
"Rika-chan, calm down! You just had a bad dream, that's all…"
"H..Hanyuu? Mii…what happened?" spoke Rika. She found Hanyuu sitting next to her, smiling and patting her forehead. Hanyuu tried her best to put Rika at ease, seeing her sweating in panic as it was.
"You seemed to have a nightmare, Rika-chan. Satoko-chan went to get you a cold washcloth…ah, there she is…"
Satoko came over and knelt down by their sides, seeming really tired from waking up in the middle of the night. She placed the washcloth on Rika's forehead, cooling off her fever for the moment.
"You seem a little sick Rika. Are you feeling ok?" asked Satoko, concerned.
"I don't know. I think it was just too hot in the room…." Rika rubbed her eyes, trying to brush off the fatigue from the latter part of the previous day. She had to admit, though, she did feel very feverish.
"Maybe you should go take a cold bath to cool down. We'll also open the windows more for everyone, ok?" Hanyuu smiled to reassure her; however, Rika wearily nodded, got up and did as told.
What Rika didn't catch as she turned her back was Hanyuu's strong gaze in her direction, the cold stare in her eyes as she knew exactly what had happened.
20 minutes later…
"Brr…it's cold, but refreshing at least."
Rika's bath was extremely cold, but refreshing none the less. Her fever instantly vanished upon soaking into the icy chill of the water. She sighed in relief, happy to find some escape from the heat wave that very day in Hinamizawa.
"If it weren't for all the heat, I wouldn't be so restless in bed. That was a weird dream though…"
Rika soaked her head down into the tub, only the part of her nose and the top of her face now above the water. She rested for a few moments in contemplation, trying to remember some parts of the dream.
*Reimei…Ryuu? Such an odd name…and…he even said something…about Evil coming to Hinamizawa again. What is going on?* She thought quietly. Sighing, she turned on the water again to make the tub fill up with some more cold water; the temperature in the air turning the once cool water slowly back to warm.
"Evil…if only he told me how…maybe then I could have had a solution to…"
"The past will collide, and so will every life feel this impact of worlds. You already know the answer, so find the pieces to the puzzle…"
"WAIT! Tell me, where do I look? How do I solve it?" she yelled out once more, trying to find some sort of answer.
"Look to the places…which defined who you all are…"
"…this puzzle. I have the answer already, he said. Now I just need to realize it and look for the pieces…what does he mean by that? I can already feel the presence…slowly creep into Hinamizawa. It's calling for all of us here…it wants us to sustain it. So how do I defeat Evil before it can do so? Maybe I should go meet to Komoto-senpai tomorrow and talk it over with him some more…"
Unbeknownst to Rika, someone outside the bathroom door stood silently, listening in on Rika's inner thoughts and turmoil. Hanyuu did her best to conceal herself, lightly stepping away without a sound from the exterior area and returning back to the bedroom for some sleep. Even in the darkness, she grinned at Rika's determination to succeed. However, even the answer to the test in the end was unknown to her. Even she, a demi-god, could not foretell the future, but only bend it to her liking.
/
The next day was even hotter than the last, the heat wave certainly taking its toll on the residents of Hinamizawa. Walking under the shadows of the trees that day certainly presented a small relief from the scorching rays of light. Thankfully, a storm seemed to grow once more in the distance, the much needed rain coming to Hinamizawa and refreshing its inhabitants for a couple of days at most sometime in the near future.
With the sound of the cicadas crying in unison, Rika walked a casual pace in the direction of the main dirt roads, the place from which she would trek once more to Komoto and Mizuho's home. Traveling alone that day Rika, wearing a summer dress and a wide hat for the occasion, enjoyed the peaceful walk whilst minding the summer heat at best. Before leaving, Satoko and Hanyuu both urged her to drink plenty of water, to which she carried at her side a canteen filled with water and ice. Sipping on it occasionally, she found its coolness able to soothe her from the heat momentarily.
As she walked farther down the road, Rika could see other inhabitants of Hinamizawa working in the rice fields or riding bikes to and from the road which takes one to Okinomiya. She smiled at anyone waving to her, recognizing many of the villagers in response. She was happy to have been able to experience this peace again in the village, but such thoughts only brought her back to memories of the dream the previous night. Rika sighed, trying to shake it off for the moment to enjoy the sunny day.
"Keiichi, block with a higher stance! You have to compensate for her speed by being three moves ahead of her!"
"And Mi-chan, if you are going to overcome Keiichi's strength, you need to use it against him. Get in close and pick off any loose arms or legs if you see the opportunity…"
"One…two…three! HIYAH!"
*Crash*
"Eh? What was that?"
Just as Rika came into view of Komoto and Mizuho's home, she heard yelling from the back yard. As no one else but her was around, she found it odd that with all the yelling that no one thought otherwise someone was being attacked. She knew better, however, recognizing Mion, Mizuho and Komoto's voices along with Keiichi grunting here and there. Rushing to the backside while carrying her bag, Rika found what appeared to be Keiichi and Mion sparring against one another, whereas Mizuho stood from the sidelines watching. Komoto, on the other hand, kept himself busy over on a bench. In front of him laid an assortment of tools; wire cutters, blocks of what looked like clay, wires, timers, cords, etc. He seemed intense in what he was doing; making sure that everything was perfect for whatever he was working on. Other than that, she noticed while slowly walking over to him how much his hand had healed. Rika could even bet Komoto wouldn't even need the cast anymore if he wanted to.
"Kei-kun, I won't give in so easily because I'm a girl! Take this!" yelled Mion. She was wearing a sparing outfit; black pants with a white t-shirt. As Keiichi raised his arms to block, she threw punches left and right at him, managing to land a couple shots in the off chance that he stumbled.
"Not a chance Mi-chan! I'm a lot stronger than you realize! You just need to make one slip and then you're mine…" Keiichi's footing shifted here and there, trying to evade every one of Mion's attacks. Rika had to admit, Keiichi was definitely getting stronger day by day. It came as no surprise to see him put up a good fight against both Mion and Komoto on separate occasions.
"Mii…"
"WHAH!"
To his surprise, Rika stood at Komoto's side, looking over his shoulder as he seemed to be attaching some important wires to something. From uttering her usual catchphrase, Rika startled Komoto, his reaction coming in the form almost having a heart attack. He threw into the air in surprise the device he was working on, then in succession quickly catching it and gently holding it in his hands. He sweated a bit from this event, sighing in relief that he caught the item.
"Phew! Eh?" Komoto looked down to see Rika standing next to him smiling.
"Nipah!"
"Rika-chan? Sorry, I didn't notice you. I was, uh, kind of busy with this…stuff…"
"Mii…what are you working on Komoto-senpai?" Rika asked genuinely. She looked over the random items on the table, along with Komoto's tools. She picked one up randomly and read the side of the label. "C…4? What is this? Is it clay?"
"Ah…Rika-chan, you might want to put that stuff down. It's very volatile if a spark hits it. I'm kind of working on some demolitions for the Dam site. The village elders asked me to do it for them, seeing as I happened to have enough to spare for the occasion. Besides that, it would be cheaper for the village, so I volunteered under duress…" He sighed, cracking his fingers and looking over the items once more. He set aside what he was doing and turned his attention back to Rika again.
"Duress? What do you mean?"
"Well…Mi-chan begged me to, so how could I refuse? Heheheh….besides, I get to practically push the button in the end." Komoto practically drooled over the idea of blowing up something, so he was putting his all into making the devices as perfect as possible.
"Wait, so what you're saying is that…this stuff in my hand is a bomb?" Rika looked at him with a deadpanned face. He smiled and nodded, at which she instantly set it down and ran behind a tree, scared.
"Mii!"
"Wait, Rika-chan, I didn't mean to…"
"Komoto-kun!"
*Bam*
"Ugh…."
At the moment Rika ran in terror, Mizuho came up behind Komoto, sending a deadly chill down his spine. He sweated, turned around at the last second, and saw Mizuho sending a punch into his head. He fell over on the ground, with Mizuho irritated at him scaring Rika like that.
"Komoto-kun, you can't terrify her like that. Rika-chan is a child, so don't give her any wrong impressions…" Mizuho smiled in Rika's direction, assuring her it was safe to come over. Rika slowly did so, making sure to stay away from the table. If it was one thing she didn't like, it was fire and explosions.
"Ow…hey, will you lay off the beatings already? I haven't done a single thing to deserve that!"
"Oh, I'm sure you'll eventually deserve it. Besides, if you're complaining about my little hits then come the next couple of months you're gonna be in a lot worse, I hope you know, hehehe!" Mizuho smiled darkly in his direction, causing Komoto to swallow his pride and face her head on.
"In that case give me your best shot!"
"Um…you guys…" murmured Rika.
"Eh?" the couple spoke in unison.
"Sorry, but play nice, ok?" Rika smiled up to them, causing the two to quit their antics for the time being. Komoto sighed and looked at his watch, finding it noon already.
"And I say that's lunch, what do you guys think…hey, what the heck is this? A make out session?"
During Komoto and Mizuho's argument, it seemed like Keiichi and Mion had delivered some finishing blows to one another, sending both of them into a heap on the grass. Mion was on top of Keiichi, panting heavily while Keiichi lied motionless staring up to Mion, both of them blushing. As they smiled and moved in for a quick kiss, Komoto and Mizuho both yelled at them, embarrassed a little to see such a thing.
"EH! Oh, sorry, we weren't…" went Keiichi.
"Yeah yeah, sure. At least do that on your own time in the woods somewhere…"
"Yeah, and Keiichi can knock up Mi-chan while he's at it…" muttered Mizuho, managing to have the last laugh on Komoto. He sunk his head and sighed in defeat.
"Hmm…why don't you two go clean up before lunch? We'll call it a day, ok? Hey, by the way, Rika-chan, what brings you here today?" Komoto asked, looking down at her.
"Well, I wanted to talk to you about some things actually. I know you're busy, but do you have the time?"
"Sure. Why don't you stay for lunch and we'll talk after?"
"Yeah, you should stay. We have plenty of food to go around. With my pregnancy and all, I have to eat a lot more than normal, so Komoto made sure to stock up."
"Ok, that sounds great."
/
"So Rika-chan, what's up? I thought you were with Hanyuu and Satoko today," spoke Mion. She and Keiichi sat outside on the porch, sipping on iced tea and eating some sandwiches. While Keiichi ate away hungrily on his food, Mion asked why Rika had come over.
"Satoko went to visit Shi-chan and Satoshi-kun for the day. However, Hanyuu went with Rena-chan to Okinomiya to do errands. Otherwise, I just needed to talk to Komoto-senpai for a bit. What were you and Keiichi doing by the way? For a moment, I thought you were demonic again and started to attack him." Rika smiled then began to eat her own food, whereas Komoto and Mizuho began preparing their own meals. Mion just smiled nervously and blushed, laughing from the misconception.
"Well, Kei-kun's parents aren't back till Monday, and today we just decided to take up Komoto-san and Mizuho-sensei's offer to do some training. My mother thought it would be good also to, um; get out of the house too…" she laughed again.
"Oh, were you bored in the house?" asked Rika.
"No, actually. But my mom is still worrying over me about taking over the family business, so we had another talk with Sis and decided it was best to divvy up the workload and compromise on some things. The elders even approved of it too! So Sis and I are going to manage the family together now. I'm glad it worked out for us." Mion smiled and began to dig into her own food too.
"That's good to hear. Now all you need to do is have your parent's meet Keiichi's and then finalize the marriage proposal and the living arrangements. Are you excited?"
"How couldn't I be? I get to have a permanent slave all to myself, heheheh!" chuckled Mion. However, Keiichi just spit his food out in response opposing that last remark.
"Wait a minute! Mi-chan, if I'm going to marry you then you will be my slave just as much as I will be yours, got that? I won't let our relationship even come close to interfering with our game club and punishment games, you hear me?"
"Hah! Let's see you try to defeat this old man! You may be the magician of words, Kei-kun, but I am the club leader! It will take a thousand years before you ever get one up on me!"
Keiichi and Mion went at it again, the fire burning strongly in their eyes once more. They smiled in unison, gritting their teeth at one another for another showdown. By this time, though, Komoto and Mizuho had finished preparing their meals and joined them on the porch.
"Going at it again I see? Maybe I underestimated your energy levels. How about you guys run it off after lunch? Say, 4 miles?" Komoto grinned in their direction, sending chills down their spines and terror in their minds.
*Gulp*
"We'll be good…" they said in unison. Both Keiichi and Mion dropped their heads, too tired for more training that day. If anything, the only other training they had in their mind involved a soft bed and a dark room later on.
"That's the spirit. Now time to eat!"
20 minutes later…
After everyone finished their meals, Komoto sat alone with Rika while Mizuho, Keiichi and Mion finished cleaning up the dishes. The sun shined down through the umbrella set up over the table, the air becoming a little hotter as the day moved on. Thankfully, with iced tea in hand and the shade over them, they enjoyed the scenic back yard for awhile, not saying much. After some time passed Rika decided it was best to share her thoughts with Komoto.
"I had a weird dream last night, Komoto-senpai."
"Hmm? A dream? What was it about?"
"I can't really describe to you how real it was. I was in a room sitting across from some man. He looked almost like you, but he had gray-colored hair. His eyes were even bandaged up like yours once were. However, he said that he came to warn me that…Evil is coming to Hinamizawa again. He said that in order to defeat Evil, I needed to understand something called the 'Truth of Fate'. More so, he said that I had all the answers, and that I just needed to realize it and collect the pieces to the puzzle to defeat Evil. It was so weird, yet…so real…"
Rika sighed and then sipped on her iced tea again. However, it didn't occur to her until a few moments had passed that it became eerily quiet around them. The wind stopped blowing, the heat ceased off around the area which they sat, and even the songs of the cicadas died off. Rika set her glass down, looking over to Komoto once more. What she saw stunned her.
Komoto's glass shook in his hand, his eyes wide in contemplation. Without saying a word, Rika watched as Komoto's pupils suddenly grew smaller, her thoughts that he either felt scared for once or that he was remembering something deeply in his mind. Thinking that she may have done something wrong, Rika nudged him a little, fortunately waking him out of the trance.
"Komoto-senpai…what's wrong?" Komoto shook his head a little then sunk his head back into his chair. He sighed, closing his eyes to remember his own dream.
"I had the same one…"
"What? Really?"
"Yeah…let me guess. The man wore white and black clothing, and the room had 8 sides to it; am I correct?" Rika could only nod in response, causing him to sigh once more. "I wonder…what exactly is going on too. He said the same thing to me almost, and yet, I don't get any of it really. If Evil is coming here to Hinamizawa, then…"
"Komoto-senpai…he said you were his counterpart…"
At this mention, Komoto looked at her wide-eyed again, finally receiving part of the answer he himself dwelled on since he had the dream. He tried his best to make sense of it.
"So you're telling me that he's connected to me?"
"Yes. In other worlds we are connected to other people. That man…Reimei Ryuu, I think his name was…even said there were others you were connected to. I even…have someone I am linked to…"
"You're linked to someone too? Who is it?" Komoto was eager to hear the answer, but Rika shook her head.
"I don't want to say. It's a secret of mine, one that shouldn't be shared."
"That's hardly fair, Rika-chan. Tell me…you can trust me."
Rika looked up to Komoto, seeing the truth in his eyes. She supposed it wouldn't hurt if he knew, so she decided best against her original judgment and gave in.
"Bernkastel. I am connected to someone named Fredrica Bernkastel…"
"Bernkastel? Isn't that the name of your favorite wine?"
"It's a name I adopted over the course of my lifetimes in a never-ending cycle of torture and death. I used that pseudo name for many years to refer to my mind rather than the body you see now, and in the dark voids of the regions between Kakera I met her in a dream. She looked…just like me, but she seemed much colder. Her eyes were the only thing different between our appearances. They were so dark and deep without care or concern. Since I met her, she has been one of the driving forces in beating Fate…"
"Fredrica Bernkastel? So who is this man I'm connected to then? I couldn't remember most of the dream until now, but if I remember correctly I woke up from it just as I was about to find out…"
"His name…it was Reimei Ryuu. A traveler of dimensions…"
After sitting together quietly for a few more moments, Komoto got up and rested over the porch rail, looking out into the vast areas of Hinamizawa. He remained silent for awhile, trying to sort out everything that was happening that moment. After a while longer, he turned around to Rika again, not sure what to make of all of it.
"Rika-chan, if you came to me looking for answers, then I have none for once. I honestly wish I could give you one, but there's so little information here right now that I can't discern anything from it. Somehow, though, I think that's ok for now…"
"But Komoto-senpai, how can you be ok with just that answer? How can you be satisfied with just knowing these facts and nothing more? Don't you want to find out the answer to this riddle too?" Rika looked at him with a solemn face, hoping that he believed her. Komoto, though, smiled in response, reassuring her.
"Yes, I do want to find the answers. Rika, I can't do it alone though…"
"…Through Komoto I have been able to keep an old promise of mine so far by protecting you and the others since you beat Fate's hand. However, it will take much more than him and your friends to overcome what Evil has in store for you next. I'm afraid…that the final fight is near…"
"He said that exact thing. If I look at it, I have only been able to defeat Fate's hand by having all the cards available in my hand. Somehow, that won't be enough for this final game. I need something else…he said I need to realize the 'Truth of Fate', then gather the pieces…"
"The 'Truth of Fate'…I think he means my original theory on life. It would explain how Evil is intruding into Hinamizawa. However…I think there's more to it than that. If Reimei Ryuu is anything like me, he will instigate riddles within riddles. Am I correct?"
"Yes, that would make some sense."
"Then I think, if I am correct in assuming Reimei is like me, then he has intended for you to figure that out. I did the same thing when I faked my death to lure Mizu-chan and unexpectedly the Dark Spector back to Hinamizawa. If anything, Reimei wants you to solve this one on your own…" Komoto sighed, his gaze now focused on Mizuho and Mion in the kitchen putting away the dishes. Around the corner, Keiichi came into view and poked his head outside the open doorway.
"Hey, we're just about finished in here cleaning up."
"Thanks Keiichi. I'm guessing you and Mi-chan are heading off then?"
"Yeah, I need to clean my house up some more before my parents come back Monday. On top of that, Mi-chan and I are staying in tonight to watch a scary movie." Keiichi smiled at the idea, hoping to give Mion a good scare before bed. He had to admit to himself, getting one up on Mion every now in then was healthy for him.
"Ok, just remember what you learned today, ok? Next time we'll go over some new moves and more techniques for everything else. Take care!"
"Oh, wait, Keiichi!"
"Hmm, what's up Rika-chan?" Keiichi looked at her with a quizzical face.
"If it's ok with Mi-chan, will you be around next week to help with some things at the shrine? The Crimson Lotus festival will be coming up in 3 weeks, and I need to clean up the shrine for the event. Plus, the Oyashiro statue could use a good cleaning, so I would like you to help with that as well." Rika smiled at Keiichi, laughing on the inside a bit from her inside joke.
"Hmm? Yeah I see no problem…hey, wait, why do you need to ask Mi-chan for my help? I have free will too you know!" Keiichi fumed at the request, his cheeks getting redder by the second. However, as he rose his hands into the air while cursing the thought, Mion suddenly came up behind him, grinning at his misfortune.
"Why THANK you Rika-chan. I'm glad someone at least knows Kei-kun's place! Just for that, I'll lend ya him for the day. Please use him to the fullest extent and make sure to make him work till he begs for mercy!" Mion said in what was considered close to Shion's sing song voice. She stuck her tongue out at him, causing Keiichi to fume even more. Komoto and Rika just chuckled at the spectacle.
"Ok, Nipah!"
"HEY! MI-CHAN!"
"Nyah! Catch me if you can Kei-kun!"
With that said, Mion rushed outside to the road, running past Mizuho on the way out. Keiichi soon followed close behind, trying to catch up before she ran out of his sight. He angrily chased her over the lawn and back down the dirt road, yelling at her for making use of him like that. Overall, though, it was all in good fun between the two; Mion jokingly getting another jab at Keiichi's slavery status that summer.
"Ah, youth. I wish I was 16 again. Would be fun…" Mizuho waved the two off, then closed the door, sighing. She went back into the kitchen to finish up and meet Komoto back outside.
Given the funny sight of Keiichi being used like a slave by Mion, the good laugh was much needed to break the tense air between Komoto and Rika. After a few more moments, Komoto looked back to Rika again, hoping to cheer her up from such thoughts.
"Rika-chan, I know you have a lot on your mind right now, and so do I, but don't let it get to you that much. I don't know what the future holds for us, and I don't know when Evil will strike, but I can assure you…" Komoto raised a fist up to their eye level, his grip tight and strong in a show of determination to her "…I'll be right beside you to face it head on. That's a promise!"
Rika looked at Komoto with wide eyes, amazed at how much this man had changed since the first time she met him. With his courage at her use, Rika was sure that no matter what would come their way in time that her friends would always be there for her. She casted her head down, feeling stupid to think that Fate would soil her confidence so easily. In the next second, she raised her head, nodding with a smile.
"Thank you, Komoto-senpai…"
"Hey, what are you two up to?" Mizuho came outside again, watching the two finish up their talk. Komoto just smiled to her, then walked up and gave her a sudden hug.
"It's nothing love. Don't worry about it."
"Yeah, everything's going to be alright! Nipah!"
"Um, ok, if you say so. Well in that case, are you still up to heading out to Okinomiya for awhile?" Mizuho blushed from Komoto hugging her, and stepped back scratching her cheek a little in embarrassment.
"Yeah, sounds good. I really need to finish the devices for the demolitions in two weeks. We'll head to the hardware store first…"
Rika got up and brushed herself off. At the same time, Komoto gave her a nod, which was her cue to take off. After waving goodbye, Rika trekked along the porch to the grass lawn, back towards the dirt road for another long walk back to her house. The day was becoming more humid, and as the wind slowly became stronger, Rika could tell in the air that there was a heavy moisture about it.
"Mii…guess it's going to rain tonight. Oh well, I'll stay in with the others and watch a movie I guess."
/
These scenes played over in a dark orb, one sitting before a strange man in an ever-shifting light and dark room. While in this 8 sided room, the man wearing white and black clothing, yet, with cloths over his eyes watched the orb and the events it had showed to him. He grinned as the images viewed Rika and Komoto, as well as Keiichi and Mion walking back home for the night. Dismissing the orb's images for now, he sat back in his chair, remaining contemplative for the time being.
"Rika-chan, be resilient yet remain logical. You will find your answers and much more if you realize the truth soon enough…"
"My, and what may I say are you doing here, Sir?"
Reimei Ryuu, who had sat alone unbeknownst to the other presence in the room, suddenly stood up and looked around. Before him a mirage of some dark shape appeared, soon becoming that of a woman wearing a black gothic dress and sporting long, purplish-blue hair. She also possessed a black cat-like tail; a blue bow tied at its end. Among the frilly pieces of the dress were more bow ties and blue assortments. This woman's cold, dull gaze, though, held something deserving of respect in it.
"Heh, Fredrica Bernkastel, my how the mighty have fallen…" spoke Reimei with spite.
"Your words hold venom, but mine burn much more. Please, while in my dimension watch your tongue…" Bernkastel smiled at him, her cold stare ever present before him. She walked over and sat in one of the 8 chairs of the room, now summoning forth some tea in a cup to sip on. "Now tell me, Reimei Ryuu, what is it that you are trying to accomplish in my dimension? I've been watching you from the sea of Kakera for some time, and it disturbs me greatly to find you meddling in things you shouldn't. Just what is it that you hope to accomplish with your counterpart Komoto Hagara?" She closed her eyes, sipping on some tea in earnest to hear his answers.
"Just as you are doing in interfering with the lives of Battler and the rest of the Ushiromiya clan…"
Just as quickly as she sipped on her tea, Bernkastel put the cup to the side, letting it float effortlessly in the air. She glared at him, the depths of her mind wondering how he knew of such a thing.
"Oh really? So you intend to become a game master?"
"On the contrary, you cold hearted bitch. I intend to do the opposite of what you're doing for Battler. I'm going to help Rika and the others finally end this nightmarish hell and restore the balance!"
Reimei spoke to Bernkastel with anger in his voice. He didn't respect her, that much was clear, but she took no heed to it, finding no care in his words. She merely studied him, confused a little as to how he knew so much. Knowing about Komoto, though, she could only guess why.
"Tell me, why do you hate me? Have I done something to you in the past?"
"I don't hate you. Rather, I pity you for what you became." If one could know his feelings, Reimei would honestly declare that he did feel sadness for the woman. He saw her memories as if they were his own, and to know such pain and anger over the years, on top of the cold darkness she eventually embraced without any light, was what led him to pity her so.
"Pity…that's something I also don't care for. I am the cruelest witch of them all, so don't tread in my path…" Bernkastel sighed and looked at Reimei again, smiling darkly "...I am curious about your nature, though. You seem to provide quiet the answer to my boredom as of late…"
"Boredom? That's all witches care about these days…preventing boredom and their own deaths. It's expected though…you lost your humanity by becoming a witch…" Reimei returned to his own seat and rested his head on his fist. He studied Bernkastel some more before speaking again.
"If it weren't for how droll everything was, I wouldn't need to find entertainment, now would I? Boredom is any witch's greatest enemy. So for now, please, go on as you will and don't bore me, ok?" Bernkastel laughed softly at Reimei, chuckling even as she sat back in her seat more. She sighed, blushed in the cheeks a little from such a joke. However, as she peered closer at Reimei, she could see that there was no emotion in his face. Rather, she knew his look as something else; one of confidence and great power.
"Fine…I'll entertain you for the time being. I will, though, guarantee you that your world and everything you ever thought about this dimension will come crashing down, and in its place I will build a spectacle that even you will fail to understand. I will make you see just how foolish you yourself are. I will make you…see the Truth of Fate in the end…"
"Then do so…and let this game continue. Before I move on with Battler, let me see what Reimei Ryuu will try to accomplish against this unseen enemy…"
/
He who was called the Morningstar,
Was the highest above all Angels.
However, as balanced as he was,
Evil still tainted his thoughts,
And so, the Morningstar fell from grace,
Descending into Hell as its keeper.
However, even he was not the first…
And what I learned from this was that,
Those closest to you are even able to fall…
Sometimes much farther.
Such was one of many contemplations of life.
Next time on Hinamizawa Hell: Arc 3 Ch. 3: "Horror Night"
Are you scared?
Author's Note: Hello again everyone. With college done for the semester, and another summer here for me to write, I bring you yet another chapter of the final arc to this story.
Though I tried hard to write during school, the time was neither here nor there to do so. I will make up for that this summer by trying my hardest and making this arc as best as I can. I am confident that you will see to this as one of the most defining chapters of the Higurashi series. So stay tuned and enjoy!
Also, like always, please review!