Upon the hard rock and tough dirt I was tossed upon, I somehow fell asleep from all the exhaustion. I couldn't keep myself from dreaming about Alice back up on the surface. I hope she's okay. I don't want to worry her sick. I promise to return back to the surface to her. But first, I'll need some help. I could faintly see sun rays above me at the top of this chasm of sorts and I barely heard a voice or two and some footsteps. The rest of what I remember was an entire blur, but I definitely couldn't feel the hard ground beneath me. Was someone or something carrying me? That could probably explain what I woke up to. I was still exhausted, but I opened my eyes just a bit and found myself in a house. Could I have been on the surface already? No, that can't be. I don't see sunlight. I also see my belongings up against the wall near me. I don't quite know what's going on, but my mind just needs time to wake up with me. I hear some voices outside, but I can't understand them clearly or tell who any of the voices belong to. Then I saw a tall blonde woman with a dress and a red horn on her forehead. I couldn't understand this unexplainable phenomenon as to why she of all people would take me in. I was looking up at Yuugi Hoshiguma, one of the Big Four Oni of the Mountain.
Yuugi: "I'm starting to question myself about why I brought a scrawny little man like you down here. Get up. I don't think the fall down here was too bad, or however you came here. Mind telling me how you got here?" Alright, so I am a bit on the small side when it comes to muscle, but having a woman with superhuman-like strength poke at the fact makes it a bit worse.
Reinhardt: "I don't mind telling you the whole story. Lemme jus... get myself awake after that huge ordeal I had at the Scarlet Devil Mansion. I came here for the wonders Gensokyo has to offer and I was sure in for a surprise alright."
Yuugi: "Well, things just got interesting. I guess it was a good idea to carry you down here after all." Down here? I must be in the Ancient City somehow. Hopefully I can find a way back up or someone can help me up. Someone like Yuugi.
Reinhardt: "I was thrown down here by Yukari. I bet you're familiar with her. Anyways, she, along with her friends, decided to hunt me down for coming in here by illegal means according to them, apparently. I saw nearly nothing wrong with the way I jumped through one of her portals into Gensokyo. I wanted to come here because of all of the corruption and tyranny going on in the outside world. I didn't want to wait around to see what the world around me would become. I wanted a way out. A way to be free from the tragic chaos unlike the chaos you and the other oni enjoy making."
Yuugi: "Wow, and I thought you were brave enough already to be found down here with us oni. So you decided to break free from the outside world and come here to a world full of dangerous adventure? You don't cease to amaze me yet. I guess your courage makes up for all of these scrawny little bones of yours. Tell you what, I'll make you a deal. I like you and your style so I want to help you. In return, I'd like to see you work those muscles of yours, if you have any. I'll train you and make you a bit stronger every day. Whaddya say?"
Reinhardt: "I've heard stories of the Oni and their unfaltering honesty and trustworthiness. I admire and respect that about you. It's a deal. I need to exercise anyways. I work my lower body enough running, but what I need is some more upper body strength. I believe I can trust you as far as you can throw me, but please don't test that! I had enough of being thrown around in the last 24 hours."
Yuugi: "Hehe, I can believe that. You hardly weigh a single pound to me. Don't worry. I promise to help you up to the surface and maybe even help you settle this thing between you and Yukari. Yukari's too powerful for you to handle, so I wouldn't mind fighting for you if I have to. It's just that I better see you lifting some weights like you mean it."
Reinhardt: "Don't worry, I intend to fulfill my side of the deal. I'm talking to one of the strongest oni in the underworld after all."
Yuugi: "Ah, so you've heard of me? Well, I am famous as one of The Big Four of the Mountain. I know a friend of mine who's also one of them, but she lives topside with humans and the other youkai. Don't ask me why she went up there, but I guess she must like the fresh air or something like that. But anyways, you must've been through a lot already. You better get some more rest while you can. We start training tomorrow."
Reinhardt: "Wait, so how can you tell when days pass? I do wonder."
Yuugi: "A few kappa from the surface made some clocks for us underground people and brought them down here, properly dialed and everything."
Reinhardt: "Hm, that's neat. I should meet one of these kappa. I take a liking for technology. Well good night, I guess. Oh, I'm Reinhardt, by the way. Nice to meet you."
Yuugi then properly introduced herself and then told me that I could sleep on the floor like in old Japanese culture. The place itself was like an old Japanese house. Since I didn't have my Bible with me (I left It with Alice) I could only hope that Alice could find the time to read It and understand the Word of God and hope that she didn't lose It or have It stolen by Marisa and tossed in with the junk in Marisa's house. If that were ever the case, I hope Marisa reads It and learns that her ways are wrong and repents. Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for always finding a way for me to survive and for protecting me from danger. Although I may be in a place that they call former hell, the only thing I believe is that You will find a way for me to get out of here thanks to my new acquaintance, Yuugi. May the praise and glory ever be to You, Lord and I shall serve You all my days. In Your Holy Name I pray, Amen.
