It was approximately 36 hours later. A large shinto gate stood in the middle of the clearing, an odd sight compared to the dense forest and wet grass surrounding it. The sun beamed down, curving around the old wood and dancing upon the specks of dew that still remained on the grass.
Four beings stood there.
One was tall, a racially-ambiguous man whose cornered, solid face, maniac's grin, and dangerously gleaming eyes projected a visage full of malice. His large black cloak with silvery fur lining covered his back and part of his bare chest. His skin was a pale, with a touch of grey to it. The steely layers of pure muscle which constituted as abs were still, having no oxygen to disturb their peace. Various orbs, skulls, artifacts, potions, and other oddities hung from his clothes, rattling against each other every time he moved.
"God, I fucking hate the way you do that. Could have just drawn a few goddamn runes, thrown down some magic shit, and we teleport straight here. But nooooooo, you gotta use that weird 'offscreen movement' power." he complained, scratching his head.
The hooded man was leaning against the gate, positioned so not an of his body was visible. He was slightly slouched, so his true height and shape was disguised. He decided not to dignify Tenedim's words with an answer. He was quite used to the man's bickering.
He turned his veiled head towards Jodith, a petite girl that looked to be around 12. Her long, light brown hair fell against her blue overalls and short-sleeved shirt, big blue eyes and light skin only making her more cutesy. She had a large camping backpack on, filled to the brim with all manner of survival equipment.
"… Really now, Jodith. I did say it would be quite dangerous, but that is… excessive to say the least. Can you even carry all of that?"
"Y-yeah! Totally fine here." she said, wobbling a bit as she balanced the huge weight. "I would like NO help at all, thank you very much. ESPECIALLY from someone who could carry this thing with one hand without even trying." She acted as sarcastic as she could, her efforts only causing the other three to chuckle.
"Oh, good. Glad to hear you don't need any help."
"Well that's - I…" She cut herself off with a huff. "Why do I hang out with these three…" she grumbled, putting on a pouty face.
"GRIPES aside, hehe, let us… DISCUSS our method of departure, hmm? What rhyme or reason doth exist that illustrates for us for what we have gathered here to accomplish?" Gnasher spat out.
It was… grotesque. It looked like the creation of a child using random parts and sections of many creatures. It had bird-like feet, scales covering its right arm, five differently shaped sheaths at its crusty hips, an orange patch of skin stretched across the bottom of its chest, a patch of fur on his shoulders, and much, much more. He was shirtless, the only clothing on him a torn pair of brown pants loosely held to him by white rope.
"Thank you for the re-direct, Gnasher. The opening we are using to get inside of Gensokyou's barrier is this gate." The figure gestured to the vaguely red structure. "This so happens to be one of the only entrances where Yukari - you'll meet her, don't worry - has neglected to reinforce. It was formerly one of the main entrances to the land, many thousands of years ago, when travel in and out of the Gensokyou was commonplace. Much trade and business was done using it, creating a flourishing community of yokai who accepted and lived with each other, regardless of species."
A hint of sorrow entered his hollow voice as he uttered the next segment. "Unfortunately, over the years, the yokai became fearful of each other, suspecting their neighbors of thievery, bullying the weak in an attempt to demonstrate dominance, trusting only themselves. Eventually the situation devolved into what it is now. Bands of yokai secluded to their individual territories, all thought of a untied peoples lost."
While the two men merely listened in silence, Jodith was completely encapsulated within the tale's embrace, her eyes locked on the hooded figure, hands clasped in anticipation. He was secretly very pleased by her interest. He did LOVE to tell stories, especially when they were of his own creation.
"This gate was abandoned, the magics connecting the two planes removed, and over time, the forest grew back around it. The bark from their shacks and rope from their caravans have long rotted into the earth, now covered by clean, fresh grass. Reality itself seems to have forgotten this gate."
He grinned, spread mouth covered by his black cloth. "Except, of course, for me."
Tenedim let out a cackle, startling Jodith as well as the birds in the surrounding area. Yet while the birds flew away in fear, Jodith could only fall, her stance shaken apart by the sudden noise. She hit the grass on her side with an "Oof!".
"WELL, that has ME all riled up and ready to motherfucking go! Let's cut the chit-chat-shit, and get this fucking ball ROLLING!" Tenedim danced from side to side, laughing in a way that could only be described as demented.
Jodith hauled herself to her feet as he spoke, mumbling something about "godforsaken buttholes", and the hooded figure nodded, pushing himself off the column.
"Sounds good, Tenedim. Just give me a moment to prepare the transportation."
The hooded figure turned to the gate, pulled out his notebook and super-fine pencil, and began to write. As he scribbled black marks into the paper, the air around the gate began to shimmer and wave, the area seeming to light up a bit. The worn paint, which had miraculously held its ground after all these years, began to lighten, regrowing into the thick wood like a crimson moss. The gate itself began to return to its original state, healing cracks and bends within the delicate woodwork, and straightening its posturein order to return to its full height.
Jodith decided to sit back, and watch the enchantment unfold. She very rarely got to witness the hooded figure's strange abilities at work, yet every time she happened upon the chance, she was amazed. It was as if he was moving time itself, commanding it to turn its head backwards by simple writing some things down. Even Tenedim, who had extensive knowledge and expertise in the art of magic was forced to admit that the feats the hooded figure was able to accomplish were near god-like. Jodith felt a tiny sting of jealousy at his mastery. She wished she could control her powers like him, regarding her ability as a gift rather than a curse.
She sighed. Oh well. Maybe she could find someone in Gensokyou that could help her.
Meanwhile, Tenedim had lumbered over to Gnasher, and begun talking to it in a low voice.
"So, Gnash. What were you planning on doing in Gensokyou?"
"Welllllll… I wasssss thhhhhhinking of travellllllling arouuuuuuuund, seeeeeeing the sightsssss, maaaaaybe acquiring soooooooome newwwwww partsssssss…" Gnasher hissed, lowering his own voice to match Tenedim's.
"Right, right. So, I had this motherfucking AWESOME idea, Gnash. See, you want to have some fun, get some fucking parts, kill some fuckers… and I want to have some REAL motherfucking fun, get some new bling, and add some heads to my name."
"… Go on…" Gansher nodded, seeing where he was going with this.
"And, see, if WE want the same fucking thing… maybe we could have a little… alliance…" Tenedim's eyes gleamed dangerously, his smirk pulled into a conspiratorial grin.
"… Tha' sounds bloody go-"
"Gentlemen!" the hooded figure's penetrating voice interrupted. "The gate is ready!"
And so it was. The gate had been completely restored, looking as if it had just finished being built. The space in between the columns was fluctuating wildly, dreamy images of forest, sky, and hard ground flowing in and out of view. The whole clearing was glowing, banishing any shadows from the area. Jodith was transfixed by it, the sight reflected in her big eyes.
"You can talk later. For now, I just need you through the opening before someone catches wind of this!"
Tenedim let out a tsk, muttering "we'll discuss this later" before the two headed towards the sparkling portal.
Jodith inched towards the gate, suddenly regaining the nervousness she had felt earlier. As Gnasher past her, he grabbed the backpack, hoisting her up and bringing her with him. She protested a bit, floundering around in the air as she cried "Stop it! Let me down! Gnasher!", but he payed it no mind.
"Alright, then, friends. Have a good time in Gensokyou." the hooded figure said, stepping to the side as Tenedim strode through the gateway, who's body twisted and curled before being absorbed by the air in a pulse of light. Gnasher walked just as confidently through the gateway, dropping Jodith down right before he disappeared.
Jodith stood there for a few seconds, hesitating. She was shaking slightly, kneading her hands together nervously. She was getting that dangerous sensation again, except this time it was humongous, freezing her body in place. She could easily die where she was going. She could tell, as she always could.
"Jodith."
She turned around, the hooded figure standing behind her.
"You will be fine." His words resonated with an absolute certainty that few beings had. He was not guessing, speculating, nor had he made plans to assure so. He knew.
Somehow, hearing that single sentence gave Jodith just the drive she needed. She smiled, taking a deep breath as she re-collected herself.
"Thank you."
He nodded, and gestured to the gate. She gave a thumbs up, moving back towards the portal. Just as she was about to cross over, she stopped.
"… What is your name?"
The thought had never occurred to her. She had known him for so long, and all she knew was his gender. He, of course, had planned it that way, deciding upon this very moment to reveal his title to her.
"Call me… The Narrator."
He gave her a tiny push, and she was gone.