Chapter 9

Preparations: Inside the Barrier

"So, any luck on getting Alex combat ready?" Yukari says.
"No, I don't think he'll be able to concentrate nearly enough to be able to learn anything before they try to attack again. What about you, any luck gathering more people to help?" Reimu says dejectedly.
"Well, I got one person. Everyone else was complaining about it being my fault and that I should handle my own problems, or said they were too busy with other things to pitch in." Yukari says.
"Well, who was that one person, and uh, couldn't you just use your border manipulation to make Alex able to use magic, Yukari?" Keine says.
"It was Rumia, but only under the condition that I remove her inhibitor for the duration of the fight. Also, no, I couldn't just give Alex magic, at least, not in a way that wouldn't rip his body to shreds." Yukari says.

Alex exits the shrine, sitting on the front porch with the three women, saying "Is… Is there anything I can do to help at all?"
Yukari is silent for a few moments. "That depends: How much do you want to help?" she says.
"I mean, this whole mess is my fault. So, I should do whatever I can to help, right?" Alex says.
"This is a bit more than just helping for one fight." Yukari says. "There is a way to teach you magic instantly, but if I do it… You will never ever be able to see your family again."
Alex winces at this information. "I-i-is that… Is it the only way for me to be able to help?" Alex says, about to cry.
"Yes." Yukari says, looking down sadly.

Alex stands up and walks back into the shrine. The three women faintly hear him crying. "What are you thinking of doing, Yukari?" Keine says.
"If he agrees," Yukari says, "I'm going to turn him into a youkai."
"What." both Reimu and Keine say, dumbfounded.
"Specifically, I'm going to create a Tsukumogami, and merge his soul with its while its soul is still weak." Yukari says.

"In order for you to be able to help us, I need to turn you into a youkai." Yukari says, having gone inside the shrine to speak with Alex.
Alex thinks about this for a long time, nearly two hours.
"I'm sorry to rush you, Alex, but I need to know whether we need to get you somewhere safe, or whether you'll help us in the upcoming fight. We can't be worried about you while we're trying to fend off the best the outside world has to offer." Yukari says, firmly but warmly.
"… Well… I can't just let Keine fight them without helping, not after the hospitality she's shown me. … Are you sure there isn't another way, Yukari?" Alex says.
"If there was, I wouldn't be asking you this. I know it's hard to give up your humanity, especially for people you hardly know." Yukari says. "Trust me, I truly do wish there was another way."
"Alright." Alex says. "I made a promise to myself, a long time ago… I am willing to die for my friends. I have been for years."

"You're sure about this, Alex? From what Yukari told me, there's no going back once she does this." Reimu says.
Alex laughs a hopeless laugh. "What kind of person would I be if I couldn't even keep promises to myself? … But… I'm scared…" Alex says, nervously playing with the collar of his shirt. He looks at Keine, and says "You've done so much for me since I got here, Keine. I see a chance to repay that now, and I am going to take it. I'm sad that I'll never see my parents again, but I couldn't face them if I just let someone like you die because I was too afraid to help. And as for my friends… I'm sure they'll understand. People move during their lifetimes, and sometimes we never see each other again. It's hard, but that's already happened to me before. Someone moved away a few years ago, and despite the internet and all of that stuff that should keep us in touch, I haven't spoken to him since then."

"You're a good person, Alex. I'm sure you're doing your parents proud." Keine says. She looks down for a moment, then looks back at the man. "Thank you, Alex. For everything you've done, for the school, and for Gensokyo. Thank you."

"Okay, Alex. If you had to choose one object from the outside world to have with you forever, what would it be?" Yukari asks.
Alex thinks for a while, before saying "My mother's bokkun. That way, I'll have a reminder of my parents, even with how far away they are."
"That wooden sword you hit me with?" Yukari says. Alex nods, and Yukari reaches into a gap, pulling out the sword. She manipulates the border between new and old, and, since it starts rotting, the border between useless and usable. The sword is now in perfect condition, and is ninety-nine years, 365 days, five hours and fifty-eight minutes old. This is exactly two minutes before it gains consciousness. She hands the sword to Alex. "Do not move. If you do, I have no idea what might happen." Yukari says. She gestures at Keine and Reimu, saying "Hold him still, if you would." They nod, and grab his arms.

A large magic circle appears on the ground, its center directly below Alex and the sword. There is one minute left. Yukari starts chanting something under her breath. A strange gust of wind starts blowing towards Alex from all sides. Thirty seconds. Yukari's chanting and the wind both pick up speed, causing Reimu and Keine to almost fall over. However, they hold Alex steady, and when the time of the sword's awakening comes to pass, Yukari says "Border Between Self and Other!" and there is a bright flash of light. Alex is unconscious, and the women take him into the shrine to recuperate.

"Alpha Team, this is base. Come in, Alpha Team"
"This is Alpha Team. We read you, base."
"Beta, Theta, and Gamma Teams are on their way, Alpha Team. They will arrive in one day, and then you will have one more day to show them exactly why we hired you. After that, we expect you to take the shrine, and capture or kill any creatures you might find there. Understood, Alpha Team?"
"Roger, Base. Don't worry, I'm not interested in losing my paycheck anytime soon, sir." click "Okay guys, we got one day 'til reinforcements arrive, and then one day to become one big, happy family. After that, we're going in."
"Understood, Alexis."