Knock.
Knock.
Knock.
The relentless pounding reverberates through the decayed walls, each strike threatening to obliterate what remains of the broken-down door.
"I've barely been in Gensokyo for, what, 50 minutes? Why am I already in trouble?" I think to myself "Sure this isn't my house, but it looks abandoned. Actually, calling this place a house gives it too much credit; it's more like a desolate shack."
The knocking persists, growing louder by the second. Whoever stands on the other side appears impatient, their persistence an unsettling omen.
Knock!
Knock!
Knock!
Thoughts race through my mind in a frenzied torrent. "Maybe it's a homeless person who wants my newfound home. No way—I won't let them claim what little refuge I have. But then again, what if it's a Youkai wanting to kill me? Fuck! Fuck! Fuck it all!"
If someone out there aimed to harm me, I wouldn't go down without a fight. I grip my sword tightly and hold it poised at the door. Suddenly, the knocking ceases, plunging everything into an eerie silence that lingers for a daunting ten seconds.
I released a breath I didn't realize I'd been holding. "I guess they've lef—"
FWOOSH!
Before I can finish my thought, a gust of wind barrels through the doorway, hurling the door toward me. The force sends me sprawling backward, narrowly evading the flying projectile that could have taken my head. In the chaos, my sword is torn from my grasp, joining the door in its flight.
"Ayayaya what do we have here!?" An obnoxious sounding voice loudly asks.
Before a thought could make its way into my head, before I even looked at who was the cause of the destruction, my fight or flight response immediately kicked in.
I chose flight.
I scramble to my feet, rushing toward the door in a desperate attempt to pass whoever—or whatever—stands at the front of it. However, my efforts are futile. Just as I near the door, another gust sweeps me off my feet, forcefully halting my advance and flinging me backward to the very spot on the ground I previously was.
"Hey now, you stay right where you are!" The obnoxious voice shouts.
Feeling a twinge of pain, I gently massage my head and glance up at the intruder.
The culprit behind the damage to my shack and the source of that grating voice turned out to be a woman. Her black hair matched the color of her wings, and she sported a distinctive black and white dress. The outfit resembles a blend of a maid's outfit and the traditional schoolgirl attire found in Japan. A peculiar tiny cap adorned her head, boasting two strings with three white balls attached to each side, while her crimson red eyes added a striking contrast to her overall appearance. Completing her strange ensemble were red shoes that seemed like a fusion between single-toothed geta* and regular girl's footwear.
*Geta are traditional Japanese sandals featuring an elevated wooden base secured by a fabric thong, commonly worn with traditional attire like kimono or yukata.
"Considering how powerful that gust of wind was and her having wings, it would be safe to assume that she's a youkai," I think to myself, trying to decide my next course of action. "Doremy was right; they may look human, but at the same time, they're the farthest from it. I should try and keep a cool head and be polite; that way, I have a better chance to survive."
The girl spoke first.
"So, what's a human like yourself doing so close to Youkai Mountain? Do you even know exactly where you've been taking shelter?" she asked.
I knelt down, performing the deepest and most respectful dogeza** I could manage.
**Dogeza is a deep kneeling bow in Japanese culture, often used as a gesture of apology, extreme gratitude, or a plea for forgiveness.
"I'm sorry!" I shouted with all my might. "I haven't been staying here for long. I actually just ended up here, if that makes sense! I'm lost and frankly pretty afraid! And if this place is of some Youkai cultural significance, I'm sorry for taking shelter in it!"
Inwardly, I cursed, "Youkai Mountain!? Seriously!? Out of all the places I could've ended up, it had to be Youkai Mountain!?"
A moment of silence enveloped us before the woman bursted into laughter.
"Ayayayaya! What a human I've found! Please, raise your head," she said between chuckles.
I sat up, still wary of her intentions.
"Let me introduce myself, my name is Aya Shameimaru! I am a crow tengu, as well as a newspaper reporter and writer for the Bunbunmaru Newspaper!" she proudly proclaimed. "I was flying home when I saw someone walking into Lord Tenma's old home. Not only was it suspicious, but it also might've made an interesting story for my newspaper!"
"Lord?" I asked.
"Yes, lord!" she emphasized. "Lord Tenma is the Chief of all the Tengu! Crow Tengu, White Wolf Tengu, Long-nosed Tengu, the whole bunch! This was his house before he established the Tengu village, and that sword and shield you have were also his!"
Of course, it just had to be some big shot's house.
"Well, Aya, I'm sorry for being a nuisance and loitering in such a sacred place. I'll leave immediately," I said as I stood up and bowed to her. "Oh, and the name is Hitoshi, by the way."
"Before you leave, why don't you tell me how you ended up here?" she asked.
"Oh, well, this person named Yukari transported me into this world. Against my will, if that wasn't obvious. I woke up in this shack like an hour ago," I explained.
She smirked, her expression radiating nothing but suspicion.
"Ayaya, I see! Yukari did this! Well, Hitoshi, why don't you just stay here? Nobody ever comes by, and you don't have the slightest bit of malice behind those eyes," she said, pointing at my blank, deadened eyes. "And I'm sure you would just die if I kicked you out, so you're free to stay here for as long as you'd like."
I hesitated before responding, "I definitely don't trust that, but she isn't wrong. I'll most likely be an easy dessert for some hungry youkai. Best to just take her word."
I extended my hand to the strange youkai.
"Shake on it," I proposed. "Promise me you won't tell anyone I'm here. Once I get my things in order, I'll leave. I need to find Yukari anyway, either her or whoever Reimu is."
"Reimu Hakurei?" she questioned as she shook my hand. "The shrine maiden's shrine is a ways away from here."
"Could you take me there?" I asked, hope evident in my eyes. "You seem strong, so I'm sure you could just, like, fly me there."
She completely ignored my request and let go of my hand.
"Listen, Hitoshi, it was nice meeting you. But I gotta go; I'm a big shot reporter, so I don't have too much time to chat!" she boasted.
She strode out where the door used to be and flew away, leaving a gust of wind in her wake.
"Could've fixed the fuckin' door." I remarked
I grab the dismantled door and lean it against the door frame. It definitely won't stop intruders like Aya, but it adds a bit of security. I then collect my thoughts.
The next task on my agenda was finding food, and it wouldn't be easy. Berries in forests often tend to be poisonous, and I couldn't bring myself to hunt wild animals. Fish seemed to be the most viable option for sustenance. I retrieve my sword, shift the door aside, and make my way back to the river.
Upon arrival, I rolled up my pants, removed my shoes and socks, and waddled into the river with my sword. Skewering fish in a fast-flowing river, I quickly learned, was far more challenging than anticipated. I spent nearly an hour attempting to secure myself a meal, uncertain whether it was dinner, lunch, or perhaps breakfast given the lost track of time. Sadly, I emerged from the river empty-handed, even hungrier than when I began, and nursing a stab wound on my right foot. My misguided attempt at fishing resulted in an accidental self-inflicted wound—a minor flesh wound on the right side, fortunately avoiding any bone.
"Fuck dude, it hurts so much!" I complain, collapsing onto the land beside the flowing water.
I try to collect my thoughts, yet the persistent rumbling of my stomach and the throbbing pain in my foot disrupt any chance of relaxation. As tempting as the notion of laying there until my demise is, I discard it as a fleeting thought, not a viable option.
The wound on my foot begins to seep more blood, and tears swell in my eyes. I use my sword to cut the bottom half of my pants, fashioning a makeshift bandage to stem the bleeding. After wrapping my foot, I put on my socks and slip into my shoes.
"I'll just head back," I muttered, the scent of defeat and anguish lingering with my exhale.
I limped my way back home and collapsed onto the worn mattress—a less than brilliant idea given its lack of comfort.
"Ow," I groaned.
I closed my eyes, seeking refuge for a few moments of rest to escape the gnawing hunger and piercing pain; this present hardship stirred memories of my father and our camping trip when I was thirteen.
Shikoku, Southern Island of Japan, 2018, 9:07 pm
"Listen, Hitoshi," my dad spoke softly as we fed wood into the fire pit. "Camping is about embracing nature's challenges. You're always confined to your room, working. This is an opportunity to unwind."
"Being bitten by mosquitoes in this awful humidity isn't my idea of relaxation. Plus, these darn splinters from the wood are driving me crazy," I grumbled, trying to pick out pieces of wood lodged into my fingers.
"Hahaha!" Dad chuckled heartily. "Kid, you're a mess!"
I shot him an irritated glare. Dad was a lover of the outdoors, finding solace in nature—more than I ever did. I couldn't fathom his fascination; nature unnerved me rather than brought peace. My sanctuary lay in my room, toiling away to secure a successful future.
"Hitoshi, you can't spend your life locked in your room. There's an entire world waiting for you to explore. It pains me to see my son so apprehensive about it. The world isn't here to harm you; it's here to nurture you," Dad explained.
I didn't fully comprehend his words, but I grasped the sentiment. Dad cared deeply for me; I was his only child. Yet, I couldn't envision myself being as adventurous and free-spirited as he was.
Dad tossed the last piece of wood into the fire and pulled out a match. About to light it, he hesitated and then handed it to me.
"Here," he said, "Ignite it, start the fire."
If this was one of his "inspirational lessons," I couldn't decipher its meaning.
"Okay," I agreed.
I struck the match and threw it into the heap of wood. Initially, nothing happened, but soon the fire danced to life. Dad and I sat in our camping chairs, fixated on the flames.
Silence.
One minute.
Two minutes.
Three minutes elapsed, and still, silence reigned.
I glanced at my dad; the joyous expression that had adorned his face throughout the trip had faded. He stared intensely into the fire, a tinge of sadness reflecting in his eyes. The sparkle and vivacity had disappeared.
"Dad...?" I inquired, concern tainting my voice.
"Hitoshi," he murmured, "Can you feel the warmth of the flame?"
Perplexed, I gazed at the flame, mirroring my dad's solemn expression.
"Yes, of course I do," I responded.
"Where do you feel it?" He probed further.
"My arms, my face, everywhere," I replied, perplexed by his line of questioning.
"Can you feel it in your heart?" His final question hung in the air.
Silence.
"No."
Silence.
"Hitoshi, that's what you need to discover. That fire will be your aid throughout your life. The flame in your heart will guide you," Dad spoke with warmth and serenity. "You're compassionate; you share others' pain. When someone's sad, you feel it tenfold."
Defeated, I gazed at the ground.
"You can't be flawless, kid. Don't weigh yourself down with work or the burdens of others," he advised gently.
I look up at him.
Dad had also lifted his gaze from the flames, peering into me as if delving into my soul.
"Hitoshi, you're only human."
Back then, those words seemed null to me, but now I could fully grasp their significance. Dad's words were like a gentle wave breaking over me, carrying away the weight of relentless expectations and struggles that I'd shouldered for so long.
I'm just a human.
Human…
Human…..
"Human known as Hitoshi! Exit Lord Tenma's abandoned dwelling and surrender yourself to us at once!" a loud voice commanded, bringing me back to reality.
"Oh, come on!" I shouted in frustration, smacking my head against the mattress in anger.
The moment I had with thoughts was a fleeting one.
Gritting my teeth against the pain shooting through my body with each step, I shuffled toward the door. Peering through the wide gap between the unhinged door and the frame, I spotted a group of white-haired girls with ears and tails standing before my humble shack. They were probably the White Wolf Tengu that Aya mentioned—five in total, armed with swords and clad in matching white, black, and red attire adorned with red leaves. Each wore a small red cap, similar to Aya's but with slight variations. The one in the middle, presumably the one demanding my surrender, wielded a sword and shield with a red leaf emblem.
The central wolf spoke again, "Human known as Hitoshi! Exit the sacred place you shelter in and surrender to the Tengu!"
"That bitch, Aya! Not only did she lie to me, but she also ratted me out!" I cursed inwardly.
The door wouldn't hold them back, and fighting them was out of the question—I doubted I could even take on one of them. Running was not feasible with my injured foot. And if these Tengu were as fast as wolves, injury or not, I'd be easy prey.
Surrendering seemed the only viable choice.
I dropped my sword and shield, raising my hands in surrender as I stepped out. The group of Tengu assumed fighting stances, except for the one in the middle.
"I surrender. No need to prepare for a fight," I offered, trying to diffuse the tense atmosphere. "I apologize for intruding; I'll leave and never return."
As I attempted to depart, two of them blocked my path, and the one in the middle spoke again.
"Human known as Hitoshi, you are to be taken to the Tengu Village by us, the White Wolf Tengu! There, you will be imprisoned for your crimes!"
My eyes widened in shock. "WHAT!?"
Hovering above the turmoil, observing with a watchful eye, was Aya Shameimaru.
"Ayaya, what a splendid story! 'Human Angers Tengu, Now Taken Prisoner'—that's a gripping title!" she chuckled. "Now… what will be your next move, Hitoshi?"