Siege woke up slowly, holding his head as he sat up, looking around at the dark corridor he was in, as he got to his feet and got acquainted with his surroundings.
"...If I didn't know any better… I'd say this was a path to a library…" Siege remarked, shaking his head from the impact of the transfer. "Well… this is gonna send my team into a slight panic for sure." Siege remarked, as he began to walk through the corridors of the dark place, hoping to find something in any of the rooms he decided to check.
After a few minutes of searching, Siege found yet another door, as he opened it, revealing himself to be in what he expected to be in, except it wasn't a traditional type of library, given all the chairs and the main table in the room. That's when Siege noticed a man writing away in his book at said table, when he looked up and noticed Siege.
"Oh. Hello. …I must say, you showing up here is rather unexpected." The man stated with intrigue at Siege.
"Yeah, well, I didn't exactly plan this…" Siege remarked.
"Ah. So it seems. Then, I welcome you to my repository. I am the Curator. The Curator of stories." The man introduced, before closing the book he was writing and putting it on the shelf, before noticing three books lined up one close to another, each with a dark aura surrounding them. "...Yes… I see. Someone sent you here with ill intent."
"That figures…" Siege remarked.
"Well, let's focus on getting you out of this mess then, shall we?" The Curator remarked as he brought out the books. "So, just know that I'm here to record the stories you choose to tell, you see, these pages are only half-written."
"...I've got a pretty bad feeling these are gonna take me down memory lane… and not in the good way." Siege sighed as he took a seat.
"I have a strange feeling you're right." The Curator remarked. "So… shall we begin?" The Curator asked as he opened the first book…. And Siege's trip was about to begin…
Meanwhile, aboard the OSA Golden Blaze…
It had been a few days since the search began and the group aboard the Golden Blaze were tiredly trying to find where Siege, and Richard, subsequently, had gone off to, with many of the Nikkes who had just been recruited wondering if perhaps, they were to blame for their disappearances.
"We've managed to set up ping points in case we glossed over certain locations." Gus remarked. "...But so far, no sign yet."
"God… Why did this have to happen when we came into the picture?" Nihilister asked.
"You're wondering if we're to blame as well…" Marian remarked, a solemn tone to her voice as she dipped her head. "It does make me wonder if… if…" Marian tried to say, but couldn't over the mix of emotions she was feeling.
"Don't say that. What happened to them is not our damn faults." Kaguya growled. "Whatever this is, it was premeditated a long time ago."
"But by whom is the question." Magina remarked, trying to think of any enemies Siege might have made in the past.
"If we could find who did it, maybe we could find Siege and Richard using their magic essence to track." Shirli remarked.
"Premeditated…" Gullveig remarked, before she then thought back to the mural that Goldion mentioned seeing, which detailed Richard being thrown into a dark portal. "...I think that's a apy wording of it. But finding out who it would be is the question… I doubt that either Cataclysm or Echo would make such a direct move."
"No… but rather someone who was in direct contact with Siege and Richard in the past." Magina remarked. "Siege and Richard both had dark pasts after all, and likely speaking… this could be a meditated assault on the both of them, from a survivor who despises them both from their past, given the fact they told each other outright what their sins were."
"Who knows?" Mokou stated. "Either way, we're still shit out of clues at this point of time, so we better keep the efforts going."
"Right. Let's keep broadening our searches." Magina nodded firmly. "One of our methods has to produce something eventually. Any results from Yukari?"
"Still zilch." Kaguya answered back. "And she's actually been starting to traverse through several alternate Gensokyos. She had a feeling that people like Richard are drawn to places like these, so in these kinds of realms… it would be more likely to find Richard than anywhere else. Can't say the same for Siege."
"Damnit all…" Nihilister growled. "Crow's been silent this whole time, I don't blame her, Richard changed her life and now he's been ripped from her… whoever did this is a sick individual."
"Crow?" Kaguya remarked, before she noticed that Crow was looking around with a blank expression on her face. "Oh… That's not good at all."
"Please carry on." Crow answered back, as her tone was stoic. "I'm just here for any news on where Richard is. I will not allow him to disappear from my life. After these few days, I have grown dependent on his care, loathe as I must admit it."
"Heh… I guess we share that. Siege grew a lot on me too…" Nihilister said. "We'll find them… I know we will… eventually."
"Hm." Crow nodded back, as she closed her eyes for a moment, before going back to watching the process proceed.
Meanwhile, back with Siege…
Siege would open his eyes to see his surroundings… and seeing nothing but a dark landscape with monstrosities all around, looking on to see a shadow version of himself with a singular guiding light next to him. Immediately, his eyes widened.
"Not this… no no no no no, not this…" Siege said in horror, as he looked on.
Siege looked fairly different compared to himself today. His hair was longer, and a lot more messier, his eyes were devoid of much emotion, and his sword was a blood red in color.
As for the guiding light itself, it seemed that said guiding light was in the form of a woman, as most of her features couldn't be told with how luminescent she was, with a floating crown above her head, long flowing locks of hair, and a regal dress.
Another companion was with them, a woman wearing clothing that left little to the imagination on her figure, despite how shadowed it was, as she held a scythe sparking with power, as aura emanated from her clothing as well.
"...Let's just get this over with." Past Siege spoke with a darker tone and voice than Present Siege. "This journey, it's supposed to redeem me somehow? Hah… they can praise me as a hero all they want, I suppose."
"Be careful of what is ahead." The woman of light remarked. "Even though your powers are mighty… I advise you not to underestimate the dangers of this realm."
"This land is plagued with many foes of many sorts…" The scythe wielder explained. "Don't for a moment believe you're strong enough to face it alone."
"Tch, whatever." Past Siege scoffed as they entered into the first of many areas, a forest filled with various lethal creatures, such as spiders, hedgehog like creatures, and various deadly plants. "Spiders and flora. What a joke." Past Siege scoffed as he began to engage the enemies.
"...I worry for that soldier, O Goddess." The scythe warrioress stated, as she looked at the woman of light. "Is he truly redeemable?"
"There is a shard of light within his heart." The woman of light answered back. "He may have done terrible things, but the potential for good still lies within his heart, blackened by misery it may have been. After all, there is no such thing as an unredeemable human soul, when humans are born neither good nor evil."
"I pray your words ring true…" The scythe warrioress spoke, joining Siege in combat…
And thus began Present Siege's agony, about to watch his rampage that he truly didn't know if he could have control over… because what started as a quest for redeeming and vigor… would quickly take a bad turn for the worst at every corner.
Back aboard the Golden Blaze…
"I've finally got a signal on Siege!" Shirli exclaimed in triumph.
"You did?" Kaguya asked back. "Do you have any ideas where we are going?"
"It's a very, very faint signal, but it's coming from a world in this dimension. It's a good distance from our location, might take a day or two to get there." Shirli remarked.
"If the signal is faint, that means Siege is present in a different part of that world's timeline…" Magina remarked. "We'll have to figure out where in the timeline he is… Shirli, may I ask what the universe looks like?"
"It's… a pretty dark landscape. Why?" Shirli asked.
"...By the Gods…!" Magina gasped as she heard Shirli's description. "That's not good…"
"What's not good about it?" Gus asked.
"Because that's the place where Siege really started taking a turn for the worst… That's the place where he accidentally murdered hundreds of captured innocents by the evils of that land…" Magina spoke. "...And also where he accidentally killed the last two people who trusted him and saw redemption in him."
"...Oh." Mokou remarked. "...That's not going to end well, is it? Reopening old wounds feels like it's understating what could happen."
"Definitely. Because these wounds… go a lot deeper into the very core of Siege's soul. Keep looking for Richard, but we need to prioritize getting Siege out of that place. Now." Magina sternly informed.
Back with Siege…
The forest filled with spiders and flora had been a cakewalk for the banded trio of warriors, as they had moved on from there into the next area, which seemed to be a demonic keep of sorts.
"Demons. That kicks it up a notch I suppose." Past Siege remarked with a chuckle. "Still, I'm not so sure why you two are putting faith in a damned soul such as myself here…"
"Because I don't see you truly as a damned soul, Siege Sukui." The woman of light remarked. "The fact that you are able to understand your own actions proves that you are not truly unredeemable. Your actions are terrible, yes… but the fact that you took the chance to redeem yourself is evidence that you have remorse on your deeds."
"Pft. You don't know the half of it." Past Siege spoke as he smote down a few demonic beasts. "Murderer, thief, kidnapper, destroyer of cities, plunderer, monster, hell, demon, I've been labeled by society as a goddamn failure in every shape of the form. No, not a failure, the very bane of evil itself… not to mention the failure of a brother…" Past Siege added, as the recent death of Sapphire was still heavy laden on his heart. "To be honest, I don't blame them one fucking bit. I fit the category for all those slandering words. How can I be redeemed from that? No one will ever trust me other than you two. Hanging around me is dangerous, you know, I could snap and accidentally kill either of you at any second. So why do you still hang around?" Past Siege asked his companions.
"Are you even listening to what the Goddess is saying? The first step to redemption is recognizing just what sin you have committed, soldier." The scythe wielder spoke as she sliced a demonic shaman in half.
"That's right. If that's how much you despise your past self… then do your best to atone." The woman of light answered back. "I'm not afraid of dying, no matter how cruelly, as long as my presence is a ray of hope to keep you fighting for what's right."
"...Hah… fine." Past Siege remarked as he continued on.
"For a story you can change… You don't seem to be changing much." The Curator remarked to Siege as the past continued to play out.
"...Why should I." Siege remarked. "It's my past… Any change I make defeats the purpose of what Mina spoke about… I was redeemable. And my past, everything I did… it's shaped me. Changing even one aspect would be for nothing."
"I see…" The Curator curiously remarked. "Very well then. I'm sure you won't change this next part then."
Siege's eyes widened. He knew what was coming. The Behemoth, as he held in his hands captives from a town, and was about to devour them, women, children, and all, as a matter of fact, that's exactly what he did… but Siege knew what was next.
"I WON'T LET YOU!" Past Siege yelled as he slashed right through the Behemoth, slaying it in a singular blow…
But he didn't realize how far the civilians had traveled down the beast's throat, and as Past Siege turned back…
"...W…What…?" Past Siege stated as he looked… and saw he had slashed through every single civilian. All of them gruesomely cut in half…
"By the gods…" The spear warrioress spoke as she covered her mouth with her hand.
"...O Goddess Mina… do you really believe me redeemable now…" Past Siege spoke in pain, but it was a dulled pain. As if emotional pain was something he was used to. "Without hesitation, I still slay many people by the edge of my sword… how can I truly be redeemable…?"
"I…" The woman of light answered back, before she paused for a moment. "...No, you can't be truly blamed for this deed… These deaths are not truly your own fault. If the Behemoth continued… those lives would have been lost regardless… and so many more. Their deaths… your actions were an act of impulse that was meant to save them. To strike down that monster before it could devour more… it's a far more merciful death compared to what that creature would rend upon them."
"...Tch. Even now you waver slightly, yet you still believe I can be redeemed." Past Siege spoke as he shook his head. "...You cling to hope as if it's in every fiber of your being. What hope do you have that I can really be redeemed at this point, Mina? How can you truly say that my path will turn from this wickedness, into something remotely like that of a hero!?" Past Siege spat with malice.
"Because I can see the pain in your eyes. You wished that you would be released from your burden. But still, you fight on for some purpose." Mina answered back. "...If that purpose can be found, then let it be for the better, rather than for the worse. If I truly gave up merely because you feel you truly deserve your hell, then there would have been a lot more souls that I would have failed to save. I know that you haven't truly fallen beyond the threshold. It might take years, and a lot more tribulations… but as long as I can keep you believing, you might not become a hero… but you will at least feel like you earned rightful redemption for your sins, and move on from your bloodied past."
"..." Past Siege was silent for a moment before he spoke. "We've slain the Spider, and this Behemoth. There are three more beasts who threaten this land that we must slay, correct?"
"Yes. The next one resides in the mountain close by." The spear warrioress remarked. "A deadly Wyvern, with the powers of frost and vampirism at its disposal."
"To the mountain it is then, I suppose." Past Siege spoke as he and the others trekked on, before a hooded man warped into view.
"Enjoying your hell, Siege?" The man spoke with a tone of malice and cruelty, as Siege recognized the man and his tone.
"Maximus!?" Siege exclaimed.
"Keen memory." Maximus spoke. "You know, you seem to be well content with reliving the agony of these moments, don't you? Well, I'm afraid this time, you'll need to make some changes."
"...What do you mean?" Siege asked.
"I've changed the series, Siege. At the end of this triage of tales, it isn't you that strikes me down at the end… I'm going to make sure you're erased from the existence of the future. It's what Mina and Jherzoruya wanted deep down in their hearts." Maximus spoke with malice. "Even more so, after dying BY YOUR OWN HANDS!"
"That was never my intent and you know it!" Siege spat back.
"Is that so? Or are you just masking the truth because that's what you want to believe?" Maximus asked.
"Stop trying to discredit my words you son of a bit-" Siege was about to say before violently being tossed from the story, as he fell backwards back into the Curator's repository, with the Curator himself jumping slightly from Siege's fall as the aura from the book faded, as he closed it.
"So it seems my suspicions were right." The Curator remarked. "This was premeditated from the beginning."
"Yeah… and Maximus wants me dead." Siege remarked as he stood up, as he had a solemn expression on his face. "...Making me relive the worst parts of my life… before he decides to kill me for good."
"Come now. Surely, you're not going to let that be how your story ends?" The Curator asked.
"..." Siege was silent, unsure how to answer that, being unsure as the Curator raised his eyebrow.
"...In any case, take a breather, then we'll dive in to the next book." The Curator remarked as Siege nodded and did just that.
Back aboard the Golden Blaze…
"Kaguya, please tell me you have something on Richard." Magina asked, knowing that Richard had to be found as well, and not just for his own sake, as Crow had been slowly deteriorating as they were making their way to Siege's location, Magina doing her best to double the speed of the Golden Blaze to get there sooner.
"We're getting closer…" Kaguya answered back. "Somehow, Yukari's shikigami noticed that there was a faint magical trace towards one of the sectors. That narrows our choices down a lot."
"And it's good news. At this rate, we could pin him down faster, and get both Richard and Siege back in one fell swoop." Gus stated with hope in his voice.
"Thank the Egyptian Gods…" Magina sighed in relief. "I'll leave you both to that, right now I'm trying to figure out how to best speed up the Golden Blaze so we can get to Siege faster, now that we have a-"
"Siege's signal is gone!" Shirli exclaimed with disdain.
"What!?" Magina exclaimed, as she went to the scanner to indeed see that Siege was no longer in the world they were heading to. "But how…!? Even if he died, we would be able to get his signal!"
"I know!" Shirli exclaimed in horror. "This is really troublesome…"
"...Magina, you said if we could trace the individual who warped Siege, we could find him that way, right?" Geina asked. "Try to remember, who do you know from that world would be Siege's worst enemy?"
"...Of course." Magina spoke with a dark tone. "Shirli, move from the controls for a moment."
Magina suddenly began to type in code for a certain signature, as the hooded figure Maximus suddenly appeared on the screen.
"Who is THAT!?" Nihilister spoke with disgust.
"That is Maximus. The one who took Siege's actions in that world the worst…" Magina spoke. "He's supposed to be dead but… knowing Cataclysm, he knew Maximus would be able to hurt Siege the worst. No doubt he's the culprit." Magina spoke.
Suddenly, the direction changed. It wasn't to the world they were going to, rather… a tiny, miniscule, nigh undetectable pocket universe that was only 2 hours from their current location.
"Wha…?" Rapi asked as she looked at the spot.
"What in the world!?" Shirli exclaimed.
"You clever bastard." Magina cursed. "Maximus sent Siege to my private repository!" Magina growled.
"Your… what now?" Anis asked.
"Long story short, I keep the most powerful books and records in a secretive place where only one man has access to, and that man is The Curator." Magina spoke. "Among the books are the records of Siege's past… and the worst part about all those books is that you get to live/relive and experience them in real time, from the actual pain inflicted in them, to the emotions and memories stored in them. And yes, if you die while reading those books, in most cases you die for real without a magical charm on your person."
"The fuck!?" Mokou exclaimed. "That kind of synchronization exists within those books!? Jesus, we'll have to take a rain-check on getting Richard, even if we find him mere moments later… From the sounds of it, Siege is about to be gone for real at this rate…!"
"Especially since Maximus likely has re-written the books where he kills Siege in the past… if he successfully pulls it off…" Magina spoke as she looked at everyone in worry. "Everything we know, and have experienced with Siege… will become undone. Siege will no longer exist in our memories."
"WHAT!?" Nihilister yelled in extreme fury. "FUCK THAT! FUCK ALL OF THAT, YOU BETTER GET US THERE IN HALF AN HOUR OR LESS, SO I CAN PUMMEL THIS MAXIMUS SOB INTO THE DIRT!" Nihilister exclaimed. "NO ONE'S GONNA TAKE SIEGE FROM ME, NO ONE!"
"Calm down, calm down-!" Geina exclaimed, trying to hold back a furious Nihilister.
"CALM DOWN!? HOW THE FUCK CAN I CALM DOWN!? THIS IS THE MAN I CARE ABOUT, THE MAN WHO WON MY GODDAMN HEART! I'M ANYTHING BUT CALM!" Nihilister exclaimed, tears forming in her eyes as she grabbed Geina tightly.
"We're maximizing speed now, Nihilister, we're gonna save Siege! I just know it!" Shirli spoke encouragingly, having sped up the Golden Blaze where said universe was only 1 hour away.
As those aboard the Golden Blaze did their absolute best to quell the fury of the raging Nihilister…
Back with Siege…
Siege had begun the second book, watching from his viewing port as his past self, Jherzoruya, and Mina began to trek through the mountainous area, slaying more demonic forces and now dire wolves as they trekked along, alongside flying creatures. Past Siege still looked shaken from his actions in the previous land, which seemed to affect his combat abilities, though he was still going strong. It wasn't helping the more civilians he accidentally killed while trying to save them from dire wolves eating them alive, however, Mina continued comforting him, stating that he was ending their misery through his actions, which was better than watching them being eaten alive.
Past Siege had finally had enough after another accidental death of a civilian, and glared at Mina. "Why do you keep trying to comfort me!? Shouldn't you be hating me for ending the lives of civilian after civilian relentlessly!? Don't you want me dead for all the lives I've taken at the edge of my sword!? Shouldn't you HATE ME!?" Past Siege yelled at Mina with eyes of fury but also pain.
"Hating you would only make you sink further into your own hollowed shell." Mina answered back. "...I cannot forsake you, because forsaking you means that I have failed to prove that there is good in you. And if I cannot prove that there is good in you… then I have truly failed not just you… but everyone else that never had the chance to change for the better. You aren't the first damned soul, Siege Sukui, that I have had to deal with… Some succeed in changing, while others either kill themselves out of despair, spite, or die right before they could be redeemed. I… I refuse to allow you to become another of my regrets… I have seen too many people who finally found purpose to live on, die before me. I cannot stand it. So hate me if you wish for my idealism, but please… do not give up."
"...I won't give up… But you should just give up on me." Past Siege spat before rushing ahead.
"Siege! You damned idiot!" Jherzoruya yelled before she looked at Mina. "...I doubt if he's redeemable, Goddess… Look at him and his actions, and how he is acting from them. How can he be redeemed at this point?"
Mina could only remain silent, as she couldn't answer back, although Jherzoruya could see the conflict in Mina's expression, as the goddess of light didn't know how to help Past Siege with his own regrets.
Jherzoruya growled as she rushed forward after Siege, before seeing him having his life force drained by the IceVamp Wyvern.
"SIEGE!" Jherzoruya yelled as Siege himself clutched his chest from the viewing area, feeling the pain from the Wyvern.
Jherzoruya leapt high into the air, as her scythe glowed with power. "CRESCENT CLEAVER!" She yelled, as slash waves bashed the Wyvern, but it didn't let Siege go, as Jherzoruya growled. "SUPER NOVA!" She then yelled, performing her Nova Dance as she spun with her scythe twirling about, the Wyvern finally letting go of Siege… but now latching on to Jherzoruya! "Gah!" She yelled in pain.
"DAMNIT!" Past Siege yelled as he looked up and started slashing the wyvern, but doing next to no damage, as he growled, the only spot to deal significant damage… being where he had to slash through Jherzoruya. "I… I can't get to the weak point!"
"Siege…" Jherzoruya called down weakly. "...I'd rather die by your blade… than become this beast's life force…!"
"I… Jherzoruya if I do that then… then Mina…" Past Siege would say, knowing Jherzoruya was a champion picked by Mina.
"...She'll understand." Jherzoruya said, as she was going limp, as Past Siege grit his teeth and closed his eyes.
"...I'm sorry." Was all he said, as he jumped up… and cleaved the Wyvern, and, subsequently, Jherzoruya, in half.
As Mina caught up, she saw the Wyvern on the ground, in two pieces…
But also saw Past Siege cradling Jherzoruya in his arms, as his head was bowed and tears, after so long, began streaking from his eyes.
"Damnit damnit damnit all…" Past Siege cried as he looked to the heavens. "WHY AM I ACCURSED LIKE THIS!? WHYYYYY!?" He yelled in agony.
Mina moved over to Siege, before she then embraced him gently.
"I'm… I'm sorry that this had to happen to you." Mina stated. "...Had I known that this tragedy would have occurred… I… I would have tried to help Jherzoruya… But she's gone… because of my own inactivity… I'm… I'm truly sorry. I cannot stand by any longer… it is only you and me now, Siege… if I do not act… then you will die in vain… And I cannot allow that."
"...O Goddess… is that… your soothing voice I hear…" Jherzoruya weakly asked.
"Yes, Jherzoruya… you've fought well…" Mina stated, before placing a glowing hand on Jherzoryua's cheek.
"Tell me… Mina… you know my own sins… my own faults… am I… still damned to hell… or shall I have the honor of… riding the clouds as a noble Valkyrie of the heavens…?" Jherzoruya asked.
"You walked a path of atonement to the end, Jherzoruya." Mina stated, as she gently brushed Jherzoruya's eyes closed. "...You deserve a grand reward for the countless lives you have saved, and the good that you have done for your world after your reformation. Rest now… and suffer no more. You shall find your peace in the heavens, where you shall serve as a Valkyrie in time."
"Goddess… I… thank… you…"
Those were Jherzoruya's last words, as she soon faded in golden light, as Past Siege clenched his hands.
"...Mina… she fell by my blade…" Past Siege admitted. "...Cast your judgment on me now… I'm not worthy of redemption… no… I don't deserve it… not after all this…"
"Why… why do you insist on fighting, if you wish to die so terribly?" Mina asked with sorrow. "...Does the lives of those who have died for you mean so little for you? Jherzoruya fought so that you could continue on… I know that she fought to help you slay that beast…"
"...I guess it's an inward struggle… I fight on because a part of me wills and yet… I know well I deserve death more than redemption…" Past Siege spoke. "All the lives I took… all the lives I ruined… A wretched soul like me shouldn't be so blessed to have guidance from a Goddess herself…"
"It's because you are so wretched that I must help you." Mina stated. "I can see with that kind of burden, it would take someone of my power who can guide you right. I cannot force you to fight on, but I beg you to continue. Perhaps at the end of all of this… maybe you might finally be able to let go. If you truly wish to atone in death… then I'll at least make it gentle. I can promise that you'll be able to be free of your burdens, if that's your only wish. But until then, please keep fighting. Fight on, and see if you can find a reason amidst this ordeal. Until then, I cannot allow you to die, not until you realize that this part of you that pushes you forward clings onto hope as much as I do."
"..." Past Siege was silent, before he stood up and nodded.
"The swamps lie ahead. It's there we shall find our last creatures to slay, yes?" Paat Siege asked Mina.
"That's right." Mina answered back with a gentle nod.
"Then with the will I have, I shall perform the one good deed I have in me." Past Siege spoke, picking up Jherzoruya's scythe and combining it with his blade, forming a blade of immense power, as lightning itself seemed to summon at its might. "Saving this land from the wretched creatures that plague it." Past Siege spoke.
With his resolve somewhat restored, Past Siege and Mina pressed onwards, as Maximus appeared yet again.
"Such a resolve to have… for such a wretched being." Maximus spoke with malice.
Siege was silent, the agony and pain of his past haunting him as he said no words.
"Speechless this time?" Maximus spoke as a smile formed underneath his hood. "Good. I see the agony eating away at your soul. Endure it as long as you can… for soon… you will see yourself falling by the edge of my blade." Maximus smiled wickedly, as Siege was violently tossed again, this time against the wall of the room, as Siege coughed blood slightly, from the damage the IceVamp Wyvern dealt.
"Goodness me." The Curator remarked, seeing the aura fade and closing the book. "Are you certain you can continue?"
Siege was silent, his eyes dulled and tears falling as he got up slowly…
"...Maybe this is what I deserve…" Siege spoke solemnly. "Maybe… this is what I should do…" He added, trudging to the chair one last time as his dulled eyes looked at the Curator. "...Open the final book… I'm ready to receive my fate."
"...Not immediately I won't. But I'll grant your wishes soon. If you'll excuse me for a moment." The Curator would say, standing up and walking into a side room, where there was a phone. He needed to make a phone call, an urgent one.
Aboard the Golden Blaze…
"Any more news on Richard's end?" Magina asked Kaguya. "Have we found where he is specifically?"
"The trace is getting closer… but at the same time…" Kaguya remarked, with a concerned expression, before a sukima appeared, as Yukari stepped out.
"Whatever Gensokyo Richard has been placed in, he's not enjoying it the slightest." Yukari answered back. "I barely managed to get Chen to take the place of the other Chen for a moment. But the moment she tried to explain anything, something phased her out, as if someone made it so that certain external presences faded out."
"I doubt this is Maximus' doing, he only cares about doing Siege in, not Richard." Magina said sternly.
"I have a terrible feeling about where Richard has gone." Yukari responded back, as her expression was concerned. "If my suspicions are correct… Richard is in an iteration of Gensokyo that does not take well for outsiders. In fact, it's one of the worst places that Richard could be in."
"What is it-" Magina asked Yukari, before suddenly, an old time phone ring began to ring throughout the Golden Blaze.
"God damn, what is that!?" Hitomi yelled, covering her ears from the ringing.
"That's-!" Magina exclaimed. "Shirli, open a comm line, now!"
"Y-yes Magina!" Shirli exclaimed as she did so, as The Curator suddenly came through, as he was looking at them all.
"Oh. I forgot this newer technology was a thing." The Curator remarked.
"Nevermind that, Curator. Is Siege with you?" Magina asked.
"Yes, and he's very well alive… but the curse placed here to keep him from leaving… it's taking its toll. Harshly." The Curator reported.
"Is Siege okay!?" Nihilister yelled in worry.
"No… no, he's not… the very experience has him so emotionally drained… he has no light in his eyes anymore." The Curator responded back. "What's worse, I fear when I open the third and final book… the clock will be ticking, I'm afraid."
"We're only a few minutes from your location!" Magina spoke in worry. "Please, if you can, stall Siege from forcing your hand to open the book, as long as you can!"
"There's only so much I can do at this point, Lady Magina." The Curator said with a solemn tone. "I'll do what I can, but you know the rules, you can't send more than three chosen people into your library."
"I'm almost at the point where I'll make an exception but… I think I can abide by that rule for now." Magina answered back.
"Again, I can only promise to do what I can…. I hope to see some of your Future Seekers soon." The Curator responded with a hopeful tone before he hung up, as the comm line closed.
"Get us to Siege RIGHT NOW!" Nihilister yelled as she shook Magina. "I'M NOT ABOUT TO LOSE THE MAN I LOVE!"
"The man we love." Geina harshly reminded Nihilister.
"Dammit you know what I mean!" Nihilister exclaimed with tears in her eyes. "I'm not about to have him wiped from my memories!"
"...We'll do our best to return focus to Richard, Yukari. But as you can see, right now… Siege needs us more." Magina stated.
"I know. I'll gather more information in the meantime." Yukari answered back, before she opened a sukima behind her. "And if worst comes to worst… I'll find a way to get Richard out myself, no matter what it takes."
She then disappeared through the sukima.
Back with Siege…
The Curator had done all he could to stall the emotionally drained Siege… who only sat there, wallowing in his past sins, as the Curator sighed.
"...I've delayed as long as I can, Magina." The Curator spoke, as he opened the final book, as Siege was whisked in to watch the final chapter.
Past Siege and Mina had begun their trek through the swamp, slaying creatures left and right, mercifully bringing civilians painless deaths due to the poison administered by the swamp creatures. There was a wide variety of said creatures, but they could not stand against the might of Past Siege's new resolve, and Mina's guidance. They came to the Naga Queen, as she leapt out of the water, trident in hand.
"Who dares step into my sacred grounds!?" The Naga Queen hissed at Past Siege and Mina. "Hiss… so you've chosen a new champion, O Goddess? After all other Champions fell to my Trident? You'll NEVER reach the heart of the swamp and save this precious land, Mina!"
"It does not matter how much you dissuade us!" Mina declared, before she then summoned a lance of light to her hand. "I will not allow you to corrupt this land that I protect any further!"
"How rich. Let's see how long THIS Champion of yours lasts, kekekekek…" The Naga Queen laughed as she rushed at Past Siege, only to be slashed multiple times by his blade from a distance, as she was inflicted with massive damage! "KAAAAH! WHAT!?"
"Never underestimate your foe, you foolish creature. I can strike you down with one blow. But let's see how much you struggle and writhe, shall we?" Past Siege spoke with a wicked smile.
"Krrrrgh!" The Naga Queen growled as she slammed her staff down, summoning tidal waves of poison.
Mina immediately powered her lance with magic, before she then threw her spear down right into the ground, creating a cut right in the waves of poison, which Siege used to avoid the attacks.
Past Siege then slashed the Naga Queen three times, each time she yelled in pain as she growled.
"You… Shall…!" The Naga Queen was about to say before Past Siege slashed her again, a large cut in the middle of her body. "Wh… what…?"
"Two minutes was all the time I had to play with you." Past Siege spoke, sounding similar to a familiar Resident Evil villain, as the Naga Queen fell, defeated. "So, is it true no other champion has made it this far, Mina?" Past Siege asked.
"That's right… But there lies only one great foe ahead… the very core of the corruption." Mina answered back. "The Heart of the Swamp."
"The Heart of the Swamp…" Past Siege remarked as he smirked. "Lucky me." He dryly joked before turning to head that way. "...Mina… I don't know if this is because you're trying so hard but… I'm starting to believe in myself again… the civilians we see… they're in torture, so those deaths were a mercy we could grant… your words are starting to stick… maybe there is a light of hope for this blackened heart of mine." Past Siege spoke hopefully.
"I'm truly glad that you're feeling more hopeful." Mina smiled back. "I'll stay with you until the day that you finally find your spot of hope."
However, unbeknownst to them both… That day would never be seen by Mina.
Back aboard the Golden Blaze…
"We've arrived!" Shirli exclaimed.
"Get the transporter ready." Magina stated firmly.
"But wait, only three people can go!" Shirli exclaimed.
"I know just who to send." Magina stated, looking at the three people Siege ever loved passionately: Geina, Rapi, and Nihilister. "You three. You three will be going in to save Siege."
"THANK YOU, FUCK YES!" Nihilister fist pumped as she rushed to the transporter.
"Yeah. This makes the most sense. We're the only three Siege ever kissed." Geina remarked as she headed over to the transporter. "Rapi, you coming?"
"Yes, and I do not intend to fail." Rapi answered back, drawing out Gae Bolg to make her point.
The trio stepped onto the transporter, soon being warped down into the private library, as Geina looked around.
"Alright. Siege has to be in one of these rooms." Geina spoke. "Split up, search every one until you find where Siege is! We're not going to stop until he's back in my- ahem… Our arms." Geina spoke.
"Was about to say, you're sharing him." Nihilister growled as she began her end of the search for Siege.
"I'm surprised to see you've been rather quiet about this whole thing, Rapi." Geina remarked. "I mean, Siege did kiss you pretty passionately during that moment you two shared." Geina teased.
"I… I have to keep diligent to my duty, if I am to make my time with him truly deserving." Rapi answered back, as there was a blush on her face, thinking about the implications. "But that doesn't mean that I will neglect his care of me. After all, he taught me to think more on the emotional side of things. I cannot act rashly, especially when his life is at stake. He would be pushed over the edge… if anything terrible happened to us before we come to his rescue."
"Wow. I'm rather surprised at your professional attitude towards this, even if underneath I hear the longing and worry for Siege in your tone." Geina spoke with an impression. "Come on, let's get looking. Siege needs us… all three of us."
"That's right." Rapi nodded, as the proceeded through the halls of the library, looking for the Curator.
Back with Siege…
Siege was watching as his past self and Mina were maneuvering the last part of the swamp, as Siege knew what was coming, tears starting to fall already as he knew exactly what was about to happen when he and Mina made it to the end of this area.
"God… Please… I don't need to watch this again, I don't need to watch this again…" Siege mumbled as he watched on.
Mina and Past Siege were closing in on the Heart of the Swamp, as one massive beast stood in their way, a Devourer.
"Boy that's a huge amalgamation if I ever saw one…" Past Siege remarked.
"The Devourers are what is protecting the Heart of the Swamp. You must destroy them before you can properly deal with the creature." Mina remarked. "I will lend my strength for this battle. We shall put an end to centuries of misery that this evil has caused for all."
"You're very determined about this it seems." Past Siege remarked to Mina. "I can only imagine, you've never been this close to pure victory, have you?"
"Of course." Mina answered back. "I will admit, the future within our reach has given me quite the determination to finish this battle once and for all."
"My blade is yours, O Goddess." Past Siege said, as they quickly made short work of the Devourers standing between them and The Heart of the Swamp.
As the story was drawing to its close, the Curator would jump once again, as the door to his repository burst open, as he saw Rapi.
"Goodness! Knocking first or at least gently opening the door is proper manners!" The Curator exclaimed. "...Wait, you're here for Siege, aren't you?"
"Yes." Rapi answered back. "We know that he has entered the realm in the books. Please, take us to him."
"I'm afraid that's not possible unless I can somehow pause the story. And as you can see, the quill continues to write, even without my hand upon it." The Curator spoke, as Geina and Nihilister came in, watching the quill pen go to work.
"Damnit! Did we really just come here to watch Siege meet his doom!?" Nihilister spoke in fury, before suddenly, a miracle occurred.
The quill pen went dry, as it tried to write, but nothing came out, as the Curator gasped and took hold of it.
"Well, behold, it seems the hands of fate are on your side today." The Curator remarked with a smile, before the pen tried to get to the ink. "Quickly! Take a seat and place your hands upon Siege!"
Nihilister frantically ran about, gathering enough chairs for herself, Geina, and Rapi, and placing them where they could all touch Siege. Nihilister then sat down, hugging Siege from behind to touch him. Geina would take the seat to his left, leaning her head and hands upon his left shoulder, and Rapi sat on the right, holding a hand to his right shoulder, with her head lowered.
"Are you all ready?" The Curator asked, as the trio nodded, and he allowed the pen to magically dip more ink on, before it returned to writing.
Back in the story scape…
"SIEGE!" Nihilister yelled as Siege suddenly perked up.
"Nihilister!?" Siege exclaimed, before he saw Nihilister, Geina, and even Rapi running into his viewing area. "Rapi!? Geina!? What-!?"
Siege was suddenly glomped by his three women, as the pain and emotional drainage was suddenly replaced with love and warmth as he cried more. "You… you three… you…! How did you find me…?"
"We got some help, Siege." Rapi answered back, before she then noticed the foe before them. "But we can talk later, you need all the help you can get."
"Huh?" Siege remarked, suddenly seeing the viewing area had popped, and while neither Past Siege or Mina had seen, the group had entered the story themselves, surrounded by the enemies of the previous stage. "Well, alright then." Siege smirked as he got up, dusting himself off, reinvigorated with the help of his women. "Let's clean this up, then catch up at the right moment as a future vision Past me can aspire to!"
"Couldn't have said that any better!" Geina smirked, drawing her blue sparking katana. "Alright, BRING IT ON!" Geina yelled to the foes around them.
"You're not touching my Siege! Come at me!" Nihilister exclaimed with a wide grin, her turrets exchanged for a weapon she picked up from the armory, which was the legendary axe Garm.
Meanwhile, up ahead…
Past Siege and Mina cut through the last Devourer, both littered with wounds and torn clothing from the acid sprayed on them, as Past Siege laid eyes on the Heart of the Swamp.
"That's the source of it all, you say?" Past Siege asked Mina. "The source of the corruption?"
"That's right." Mina answered back, looking at the putrid organ hanging above them, as it was mutated heavily.
"Stand back. I can strike it down with one blow." Past Siege spoke, as he stepped forward only slightly, holding his blade before him. "Jherzoruya… I know you're watching me up there… Put your strength into the blade… Help me strike this corruption down. And end this!"
Past Siege jumped up into the air, as his sword glowed brightly, as he yelled out in a mix of his own and Jherzoruya's voice.
"NEW HOPE CRESCENT CLEAVER!"
The slashes all hit the Heart of the Swamp, damaging it heavily as Past Siege roared, jumped up… and slashed it in half… finishing The Heart of the Swamp.
"It's… it's done…" Past Siege huffed, before he turned back and saw the corrupted crocodile leaping up, about to chomp Mina! "NOOOO!" Past Siege yelled as he dashed and swung, cutting the crocodile in half….
Only for Mina to be cut in half as well by his sword, as the goddess had an expression of shock on her face, as her two halves fell towards the ground.
"N-NOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!" Past Siege exclaimed, as he grabbed Mina and looked at her bisected body in shock and horror. "God… what have I done….no, no, what have I done… Mina… Mina… I… I…!" Past Siege stuttered.
"I… I finally understand now…" Mina wheezed back. "...Your own mind… it sees all as enemies. That's why… your attacks are indiscriminate… Oh… how I should have known that it was a sin that was never yours… Your own malice… it has rooted deep into you that your own blade would consume all…"
"No… no no no no no…! I… I never saw you as my enemy! I never! I never saw you as that!" Past Siege cried.
"It's alright… You won't have to betray anyone anymore." Mina stated with a hopeful tone, placing a hand on Siege's cheek. "...You managed to save the world… It's a shame… I couldn't help you any further."
"No… Mina… Mina I'm sorry… I'm sorry…!" Past Siege said in horror, as he looked down. "...Please… please… you're… the only hope I have…"
"Don't apologize… I… I am glad that the only one that you killed was me… because now, I can do this…" Mina remarked, before she then pressed her finger right onto Siege's forehead. "...I… I will purge this very sin from your mind… so that your own dark past shall never make you harm another innocent."
There was a golden flash of light, as Past Siege felt that his mind was being cleansed from a part of his darkness, as if a great burden was being lifted from his head, before he then opened them, as Mina stopped glowing, as she was barely ethereal, with only her outline remaining.
"...I… I've done it…" Mina weakly stated. "...I… I managed to save you… from yourself…"
"Mina… Mina… no… Mina…." Past Siege cried in agony, holding what he could of her tightly. "Please…"
"Live on, Siege… Please, for the sake of the dreams and hopes that those who were killed by your own malicious sin… fight on… and save lives with your newfound strength…" Mina breathed, before her entire figure began to melt away into gray particles that scattered to the four winds.
"MINAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!" Past Siege yelled loudly as he looked to the heavens, tears rolling from his face, as he looked back down, seeing a man approaching.
"Well. Congratulations." The hooded man stated. "You successfully cleansed the land from corruption. …And yet…" The man stated as he pointed his blade at Past Siege. "...You… you're the one who killed Mina…"
"..." Past Siege was silent as he rose, and glared at the hooded man. "Mina gave me a chance to change my future, because my own malice and hate was my own downfall. That wasn't me that killed her."
"And yet it was." Maximus spoke. "You know, last time this played out, you killed me here on the spot."
"...What?" Past Siege spoke. "What do you mean last time…?"
"Your story is being played once more, Siege. Only this time… it will end. Here. Fall, in your despair and pain." Maximus spoke, as he slashed Past Siege, as he yelled in pain and kneeled to the ground.
Back with Present Siege…
"GAAAAAH!" Siege yelled as he clutched his chest, the foes having just been wiped out, as he stumbled back in pain.
"Siege!?" Geina exclaimed.
"Maximus… Maximus is attacking me in this timeline. We can't delay any longer!" Siege exclaimed. "We have to get to the past me!"
"I understand!" Rapi exclaimed, before entering Red Hood, as she rushed towards the direction that Mina and Past Siege went. Geina, Nihilister, and Present Siege followed her close behind.
Meanwhile, Past Siege grunted in pain, bleeding from his chest as he panted. "...This… this must be what I deserve… all my sins… all my pain… you're the manifestation of that…" Past Siege remarked, as he closed his eyes. "Mina… I'm sorry I won't ever be able to use your gift… this… this must be where my story ends."
"Hmhmhmhm. Yes. It is." Maximus smiled as he raised his sword, before suddenly…
"HADOOOKEEEEN!" A male and female voice yelled out as Maximus was blasted with a red and blue fireball, sending him flying.
"What…!?" Past Siege would say before Present Siege jumped in front of him, with Rapi, Geina, and Nihilister at his side. "...What is…!? Are you!?"
Siege turned to his past self. "Hey. I'd take a nice and long look right now." Siege would say with a smile. "Because you're getting a nice look at your future, pal."
"My… future!?" Past Siege exclaimed, standing tall. "...There's no way. There's no way I become this radiant, this glorious, with, with these beautiful women at my side! I don't deserve that!"
"Maybe not. I should know, I believe you." Siege remarked. "But fate says otherwise. Mina's gift paid you big dividends, my friend. Guided you to Magina, you become a soldier for the good of others. Your reputation gets wiped clean, a clean slate, a new start… These events here, will only shape you for the better."
"...So… this… is a manifestation of my future?" Past Siege asked. "...This is my destiny?"
"You better believe it, pal." Geina smiled with a wink.
Past Siege would smile for the first time in months, as he rose and looked to the heavens.
"Mina… Jherzoruya… if this is a gift from you… thank you for still believing in me." Past Siege smiled, before looking at his Present self. "I'll leave that prick to you then. I sense this is Mina's gift of manifesting divine judgment to that guy who attacked me."
"Damn right it is. Go find Magina, me." Siege smiled as Past Siege nodded and left.
Maximus yelled in anger as he rushed back into view.
"I… HAD YOU!" Maximus yelled in fury. "You were about to be ridden from this existence as you should have been long ago! But fine! You want to preserve your existence!? I'll kill you, AND you beloved women where you all stand!"
"Sorry, Maximus. But fate never determined you would ever beat me." Siege smirked.
ARENA SHOWDOWN!
SIEGE LV. ?
RAPI LV. ?
GEINA LV. ?
NIHILISTER LV. ?
VS.
MAXIMUS LV. 99/5B Battle Power
"Prepare to die! Fools!" Maximus exclaimed as he brandished his blood red sword.
"The only one dying today is YOU!" Nihilister spat as she readied up to fight. "You're gonna pay for taking Siege away from us!"
Cue: No Tomorrow ft. Serj Tankian - Metal Hellsinger OST
"No… you're all going to pay for ridding this world of the only guiding light it EVER HAD!" Maximus yelled in fury before unleashing a blood red slash wave at the squad of four.
Rapi immediately dodged around the slash wave, before she then went for a series of rapid thrusts, striking at Maximus with speed and force, before then using her spear to shove Maximum around, right into the attack path of Geina.
Maximus was hit with speedy slashes from Geina's katana, the Azure Samurai in the fray finally once more as it was a nostalgic feeling for Geina, as she slashed and stabbed Maximus multiple times over before sending Maximus to Nihilister.
"Goody! MY TURN!" Nihilister smiled and laughed as she began swinging Garm at Maximus, burying it into him with every swing as it was also coated with flames, making his wounds burn, as she savagely punched him in his face many times before throwing him into a simple blast of energy from Siege, as Maximus tumbled across the ground.
"Give up, Maximus. Even now, you still can't beat me." Siege stated plainly as Maximus laughed. "...What's so funny?"
"I haven't even gotten started." Maximus smiled as he suddenly pulled out a potion and drank it, recovering some of the damage before he then stabbed his blade into the ground, as dark energy formed into thousands of ethereal blades of blood. "DIE!" Maximus yelled as the blades shot at light speed, impaling Siege, Rapi, Nihilister, and Geina over and over again, as they were riddled with stab wounds when it was over.
"KAAAAGH…. Nnnnnh…." Nihilister grunted as she dropped to a knee from the assault.
"Ghh… that… smarts…" Geina weakly spat out as she coughed.
"Tch…." Siege growled in pain. "Rapi… are you… alright?" Siege asked, seeing that Rapi had taken more damage than the others.
"Urgh… I can still fight…" Rapi remarked, as she shoved herself to her feet with her own spear.
"Hahahaha! Look at you all! Pathetically helpless after one simple attack from me!" Maximus laughed as he raised his sword. "And now… prepare to-!"
Suddenly a familiar sword stabbed Maximus from behind, as he gasped in pain, dropping his own sword as he looked down… to see the sparkling blue blade.
"I… thought… you….!" Maximus gasped as behind him was none other than Past Siege.
"Oh come now. Did you expect me not to return the blow after that strike you dealt me, Maximus?" Past Siege chuckled. "I wasn't truly gonna leave my future self and his wives to die at your hand. I knew you were stronger. A lot stronger." Past Siege added as he began to move the blade up through Maximus.
"Wait… wait stop… stop…!" Maximus yelled in horror.
"I pleaded with you to stop. To listen to reason." Past Siege spoke in a dark tone. "You didn't listen… AND NEITHER SHALL I!"
End Theme
Slashing up through Maximus fully, Maximus let out final wavering gasps, before his body from the torso up split open, and he fell forward, his blood pooling onto the ground.
At that moment, Past Siege smiled as two guiding lights reappeared beside him. Jherzoruya, and Mina.
"I realized after all this time that I never really killed Mina… as a Goddess, she never can die. She was just watching me from a higher heaven." Past Siege smiled. "Mina… let's give my friends and self from the future a nice parting gift. I'm sure they don't want to return with all those wounds." Past Siege smiled.
Mina nodded, before she then bathed the entire group with cleansing light, which slowly healed up their wounds, and returned their lost strength to them.
"But… if you believed that then… is this…?" Siege was about to ask.
"This changes nothing about you. Or me." Past Siege remarked. "This is a story, remember? A story you chose to tell. For the both of us. I'm certain, in the actual timeline, I still lose Mina and Jherzoruya, and almost all hope, and you still live with regrets for all of this." Past Siege added. "But… why not enjoy a happy ending for yourself? Both past and present… and even future. You've got yourself a nice harem built there. Expecting any kids?" Past Siege quipped.
"Aah, uhhh….!" Siege blushed at the mere prospect, due to the fact he was pretty sure only Geina could have kids. He didn't exactly know how intercourse with Nikkes went.
"Hahahaha! I jest. I jest." Past Siege laughed. "Still, I'm glad I could see a glimpse of what my future looks like. It gives me something to truly aspire to. And hey, why not try giving Mina and Jherzoruya a call sometime, a visit maybe. They're probably in the higher heaven back in their actual world, waiting to see how much I've grown." Past Siege smiled.
"...Wow… I…" Siege remarked before smiling. "...I think I might do that soon. Real soon. But right now, I've got to get back. Me… and my beloveds." Siege smiled, hugging all three of the ladies by his side.
"Then it's time to close this book." Past Siege smiled. "Good luck in my future, future self."
"And I hope I find hope again, past self." Siege smiled as the two shook hands, before they parted ways as Siege, Geina, Rapi, and Nihilister exited the book, as the Curator closed it, a smile on his face.
"See? It is true. Even the most darkened souls… are never beyond the point of redemption." The Curator smiled.
"Yeah. I needed a reminder of that I think." Siege smiled. "More importantly, Maximus is dead."
"And the curse is broken. You're free to go." The Curator smiled as Siege nodded, he and the others turning around and walking to the spot that Rapi, Geina, and Nihilister came in from, as the communication interference began to clear.
"Anyone on the Golden Blaze. This is Siege. Come in!" Siege called through comms.
A resounding cheer was heard on the other end of the comm line, as Siege was startled a bit from it.
"Okay, that was unexpected." Siege chuckled.
"Siege, you scared the hell out of us! What did you expect!?" Yang yelled.
"Hey, not like it was my fault!" Siege exclaimed back as he and his beloveds were warped back on the Golden Blaze, as he immediately was showered with welcome backs and hugs, before Siege noticed in the distance, Crow's blank expression as he halted the welcomes and hugs. "...Crow doesn't look good. Where's Richard?" Siege demanded.
"We're getting closer…" Mokou answered back. "And we finally got news of what happened to Richard. And it's something that has had all of us who have known Richard personally from his life back in Gensokyo."
"...He's in guilt." Kaguya answered back. "The contact that Yukari managed to connect with, told me that Richard, fighting against Remilia Scarlet, destroying the Scarlet Devil Mansion. And to make matters worse, he believed he killed Flandre Scarlet under the rubble. He has snapped badly since then."
"...And then he got into a spat with Reimu, after everything that happened. The contact couldn't get everything that they were talking about…" Gus continued. "It was because Reimu said something she shouldn't have, right before Richard. It ended with Richard calling Reimu a hypocrite, before he then reclused himself in a house within their Magic Forest. Several people tried to persuade Richard, only to be turned back with varying attitudes… It seems that we need someone who knows Richard deeply to snap him out of his funk."
"And what better person than me. But I'm not doing it alone." Siege said. "Firstly, is there a Kaguya that exists in that Gensokyo?"
"Well, both me and Kaguya exist, so that's a no-go for us." Mokou answered back. "And obviously, Yukari can't come with. But Gus can, and he's stuck by Richard's side since the day they met in Gensokyo, when Gus was an Outsider a while after Richard became Yukari's charge. So if there's a good selection of people: It's definitely you, Crow, Gus and-"
"Nihilister and Sin." Siege remarked. "Sin, Crow, and Gus can try to talk him out. But in the end, Nihilister and I can bluntly get him back to his senses I'm certain." Siege answered for Mokou. "Yukari, get ready to send me through. Crow! Sin! Report now!"
"Richard… yes, I know what I must do." Crow remarked, as she straighten herself up. "I'm here. And I will do whatever it takes to bring Richard back to sense."
"Richard's found!? Brilliant! We can finally help him!" Sin exclaimed, as she rushed over.
"You called?" Yukari asked, as she appeared through a sukima, before she then created another. "Good thing that I just managed to make the sukima just now. If you do actually meet the contact, know that her name is Okina Matara. She's someone who bears the same title as Sage of Gensokyo as me. And she is displeased with how things are turning out, which is why we allied to deal with the matter ahead. You'll know her when you see her, because she'll know who I sent."
"Right. Let's go." Siege would say as he looked to Nihilister, Crow, Gus, and Sin, as they headed through the sukima.
To be continued in Flawed Diamonds...