Author's Note: A short update to the story, since I haven't updated it in more than a year. Updates won't be frequent, because I'm unfortunately still busy. However as I mentioned, I didn't forget about the stories and I won't abandon them. The writing style is still kept the same to be consistent with the rest of the story, so it won't be as good as my newer stories, since I don't really want to make a sudden change out of nowhere. However there's no need to worry, because the newer stories will still have the better one. As always, I appreciate reading the A/N, and please enjoy the chapter!
Reimu opened her eyes.
Was it time for the operation yet? She looked to the side and looked at the table clock that was on the bedside table.
Back in Gensokyo, Yukari taught her about this device, the so-called "clock".
Shrine maiden had to admit that it was pretty useful to know the exact time without having to go outside, yet she was annoyed that she had to use yet another thing called "batteries" to power it up...
6 PM. It was still early, but not much time until night, so she decided to get up from the bed.
She rubbed her face in order to wake up properly.
Well, there's not much point in delaying, she should go meet up with others.
She went to the door and was about to open it when suddenly someone came out of it.
Reimu stumbled back and fell to the ground at the sudden appearance. When she calmed down a bit, she took a good look at the person.
It was that hidden god again...
She smiled at her.
-Good afternoon, Reimu Hakurei. I apologize for appearing like that, however, I have a proposition for you.
Proposition? What would she even want from her?
-What do you want? Didn't you give us time to solve this problem?
The smile didn't leave her face, she offered her hand to Reimu in order to help her off the ground.
She didn't accept it and instead got up on her own strength.
-Of course, I did. However, it is more related to that plan of yours that you're planning to do tonight.
So she knows? I guess she shouldn't be surprised...
-What about it?
Then out of the closed door came two more people. Both of them were women. One of them had light ginger hair, cut short with two long side locks, and purple eyes. She was wearing a folded Kazaori-eboshi, a dotted magenta dress with short sleeves and a small white apron, and magenta shoes with short heels. She was also holding a stalk of Myoga Ginger with her left hand. The second one had almost the same appearance, but she was wearing a green variant of the clothes, and she was also holding a bamboo stalk with her right hand.
Both of them moved to each side of the hidden god and bowed slightly.
If Reimu recalled correctly, these were servants of hers, Mai Teireida and Satono Nishida.
-I'm willing to give you assistance on claiming the yin-yang orb if you're going to help me with something.
Help us? So now she's willing to help us? There has to be a catch...
-And what's that "something" supposed to be?
She once again smiled.
-After I help you, and you recreate the Hakurei Barrier with the help of Yakumo, you will assist me in enforcing certain rules in Gensokyo.
-And why would you need my help for that?
-You see, Reimu Hakurei. The youkai and humans of Gensokyo wouldn't be willing to listen to me.
She put her hand on the shrine maiden's shoulder.
-But they would be willing to listen to you.
Reimu swatted the hand away.
Okina and her servants moved to the side.
-And now, Reimu Hakurei.
The door suddenly appeared to the side of the shrine maiden.
-If you wish to accept my offer, you only have to step through the door that I have conveniently placed.
She smiled once again.
-So what will it be?
Reimu then chuckled and smiled.
-I have decided.
The hidden god clasped her hands.
-Excellent, so what's your answer?
-I will choose the door.
But then the shrine maiden moved over to the door to exit the room.
-However, it will be this one.
She then opened it and was about to step outside, when she was surprised to see that the door led back to her room. She looked back at the hidden god.
Okina then started laughing.
-How shrewd of you, Reimu Hakurei! But aren't you too hasty about your decision?
Reimu then closed the door with an annoyed expression.
-No. I'm perfectly sure about my decision, but I'm just going to ask you. Why won't you just help us instead of making some stupid deals? Don't you care about Gensokyo?
The hidden god then had a serious expression after being asked this question, compared to her playful disposition.
-Of course, I do. However, don't misunderstand me, Reimu Hakurei. The Sages of Gensokyo aren't people who only have pure intentions. I have my own agenda, and so does Yakumo, and even Ibaraki. We haven't created Gensokyo just to save youkai from disappearing. Just like every King and Queen in the history, we also want something out of it.
Reimu nodded. While she didn't really want to accept this answer, she knew deep down that it was true. However, nevertheless, she also knew that it's better to trust Yukari than Okina.
-And so, Reimu Hakurei, I ask of you again. What's your decision?
The shrine maiden then looked straight at the hidden god.
-I won't waver. I won't help you.
Okina visibly grimaced.
-I see... In that case, I won't help you nor try to stop you. After all, only you were the one who would be able to change this linear path of fate laid out by the mastermind themselves.
She then opened her door-like portal and stepped through it.
Her servants bowed without saying anything and followed their master.
Reimu was left alone in her room.
Linear path of fate? Mastermind? What was she talking about?
She rubbed her face again.
There was no point in thinking about this now. She has to have a clear head for the operation that's coming up. Besides, she could have said that just to mess with her. She wouldn't be the first one to say some cryptic stuff just for the sake of it...
She sighed and then opened the door again, this time, the door properly led her into the hallway of the mansion.
She stepped out of the room and started heading towards the dining room.