Quest for The Zodiac Amulet

by ToumaxRindo

After another successful mission, Ryusei decides to take on another high paying mission to retrieve the mystical Zodiac Amulet last seen in Kyoto. By chance and accident, he ends up in Gensokyo at Reimu's shrine instead of his desired location due to a navigation error and what starts off as a solo adventure turns into a conditional partnership for a priceless artifact.

16. Chapter 16

The red samurai's armor stuck out like a sore thumb in the forest environment. However, it was the only protection Ryusei had against any sort of danger in the forest and since this forest was home to many dangerous species, he knew that having highly exposing armor was better than no armor at all.

"Found her."

Ryusei saw Belloq navigating his way through the valley with a convoy of men on foot. Their vehicles were useless in the dense foliage and mud of the forest. Acting quickly, Ryusei quickly emerged from his hiding spot and held the Zodiac amulet in the air for all to see.

"Belloq!" yelled Ryusei.

The archeologist looked up to see Ryusei with the amulet in all its shining glory.

"Ryusei!" greeted Belloq. "What brings you here?"

"I'm going to destroy the amulet, Belloq," declared Ryusei.

He pulled out one of Reimu's green bomb letters and pointed it at the amulet. Reimu looked at him in shock and tried to fly up to him but was held back. Ryusei's actions were enough to send several of Belloq's men for cover but Belloq remained firm.

"Your persistence even surprises me," commented Belloq. "You give my people a bad name. I just wonder, how will you escape from this island? I've got all exits surrounded and your gunman ain't here to bail you out this time."

"That depends on how reasonable you want to be," informed the samurai. "All I want is Reimu Hakurei. You can have the amulet but return the shrine maiden to me."

"And if I refuse?" asked Belloq.

"Then neither of us will have a prize," informed Ryusei.

Belloq sighed and signaled his men to stand back.

"Alright Ryusei. You win. Blow it up. Blow it back to the ancients," said Belloq. "All your life, you spent either fighting or searching for relics with mythical powers to prove the existence of your God, Yahweh and sorcery."

Belloq signaled his men before turning back to the samurai.

"We all believe in religions. Even atheists have their own beliefs in science," declared Belloq. He pointed at the amulet. "That artifact represents our beliefs and the supernatural. It proves that your God, dragons, magic, devils, and angels, is out there and real. Do as you will if you even can."

Ryusei locked eyes with Reimu and Belloq before lowering the amulet and the bomb. His bluff had been called and everyone knew it. Within seconds, a small detattachment of Belloq's men surrounded Ryusei with their wakizashis and the samurai had surrendered the priceless treasure, defeated and Reimu's hopes shattered.