Hakurei Shrine -A day after-
The Hakurei shrine maiden is up early and can be seen sweeping the area.
"Haaah~," Reimu yawned "nothing beats a good sleep after a rain," She then turned her head at the shrine and continued, "she sure is sleeping very comfortably."
"I guess I could let it slide after all it is her first day." She said as she continued sweeping.
"Hmm?" Her cleaning is interrupted as she saw a figure flying in towards her direction.
The flying figure in question is no doubt Marisa, the ordinary human witch.
"Yo! Reimu! I bet ya had a good sleep?" Marisa said as she gets off her broom and then looked around as if she is looking for something.
"Hey, where's Rain? Ya didn't kick her out while its raining did ya?" Marisa asked.
Reimu gripped her sweeping tool as this annoyed her.
"Why would I do that? I'm not that cruel you know?" Reimu replied with an annoyed tone.
Marisa recounts on her memory about Reimu being cruel to the others.
"Yeaaaah, I guess not." She said as she look away slowly.
Reimu seems to not have noticed this and asked her.
"So what made you come here so early in the morning?"
Marisa grinned at her replied. "Oh, just wanna know if you and Rain became best buds too in just a night. Just like Alice."
"What do you mean? We're already friends and didn't that include you as well? Anyways if that's only what you want then you may leave." Reimu replied ignoring the last part of Marisa's question.
"And you said ya aren't cruel." Marisa said under her breath.
"What was that?" Reimu said.
"Er, nothing just wanna say hi to Rain and maybe even invite her to my home this time!"
Reimu's eyes seemed to have dawdled from what she had said.
"Pretty sure that will be fun." Reimu said sarcastically."
"Course it is! So where is she anyway?" Marisa asked the whereabouts of Rain.
"Still sleeping, oh and starting today she temporarily lives here." Reimu smiled.
Marisa hearing this seemed pity the girl and said.
"Poor Rain, I better save some food for her then." She said as she clasped her hands together and formed a praying sign.
"Hey! What do you mean by that?! Argh, go somewhere else if you're done or else..." She said as she cracks her knuckles.
"Ahaha, I'll be back later when she's awake!" Marisa said as she quickly rode on her broom and dashed away.
"Tch, that Marisa..." Reimu griped.
She didn't tell her about what happened yesterday as she knew Marisa will be worried and annoy her about the details.
"I tried to purify the said darkness that Aunn saw but there is no reaction at all. I even made Rain touch the yin-yang orbs but no reaction either..." Reimu bit her lips and continued, "just what is that darkness that I can't even see or feel?"
Yesterday
"Hey, Rain you feeling better now?" Reimu asked Rain, who was enjoying her cup of tea.
"Yeah, nothing to worry about as it is nothing serious, I guess." Rain said before continuing to drink her tea.
"Well, if you say so, anyway you only had a headache and a bit of dizziness, correct?" Reimu asks as she too took a sip on her own tea.
"Mhm." Rain responded with a nod.
'I already tried to purify her but nothing happened, is she really possessed?' Reimu mentally said.
"Hey, have you seen my yin-yang orbs? They play a huge part in extermination." Reimu said as she shows the said orbs to Rain.
Rain without knowing this is a test, touched the orbs and after a moment. Nothing happened and she replied.
"Really fits well to my hand, kinda looks like an ordinary orbs to me but who am I say that? I'm no shrine maiden, right?"
Reimu fell silent after this and after a while replied.
"As I thought..." She muttered quietly, "They are quite deadly to yokai as this is its blessing and since you're a human it is basically harmless, unless I throw it hard enough." Reimu explained.
"I see, can I borrow one? Maybe I can use to throw it at them if they so would seek my flesh." She jokingly said.
Hearing this Reimu seemed to have lighten up and forget the said issue.
"No way, they are called yin and yang orbs for a reason and only the those from the Hakurei can use it which is me." She hides the orbs after saying this and continued.
"Besides you can't just wonder anywhere without me around. Also not all yokai are flesh eaters. You already met the Yokai Magicians." Reimu said and is pertaining to Alice and Patchouli.
As Rain rememebered she nodded and said.
"I see..."
She thought about how Reimu said she needs her to be around when going out.
'Feels like I'm being guarded... or rather watched? At least that's what my gut is telling me... Eh, what am I thinking? She's just worried about my safety.'
And so this thought and feeling dispersed like a mist.
"So Rain, what types of food have you cooked?" Reimu asked as she remembered that Rain told her that she knows how to cook.
Upon hearing this Rain could not help but scratch her head and promptly replied.
"Er... I don't actually know what kind but I do know that I can. Tee-hee~."
"Somehow that didn't fit you." Reimu said with a straight face.
"And somehow, I need to be angry but can't help but blame myself for it." Rain said.
Night came and the rain is still ongoing. Both had a good meal and talk about things such as how Reimu solve the past incidents. In other words, her heroic deeds which she is proud off and without a doubt boasting. Which Rain found interesting.
There is one thing that intrigued her the most and that is the spell card rules or spell card system that Reimu said she herself made. She learned that this was made to prevent bloodshed and to make weaker yokai and humans have a chance to win in a fair duel. Another fact is that this is also used as a chance for the yokai to beat the Hakurei Shrine maiden in the said duel.
While Rain wanted to learn more about this topic, they both had to rest after all it can be continued later on. Reimu herself has said to Rain that she is not protected by the said system as she is from the outside world.
Though she can be safe when in the human village and the shrine itself. But that doesn't remove the fact that she can be hunted down. Rain wondered and asked about Sumireko's case and Reimu answered that she is a special case and Rain too once she sorted things out.
"Eeeeh? You don't have a bed? Only futons?" Rain said as they are getting ready sleep.
"What? Beggars can't be choosers. Now go to sleep! I already made the effort to set it up for you." Reimu said as she slides in her own futon.
"Sorry. Goodnight Reimu thanks for today." She said as she too makes herself comfy in her futon.
"Mhm...night."
Facing the ceiling Rain thought before sleeping.
'No more bed and other things Alice's house has got to offer... well I think this is not so bad.' She gave a quick relaxed sigh before she closes her eyes.
Back at the present
As Reimu is outside cleaning. Rain herself have just woken up and she said to herself.
"Ooh, I slept well. I dreamed of eating a lot of tasty sweets..." she said and then stretched out her arms and continued, "darn, now I'm hungry for sweets."
She got up and tidy up the futon she used and then proceeded to the kitchen to clean up her face.
Outside the shrine
Reimu is just about to be finished cleaning as another figure or rather another visitor has arrived.
"Tch," Reimu clicked her tongue and said, "What brings you here today, Alice?"
Alice landed gracefully to the shrine's ground and greeted her. "Hello, old friend."
"That again, don't tell me you're also here for Rain?" Reimu assumed.
"You've guessed correctly, Marisa told me she will be staying here from now on, is that true?" Alice said.
"Yeah," Reimu answered, "do you have a problem with that?"
Alice is unfazed by Reimu's question and replied.
"No, I just want to talk to her..." she paused and after a few moments said "You didn't do anything to change her mind about staying in my place, right?"
Hearing this Reimu seemed to snap at that question.
"No, I didn't, it's her own decision. If you're making such assumptions then please leave or I just might exterminate you for trespassing." She said as she continued her sweeping and turned her back to Alice.
Just before Reimu could get away from their conversation - it's not even a proper one - Alice crosses her arms and said.
"Hmph, I'm just asking no need to be angry about it. However, I won't leave until I get to talk to her." Alice made her point.
"She's probably still sleeping, come back later." Reimu said while still having her back turned to Alice.
"Hmm, is that so?" Alice contemplated about what to do and then replied.
"I suppose, I could wait but to pass time..." She deployed her dolls and declared, "Have a battle of bullets with me."
Reimu could not afford to battle as she already cleaned the place besides she's not in the mood for it.
"No, I already cleaned the place. Why don't you just sit somewhere near while you wait, I'll give you some tea too."
This seems to be plausable alternative to pass time but Alice isn't having it.
"I'll pass, could it be that you are worried that you'll lose face in front of Rain?" Alice provoked Reimu.
"WHAT?" Reimu exclaimed as she suddenly turned around to face Alice, "Oh, so it is still about her? Well looks like someone is jealous, huh." Reimu pointed out.
Alice seemingly baffled at this finally said.
"Me? No, I'm simply worried about her living with YOU." Alice said, increasing the tension with them.
"You...Fine! If it's a battle of bullets you want then you'll have it. Don't regret it." Reimu said as she agreed to have the duel.
"Wonderful, then allow me to make the stakes, so you'll fight seriously," Alice pointed her finger at Reimu and continued "If I win, I'll take Rain back with me."
"Tch, Why bring her into this? I'll beat you so bad you'll think about your actions. Plus when you lose, you will never approach her again. There you happy? You better give it your all." Reimu also stated her winning condition.
Hearing this Alice began floating in air and said "Well, then I suppose we better get started, before she wakes up."
Alice didn't knew what came over her. It is unusual for her to go all out like this, even as well as the one to make the challenge. Maybe it is because of Rain, who sincerely became her friend. Perhaps she really is jealous that her friend will not be able to spend more time with her.
Normally, she always holds back against her opponents as she prefers strategy rather than pure firepower hence she is ok with losing. But this time she doesn't have a choice but to go all out or she'll lose her new friend because of her own actions.
She wanted to take back what she said but it is too late. Her emotions got the better of her. The only path now is to beat the obstacle that blocks her goal.
'So this is what is like to fight for friendship? To show your true power for them... I'll use it when it is time and least unexpected.'
Reimu began to ascend in air as well. Both taking their battle stance. After a few moments their battle started as Alice attacks first with her dolls.
Bullets began firing from the said dolls and accompanied by many more dolls seeking Reimu.
[Foot Soldiers "Suicide Squad"]
This is the name of the spell card Alice just used.
The strategy here is that while the other normal dolls and Alice herself fires bullets at her opponent, the bomb dolls will close in for the damage. In other words, they need a distraction to work. Alice herself can change tactics to use the bomb dolls as a decoy instead for her other attacks.
However for Reimu this is all easy to see and easily dodged the bomb dolls by baiting them to explode at the last second while keeping at eye on her opponent.
"As if I'll let you do what you want!" Reimu said as she counter attacks with her ofuda and needles.
Her opponent also managed to easily dodged the said attacks. It is after all just the start of the battle.
[Prayer "Disaster-Dispelling-Prayer"]
Reimu launched her spell card which fired red amulets at Alice. After a while it all turned to the color orange and created waves of the same amulet.
"Hmph, silly shrine maiden. We're just getting started. After all, I always revise my strategies and plans." Alice said as she throws out a doll.
[Scarlet Sign "Holland Doll"]
As the amulets close in to her, the doll she throwed then fires a cross-shaped laser. Eradicating the waves of amulets in the way.
As the laser dispersed. Alice is nowhere to be seen and Reimu is on guard. She herself quickly looked at her surroundings and mentally said.
'If she's not behind my back and not in the front then...'
Reimu quickly looked up and saw Alice in time. Their distance with each other is not that far and that made Reimu more wary.
What Reimu saw was Alice and another doll in front of her. There were other dolls positioned not far from them. One at right and one at the left.
Of course this is what Reimu saw just after she looked up. The moment she saw them there is a laser coming in from the front doll.
[Curse Sign "Shanghai Doll"]
The front doll is Shanghai which fires a high-output laser in such a short delay. Blink and you'll get hit.
Reimu saw this just in time and managed to dodged it in the last few seconds before it hits her. She could feel the heat touching her skin. In other words, she grazed it just in time.
But what concerned her the most is the idle dolls between her sides. She then realized what they are for after dodging the first attack.
'!!! A pincer attack?!'
Just as she predicted the idle dolls attacked at the same time firing red beams at her, though the red beams itself came from Alice herself. The strings that connects the dolls through Alice, is what made the redirection possible and to add more combo they also fired laser bullets.
'It would seem like she's surprise by my new tactics, but...' Alice mentally said as she switches Shanghai with Hourai.
"Take this!"
[Malediction "Hourai Doll"]
Summoning multiple dolls in front of her, they will fire multiple lasers and can widely cover the front with high power.
The reason for their distance gap being almost close is that to let the lasers almost instantly hit the opponent the moment they are fired. The opponent will have too little reaction time to dodge it. Combine it with fast firing lasers coming at different directions and other attacks can also come into play making this a great strategy indeed.
It was all executed gracefully and perfectly that when viewed from a spectator it is a beautiful lightshow with such coordination. Such tactic really fits Alice's type of attack which can only be pulled off with her dolls.
From her view Reimu's surely about to get hit with this. But to her surprise, Reimu seemed to have grazed her attacks, barely. It seems like Alice is starting to lose this fight. Even though she made such an effort for such a strategy.
Why is that? Because Alice already depleted some of her spell cards while Reimu had only just used one. This already happened back then where she exhausted all of her spell cards thus her defeat. Will the same thing happen today?
Alice could only click her tongue in annoyance at this. She then procedeed to use more of her powerful spell cards. Not letting your opponent take a break is also part of a good strategy.
[Puppeteer Sign "Maiden's Bunraku"]
Alice then started to throw a large bubble-like blue bullet to a random spot below her, which will quickly explode into multiple blond dolls with blue dresses that fly in random directions.
Reimu braces for it and tries to dodge them. After all she had seen this spell card before.
Each of the dolls then shoots straight lines of blue bullets in random directions, create a burst of red bullets that fall down, and shoot a red laser downwards in a direction close to one of their lines of blue bullets.
There is one weakness that this spellcard holds and that is that the dolls can be damaged and destroyed to stop them from shooting, as early as the red bullets. Though they can't be destroyed before they shoot the blue bullets.
A deadly yet beautiful performance done by Alice. That said you could only admire such a sight only if you're not the one that's the target of this spell card.
Reimu on the other hand aimed for the said weakness and quickly positioned herself to avoid the incoming bullets while destroying the said dolls.
Though Reimu herself got annoyed from the tactic Alice played earlier,nhence she deployed her spell card.
[Spirit Sign "Fantasy Orb"]
"This is payback for such a trick!" Reimu said as she unleashes homing spirit orbs at Alice.
As Alice is occupied doing her spell card, she can't dodge easily although she can move but not that much. Without a doubt Alice will be hit by the homing orbs and take damage. Which indeed happened and the spell card she was doing is interrupted or so to say have stop and that is because...
Spell Card Break!
This occurs when the owner of the spell card that is currently being used takes enough damage from the opposing foe. Rendering the spell card to end quickly and cannot be used again for the duration of the duel.
Reimu has the upper hand on this duel. If this continues, no doubt Alice will lose.
Alice then remembers the times she spent with Rain, no matter how short it is what counts is that they are real and sincere.
Rain for Alice is the first human whoever engaged her fairly without fear or disgust. She have encountered other humans whom she helped back then by making them stay in her house. But none of them ever opened up a conversation to her, perhaps they find her creepy and especially her doll collection.
However, Rain was different. She looked and talked to her as an equal with no hidden feelings. Complimented her work and dreams. Even her house and cooking skills are praised. To her Rain is like a radiant human blooming with positivity and kindness.
"That's why..." Alice gritted her teeth and cling tightly on her book. "I cannot lose!" She shouted.
With this more and more dolls began to emerge in the air and attacks Reimu. Some of them fired bullets, while the others are bombs itself.
"That again? Why don't you have a taste of your own bomb dolls?" Reimu said as she returned fire with her needles and amulets, along with a barrier that reflects some of the bullets and even the bomb dolls before they could explode.
As the bullets and bomb dolls are hurled back at Alice. She doesn't seem to be moving and soon will be hit.
This is because she is preparing to unlock her book. The Griamore of Alice, which contains the ultimate magic or so Alice has said. It is said that once unlocked, Alice will be be able to fight in her full potential and that seven colours of light will shine once it is opened.
Just as before the projectiles hits Alice and her unlocking the griamore. The projectiles were all destroyed and the doll bombs exploded. Interrupting Alice and Reimu looks confused at what happened.
Then, Reimu heard Aunn calling to her.
"Miss Reimu! You have to stop the fight! Its Miss Rain!" Aunn shouted as she pointed at where the said projectiles were destroyed.
Reimu looked at Aunn and saw beside her a huge crack on the ground. She quickly know what Aunn meant and flew immediately to the direction where the blast occured.
Alice having been interrupted and heared what Aunn said and also saw the huge crack. Her eyes turn to Reimu who looks panicked and hear her say.
"That idiot! Why did she do that?! Where is she?!"
Alice realized who Reimu is talking about and rushed in to question her.
"Reimu! What happened?" She asked although she already has the gist of what happened.
"The duel is off... you can thank Rain for that, darn that idiot why in the world would you block the bullets, let alone the bombs?" Reimu said as she keeps looking left and right.
The one who interrupted their duel was Rain, who blocked the bullets and bomb by her own.
Perhaps the reason Rain interfered was because she thought the duel could hurt both sides. The problem here is that she didn't get to tell Rain about the bullets and other projectiles used in the fight are non-lethal. They will still hurt but not in a way that would seriously injure the participants. The damage ranges from bruises to cut clothes. So the one that is actually at fault here is Reimu for not telling her about it. Though Reimu herself will not see that.
"How can she do that? While we're high up in the air?" Alice asks as she too is starting to worry.
"Do you even have to ask? Just look at that huge crack on the floor!" Reimu points at the said crack.
Alice seemed to have got the answer and said.
"Did you mean she..."
"Yes, she jumped in to block the attack. I don't even know how she did but she's out of her mind doing that!" Reimu could not believe it as she voiced out her thought.
"The question is where is she?" Alice said having pieced together the situation.
"How should I know?! She blocked the attack and your bombs exploded on her, of course she's blown away." Reimu said with an annoyed tone.
There is no need to talk for time is running out as they chat. They split up to go look for Rain. That is if she is still alive for falling from such a height from being flung away by the blast could result in her falling outside the shrine and dying from falling.
Though she said she is a normal human. A human who can leap that far are not a feat that can be done by a normal human. She maybe a unusual human possessing a great strength.
Earlier
Rain finished washing up her face and sits down to have a tea.
"I'd never knew that Reimu is that great at making such a delicious tea." Rain said as she savors the tea by inhaling its aroma.
"This smells good, I wonder what's her secret?" She said as she finally took a sip.
"Nothing calms the body and mind, with a good o'l tea!" She hums as she seems to be happy.
Then as she continues to drink her tea. She felt a disturbance in her surrounding as well as hearing a loud explosion.
"!!!" She jolted from her seat and rushed outside where she quickly saw Aunn looking up in sky.
"Hey Aunn! I heard this loud explosion and rushed here to know what is happening? Where's Reimu?" She asks.
Aunn pointed to where she is looking and Rain looked up and saw two familiar people.
No doubt that is Reimu and Alice.
"They are pretty high up, wait are they fighting?!" Rain exclaimed.
"Yes, they are currently engaged in the battle of bullets duel." Aunn said.
"Battle of Bullets..." Rain have heard of this before. Yes it is what she and Reimu have talked about last night.
'To think that I get to see battle of bullets this early...' Rain mentally said as she silently watches the two exchange bullets.
As the duel continues to intensify. Rain sees how the two fight and even witnessed their spell cards. She is even mesmerized when Alice used her spell card after her display of her new tactics.
But seeing her two friends fight is not something she is comfortable with. Why did such a battle occured in the first place? This question strikes her and then it clicked on her.
The reason may have been because of her, as she didn't let Alice know that she'll be staying here from now on. Though that's not really the whole reason, not that she knows about it.
She felt guilty about it and decided that she needs to stop the duel before anyone gets hurt. Not aware of the fact that none of the bullets or projectiles are harmful.
That said how is she going to stop them? They'll probably won't notice her since they are high up in the air.
As she looks for ways, she saw Reimu fired a rainbow colored orbs that targeted Alice and how it hits her.
Alice is losing the fight, that's what Rain thought. In order to null the duel, she has to stop them by directly stepping in.
Her desire to stop the duel intensified when she heard Alice shouted that she cannot lose the battle.
The moment she heard that her own body seemed to have moved on its own. As she positioned herself to jump.
When Reimu reflected the projectiles back to Alice. She instantly jumped, such energy she released to perform such a feat cracked the ground and left Aunn with a shocked face. During her time in the air she draws her sword to block the incoming projectiles.
Which she successfully did but the bomb dolls that exploded on her blows her away to the direction of the Forest of Magic. The smoke covered her direction and the fact that she moved so fast that the two having the duel did not even noticed her.
Free falling in the air. She could only await the time she will touch the ground. There's no time to think of a plan as she'll only last a few seconds before hitting the ground.
But her instincts says that she can't give up, she can't die now after all there are many things left unanswered.
"I won't die! Not this way!" She shouted as her left arm transforms into a shroud of darkness in the form of a monstrous dark arm that extended and grappled on to the trees that negated her acceleration to the ground and instead diverted it forward.
She didn't knew what just happened but braced herself to hit some of the tree branches.
She may have hit two to three tree branches before finally hitting and rolling down on the ground.
She survived the fall but not without any damage. She sustained a few bruises and cuts.
She somehow felt weird that none of the bullets and the bombs itself didn't harmed her the moment it touched her. She describes it as being punched from the bombs and the bullets itself felt like a needle. The only injuries she sustained are from the fall and collision on the tree branches she'd hit.
She fell down on what seemed to be a road and after recovering from earlier she got up with a groan and uttered.
"Damn, ow...ow this hurts but it ain't nothing, I need to get back, ah...I bet they will mad at me for interrupting on their fight. Still-" Rain thought about earlier on the sudden transformation of her left arm.
It seemed to have returned to normal now. She looked at it and said.
"What is that? Did I do that? I don't remember that I have that kind of thing...but then again I don't have my memory with me. Still it did saved me from the fall but that is not-" Her head started to ache again as her vision also blurred as well.
It may have been an effect from what she used earlier or perhaps she suffered a head injury or even both.
"Argh...not now! I need to get...back." She said as she started to walk down on the road for she believes that this will lead her to elsewhere rather than stay wherever she is.
She can't walk that fast due to the injuries she suffered, it may look like she is limping if she runs and also doing that may deplete her of the energy she needed in case of emergency.
A few minutes of walking she still seems to have not yet seen anyone or any house of sorts. Only trees and the never-ending road.
"Feels like I've been walking for ages!" Rain complained.
Then as she said that she felt another presence lurking. This is because she's on guard hence her heightened senses.
"Don't try to hide. I can already feel your presence." Rain directed her words at the bush just a few distance from her.
The bush rattled and then emerged a what seemed to be a little girl that has red eyes and a short blonde hair.
"I was flying on the air when I heard this loud crashing sound. Did you fall down from the sky?" The girl asks.
Rain's vision was going back and forth from being blurry to clear but she can make out what she is seeing.
The girl wears a black vest and skirt, and white blouse with a red tie bordered by two large red beads around her neck. She noticed the girl has a ribbon tied to her left side of her hair perhaps her vision is so blurry that she can't make out if it is indeed a ribbon.
"I did, it was not a nice landing though. What is it that you need? I could use a help by the way." Her posture shifted to be attentive.
"Help? You're human right? And you look like you came from the outside world. I'm not really that picky when it comes to food." The red eyed girl said.
"Hmph, figures you're a yokai..." Rain grasp her weapon, readying to draw it just in case.
"What else would I look like? You look like you're about to die, with blood and all." The yokai girl said.
Appearances can be deceiving is the best quote used in this situation. She may look like innocent girl but she is a man eater. Let your guard down and you'll be sorry.
"Blood? I don't see anything." Rain said as she checks herself for the said blood.
After touching her forehead she seemed to have found it. She had a cut on her forehead, but she didn't knew that there is a blood leaking on it.
"Say~ Since you're dying and all..." the yokai smiled at her and then continued, "Can I eat you?" the yokai said straightforward.
Hearing this Rain assumed her battle stance and said.
"No, I'll have you know that even at this state I can defend myself. Also me looking about to die is a bit of overstatement," She then paused and unsheathes her sword, "Don't blame me if I cut you down. I'm only defending myself." Rain warned the yokai.
Since she is an outsider, killing those who live here might be a crime even if she only defended herself, yokai or not. Hence this is just an empty threat. But she will not hesitate to injure her would be assailant.
"Is that so~?" This is only what the yokai could reply to her threat.
It is as if she's not being taken seriously. But she won't strike first no matter what until she can confirm that the person in front of her is trying to attack her.
"Attacking humans is a yokai's job, since you're already weakened. I'll just need to weaken you further until you give up and accept you being my food." The girl said.
"Then step forward and be ready. This will be a duel and I don't plan on becoming a yokai food. I am a swordsmaster that you'll remember and my name's Rain Nanase." Rain gave her name and gripped tightly on her sword.
"You shouldn't underestimate us humans." she added.
The yokai seemed to have a slight reaction to what she said.
"You're giving your name before a fight? Humans are weird but they do taste good. I'm Rumia, a yokai that likes the darkness."
The yokai called Rumia introduced herself.
As soon as she said that the area where they are has started to darken and soon it would seem like late evening has fallen.
'A yokai that can manipulate the darkness...' Rain mentally said as she prepares for the inevitable fight for her life.
Unlike from the duel Reimu and Alice had. This one has no rules. Meaning there is no rule to be followed, every attack is meant to injure and even kill. No fancy bullets, no non-lethal shenanigans, just a straight up duel with no restrictions.
Rumia opened up her first attack with her turning into a mass of darkness and charging to Rain.
Rain dodge it easily and didn't counter attacked as she wants to see first how her opponent works.
Rumia bumped into a tree and scolded Rain. "Ow! Why did you dodge?!" She said as she puffed her cheeks.
It is like they are playing a game of tag albeit the deadly one where you only get 'it' once.
"..." Rain did not replied back but instead thought.
'Is she an idiot? No, she still has the intent to harm me. Should I just use this opportunity to run away?'
As she contemplates, Rumia is ready again to attack but this time she throws projectiles at her. They are the same bullets that is used for the battle of bullets but these bullets lack the non-lethal properties.
Which means getting hit by it will have the intended effect.
"Oraaaa!" Rain quickly swung her sword to deflect all of the bullets fired at her and distance herself to the yokai.
Rumia seems to be getting annoyed at this and tries to mash up her attacks by firing bullets and also charging at her.
Seeing this she swiftly slashed all the projectiles aimed at her and as she's about to dodge the last attack. Her head aches and she felt a bit dizzy alongside the blurry vision she's experiencing earlier.
"Agh! Why... now?!" It was just for a brief moment but this was enough for her to get hit by Rumia's charging attack.
As she's dragged into the darkness, she quickly used her sword to block her front. She can't see what is happening where her arms are but she's sure that something is caught in her sword.
"Gah! Don't you dare try to eat my sword!" Rain said before kicking on the ground to propel herself upward.
She succesfully avoids being dragged in and Rumia yet crashes again into another tree.
"Ow! Again?! You humans are so good at running. I hate this! You are not fun! I'm leaving! Hmph!" the yokai Rumia grumbled as she flies away. Leaving Rain behind with a confused look.
A moment of silence passed as Rain is still on guard even though her opponent has left.
"Wha...What? That's it?!" Rain uttered with disappointment even though she really did fight for her life.
It was understandable, after all she was under the impression that she either fight or die. Instead what she got is a fight with a child.
"Whatever...Let's just hope I won't run into anymore trouble..." she said as she sheathed her sword and continued down the road, not looking back.
As she continues to walk, she can feel that fight took a toll on her. Even though that is hardly a fight, she still spent her energy in it. Deflecting projectiles and using force to propel herself is not easy to do especially in her condition.
"My body is getting heavy and my vision's getting blurrier, crap...sooner or later I'll be on the ground." Rain's movement is getting slower as time passes.
Before her body is about to give in. She noticed a what seemed like a house just a few distance from her. She quickly sprinted to it and reached it in no time.
She didn't even managed to read the signs outside --though she caught a glimpse of it-- and all she could do was knock on the door and hope that the person who opens the door will not have her as a food.
Just as she hears footsteps coming in from the inside, she felt her body shutting down and when the door opened she loses her consciousness. But before so she caught a glimpse on the person behind the door. The person was wearing a black and blue clothing. The person seems to be taller than her and has a short silver hair. That same person has golden eyes and also wears a pair of glasses.
A/N: Phew! That took a lot of time! I tried my best and here you go! It was pretty hard visualizing and describing the fight. Don't ask me about the danmaku fight, I haven't been in an actual one, neither do you, right? So I dunno if getting hit by the exploding bullets/bombs can actually fling you, lol.
Another note is that I could have used a wild yokai that can be killed but I happen to use Rumia instead since she's pretty much a certified man-eater that actually roams the forest. It was hard for me to actually write how their encounter would end without hurting both characters, well save for Rain which was already hurt in the first place. So I decided to let them fight for a brief moment, only for our childish yokai to give up and lose her interest. Reminds me of how some hunters actually leave alone the already injured prey since they provide no sport or just easy kill.
The next chapter might be a little spicy, who knows? Ehe~