Touhou Ankoku - Rise of the Eternal Dread

by Lei Yun

An amnesiac newcomer arrives in Gensokyo and she's not here by coincidence. Convinced that she could find help there, she embarks on a quest to find them and return her lost memories. But it's not an easy journey as this means she'll be entering a seemingly otherworld in which gods, magic, and yokai exist. Will she be able to attain her goal? What awaits her in the Land of Fantasy?

25. Under Heaven's Light & Hell's Darkness

A/N: Hello again! This time there is a change in the title and the supposed length of the story. It will be split into their respective works as it should be. This one is the first part. I made the decision base on the story flow as it would be hard to keep track on the proper story flow and formatting if everything is shoved inside a single story. Hence, the change. Anyway, starting on this story will be renamed to as: Touhou Ankoku ~ Eien no Kyoufu no Saitan (Touhou Dark Reign: Rise of The Eternal Dread) and now part of the major series called "Touhou Ibunroku ~ Chronicles of the Otherworld". Various translations may apply but this works too or is close enough. I also updated the prologue to make it longer and related to the introduction title.

---

The morning at the Hakurei Shrine was anything but serene. Rain, still bristling at the idea of being babysat by Marisa, stood at the shrine's entrance, arms crossed, glaring at the horizon. Her newly healed left arm flexed reflexively, the manacle and broken chain clinking faintly with the movement. The manacle was unexpected—a side effect of Kasen's Ibaraki Box of a Hundred Medicines, she supposed. Despite being whole again, the faint reminder of restraint annoyed her.

Behind her, Reimu Hakurei was busy grumbling under her breath, sweeping up the remnants of the shrine's broken door. She muttered something about "freeloaders" and "destructive guests," pausing occasionally to glare in Rain's direction. The damage Rain caused when she opened the door with her sheer power wasn't just unsightly—it was beyond repair, forcing Reimu to remove the shattered remnants altogether. Now the shrine stood exposed to the elements, and the miko's irritation was palpable.

Marisa Kirisame, meanwhile, hovered nearby, watching Rain with a mix of curiosity and exasperation. She leaned on her broom, still unsure how this morning had turned into her keeping an eye on the stubborn woman. "So," Marisa said with a lopsided grin, "are we actually goin' for that walk, or are ya plannin' on brooding here all day, daze?"

Rain ignored the jab, her gaze shifting toward the interior of the shrine. Her weapon, once a sleek katana, now rested inside in its altered form—a massive, obsidian war scythe that radiated an unsettling energy. Its transformation had mirrored her own, as though it had been affected by the same forces that reshaped her. The scythe's blade curved wickedly, and its handle was wrapped in dark, leather-like material. A part of her wanted to leave it behind, but another part—one driven by instinct—refused the notion.

With that, she strode back inside the shrine, ignoring Marisa's questioning look. Her armored attire lay nearby as well: the dark chest plate, gauntlets, and thigh-high tights. The cape was unusable, tattered beyond recognition during her last battle, but the rest of the outfit was intact. The chest armor bore subtle etchings, and the shoulder guards gleamed faintly under the shrine's light. She ran a hand over her midriff under her kimono, the defined muscles catching her touch , then looked down at the loose kimono she currently wore.

"Not my style," Rain muttered.

She grabbed the scythe and her armor, discarding the kimono in favor of her dark attire. The cool metal of the chest plate fit snugly against her, and the gloves and boots gave her a sense of readiness she hadn't felt since the battle. As she adjusted the shoulder guards, the broken chain on her manacle swayed, adding to her ominous appearance.

When she emerged, her attire is back to such a dark outfit. She looked like a warrior from a darker time—a sharp contrast to the shrine's calm surroundings. The black armor gave her a foreboding presence, and her war scythe, slung casually over her shoulder, only added to the effect.

Marisa's jaw dropped slightly, and she waved her hands in protest. "Whoa, whoa, whoa! Are you serious, Rain? That thing is way too eye-catching! We're just takin' a walk, not stormin' a castle!"

Rain smirked, clearly enjoying Marisa's reaction. "It's a precaution. Besides, the weapon is part of me." She hefted the scythe, the blade glinting menacingly. "Would you go out without your broom?"

Marisa frowned but couldn't argue. "Okay, fine. But do you really need that outfit? You're gonna scare the villagers—assuming we even run into anyone." She gestured vaguely at Rain's armor. "And what's with showin' off your abs? You tryin' to intimidate me or somethin'?"

Rain rolled her eyes. "This isn't about intimidation. It's about practicality. Walking in a kimono? No thanks. Besides, I like to be ready for anything."

Marisa crossed her arms, muttering, "Yeah, anything, like makin' folks think you're some kinda dark overlord." She sighed and threw her hands up. "Alright, fine. But don't blame me if we end up with an angry mob or somethin'."

Reimu, still sweeping nearby, groaned audibly. "If you two are done with your wardrobe debates, just go. And try not to bring back more trouble this time." She shot Rain a sharp look. "I've had enough of your chaos for one week."

Rain shrugged, a faint smirk playing on her lips as she adjusted her grip on the scythe. "I make no promises."

With that, she strode toward the shrine's path, Marisa following reluctantly. The morning air was crisp, and as they walked, the clinking of Rain's chain and the soft tapping of Marisa's broom against the ground added a strange rhythm to their steps.

---

The dense, shadowed canopy of the Forest of Magic enveloped Rain and Marisa as they walked. Twisted trees loomed overhead, their gnarled branches blotting out much of the morning light, leaving the forest floor in perpetual twilight. A cool breeze rustled the leaves, carrying the faint, earthy scent of moss and damp wood. It was eerily quiet save for the occasional birdcall or the distant scurry of unseen creatures.

Rain strode confidently, her war scythe balanced on her shoulder, its blade catching glimmers of what little light filtered through. Her armored boots crunched against the uneven ground, while the loose end of the broken chain on her manacle swayed and clinked softly. Marisa, broom in hand, trailed behind, her usual carefree demeanor offset by a furrowed brow as she glanced around.

"You know," Marisa finally broke the silence, "I can't help but notice you don't actually have a destination, do ya?" She raised an eyebrow, her tone teasing. "I thought you were all about being prepared, 'Miss Shinigami.' What's the plan here, huh?"

Rain glanced back at her, unimpressed. "Does there need to be a plan? It's just a walk."

Marisa sighed, her expression somewhere between amusement and exasperation. "A walk in this place? The Forest of Magic isn't exactly a casual stroll, ya know. Most folks wouldn't even come here without a good reason."

Rain didn't respond immediately, her gaze drifting ahead. Truthfully, she hadn't given much thought to where they were headed. The forest had seemed like as good a direction as any—secluded, quiet, and removed from the mess she'd left at the shrine. But she knew Marisa wouldn't let it go so easily.

"Alright, alright," Marisa continued, taking the lack of reply as permission to press on. "How about this? If we're just wandering around aimlessly, why don't we swing by Kourindou? I mean, you've been complainin' about the cape thing. Maybe Kourin's got somethin' that'll suit ya."

Rain tilted her head, mulling it over. Kourindou—Rinnosuke Morichika's shop—was familiar to her. She'd visited before, though back then, she hadn't looked like this. The thought of Rinnosuke not recognizing her gave her pause. That wasn't necessarily a bad thing; in fact, it might make things easier. Marisa, of course, knew she'd been there before, and Rain had no doubt she'd bring it up.

"Kourindou, huh?" Rain said finally, her voice neutral. "He wouldn't recognize me now."

Marisa chuckled, hopping onto her broom and floating alongside Rain. "Oh, I bet he wouldn't. Last time you were there, you didn't exactly have the whole 'dark overlord' vibe goin' on, daze. Pretty sure you were a bit more, uh… approachable."

Rain smirked faintly. "You're saying I'm not approachable now?"

"Well, let's just say," Marisa leaned over her broom with a playful grin, "if Kourin sees you walkin' in with that big ol' scythe and armor, he might think you're here to collect debts, not shop for a cape."

Rain rolled her eyes but couldn't help the small chuckle that escaped her. "Fine. Let's head there. If only to stop you from yammering."

Marisa grinned triumphantly, giving her broom a small spin in the air. "See? I do have good ideas sometimes."

Rain shook her head as they continued deeper into the forest. The thought of Kourindou and its odd assortment of goods intrigued her. Perhaps she'd find something there—not just a cape but maybe something else useful. And if nothing else, it might be a distraction from the tangle of thoughts swirling in her mind.

As they continued down the winding path through the Forest of Magic, Marisa's mischievous grin grew wider, her thoughts clearly turning to a new idea. She slowed her pace just enough to match Rain's stride, her eyes twinkling with amusement.

"You know," Marisa began, her voice light and teasing, "now that you look all shinigami-ish and whatnot, we could totally have some fun with this." She leaned in closer, her grin widening. "We could swing by Kourindou, and you could pretend you're here to collect Kourin's soul! I mean, who could resist a prank like that? Bet he'd lose his mind!"

Rain shot her a deadpan look but didn't bother slowing down. "I'm not a full-time shinigami, Marisa. I just work part-time for Hecatia. She even says so herself." She mimicked Hecatia's eccentric tone, adding a wry smile. "'One foot in the realm of death, the other in chaos.'"

Marisa raised an eyebrow. "You work for Hecatia?" She glanced at Rain skeptically, clearly remembering the details Rain had shared about their encounter. "That's, uh... a bit of a leap, don't ya think? What's a troublemaker like you doing working for someone like her?"

Rain sighed, rolling her eyes as they walked. "Why do you think I'm working for her, huh? Who else would want me running around making chaos and shaking things up? Hecatia's always in need of a little spice in her life. As for me, I don't even remember why I agreed to it in the first place."

Marisa stopped in her tracks for a second, eyes widening slightly. "Wait… what? You don't even remember?" she asked incredulously. "You seriously just—what, signed up for chaos without knowing why?"

Rain looked over her shoulder at Marisa with a faint, rueful smile. "Amnesia, remember? My memory's as scrambled as an omelette. Whatever deal I made with her, it's all a blur. But she said we made a deal, and I guess that's why I work for her. Though don't bother asking her or any of her subordinates about it." She paused, her expression turning more serious for a moment. "They're tight-lipped about it. Maybe it's part of the deal—keep their mouths shut about whatever really went down. But whatever it is, it's long over now."

Marisa mulled over that for a moment, clearly taken aback by the way Rain casually shrugged off the mystery. "So, you don't even know the full deal, huh? That's... weird. But then again, I guess you've never exactly been one for playing it safe, daze."

Rain's lips curled into a sly smile. "When you live in my world, Marisa, there's no such thing as 'safe.' You just make do and roll with whatever chaos comes your way. Even though I do not remember. I think these words are appropriate."

Marisa chuckled and shook her head. "Guess that makes sense. But still, it's a little strange. You've got all these unknowns hanging over your head, and you're just... fine with it?"

"I'm not fine with it," Rain muttered, her gaze hardening. "But what can I do? I don't even remember how it all happened. All I know is that I've got a lot of work to do and a lot of people to... well, deal with."

Marisa could tell that this was a subject Rain wasn't keen on exploring further, so she wisely dropped it. Instead, she gestured forward, a grin returning to her face. "Well, we might as well go prank Kourin, then. You've gotta admit, it'd be pretty funny, daze."

Rain smirked. "Yeah, sure, whatever. But I'm not really collecting his soul, okay?"

"Yeah, yeah, I got it," Marisa said, waving her hand dismissively as they continued on their way. "But the look on his face when you look like you're here to take it? Priceless, I call it now."

---

Rinnosuke Morichika, the reclusive half-youkai shopkeeper of Kourindou, had a rather understated appearance that contrasted with his eccentric personality. His short silver hair framed his face neatly, complementing the glasses perched on his nose. His golden eyes, keen and perceptive, often glinted with curiosity, though they rarely showed much emotion. His clothes were simple yet practical, consisting of a black jacket with blue accents, and he often carried a small bag with him—a habit he kept even as a young man, which added a sense of familiarity to his otherwise ageless appearance.

His demeanor was calm and analytical, leaning more towards curiosity than confrontation. Though he often feigned ignorance of the world around him, he was constantly observing, listening to conversations with the intention of quietly learning more. He rarely engaged directly in the chaos of Gensokyo, preferring instead to keep his distance while indulging in his hobby of overanalyzing objects—especially items he could sell in his shop. Rinnosuke's knowledge about the tools and artifacts he collected was vast, though often drawn from strange conclusions or his overactive imagination. Despite this, he had a way of getting carried away in his explanations, happily rambling about the "mystical qualities" of mundane objects when asked.

A half-youkai, Rinnosuke didn't quite fit into either the human or youkai categories. He was resistant to illness from both sides and didn't age in the way humans did, which made the villagers uncomfortable around him. He could never stay long in the Human Village, preferring instead the quieter life in his shop. His relationship with Marisa Kirisame, his former apprentice, was complicated, but he had always supported her in his own way, including the creation of the Mini-Hakkero, which was Marisa's prized possession.

Despite his hoarding tendencies and his often convoluted explanations, Rinnosuke was not a fighter. His abilities were limited to his uncanny knack for understanding the names and uses of objects, though he was unable to properly operate most of them. This lack of combat skills made him an easy target for jokes, but it also allowed him to serve as an invaluable source of information on items and magic in Gensokyo.

Given his unusual position in the world, Rinnosuke didn't need much to get by. A single cup of sake with vegetables was enough sustenance for him, though he did enjoy full meals. His calm nature, combined with his vast knowledge and peculiar habits, made him an interesting figure in Gensokyo, albeit one who avoided conflict and rarely ventured out of his comfort zone. His agelessness and half-youkai status made him an enigmatic figure—neither fully human nor entirely youkai, forever existing in a liminal space.

As Rain and Marisa continued their walk through the Forest of Magic, the path ahead slowly cleared, revealing the familiar structure of Kourindou in the distance. The shop, nestled quietly between towering trees, stood as a curious blend of chaos and order—a reflection of its reclusive owner, Rinnosuke Morichika. The thick, verdant foliage surrounding the area gave way to an almost serene calm, with the occasional rustle of leaves or chirp of unseen creatures filling the air.

Despite the peaceful setting, Marisa's steps were quickening, her boots kicking up bits of dirt as she walked with purpose. Rain, following behind her, couldn't help but notice how natural Marisa seemed in this environment. The two of them had been here many times before, but now it felt different—like they were approaching a familiar place but with an air of mischief in the air, a tension that hinted at what might come.

Rain adjusted her black armored attire, her thoughts wandering as they neared the shop. The absence of her cape still nagged at her, the edges of the tattered fabric she had left behind in their last battle against the Kishin Chiefs still fresh in her mind. It left her feeling slightly off-balance, but at least her appearance in this form was a bit more practical for what was ahead. Her chest armor gleamed faintly, the dark metal a stark contrast against the bright green foliage surrounding them. Black gauntlets encased her arms, the weight of her war scythe—the one thing she had decided to bring along—at her back added to the aura of readiness that seemed to radiate off of her. It wasn't that she anticipated danger, but it was always wise to be prepared.

Marisa glanced over her shoulder, catching a glimpse of Rain's slightly worn but still formidable form, then looked ahead again, eyes fixed on the shop that was drawing nearer.

"You sure you want to do this?" Marisa asked, her voice playful but tinged with an underlying curiosity. "I mean, Kourin's not exactly one for surprises, and you... well, you're looking a little intimidating right now."

Rain gave a half-hearted chuckle, her gaze narrowing slightly as she caught sight of the familiar wooden sign above the shop door. "This was your idea," she muttered, though her tone was more amused than serious. "Besides, he should be used to strange things showing up on his doorstep by now, right?"

Marisa grinned at the comment, her hand resting on the hilt of her broom, ready for whatever the visit might bring. As the shop came into view, the trees seemed to open up more fully, letting the sunlight dapple across the path. The towering shelves and stacks of curious objects inside the shop were barely visible from this distance, but the warm, inviting glow from within gave the place a sense of familiarity. It was the kind of place that, while odd, felt like home to anyone who had wandered into it long enough.

Though neither of them spoke much, the quiet anticipation in the air was palpable as they neared the entrance. The faint scent of incense, dust, and old books mingled on the breeze, a sensory reminder of the strange but comforting atmosphere inside.

They were closing in now, only a few more steps from entering the shop, where Rinnosuke's world of strange and unusual objects awaited them. The scene was set, but what would happen when they crossed the threshold?

Marisa stepped up to the entrance of Kourindou, a familiar and comforting presence in the chaotic world of Gensokyo. She didn't hesitate as she pushed the door open, the soft creak of the hinges barely audible over the low murmur of the forest outside. Her boots clacked lightly against the wooden floor as she entered the shop, the warm, earthy scent of incense and aged paper filling the air.

"Hey, Kourin!" Marisa called out, her voice as upbeat and casual as ever, though there was a slight edge of amusement in it. "I figured I'd stop by, see what's new around here."

Rinnosuke was behind his usual counter, perched in his worn chair, his glasses reflecting the soft light that filtered through the dusty windows. He looked up at the sound of Marisa's voice, a slight smile curling at the corners of his mouth. The shop had a calming atmosphere—everything in its place yet still a bit chaotic, as if everything had a story and the items scattered about were all part of some bigger, incomprehensible puzzle.

"Ah, Marisa," Rinnosuke greeted, adjusting his glasses with a casual flick of his fingers. "It's been a while. Have you brought something for me today, or are you here just to cause trouble again?"

Marisa chuckled, leaning casually against one of the shelves as she surveyed the cluttered room. "Nah, nothing this time. But I did bring something up last time that you seemed interested in..." She paused, smirking. "The sealing crystal, remember?"

Rinnosuke's interest piqued, and he straightened in his chair, his calm demeanor shifting ever so slightly to one of curiosity. "Ah, yes, the sealing crystal," he said, tapping his fingers thoughtfully on the counter. "You said you found it somewhere, didn't you? I've been meaning to ask—do you still want to part with it? You know I could offer a fair price for it."

Marisa shook her head, her grin widening. "Nah, not selling it this time, Kourin. I'm gonna keep it for my own use, got some plans for it," she replied with a teasing glint in her eyes. "You know me, always up to something." Of course, she lied as she naturally breathed. What she wanted to do was use it to regain Rain's memories.

Rinnosuke blinked, his golden eyes narrowing slightly in thought. He had a peculiar ability to recognize the function of objects just by examining them, but this particular item was still a mystery to him. "I see," he said slowly, folding his hands on the counter. "I remember the last time you brought it in. It was a fascinating find. I took a look at it, and based on my knowledge, it seems like a memory storage device. It can store memories, right?"

Marisa nodded, her expression turning more serious for a moment. "Yeah, that's right. It can store memories, no doubt about it. Don't know exactly how it works, though. I've been doing a little bit of testing myself, but... it's still a mystery to me too."

Rinnosuke hummed, adjusting his glasses again, deep in thought. "The problem is, I'm not entirely sure how to use it. I can tell what it does—it's designed to transfer memories, or give them to the user—but the actual method is beyond me. It's one of those objects I can recognize but can't fully comprehend." He chuckled dryly, a slight hint of frustration in his voice. "I'm afraid I don't have the expertise to figure out how to activate it properly."

Marisa raised an eyebrow, her lips curving into a smile. "Well, you know, sometimes the fun is in figuring it out. I'm sure you'll get there eventually, Kourin."

Rinnosuke gave her a skeptical look, but he didn't press the issue. "Perhaps. I'll leave that to you, then. Am just curious on why are you fixated on it? Aiming to know what's inside of it?"

Marisa let out a laugh, a playful gleam in her eye. "You know me, always curious. Anyway, it may contain knowledge stuff on magic."

Just then, there was a soft sound from outside the shop, faint but perceptible. Rinnosuke didn't seem to notice it, too focused on the conversation at hand. However, Marisa's gaze flicked to the window, a subtle grin forming on her face as she knew exactly who was waiting just outside.

She leaned closer to the counter, lowering her voice in a conspiratorial whisper. "You know, Kourin, there's someone outside who's just waiting for the right moment to walk in."

Rinnosuke raised an eyebrow, clearly unaware of who it could be. "Outside?" he repeated, his voice neutral but laced with curiosity. "Who is it? Another one of your... strange friends?"

Marisa didn't answer immediately, the mischievous glint in her eyes betraying her amusement. She turned to the door and gave it a knowing glance, clearly enjoying the suspense of the moment.

Rinnosuke was still processing Marisa's words when he heard it—a soft but unmistakable knock on the door. It was subtle at first, barely audible over the hum of the shop's creaky wooden floorboards, but there was something about it that caught his attention. It wasn't the usual hurried or casual knock of a customer. This one was deliberate, almost too quiet, like it had been carefully timed.

His golden eyes flicked toward the door, and for a fleeting moment, a strange sense of unease settled in his chest. It wasn't the kind of feeling he was used to. Typically, he would have brushed it off, attributing it to his own overthinking, but today was different. He couldn't shake the nagging sensation that something—someone—was waiting out there.

His pet, Laika, who had been lounging quietly near the counter, suddenly perked up at the sound. The small robotic dog's ears twitched as she rose from her spot, her glowing eyes narrowing as she sniffed the air, her body tense. She started to growl, low and rumbling, the sound eerie in the otherwise quiet shop.

Rinnosuke's hand instinctively reached for his glasses, adjusting them as if doing so could help him see whatever was causing this strange feeling. Laika's reaction wasn't typical. She was often calm, even in the face of unexpected visitors. But now, she was on edge, her tail standing up as if sensing something that he couldn't quite place. He could see it in her stiff posture and hear it in her growls.

A fleeting thought crossed his mind—what if this knock wasn't a friendly visit after all?

He didn't voice this concern aloud, but his curiosity flared. Slowly, he turned back to Marisa, his voice a little more cautious than usual. "Do you... know who that is?" he asked, though he wasn't sure if he was asking her or simply trying to ease his own mind. "The knock... feels strange, like something's not quite right."

Marisa, always the one to embrace the unexpected, didn't seem fazed by the ominous presence outside. Her grin only widened as she shot him a glance, clearly enjoying his discomfort. "Ah, you'll see soon enough," she said cryptically, her tone lighthearted but with a glimmer of mischief.

Rinnosuke's unease deepened, and his eyes drifted back to the door. Whatever—or whoever—was on the other side, it felt like something more than just another oddball from Gensokyo. He couldn't put his finger on it, but his instincts told him that something important, or perhaps even dangerous, was standing just outside the threshold.

Laika continued to bark, her voice sharp and insistent, as if urging Rinnosuke to make a decision. The robotic dog, loyal as ever, wasn't about to back down. Neither was he, though. With a steady breath, he stood from his chair, moving toward the door.

There was no turning back now.

"Alright, alright," he muttered, brushing aside the feeling of foreboding that had crept up on him. "I'll answer it. But I don't like the looks of this..."

He reached for the doorknob, Laika still barking insistently at his side, before he paused, glancing back at Marisa. "Are you sure you didn't invite some kind of trouble with you today?"

Marisa's answer came in the form of a barely suppressed chuckle, the kind that made Rinnosuke feel like he was about to step into a situation far beyond his usual comfort zone.

"Would I ever do that, Kourin?" she said, the playful gleam in her eyes betraying the ease with which she always handled chaos. "Just open the door. You'll find out soon enough."

Rinnosuke gave her one last, wary look, his hand hovering over the door. Laika barked once more—louder this time—before he turned the handle. With a creak, the door swung open.

And standing there, just outside his shop, was the source of the strange sensation he had been feeling.

Rinnosuke's eyes widened as he opened the door, his breath catching in his throat. Standing before him was a figure unlike any visitor he'd ever encountered, her presence radiating an ominous intensity that seemed to darken the air around her.

She was tall—matching his own height—and every inch of her exuded a sense of foreboding. Her attire was striking: dark chest armor with sleek black gloves that extended to her elbows, layered with angular gauntlets. Her shoulders bore imposing black plates, their sharp design catching what little light filtered through the doorway. Her boots, equally dark and heavy, clicked faintly as she adjusted her stance.

Her midriff was bare, revealing a well-toned physique that hinted at the power she carried. She had a body that spoke of strength, of battles fought and survived, and her aura seemed to whisper of more yet to come. The absence of a cape made the angular lines of her armor stand out even more, adding to the stark, commanding presence she held.

But it wasn't just her appearance that held Rinnosuke frozen—it was her eyes. Beneath her long, silver-white hair, they glimmered with an intensity that sent a chill down his spine. Those eyes carried weight, a gaze that seemed to pierce through him, as though she could see more than just his form but his very essence.

In her hands, she held a war scythe, its blade gleaming wickedly. The weapon's design was dark and elegant, its curves and edges almost unnatural in their perfection.

Laika's barking turned into a low, menacing growl, her mechanical frame tense with unease. Rinnosuke swallowed hard, trying to steady his thoughts, but his mind was already racing.

'A shinigami?' The word surfaced in his memory, unbidden. He'd read about them before—guides of souls, ferrymen of the dead, beings whose duty was to usher mortals to their end. There was no mistaking the air of finality that clung to this woman, she is one of them.

Still, something didn't quite add up. Before he could form a coherent thought or muster the courage to speak, the woman raised the scythe slightly, its sharp edge catching a faint glint of light. She brandished it with ease, the tip of the blade pointing toward him as though marking him for some grim fate.

"Your time has come, I'm afraid," she said, the words calm yet cutting, as though delivering a sentence he had long avoided.

The chill in Rinnosuke's veins deepened as the reality of the moment began to settle in. Whatever was happening, it was far beyond the bounds of his quiet life at Kourindou.

Rinnosuke's grip on the door tightened, his mind racing as he tried to piece together what was happening. The ominous figure before him sighed deeply, lowering the war scythe slightly, her stance relaxing just enough to hint at something other than pure menace.

"Happy now?" the woman asked, her voice carrying a note of exasperation. Her eyes flicked sideways, beyond the doorframe. "Look at this poor guy's face."

Rinnosuke blinked, confusion blooming amidst the unease. Before he could react further, he heard a burst of laughter—familiar, unrestrained, and unmistakably belonging to Marisa. He turned his head sharply toward the sound, finding her standing a short distance away, doubled over in amusement.

"Hah! You should see yourself, Kourin!" Marisa choked out between laughs, pointing at him. "Priceless! Absolutely priceless!"

He stared at her, mouth slightly open, then back at the towering woman with the scythe. The contrast between Marisa's carefree mirth and the tension that lingered in the air only made the situation more surreal.

"Marisa..." Rinnosuke began, his voice low and edged with irritation. "What exactly is going on here?"

Still grinning, Marisa straightened up, wiping a tear from her eye. "Relax, relax," she said, waving a hand as if to dispel the tension. "She's not here for your soul or anything. Let me introduce you properly." She gestured dramatically toward the armored woman. "This is Certain Death. Heard she got that nickname back when she was working part-time. Pretty fitting, don't ya think?"

Rinnosuke's eyes darted back to the woman—Certain Death, as Marisa so casually named her. He swallowed again, trying to reconcile the terrifying presence before him with Marisa's lighthearted explanation. 'A nickname? Part-time work? It sounded absurd, yet here they were.'

The woman—Certain Death, apparently—rolled her eyes, shifting her scythe to rest its butt against the ground. Her exasperation was palpable, as if she, too, found the situation ridiculous.

"Does she have to say part-time?" she muttered, almost to herself, the corner of her mouth twitching.

Rinnosuke opened his mouth to ask another question, but the weight of the moment left him struggling for words. Marisa, however, seemed entirely at ease, her amusement barely contained as she waited for his reaction.

He let out a long, slow sigh, dragging a hand down his face as the realization set in. This wasn't a shinigami sent to collect his soul—this was one of Marisa's pranks. And somehow, against all reason, she had roped her into it. He shook his head, a mix of frustration and disbelief washing over him.

"Marisa," he said wearily, adjusting his glasses as he glanced at the still imposing figure of the armored woman, "I should've expected something like this. But dragging someone like her into one of your games? Really?"

Marisa, clearly unrepentant, just grinned wider, hands on her hips. "What can I say, Kourin? I've got a knack for convincing people to lighten up. Even Certain Death here!" She jerked a thumb toward her, crossing her arms at his expense.

Rinnosuke glanced at the tall, imposing figure standing in his doorway, her dark armor and scythe looking far too authentic for comfort. Despite her intimidating presence, her sigh of exasperation and slight shake of her head told him that she wasn't entirely on board with this charade.

"She looks unimpressed," Rinnosuke deadpanned, crossing his arms as he fixed Marisa with a pointed look. "I'm sure it took all of five seconds of your sweet-talking to convince her to scare me half to death."

"Eh, more like ten," Marisa replied with a shrug, her grin never faltering.

"Wonderful," Rinnosuke muttered, pinching the bridge of his nose. The sheer absurdity of the situation wasn't lost on him. That Marisa had not only come up with such a prank but had also convinced someone of this caliber to go along with it was nothing short of baffling.

As he exhaled heavily, Laika padded cautiously toward the door, sniffing at Rain with mechanical curiosity, her earlier barking having given way to nervous silence. Rinnosuke watched his pet warily, wondering if even the robotic dog was unnerved by the strange aura this "Certain Death" exuded.

"Well?" he asked, casting a weary look at both women. "Now that you've had your fun, what exactly do you want?" He blinked at the armored woman, her imposing presence making it hard to fully relax despite knowing it was all a prank. She tilted her head slightly, her dark aura still palpable as she shifted the weight of her war scythe to one side. Then, with a dramatic sigh, she raised a gauntleted hand and pointed an accusing finger at Marisa, who grinned sheepishly and started inching to her side.

"This witch here," Rain said, her voice steady but carrying an edge of dry exasperation, "said you have capes."

Marisa, now almost fully beside Rain, chuckled awkwardly. "Well, you do, don't you, Kourin? Figured you might have something that suits her vibe, ya know? Dark, edgy, looks like it could swish around all cool-like in the wind."

Rinnosuke pressed a palm to his forehead. Of all the reasons to pull this ridiculous stunt... "You're telling me," he said, voice strained, "you went through all this trouble—this entire charade—just to ask me about a cape?"

"Hey, don't look at me," The woman called Certain Death cut in, her tone half-serious as she gestured toward Marisa again. "I'm just here because she insisted. Said you'd have the 'perfect piece' for someone like me."

Marisa, ever shameless, grinned widely. "See? I knew you'd be the guy to ask, Kourin!"

Rinnosuke groaned inwardly. He should've known better than to expect anything less absurd when Marisa was involved. "Of course she did," he muttered, already dreading the search through his inventory. He sighed deeply, his earlier exasperation only growing as he glanced toward the shelves and storage areas cluttered with random odds and ends. "You do realize that most of the capes I've acquired have been repurposed for other things, right? Tablecloths, dust covers, even some padding for fragile items..." He trailed off, rubbing his temple.

Marisa snickered. "Aw, come on, Kourin, you're always braggin' about your collection! Don't tell me you don't have one cape left."

Rinnosuke shot her a weary glare but turned toward the back of the shop. "Fine. Let me check."

He scanned the shelves, muttering under his breath about the absurdity of it all. Most of the capes were indeed gone or repurposed, leaving little hope. But just as he was about to give up, a glint of dark fabric caught his eye. Tugging at it, he pulled out a cape that was miraculously untouched by his tinkering. It was a deep black on the outside, smooth and pristine, but as he unfolded it, the inner lining revealed a striking crimson.

"Here," he said, returning to the counter and holding it up. "This is the only one left. Black, but with a red interior. Not entirely ominous, but it fits the... dramatic aesthetic."

She raised an eyebrow as she regarded the cape, her expression unreadable. Marisa leaned over with an appraising look, then gave an approving nod. "Perfect! Told ya Kourin'd have somethin' that works!"

Rinnosuke set the cape on the counter with a sigh, crossing his arms. "I suppose it's yours now, I'll put this on Marisa's tab. I'd say don't cause trouble with it, but considering who it's going to, that feels like wishful thinking."

She carefully draped the black cape over her shoulders, the fabric flowing elegantly, the red interior bright against the darkness of her outfit. It fit her perfectly, as though it had been made just for her. She straightened up, smoothing the fabric down with a satisfied nod, before turning to Rinnosuke with a half-smile.

"Thanks," she said with a playful tone, her voice carrying a certain dry amusement. "You've just extended your life a little longer by handing me this. If any shinigami come for you, just tell them my name, and they'll leave you alone."

She gave him a casual, almost theatrical wave of her hand, her voice light and casual, as if it was the most natural thing in the world. The words slipped out easily, but a sharp cringe ran through her chest. 'That sounded... so much cooler in my head.'

Rain winced internally, her fingers tightening subtly at the edges of her cape. She forced herself to stand tall, hoping that her flippant joke hadn't come off as too awkward. 'What was I even thinking?'

Marisa, watching her with an amused grin, said nothing, clearly content to let the moment linger. Meanwhile, Rinnosuke simply blinked, his expression unreadable, clearly unsure whether she was serious or just playing up the whole 'ominous' act.

"Right," Rinnosuke muttered, though his tone was still incredulous, "I'll be sure to remember that... if anyone ever asks."

Rain gave him a short nod, already regretting her words, but she couldn't help a sly smile. 'Well, at least it was a decent try. Maybe I just need to stop talking and leave the drama to Marisa.'

"Well, we're going out now! Thanks for the help, Kourin!" Marisa happily said as they turn to the front door.

As the door swung shut behind them, Rinnosuke stood there for a moment, staring at the now empty shop. His hand was still lightly gripping the counter, his mind racing to process what had just transpired.

"This is surely a way to start my morning," he muttered to himself, shaking his head with a sigh.

He let out a breath and ran a hand through his short silver hair, the lingering oddness of the situation not quite leaving him. Marisa had managed to drag in someone who looked like they'd stepped out of some dark, ominous tale, and he'd nearly gotten caught up in the act. He couldn't even begin to fathom why she'd thought it would be funny, or how he'd gotten roped into being the victim of her antics.

'A shinigami, was it? Or at least, a part-time one', according to her. He let out another sigh, though this one carried a hint of exasperation. He supposed, given the oddities of Gensokyo, that it was only fitting. After all, he'd met all sorts of unusual beings here, but that had certainly been a new level of unsettling.

Rinnosuke shook his head again, eyes moving toward Laika, who had settled back down, her ears still twitching at the residual strangeness in the air. The robotic dog gave a small whine as if to express her own confusion, before curling up contentedly in her usual spot.

"You know," Rinnosuke said to the dog, his voice flat, "I can't even say I'm surprised anymore."

But even as he spoke, he couldn't help but chuckle to himself. Despite the strangeness of it all, he knew deep down that, in the end, Marisa's antics had managed to add a little excitement to his otherwise predictable routine.

"Well, I suppose it's better than a dull morning, right? Though... the name she uttered... I may have heard about it." he muttered, adjusting his glasses and turning back toward the shelves. He had work to do, after all. The day was just getting started.

---

The duo trudged along the path, it's still a long way as the forest stretched along their path. The sun continued its slow climb, illuminating their journey with soft golden light. Marisa, unable to contain herself, burst out laughing again, her voice carrying through the quiet forest.

"Did you see Kourin's face?" she exclaimed, clutching her sides. "I don't think he'll forget that anytime soon!"

Rain let out a resigned sigh, her face neutral. "Yes, very funny," she said dryly, though the faintest twitch of a smile threatened her lips. "You'll be the death of someone, one of these days."

As they pressed forward, a figure emerged in the distance, walking toward them. The soft click of shoes against the ground was accompanied by the faint hum of a tune. Closer inspection revealed the person to be Alice Margatroid, accompanied as always by her dolls.

The unmistakable Shanghai hovered near her shoulder, but what caught Rain's attention immediately was the doll perched opposite Shanghai—a perfect miniature replica of her former self. Alicia.

Rain's heart skipped a beat at the sight of the doll. She remembered the day Alice had gifted it to her, how much effort the dollmaker had poured into it. Alicia's tiny samurai shoulder pads and boots, her black headdress, and her familiar heterochromatic eyes—right red, left green—made her instantly recognizable. It was a mirror to who she once was, a reminder of a simpler time before Hecatia's interference had reshaped her entirely.

Yet Rain kept her expression calm, betraying nothing of the emotions swirling inside. Her gaze lingered on the doll for only a second before she looked away, maintaining her poker face.

Alice, noticing the pair, slowed her approach. Her sharp blue eyes examined Rain with a hint of curiosity but no recognition. "Marisa," Alice greeted with a polite nod, her voice cool and composed. Her gaze flicked to Rain, lingering for a moment longer. "And… a companion?"

Marisa grinned, slipping into her usual charm. "Yeah, this is someone I met a while ago," she explained quickly, not giving Alice a chance to question further. "Figured I'd show her around, ya know?"

Alice raised an eyebrow, her gaze shifting back to the supposed woman. "She's... imposing," she remarked, her eyes scanning Rain's dark armor and the ominous aura she carried. "Not your usual company, Marisa."

Rain tilted her head slightly but said nothing. Her gaze flickered to Alicia again, but she remained silent, her face giving nothing away.

Alice, meanwhile, adjusted the doll on her shoulder, glancing at it fondly. "This," she said, touching Alicia lightly, "was a recent project of mine. A token of appreciation for a dear friend."

Marisa smirked. "Really put her own effort there, I can vouch for it."

Rain stayed quiet, though her chest felt warm. She wanted to say something, but revealing the truth would only complicate things. For now, she remained a stranger, just someone passing by.

Marisa crossed her arms and grinned mischievously. "Hey, Alice, since you're on a doll-making spree, how about making one for me too, huh? A little Marisa doll, complete with a mini hakkero and all!"

Alice scoffed, brushing her blonde hair back with a hint of irritation. "As if. You've still got books you 'borrowed' from me that I haven't seen in for a while. Why would I waste my time crafting something for you?"

Marisa chuckled, rubbing the back of her head. "Aw, c'mon, you don't have to hold a grudge about every little thing."

"It's not little," Alice shot back sharply. "Anyway, speaking of people I do care about…" She hesitated briefly, eyeing the woman's imposing figure again before continuing, "Have you heard from Rain recently? I've been meaning to visit her, but my schedule's been... busy." She sighed. "Perhaps today would be a good time to stop by the shrine."

The words hung in the air, and Rain felt her chest tighten. Panic crept up her spine, though she managed to maintain her composure. Her sharp eyes darted to Marisa, a silent glare practically screaming, Do something about this!

Marisa caught the look immediately and straightened up, putting on her best nonchalant act. "Ah, well, you know how Rain is," she said, waving a hand dismissively. "Always off doing her own thing. Probably not even at the shrine right now!"

Alice tilted her head, unconvinced. "She said she is staying with Reimu. It wouldn't hurt to check."

Marisa laughed nervously, stepping forward to block Alice's path slightly. "Eh, well, I wouldn't want you wasting your time if she's not there. She's... uh... probably out running errands for Reimu or something. Shrine stuff. Super boring."

Alice's sharp blue eyes narrowed slightly, glancing between Marisa and Rain, who stood silently behind her. "You're acting strange, Marisa. Is there something going on I should know about?"

Rain clenched her jaw but stayed quiet, giving Marisa another pointed look that clearly said, Handle this now.

Marisa laughed nervously, rubbing the back of her head as Alice continued to scrutinize her. "S-Strange? Me? Nah, Alice, I'm always like this! You know me, just full of energy!" She threw an exaggerated wink, clearly trying too hard to play it cool. "Anyway, like I said, Rain's probably out and about. No point in you trekking or flying all the way to the shrine for nothin', right?"

Alice crossed her arms, unimpressed. "Marisa, you're not fooling anyone. Your excuses are as bad as your library heists. I know you're hiding something." She turned her gaze toward Rain, studying her as if trying to piece together a puzzle.

Rain, unable to take the growing awkwardness, sighed heavily and pressed a gauntleted hand to her face. "A terrible thief always comes with terrible lying," she muttered, her voice laced with dry humor as she shook her head.

Marisa flinched at the jab. "H-Hey, I'm doin' my best here! Don't throw me under the bus!"

Alice raised an eyebrow, clearly more suspicious than before. "If you're both done bickering, maybe one of you can tell me what's really going on."

Rain resisted the urge to groan aloud. This situation was spiraling faster than she liked, and she shot Marisa another glare, silently urging her to salvage what little credibility they had left.

Alice's sharp eyes studied the figure before her, her curiosity piqued. There was something about this person that felt out of place in Gensokyo. The aura, the posture, the quiet confidence — it wasn't something she saw every day. Her gaze roamed from the black armor that encased her form, down to the red-and-black cape that contrasted against the natural backdrop of the forest. The woman's striking features were shadowed by the cold steel of her appearance. It was rare to see someone of this caliber walking around, especially with such an air of mystery surrounding them. Alice instinctively stepped closer, her gaze narrowing as she tried to place it all.

"Is something the matter?" Alice asked, her voice low and cautious, as her head tilted slightly, her eyes narrowing even further. She took another step forward, her face almost too close now to Rain's.

Rain, still trying to maintain a neutral composure under Alice's intense scrutiny, finally sighed and shook her head. Her breath caught in her throat, and before she could stop herself, she muttered, "I can't lie... Not to her specifically."

Alice stopped in her tracks, confused. She blinked, her expression softening slightly as she processed the words.

Rain looked down, her hand slowly dropping from her face as she met Alice's gaze. Her voice, usually guarded, softened as she spoke again. "Lying to you... It feels like betraying you. I promised that I would be a genuine friend..."

Alice's confusion deepened as she tried to understand. She had heard those words before, or at least something like them, somewhere, sometime. Her brows furrowed, her eyes searching Rain's face as if trying to unlock a forgotten memory.

And then, like a spark, it hit her. It was a quiet realization, an understanding that tugged at her chest. Her eyes widened, the truth slowly dawning on her.

It was the promise — the one Rain had made long ago, a promise Alice hadn't forgotten, even if it had been clouded by time. A promise made by a friend who was now standing before her, a friend she hadn't recognized at first.

Alice's breath caught. "...Rain?" she whispered, her voice barely audible.

Before the emotional weight of the moment could fully settle, Marisa clapped her hands together, forcing an awkward laugh. "Hey, come on now! I tried my best to lie, didn't I? I mean, it wasn't that bad, right?" She grinned sheepishly, glancing between Rain and Alice.

Rain pinched the bridge of her nose, exhaling sharply. Her voice dripped with playful sarcasm as she replied, "Oh, yes, Marisa. Your masterful performance almost had me convinced you were telling the truth. Truly, the effort was so impressive I nearly handed you an award right then and there."

Marisa blinked at the sharp comeback before puffing out her cheeks. "Oi, now, don't get all sassy with me just because I—"

Rain cuts her off by saying. "Oh, I'm sorry, did you say something? I didn't quite catch that, witch." she said with mock innocence and emphasized the last word, the hint of a smirk tugging at the corner of her lips, but the sharpness in her voice was unmistakable.

Marisa raised an eyebrow, smirking as she caught Rain's remark. "Did you just call me a witch?" she said raising an eyebrow. "I mean, I know it's what I am, but you could've been a little nicer about it. You almost slipped into the other word there, you know?"

Rain laughs it off as she replies to her with a mocking tone. "Oh, maybe I am? What do you think?"

Marisa's face twitched, her eyes narrowed, and red-faced, clearly not enjoying the sass, "Oh, that's it!" She jumped into the air, flying toward Rain with a playful but annoyed look on her face, aiming for a quick shoulder punch.

With her height advantage, she had no problem dodging the weak blow, and Marisa had to fling herself slightly off the ground just to reach her. Rain didn't dodge to humor her. Though the punch landed—if you could call it that—it had no effect. Rain stood unfazed, not even flinching. She stood there like an immovable stone, unimpressed by the impact as it was minimal, almost laughable, and Rain barely even acknowledged it beyond a raised eyebrow.

"Well, that was cute," Rain remarked dryly, unphased. She gave Marisa a look that could only be described as one of faint amusement and slight disdain.

"Oh, come on!" Marisa groaned, hopping back and adjusting her hat with a dramatic flourish. "You're impossible, you know that?"

Alice, who had been stunned just moments earlier, suddenly felt her lips twitch upward. That biting quirk , that signature sass—it was unmistakable. A small laugh escaped her, and she crossed her arms, shaking her head.

"There it is," Alice murmured, her voice carrying a mixture of fondness and exasperation. "That attitude… That's the Rain I know."

Alice studied Rain with sharp, calculating eyes, her brow furrowed in a mix of curiosity and concern. Her gaze flicked from Rain's silver-white hair to her striking features, lingering on her towering figure and the foreboding black armor adorned with a crimson-lined cape.

"It's like... everything about you is different," Alice murmured, her voice quiet but tinged with disbelief. "Your look, your voice, even the way you carry yourself. It's like your entire being has changed, except..." She hesitated, then added, "...except for your personality. That's still unmistakably you."

Rain sighed, her hand briefly touching the manacle and broken chain on her left arm. "It's a long story," she replied, her voice calm but weighted with subtle weariness. "One I can't really get into right now."

Alice didn't respond immediately, her focus shifting to the small details — the manacle, the chain, the faint aura of dark energy Rain seemed to radiate. Her concern deepened.

"Rain," Alice said softly, "what happened to you? What could have caused this? Did you—"

"It's complicated, Alice," Rain interrupted, holding up a gloved hand. "Let's just say some things got... out of hand. But I'm still me. For the most part. It's also temporary as they said..."

Alice frowned, clearly not satisfied with the vague explanation but also recognizing the resistance in Rain's tone. "I hope you'll tell me eventually," she said, her voice tinged with worry. "If something's wrong, I want to help."

Rain gave her a small, genuine smile. "I know, and I appreciate that. But for now, let's just say I'm handling it."

Marisa, having regained her usual playful demeanor, chimed in without thinking, "See, she's still the same ol' Rain! Just... uh, way scarier and sexy."

Rain's eyebrows shot up, and she fixed Marisa with an amused stare. "Sexy, huh? What exactly is sexy?"

Marisa faltered, her eyes betraying her as they darted briefly to Rain's exposed midriff, then down to her well-toned abs.

"Oh," Rain said, catching on with a sly grin. "I get it... being toned is sexy for you? Noted."

Marisa's face flushed bright red. "T-Take that back! I didn't mean it like that!" she stammered, waving her hands defensively.

Rain's sly grin widened as she crossed her arms, tilting her head just slightly. "No take backs, Marisa. And for the record, I'm not letting you touch them, either."

Marisa sputtered, her face turning an even deeper shade of red. "W-Who'd want to—ugh! Forget it!" She crossed her arms in frustration, looking away, though her ears betrayed her embarrassment.

Alice shot her a disapproving look but didn't comment further, her thoughts clearly still swirling with questions.

Rain turned her attention back to Alice, a mischievous glint in her eyes. "Oh, Alice, you can touch them, though. I'm not as strict with you."

Marisa's face instantly contorted in disbelief. "Wha—hey, don't drag Alice into this!"

Alice, who had been calmly watching the back-and-forth, suddenly went bright red at Rain's teasing. "W-Wait! No, that's not—I'm good! I-I'm not touching anyone's... abs!"

Rain chuckled, clearly enjoying the effect she was having. "Ah, come on, Alice. It's just a joke." She winked at her, "But it's nice to know you can still blush like that."

Rain then raised her hands in mock surrender, her grin softening as she leaned back a bit. "Okay, okay, I'll stop now," she said, coughing dramatically to emphasize the mock seriousness of her tone. "Come over to the shrine later, we'll talk there. I can see you still have things to do, and so do we."

Marisa, never one to let a moment slide, cut in with a smirk. "Do we? Really?"

Rain shot her a quick glare, rolling her eyes. "Ahem! Yes, we do. Shut up, Marisa."

Marisa let out an exaggerated sigh but didn't argue, shaking her head as they all continued on their way. Alice seemed a bit more at ease now, but the awkward tension still lingered, her cheeks slightly flushed from the teasing.

Alice nodded in agreement, her expression softening as she spoke. "I just came to the village this morning. Bought some supplies for my doll crafting." She glanced down at the bags slung over her shoulder, indicating the fabric and materials she had picked up.

Marisa's expression shifted, as if a thought had suddenly struck her. "Oh, yeah... Speaking of the shrine..." Her tone turned playful but edged with mischief. "You might want to brace yourself, Alice. Reimu's in one of her grumpy moods today."

Alice tilted her head. "Isn't she always in a mood?"

"True, but this one's extra spicy." She paused, glancing sideways at Rain with a mischievous glint in her eyes. "I mean, you did kind of break her door... "

Rain sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose. "It just... happened."

Marisa snickered. "It happened, alright. The door's totally destroyed! Reimu's probably still cleaning up the mess.

Alice raised an eyebrow, glancing between the two. "A door, destroyed? That sounds like quite a story," she said, trying to stifle a chuckle at the absurdity of the situation. Though she's more keen on hearing the story of what happened to Rain to turn into this imposing figure.

Alice tilted her head thoughtfully. "Well, my house is free if you'd prefer that. It might save you from Reimu's wrath for a while."

Rain smirked at the suggestion, a mischievous gleam in her eyes. "I wouldn't mind that," she said, crossing her arms. Then, she cast a sidelong glance at Marisa. "But do I have to drag this witch along with me? She wasn't even there when everything went down." Rain's tone turned playful, though there was an underlying jab in her words. "All she's good for is being a waste of tea and cookies."

Marisa's mouth fell open in mock indignation. "Oi! What's that supposed to mean?!"

Rain shrugged, her smirk widening. "Exactly what it sounds like."

Marisa crossed her arms, puffing out her chest as she smirked. "For your information, I have to tag along. Reimu put me in charge of babysitting you."

Rain looks at Marisa, her silver-white hair catching the sunlight as she turned to glare at Marisa. "That word again... I told you all already, I can handle myself just fine."

Marisa snickered, clearly enjoying herself. "Hey, Reimu's orders, not mine. She said something about not wanting you to wreck anything else in your… new state." She gestured vaguely at Rain's imposing form, still struggling to keep a straight face.

Rain rolled her eyes, muttering under her breath. "If I break anything else, it's going to be her nerves."

Alice couldn't help but stifle a laugh at their dynamic, though she quickly masked it with a cough. "You two really are something else. Babysitting, huh? Sounds like Reimu's already had her hands full."

Rain jabbed a finger toward Marisa. "This isn't babysitting. It's babysnitching. She's just looking for an excuse to spy on me."

Marisa grinned, unfazed. "Call it what you want, Rainy. You're stuck with me, daze!"

Rain sighed in defeat, waving a hand as if to dismiss the whole conversation. "Fine, whatever keeps you happy."

Alice watched their back-and-forth with a small smile. "You two really haven't changed much, have you?"

Rain smirked. "If anything, she's gotten worse," she quipped, pointing a thumb at Marisa.

Alice chuckled, shaking her head. "Well, I should get going. I came to the village for supplies, and I need to get them back home before anything else."

Rain nodded, her expression softening. "All right. Come by your house later, then. We'll talk more there." She glanced sideways at Marisa. "You should really not tag along for that later.

"Oi!" Marisa protested again, though her grin hadn't faded.

Alice laughed softly. "You're welcome to bring her along. I'll see you both later, then." She nodded to them both before heading off, her dolls swaying gently on her shoulders.

Rain and Marisa watched her go, and after a moment, Marisa nudged Rain. "Guess we better finish up our 'important walk,' huh?"

Rain sighed dramatically, tossing her hair over her shoulder. "Just keep walking..."

With that, the trio parted ways, Alice heading toward her house, and Rain and Marisa heading toward the village. Despite the lighthearted banter, there was still an air of tension between them as they both knew that things were far from normal today.

---

As Alice walked away from the duo, her thoughts wandered to Rain and the strange encounter she'd just had. It was hard to reconcile the imposing figure she had just spoken to with the Rain she knew. That warm, straightforward, and often mischievous friend she'd grown accustomed to felt almost like a different person entirely—visibly, at least.

Her eyes flickered to the doll perched on her shoulder, Alicia, with its familiar features: the heterochromatic eyes, the samurai-inspired outfit, and the confident yet approachable expression Alice had carefully imbued into its design. How could this be the same Rain? she mused. If Rain hadn't outright told her who she was, Alice doubted she would've ever figured it out. The thought sent a small shiver down her spine.

"Temporary, huh?" Alice murmured under her breath, her hand absently adjusting Alicia's position on her shoulder. That word lingered in her mind like an unanswered question. What had happened to cause such a drastic transformation? Rain had said it so casually, yet the weight of the mystery beneath it loomed large.

Alice sighed, glancing at Shanghai, who hovered dutifully by her side. "And here I thought I'd be the one surprising her when we next met," she said softly. Rain had always been the type to bring surprises with her, but this time, it felt... heavier. Something significant had happened—something that Rain had chosen to keep quiet.

Still, amidst all the changes, there was one comforting constant. Alice allowed a small smile to grace her lips. Rain's personality shone through, as sharp and vibrant as ever. The way she bantered with Marisa, the way she poked fun and teased—it was undeniably Rain. And for that, Alice was grateful.

"Whatever you've been through," Alice said quietly, her expression softening, "at least you haven't lost yourself."

Even so, she couldn't help but wonder what kind of trials Rain had faced—and what was waiting ahead for her.

---

As Rain and Marisa trudged through the winding path of the Forest of Magic, the sunlight filtering through the thick canopy of trees, Marisa finally broke the silence. She glanced up at Rain, her usual easygoing demeanor replaced with a rare trace of hesitation.

"Hey, uh, Rain," Marisa began, stuffing her hands into her pockets. "You sure this is still a good idea? I mean, the forest is one thing—no humans here to get in the way or freak out. But heading to the village?" She kicked at a stray pebble. "They're not gonna recognize you, and they sure as heck won't be welcoming. They might even be... I dunno, scared."

Rain let out a small hum, her expression thoughtful but steady. "That's the plan," she said simply, her tone calm as she gazed ahead.

Marisa blinked, her head tilting in confusion. "The plan? To scare the wits outta them?"

Rain chuckled softly, shaking her head. "No, not exactly. I just... I want to see how they react. Back then, they treated me like some kind of hero, remember? All smiles and gratitude for whatever little thing I did. But this?" She gestured to herself, her dark armor gleaming faintly in the dappled light, the cape fluttering slightly behind her. "This is different. This looks like someone who'd walk in and make demands, not save the day."

"You expect them to treat you like a villain?" Marisa asked, raising a brow.

Rain shrugged. "Maybe. Probably. But I need to see it for myself. It's one thing to hear it or imagine it. It's another to experience it."

Marisa frowned, her eyes scanning Rain's face. "And if they do treat you like some evil overlord?"

Rain glanced down at her with a small smirk. "I've got you, don't I? You can always say something. Spin a tale, vouch for me, whatever it is you do."

Marisa groaned, rubbing her temples. "Oh great, puttin' all the responsibility on me, huh? Real clever, Rain."

Rain laughed at her tone, her voice light despite the conversation. "You're the local troublemaker, Marisa. People listen to you whether they like it or not."

Marisa huffed. "Yeah, yeah. Just don't go blamin' me if they start throwin' tomatoes at you or somethin'. That's on you, not me, ze."

Rain only chuckled again, her steps steady as they continued toward the human village.

As they walk while chatting, the stillness of the woods was broken by the rustling of leaves ahead. A figure stumbled out from between the trees, his movements hurried and unsteady. Marisa instinctively tensed, her broom poised to act if necessary. Rain, however, slowed her steps, her gaze narrowing as she observed the man.

The man stood just a few meters ahead, swaying slightly, his movements sluggish but purposeful. His eyes were bloodshot, his disheveled attire hanging loosely from his thin frame. He wore a faded, tattered outfit that looked entirely out of place in Gensokyo—no typical village attire here. It was a modern, wrinkled shirt and jeans, not anything that looked even remotely suited for travel through the dense Forest of Magic. The faint, sour scent of alcohol wafted through the air, clinging to him as he grinned crookedly.

"What the—" Marisa muttered, tilting her head in confusion. "That's... not normal villager wear."

Rain smirked faintly, her arms crossed as she studied him. "I thought you said there are no humans in this area?" she teased, her voice light yet curious.

Marisa frowned. "There aren't! At least, there shouldn't be! I mean, who is this guy?"

Rain didn't answer immediately, her gaze flickering to the man's attire. The memory of a certain psychic outsider popped into her mind—Sumireko Usami, who once explained to her the peculiarities of her world beyond the barrier. This, Sumireko had said, was modern attire, the casual clothing worn by humans in the Outside World.

Her expression softened slightly as she murmured, "Modern attire. He's not from the village. This guy... he's an outsider, I think."

"Outsider?" Marisa repeated, raising a brow. "You mean from outside outside? Like, beyond the barrier?"

Rain nodded. "Probably hurled here by accident. People stumble into Gensokyo all the time, don't they?"

Marisa scratched the back of her head. "Yeah, but they usually don't end up in the Forest of Magic first thing. This place isn't exactly tourist-friendly."

Rain smirked slightly, her tone dry. "You know, you're saying there shouldn't be humans here, but you were here when I first stepped into Gensokyo. Or do I not count?"

"Okay, fine, you got me there," Marisa admitted, scratching her cheek awkwardly.

Rain let out a small laugh, though her expression grew thoughtful. "I guess this just proves it. Anyone can show up in Gensokyo, one way or another."

The man, seemingly noticing the two for the first time, froze in his tracks. His wide-eyed gaze darted between Rain's imposing, dark-armored figure and Marisa's witchy ensemble, his face filled with confusion.

"Well," Rain muttered, her voice tinged with dry humor, "guess we're about to find out how this one got here."

But as they neared the figure, the situation grew more tense.

Marisa eyed him, her lips curling in distaste. "This guy's a mess," she muttered, side-eyeing the man's clearly unstable state. His hand twitched towards a bulge in his waistband.

Rain kept her silence, her sharp eyes scanning the situation carefully. Despite her calm expression, her mind was already calculating what steps to take if this man made a wrong move. His reckless demeanor didn't escape her notice—he was drunk and clearly dangerous. The weapon at his side—a gun—made her uneasy. A knife was also tucked into his belt.

"Looks like Sumireko wasn't wrong about the strange humans... this one's a bit more trouble than expected."

Marisa seemed to think little of the gun, eyeing it in a passing glance before dismissing it. "It's probably like that thing Sumireko uses, but a bit bigger. Whatever. Still, this guy's gonna get himself killed if he keeps acting like that."

Rain stayed silent, her sharp gaze unblinking as she observed the man, weighing her options.

The man finally looked up at them, his eyes narrowing. "What have we got here... cosplay girls, huh?" His voice was slurred, but the mocking tone was clear.

Rain's brow twitched at the term. Cosplay? She had heard that term used outside Gensokyo—some form of human play-acting, dressing up as characters for entertainment, but she never truly understood it.

He took a step forward, his gaze now lingering on Rain. His eyes shifted, suddenly focusing on her in a more predatory manner.

"Mm, you're something, alright," he said, his voice becoming lower and more dangerous. "You're real cute, too. I think I'll let you off easy if you let me... taste that pretty little face of yours."

His grin spread wider, a flash of disgusting intent in his eyes as he turned his attention to Marisa, his smirk now dismissive. "You're just a side dish. Maybe I'll get to you after."

Marisa flinched visibly, her hands going instinctively to her pockets, but she held back, knowing Rain would need to handle this situation herself.

Rain didn't react immediately. She stood still, her expression stoic, her gaze locked on the man. Her mind raced, calculating the speed of his movements, the potential threat he posed. She knew a dangerous man when she saw one—especially one who didn't hesitate to threaten people.

Finally, she broke her silence, her voice calm but deadly. "You should walk away. I won't let you hurt anyone."

Her hand subtly shifted, her fingers brushing the hilt of her weapon, but she held back from drawing it yet. She was giving the man one final chance to back off, but the words hanging between them were clear: Try something, and you won't like the result.

Marisa, standing slightly behind Rain, kept an eye on the man but didn't speak, waiting to see if this would escalate.

Rain's gaze shifted from the deranged man to Marisa, her expression softening for a brief moment. A quiet, almost imperceptible sigh escaped her lips, as she thought about her friend—her Marisa.

She would not let this filth stain her in any way.

Her eyes flicked back to the man, her expression hardening again. The sense of calm she exuded was a sharp contrast to the volatile energy radiating from the drunk man. Her fingers twitched slightly, a reflex, but she made no move yet.

"You're drunk," she said, her voice low but sharp, cutting through the tense air. "You should—"

Before she could finish her sentence, the man's hand jerked out, and with a snap, the gun was in his palm. He leveled it in their direction, his finger tightening around the trigger.

"Shut your mouth," the man spat, his voice slurring. "I'm serious. You're gonna do what I say, or things'll get a lot messier for you."

His eyes were wild, focused entirely on Rain now, as though he saw nothing else. His hand trembled slightly, but the intent was clear. He wasn't just threatening them anymore—he was acting on it.

Rain's gaze didn't falter. It was cold, calculating, as she sized up the gun and the man holding it. He was sloppy, but that didn't mean he couldn't still be dangerous. She could feel her heartbeat steadying, the adrenaline beginning to flow, her body preparing for the fight that seemed inevitable.

Her voice remained even, unwavering. "You should've walked away."

In the back of her mind, there was a flicker of worry for Marisa. She was prepared to fight, but there was no telling if the drunk man would make things even more complicated. Still, her resolve hardened. No one was going to get hurt today—not her, not Marisa, and certainly not by this trash. She could feel something inside her stirring as if any moment she would snap.

The man's erratic eyes narrowed as Rain stepped forward, her demeanor calm yet commanding. Her scythe, hanging loosely at her side, gleamed faintly in the filtered sunlight of the forest.

A sharp crack tore through the stillness of the forest, as the man fired his gun. The deafening BANG shattered the quiet, sending a flock of birds screeching into the sky, their wings flapping frantically.

Marisa flinched, her hands instinctively covering her ears. "What the hell—?!" she shouted, her voice drowned out by the echo of the shot.

Rain, however, didn't flinch. The moment the bullet left the barrel, her scythe swung with an almost languid grace, the blade intercepting the round in mid-air with a sharp clang. The bullet ricocheted harmlessly into the trees.

The man stared, his jaw hanging open for a moment. Then his confusion twisted into a mocking sneer. "Cosplaying death, huh? You really think you're hot stuff, don't ya?" He laughed, though it was more of a nervous bark.

Rain's expression didn't change. Her eyes, cold and unyielding, bore into him as she took another deliberate step forward.

"You've got guts, I'll give you that," he said, his tone wavering. "But guts won't stop a bullet."

He fired again.

BANG.

Another swing of the scythe, another bullet deflected with precision.

BANG. BANG. BANG.

Each shot rang out, startling more birds into flight. The man emptied his gun, one round after another, his hand trembling more with every pull of the trigger. And each time, Rain's scythe moved with the same effortless precision, sending the bullets spiraling off into the forest.

Marisa stood frozen, her mouth slightly agape. "What the hell is that thing?! That sound! It's... so loud!" she exclaimed, her voice still shaky from the shock.

Finally, the man's gun clicked. Empty. He looked at the weapon, then at Rain, his confusion deepening into alarm.

"You... what the hell are you?" he demanded, his voice cracking. He tried to mask his fear with another mocking laugh. "You think swinging around some big ol' blade makes you scary? You're just some cosplayer with a lucky streak!"

Rain said nothing. She stood there, her scythe resting against her shoulder, her silver-white hair glinting in the light. Her gaze locked onto the man, silent and unrelenting, as if she were weighing his soul.

Unaware of the reality standing before him, the man could only laugh nervously, his voice faltering as he tried to keep up his bravado. But the weight of her presence was beginning to sink in, and it was suffocating.

Rain's eyes focuses on him as her mind thought of the worst case scenario, failing. In that moment, something snapped inside her. A feeling welling up, it's like she is not herself anymore.

Her eyes darkened, shadowed by the slight tilt of her head.

Rain's boots crunched against the forest floor as she moved forward, slow and deliberate. Her eyes darkened, the glint of silver in her gaze swallowed by shadow. The faint clinking of the manacle on her left wrist echoed with every step, the broken chain swaying ominously. The sound of her armor shifted with her movements, metal brushing against fabric in a rhythm that sent chills through the air.

The man, now visibly trembling, gripped his knife with both hands, his voice cracking in desperation. "Don't come any closer! I swear, I'll gut you!"

Rain didn't stop. The corners of her lips curled downward, her scowl deepening as the distance between them closed.

The man lunged forward, slashing wildly with his knife.

With a flick of her wrist, Rain batted the blade away with the flat of her scythe, sending the knife spinning into the dirt. The man stumbled back, his hands shaking, his confidence crumbling into fear.

Rain stepped closer, her presence overwhelming. "You pissed me off," she said, her voice low and venomous, dripping with contempt. Her gaze bore into him, sharp and unrelenting. "Not because of what you said to me, but what you dared to say about my friend."

The man's knees buckled slightly as he scrambled back, his voice faltering. "W-who the hell do you think you are?!"

Rain tilted her head, her scorn twisting into a cruel smile. "Your death."

Marisa, standing a short distance behind, was frozen in place. Her eyes darted between Rain and the trembling man. "Rain…? What the hell are you doing?" she called out, though her voice was tinged with unease.

Rain's smile widened, baring her teeth, her expression shifting into something far more sinister—feral, predatory. Her glowing red eyes bore into the man, who now seemed more like a cornered animal than a threat.

Rain rolled her shoulders, her cape rippling with the motion. Her right gauntleted hand clenched into a fist, the metal creaking slightly under the force of her grip. "You know," she began, her tone conversational, "I'm so angry right now that I might just punch you into next week. Or… maybe I'll just kill you outright."

The man's mouth opened to retort, but no words came.

"You're a piece of trash," Rain hissed, leaning closer. "A waste of air. The kind of scum I'd scrape off my boot without a second thought."

Her body blurred as she launched forward, her right arm cocked back, the muscles coiling beneath her armor with terrifying precision. Her fist came down with a speed and force that defied belief.

From the man's perspective, time seemed to slow.

The gauntleted fist gleamed under the dappled sunlight as it cut through the air, a monstrous force wrapped in black steel. The chain on her left wrist rattled faintly, the sound swallowed by the roar of blood in his ears. He barely had time to process the flash of her cape as it whipped through the air before the punch landed.

His final thought, before the impact, was of her smile—a cruel, twisted grin that promised nothing but pain.

Her fist collided with his face.

A sickening CRACK reverberated through the forest, louder than the gunshots earlier. The sheer force of the blow sent his head snapping back unnaturally, the skin and bone of his skull giving way under the impact. Blood and viscera sprayed outward, painting the nearby trees, the ground, and Rain herself in a gruesome splatter.

The man's body crumpled like a discarded doll, like a puppet with its strings cut, collapsing limply to the forest floor. His head—or what was left of it—was unrecognizable. Blood pooled beneath him, the metallic stench filling the air.

Rain stood over the body, her fist still clenched, blood dripping from the metal plating of her gauntlet. Her once-pristine face and clothes were marred with crimson. She raised her hand slightly, inspecting the carnage with cold indifference.

"Disgusting," she muttered, shaking the blood from her glove.

Marisa's breath hitched, her eyes wide with shock. "Rain… What the hell did you—?!"

Rain ignored her, her cruel smile lingering as she spat on the lifeless body. Her voice, calm but chilling, cut through the silence. "Trash deserves to be treated like trash."

The blood continued to drip from her fist, her gaze fixed on the corpse as if daring it to rise again. But it wouldn't. It couldn't. Rain had made sure of that.

Rain's breathing slowed as she lowered her arm, the tension in her shoulders easing slightly. With a quiet exhale, she turned to Marisa, who stood frozen a few steps away. Her face was pale, her lips slightly parted as if trying to form words.

Marisa's voice finally cracked, her tone uneven. "You… you didn't have to go that far!" She took a shaky step back, her gaze flickering between the blood-splattered Rain and the gruesome remains of the man. "That was... way too much, Rain."

Rain, still eerily composed, knelt and picked up her scythe from the ground, the blade catching the dappled light filtering through the trees. She rested it over her shoulder, the motion calm but unnervingly deliberate.

"You didn't show any mercy," Marisa said, her voice low.

Rain's silver-white hair caught the light as she turned her head slightly, her crimson-stained expression unreadable. "Death is mercy, Marisa," she replied, her tone quiet but firm. "I gave him a swift one."

Marisa's stomach churned. Her grip on her broom tightened as the reality of Rain's words sank in. The way she'd said it, so matter-of-factly, made Marisa's thoughts spiral. 'Is this really Rain? Or am I standing next to… Certain Death?'

Her eyes darted to Rain's left arm, the broken chain swaying with each movement. The healing from Kasen's Box of a Hundred Medicines had done more than just mend Rain's injuries. It had brought this out of her—this… oni-like presence.

Rain's expression softened slightly as she shook her head, brushing stray strands of silver hair out of her face. "Let's move on," she said, her voice calmer now. She paused and glanced at Marisa, her brow furrowing as if struggling with her own actions. "I… I wasn't myself. Something just snapped in me back there."

Marisa swallowed hard, her hands trembling at her sides. "Rain…"

"Don't tell Alice or Reimu about this as I asked," Rain cut in, her voice firm but pleading. "Please. I don't want to drag them into this."

Marisa hesitated, then nodded slowly. "Alright... but—"

"Please, Marisa." Rain's eyes locked onto hers, and for a moment, there was something vulnerable behind the lingering red glow. "Just… trust me on this."

Marisa hesitated. She bit her lip, glancing back at the mangled remains on the forest floor. The village was ahead, and a small part of her worried what might happen if Rain's temper flared again. If she went full oni in a crowded place... the casualties would be unthinkable.

But then Marisa shook her head, brushing the thought away. This was Rain. Her Rain. Whatever this was, she had to believe her friend wouldn't let it go that far. "R-right," she mumbled, stepping forward to follow.

---

As the two began to walk away from the scene, the forest eerily quiet save for their footsteps, Marisa hesitated again, glancing back at the lifeless body crumpled against the tree roots.

"What do we do about… him?" she asked, her voice still shaky.

Rain didn't even look back. "Leave it."

"Leave it?"

"Let nature take care of it," Rain said coldly. "At least he'll be useful as fertilizer and food."

Marisa grimaced, her face twisting with unease. Rain strode forward, her pace steady and unwavering, but something about her seemed calmer now.

Marisa followed, her thoughts racing. She's still Rain, she told herself, gripping her broom tightly. She won't lose it… not in the village. She won't.

She spared one last glance at the scene behind them before quickening her pace to catch up with Rain. As much as she wanted to question everything, the only thing she could do now was press forward—and hope her faith in Rain was enough.

---

The human village gates came into view, the modest wooden structure marking the threshold between the dense forest and the bustling community beyond. Rain and Marisa approached side by side, but even before they reached the entrance, the guards stationed there had already straightened up, their wary gazes fixed on Rain.

The first guard, a stocky man with a spear, stepped forward, his grip tightening. His eyes flickered to Rain's scythe, the curved blade gleaming ominously. "You… you're a shinigami," he stammered, his voice tinged with unease.

The second guard, younger but no less alarmed, quickly added, "Why would a shinigami be here? This isn't... usual." His tone suggested he was already regretting asking.

Rain remained silent, her towering presence alone doing enough to unsettle the pair. Her scythe rested against her shoulder, the weight of her gaze making the guards shift uncomfortably. She exuded an aura that chilled the air around her, and the faint clink of the chain on her manacled arm only added to the tension.

Marisa stepped in, her tone casual but carrying a tinge of nervous energy. "Hey, relax, daze. She's with me," she said, gesturing at Rain. "I'm just showing her around the village. Nothing to worry about."

The older guard raised an eyebrow, clearly unconvinced. "Touring? With a shinigami?" His skeptical gaze shifted between Rain and Marisa. "You realize she's going to draw attention wherever she goes, right? People are going to talk."

Marisa shrugged, trying to keep her composure. "Yeah, well, people talk about me all the time, and I'm still alive, ain't I?" she quipped, giving a lopsided grin.

The younger guard didn't look reassured. "We can't exactly stop you," he muttered, glancing at Rain again. "But... make it quick, alright? And don't stir up any trouble."

Rain finally spoke, her voice steady but carrying an edge. "Trouble isn't what I'm here for." She adjusted the scythe on her shoulder, her crimson gaze briefly locking onto the older guard. "Not unless someone invites it."

The subtle threat wasn't lost on either of the guards, and they quickly stepped aside, not wanting to press the issue further.

Marisa chuckled nervously as they walked past the gates. "You really know how to make an entrance, huh?"

Rain gave a faint smirk, but said nothing, her eyes scanning the village ahead. The people had yet to see her, but she could already imagine their reactions—and that was precisely what she had come to observe.

As Rain and Marisa walked past the gates into the village, the guards exchanged uneasy glances. The older one leaned closer to his companion, keeping his voice low.

"We can't just let this slide. A shinigami strolling through the village? That's going to stir everyone up," he muttered, his grip still tight on his spear.

The younger guard nodded quickly, his eyes darting to Rain's retreating figure. "Yeah, no kidding. I've never seen one up close before. She's terrifying."

"Go let the village leader know," the older guard ordered, his tone urgent. "We need to make sure everyone stays calm and nothing gets out of hand. I'll stay here in case more... surprises show up."

The younger guard hesitated for a moment before giving a sharp nod. Without another word, he turned and jogged down a side path, heading deeper into the village.

The older guard remained at his post, his eyes lingering on the imposing figure of Rain as she moved farther away. Even at a distance, the faint clinking of her chains sent a shiver down his spine. "I just hope she really isn't here to cause trouble," he murmured to himself, gripping his spear tighter.

As Rain and Marisa strolled into the village, the atmosphere shifted palpably. Conversations faltered, the lively hum of daily activity dipping into an uneasy quiet. Villagers turned to look, their expressions a mix of wariness and outright fear.

Rain's imposing figure, accentuated by her dark cape and the faint clinking of the chain on her left arm, stood out starkly against the more subdued tones of the villagers' attire. Her war scythe, resting casually over her shoulder, seemed to exude an aura of death that hung in the air like a storm cloud.

A small child clung to their mother's skirts, wide eyes staring up at Rain with a mix of fascination and terror. The mother quickly ushered the child away, whispering something under her breath as they hurried into a nearby house.

Marisa noticed the tension immediately, her eyes darting from face to face. The villagers whispered among themselves, their voices hushed but audible enough to catch snippets.

"Is that a shinigami?"

"What's a servant of death doing here?"

"She's not here for someone, is she?"

Marisa tried to keep her composure, her usual cheer dampened by the oppressive mood. She leaned toward Rain, lowering her voice. "Uh, you're really making an impression here, daze..."

Rain's gaze remained forward, her expression unreadable. "This is the reaction I expected," she said quietly, almost to herself.

A vendor who had been arranging his wares quickly turned his back, pretending to be engrossed in his work as they passed. A group of young men standing near a cart gave Rain a wide berth, their eyes darting to her scythe before quickly looking away.

Marisa sighed, rubbing the back of her neck. "You sure about this? They're one step away from bolting."

Rain gave a faint smile, though it didn't quite reach her eyes. "Let them look. Their fear only confirms what I wanted to see."

Marisa frowned but didn't press further. As they continued down the main street, the unease followed them like a shadow, the village seeming to hold its collective breath.

As they continued walking through the village, Rain broke the silence, her voice calm yet tinged with a hint of irony. "See? What I mean?" She gestured subtly toward the villagers, her scythe catching the sunlight for a brief moment. "Last time I was myself, I got free food and stuff. People smiled, said hello, offered to help with anything."

Her gaze swept over a group of villagers quickly ducking into a shop, pretending they hadn't been staring. "Now? Just stares and whispers." She gave a soft, humorless chuckle. "It's almost funny, isn't it? How the same person, with a different look, can turn from a hero to a pariah."

Marisa glanced sideways at her, uneasy. "Well, you do have that whole 'messenger of death' vibe going on. Not exactly welcoming, daze. Especially with that scythe."

Rain shrugged, the faint clinking of her chain accompanying the motion. "The scythe's just a tool. They don't see the person behind it. They only see what they've been taught to fear."

Marisa scratched her head. "Yeah, but... you're also, uh... different now. You look like you could flatten half the village if you sneezed too hard."

Rain smirked at that, though her eyes stayed on the wary villagers. "Maybe. But that's the point, Marisa. It's not about who I am. It's about what they see—and what they choose to believe about it."

Then as Rain was about to turn and lead Marisa back out of the village, she heard a voice calling out to them. "Excuse me, but may I ask who you are?"

The voice was calm but firm, with an undertone of authority. Rain paused, her posture shifting slightly as she turned to face the newcomer.

Standing at a short distance away was a woman with long silver hair, glinting faintly with blue highlights. She wore a wide-brimmed hat that resembled some kind of building, adorned with a red ribbon on top, and her dark blue dress matched the reserved tone of her appearance. Her eyes, a soft brown, regarded Rain with a hint of curiosity.

Rain raised an eyebrow, noting the approach. She could feel the weight of the village's unease in the air, and the timing wasn't lost on her. The woman before them must've been the one the villagers had mentioned—the guardian of the village.

Rain tilted her head slightly, the scythe slung over her back almost seeming to weigh heavier now, and said, "I'm called Certain Death." She let the words hang for a moment, sensing the slight tension in the air. "I'm just looking around, with Marisa helping me."

The woman studied Rain for a moment longer, her expression unreadable but alert. "Certain Death...?" Keine's voice was soft but steady, an edge of suspicion creeping in. She glanced at Marisa for confirmation, still trying to piece together the rumors that had spread through the village about a deathly presence wandering their streets.

Marisa, sensing the tension, waved her hand awkwardly. "Yeah, yeah, it's all fine, Keine. She's... uh, just sightseeing, nothing to worry about." She gave Rain a quick look, hoping her friend wouldn't make the situation worse.

Keine wasn't entirely convinced. The wariness in her eyes didn't waver. "I see," she said slowly. "I don't mean to intrude, but for the safety of the village... I'd like to know what brings you here." Her stance was calm but firm, much like a teacher sizing up a student, though there was an unspoken challenge beneath her polite inquiry.

Rain met her gaze, her expression unreadable but sharp. "Just looking. Not causing trouble... unless they give me a reason."

Keine's eyes flickered slightly at Rain's last words. She held her ground, but there was an almost imperceptible shift in her posture. "I see..." she murmured, though her tone had changed, becoming more guarded. "I would suggest you try not to give them a reason, then. The villagers have their fears, and they're not wrong to be cautious."

Rain's gaze remained sharp, though she gave Keine a small nod of acknowledgment. "You're different, though," she said, her voice quieter but still carrying the weight of her words. "Unlike them, you can at least look me in the eye." Her eyes lingered on Keine for a brief moment, and there was something almost respectful in her expression before she turned away.

Marisa, sensing the rising tension, quickly stepped forward. "Yeah, she's just saying you are cool and all," she added hastily, trying to smooth things over without giving away too much. "But don't worry, Keine. Nothing's going to happen."

Keine glanced at Marisa, her eyes narrowing slightly. She didn't entirely trust the situation, but after a moment's pause, she nodded. "I hope so... for everyone's sake."

With that, Rain gave Keine a short, dismissive wave as she turned away, not even sparing a final glance. The sound of her footsteps echoed with a quiet but deliberate finality as she walked toward the village gate, Marisa trailing behind her.

"Well, that went better than I expected," Marisa muttered, rubbing the back of her neck. "Still, a little too close for comfort. You should be careful, Rain."

Rain's gaze softened only slightly as she spoke, her voice low. "Marisa," she said, her tone laced with a hint of reprimand, "stop calling me by that name."

Marisa blinked, momentarily confused by the sudden shift. "Huh? What are you talking about?"

Rain's eyes narrowed, the usual sharpness returning to her gaze. "You know what I mean. You should address me by my actual name in this form. It's not safe for me to be recognized as 'Rain' right now. Especially not here."

Marisa was taken aback, the seriousness of Rain's words sinking in. She scratched her head, a little sheepish. "Ah, right. I should've figured that out sooner, huh?"

Rain's gaze softened slightly, though the intensity never fully faded. "Just be careful, Marisa. The less people know, the better. We don't need more attention."

"Yeah, yeah," Marisa muttered, adjusting the brim of her hat as she reluctantly followed Rain's advice. "You don't gotta lecture me. I got it."

But Rain didn't let it go. She added with a sharp glance, "I'm serious, Marisa. It could get dangerous if we're not careful. Don't forget who I am now."

Marisa could only grunt in response, slightly irritated but ultimately understanding. "Alright, alright, I'll call you by your real name. Don't get all worked up, 'Certain Death.'"

Rain glanced back at her with a sharp, fleeting smirk. "Better."

With that, they continued walking through the village, the air still heavy with suspicion from the villagers as they passed, but at least for now, they had each other's backs.

---

The winds howled as Tenshi Hinanawi descended from Bhava-agra, the celestial home above the mortal world. The sky seemed darker than usual, and a heavy sense of unease clung to her as she rode the keystone, descending toward the familiar peaks of Youkai Mountain. The celestial, known for her brash demeanor, was oddly quiet as she scanned the horizon for any sign of the ominous threat Iku had described.

The mark on her neck weighed heavily on her thoughts. She could feel a faint pulse, as though it had a life of its own. "Certain Death," she mused, her lips curling into a faint smirk despite herself. "If it's so certain, why not show itself already?"

Still, even her usual bravado couldn't entirely mask the flicker of doubt creeping into her mind. She was a celestial, a being who transcended mortal fears like death. Yet Iku's shaken words replayed in her head, and her confidence felt thinner than the clouds she passed through.

As she approached Youkai Mountain, the bustling sounds of the tengu at work became faintly audible. Tenshi slowed her descent, careful to avoid drawing unnecessary attention to herself. "No need to get those tengu reporters stirred up," she muttered, her eyes narrowing. "Last thing I need is this turning into front-page news."

Landing lightly near the mountain's forested base, she stepped off the keystone, brushing her dress off. The air was thick with the scent of pine and damp earth. Despite the natural beauty, an unnatural tension hung in the air, setting Tenshi's nerves on edge.

Tenshi herself doesn't know where to start but when she asked around, there are some stories matching her questions. Like how she asked the kappas if something unusual happened to which they said that a fighting happened. A big one. They didn't get to see it well as they were busy hiding but they said something about seeing a woman in black clothing with a scythe. Tenshi, surmised that it is indeed weird perhaps that person is the one she is looking for? Or rather the one out to get her.

She was then led to the Ravine and saw the aftermath of the battle, "Must have been quite a fight." She said to herself.

---

After a few digging, Tenshi made her way toward the human village as it was a great way to get more information aside from the mountain itself, her sharp eyes caught movement ahead. A familiar figure stepped out from behind a cluster of trees: Shion Yorigami, the poverty goddess. Her ragged blue kimono and disheveled appearance were as ever, but her face lit up with genuine surprise upon seeing Tenshi.

"Tenshi!" Shion called, her voice tinged with relief. She hurried over, her typically gloomy aura brightened just by the celestial's presence. "I didn't expect to see you here!"

Tenshi relaxed slightly at the sight of her friend. "Shion? What are you doing near the village? Didn't peg you for the outdoorsy type."

Shion shrugged sheepishly. "I got tired of lurking around in the shadows, I guess. Plus, I thought I'd see if there was any food to scavenge near the village." She hesitated, studying Tenshi's face. "But what about you? You seem... different. Are you okay?"

Tenshi hesitated, her usual cocky demeanor faltering. "It's... complicated."

Shion frowned, her concern evident. "What's going on, Tenshi? Did something happen in Heaven?"

The celestial sighed, running a hand through her long blue hair. "Let's just say I've got something on my plate. Something big."

Shion's eyes widened. "Something big? What do you mean? Is it dangerous?"

Tenshi shrugged, feigning nonchalance. "Maybe. But you know me—I'll handle it."

Shion's gaze softened, her worry etched plainly on her face. "You don't have to do it alone, you know. If you're in trouble, I'll stick by you. That's what friends are for."

A small smile tugged at Tenshi's lips. Despite Shion's gloomy nature, her loyalty was unwavering. "Thanks, Shion. I appreciate it. But this is... something I have to figure out myself. Besides, I don't want your bad luck getting tangled up in this mess."

Shion laughed weakly, though her eyes remained troubled. "As if your good luck hasn't canceled it out already."

Tenshi chuckled. "Fair point. Guess we're a weird pair, huh?"

The two stood in companionable silence for a moment, the distant sounds of the village carrying through the trees.

"Come on," Tenshi said finally, her tone lighter. "I'll walk with you to the village. Maybe we'll find something interesting along the way."

Shion nodded, falling into step beside her. As they walked, the looming presence of the mark on Tenshi's neck seemed to fade, if only for a moment, under the weight of their shared camaraderie.

As the two were making their way toward the bustling Human Village when they caught sight of the guards at the gates, conversing in hushed voices. As they approached, the conversation grew louder, piquing Tenshi's interest.

The older guard, still a little unsettled from his earlier interaction with Rain, spoke up first. "I heard the shinigami calls herself Certain Death. Calls herself that, of all things…"

The younger guard shifted nervously, glancing around as if ensuring no one else was listening. "Yeah, they say she's deadly—beautiful, but deadly." He paused, trying to choose his words carefully. "She showed up with some kind of scythe. Don't know what she's here for, but... she's already causing a stir on her presence alone."

Tenshi's ears perked up at the mention of the name, and her gaze sharpened. The very name stirred something inside her, an instinctual flare of recognition. Certain Death...

"She?!" she muttered under her breath. "Certain Death is a woman?"

Her thoughts were interrupted by Shion, who had caught the tail end of the conversation and turned to her in confusion. "Tenshi," Shion asked hesitantly, "who is this Certain Death they're talking about?"

Tenshi's eyes, previously locked on the guards, shifted to the side as she exhaled a long breath, clearly weighed down by the information. "It's nothing," she said dismissively, though the edge in her voice betrayed her uncertainty. "It's just a rumor, nothing to worry about."

Shion didn't buy it, noticing the way Tenshi's fingers clenched and unclenched, clearly on edge. "Tenshi," she insisted, "What is this? You're not telling me something."

Tenshi hesitated for a moment, then finally spoke, her voice quieter now, strained. "The mark on my neck... It's the mark of Certain Death."

Shion blinked in confusion. "What's that?"

Tenshi gave a tight, uneasy laugh. "It's exactly what it sounds like. A death sentence, a hunter that marks its prey before it comes for them." Her gaze hardened as she continued, "And once you're marked, you're good as dead as they said. The being that carries this mark... it's one that no one can escape. Not even the Kishin Chiefs in Hell can compare to it."

Shion's eyes widened in disbelief, struggling to process what Tenshi had just revealed. "Wait, you're saying you're being hunted?" Her voice trembled at the thought.

Tenshi shrugged, though the nonchalant gesture did little to mask the gravity of the situation. "I didn't ask for it," she said bitterly. "It suddenly appeared this morning..."Tenshi's hand instinctively went to her neck, brushing over the mark, an ominous, dark symbol with a skull symbol with a number 1 next to it. She scoffed, her arrogance seeping through her words. "But I'm not worried. I'm not running from anything."

Tenshi's eyes sparkled with defiance. "That's why am here. I'm not about to sit around in Heaven like a scared little celestial. I came down to face it. Whatever it is, I'll take care of it myself. No one tells me what to do. I'm not going to hide away."

Her voice carried a dangerous confidence, but deep down, even she could feel the pull of the mark. It was there, constantly reminding her of what she was facing. She could ignore it, but she wasn't blind to it.

Her thoughts drifted back to the guards' words. The shinigami. Certain Death. A woman. Beautiful, deadly, and now in the village. Tenshi felt her heart quicken with anticipation. If this was the one who bore the name Certain Death, then it seemed fate had brought them together at last.

As she is musing, the guards' attention then seemed to shift. The unmistakable sound of armored boots echoed through the village, growing louder as it approached the entrance. Tenshi's eyes narrowed, her instincts kicking in. The air seemed to shift as the sound grew closer, and the distinct clink of a chain followed soon after.

"Here she comes again," one of the guards whispered, his tone filled with awe—or perhaps fear. "The Shinigami... Certain Death."

Tenshi and Shion froze, both instinctively shrinking into the shadows, trying to remain unseen. They could feel the weight of the approaching presence, a dangerous aura that almost crackled in the air. The guards visibly stiffened as the sound grew nearer.

Tenshi's heart raced with the knowledge that this entity—this "Certain Death"—was right here in the village. She clenched her fists, her eyes burning with defiance. "This is my fight," she muttered under her breath. "And no one's going to stop me."

Shion, however, grabbed Tenshi's arm, her grip tight. "Tenshi, you have to stay hidden. You don't know what you're dealing with. Please—" But Tenshi, determined to confront her fate, shook her off.

"No, Shion," Tenshi said firmly, her voice cold and unyielding. "If Certain Death is here, I'll face her. It's the only way."

But even as she spoke, the sound of clinking armor and the chain grew louder, and Tenshi's eyes widened as she realized just how close Certain Death was.

Crouched behind the crates, their eyes locked on the entrance, Tenshi's gaze sharpened. The sound of armored boots grew louder, and the distinct clinking of a chain made her heartbeat quicken. There was no mistaking it now—Certain Death was approaching.

The woman who exited the village gates was striking, but there was something about her presence that made the air around her crackle with an unnerving energy. She wasn't just an imposing figure, but a force, both in appearance and aura.

The first thing that caught Tenshi's eye was the scythe. It was large, almost too large for her, yet the woman wielded it with ease, the curved blade gleaming with a deadly promise. The weapon alone would have been enough to give anyone pause, but it was the woman herself that commanded attention.

She was tall, far taller than most of the humans or even some of the celestial beings Tenshi had met. Her presence radiated a chilling calmness, but it was the manacle on her left arm that caused Tenshi to narrow her eyes. The broken chain clinked with every step, an eerie sound that seemed to reverberate through the village. It looked unnatural, as if she was carrying something—some reminder of a past shackle. A dark, ominous contrast to her otherwise flawless appearance.

Her silver-white hair flowed down her back in waves, stark and striking against the subtle colors of the village around her. Her crimson eyes scanned the area, and Tenshi felt an involuntary shiver run through her as their gazes almost met. There was something too cold, too calculating about the way she looked around, as if she were searching for something—or someone.

Tenshi's eyes flicked down to the woman's attire, noting how it didn't quite match the traditional expectations one might have for a shinigami. It wasn't just her weapon or the chain that set her apart—it was the way she carried herself. The sheer confidence and control in her movements suggested a battle-hardened soul, one who had fought countless times and emerged victorious.

But it was the aura surrounding her that made Tenshi's insides twist uncomfortably. There was something deeply unsettling about her presence, a weight that pressed on the air itself. This was not just a shinigami. No, this was Certain Death, the entity that had been whispered about by many.

Shion's hand tightened on Tenshi's arm, her face pale as she watched the woman with silent dread. Tenshi, however, continued to observe with an intense focus, her defiant spirit refusing to back down. Her eyes lingered on the broken chain, the manacle on her left arm, and the way it clinked ominously with each step.

"That mark," Tenshi muttered quietly to herself, her eyes flicking to her own neck. She didn't know why the sight of the broken chain unsettled her so much, but something deep within her told her that this woman—the one called Certain Death—was not someone she could simply brush off.

As the woman moved past, heading out of the village, Tenshi's eyes narrowed, her hands unconsciously tightening into fists. There was no turning back now.

---

Earlier...

Rain adjusted the scythe on her shoulder as she turned toward Marisa. "We should go back now. We still need to meet Alice at her home." Her tone was calm, but there was an edge to it, a reminder that they had spent enough time wandering around the village.

Marisa stretched with a yawn, looking less than eager to head back. "Sure, sure, but since we're already here..." She looked around the village square, eyes scanning the various stalls with a glint of mischief. "I should grab something for my magic stuff. You go ahead without me, I'll catch up in a bit."

Rain's brow arched slightly, but she said nothing for a moment. Marisa was already walking off in the direction of a nearby market stall, looking like a kid in a candy shop. Then, just as Marisa glanced back with a lopsided grin, she added, "This babysitting gig is tiring, you know? You're like a little kid who needs someone to watch over her all the time."

Rain's eyes narrowed slightly, and she shook her head, her lips curling into a smirk. "This again? I told you, I don't need someone to babysit me but you are not listening are you?" Her voice was firm, but there was a hint of humor beneath it. "I'm perfectly capable of taking care of myself."

"Yep," Marisa teased, barely suppressing a laugh. She waved her hand nonchalantly. "I'm just making sure the big, scary shinigami doesn't get into trouble."

Rain let out a soft chuckle, but there was something more serious in her gaze as she looks at Marisa. "You know, it's not like I wanted things to go down the way they did earlier."

Marisa's expression softened. She knew exactly what Rain was talking about. The incident earlier that day had been… unsettling, to say the least. The effects of the Ibaraki Box of a Hundred Medicines, had reacted with far more force than Marisa had expected. Her anger, seemingly fueled by something darker, had exploded. The man hadn't stood a chance. Rain had killed him in an instant, with cold precision.

Marisa had never seen Rain like that before, and it had worried her. Even though it had been in self-defense, the violent outburst was unlike Rain's usual calm demeanor. The fact that Rain's personality seemed to shift slightly—a more oni-like side emerging—had sent a chill down Marisa's spine.

She didn't blame Rain, not really. But the promise she had made to keep the incident quiet for Rain's sake weighed heavily on her. No one needed to know. Not Reimu. Not Alice. No one.

"You're still worried about that, huh?" Marisa asked, her voice more serious now, her playful demeanor faltering. "You know I promised I wouldn't say anything. It was just... the guy was asking for it, and you were protecting us. That's all that matters."

Rain nodded, her gaze distant. "I know. But it's not always so simple. I got angry, and that side of me, that... thing, it's not something I'm proud of."

"I get it," Marisa said, offering a reassuring smile. "But look, I'm not about to go telling anyone about it. Not Reimu, not Alice. You don't need to worry about that."

Rain's expression softened just a fraction, but she didn't say anything more. Instead, she tilted her head, her voice returning to its usual calm. "Go ahead and buy whatever you need, then. I'll meet you at Alice's. And don't take too long. I'll eat all the cookies and drink the teas, understand?"

Marisa gave a mock salute. "Got it, ma'am! I'll be quick."

As Marisa walked off toward the market, Rain watched her go, the faintest flicker of concern crossing her features before she pushed it aside. The last thing she needed was to get caught up in something like that again. Not today, at least.

She glanced over her shoulder, her crimson eyes narrowing ever so slightly as she sensed something in the air.

As Rain stepped away from the bustling village, just at the entrance of the village, a strange sensation tugged at her. She paused for a moment, her sharp crimson eyes narrowing slightly. There, at the edge of her vision, was something unusual—a faint red mist, swirling and moving in the direction she had just come from. It drifted through the air, a subtle, eerie presence, as though it were drawn to something.

"That's odd," she muttered under her breath, furrowing her brow as she scanned the area. Her eyes flicked back toward the village gates, but there was nothing to indicate why this strange mist would be there. The villagers were going about their business, oblivious to the oddity she had just noticed.

Rain turned her gaze back toward the mist, instinctively following its direction. It moved in a slow, almost deliberate fashion, its path unmistakably heading toward the very spot where she and Marisa had entered. Yet, try as she might, she couldn't discern its exact source.

She frowned, irritation briefly flickering across her face as she brushed a strand of her silver-white hair behind her ear. She wasn't one to entertain supernatural oddities without reason, and she had other things to focus on. The trail of mist could easily be just a trick of the air, nothing more than a passing whimsy.

"It's nothing," she muttered, shaking her head. "Probably just the wind."

Still, there was something unsettling about it—a faint pull, an instinct she couldn't ignore, but she quickly dismissed it. Without another thought, Rain continued walking away from the village. She wouldn't be distracted by a phantom trail, especially not with everything else that loomed on her mind.

But deep down, a small, quiet part of her wondered if that mist had been more than it seemed, even if she didn't fully understand why.

---

As the faint sound of Rain's boots faded into the distance, Tenshi and Shion remained hidden. The celestial's heart pounded, though her face betrayed little of her unease. She clenched her fists tightly, her mind replaying the sight of the figure she believed was hunting her—the being who bore the name Certain Death.

Shion, crouched beside her, finally broke the silence. "Tenshi, is that her?"

Tenshi's crimson eyes remained fixed on the direction the supposed shinigami had gone. She took a deep breath, her expression darkening. "That's the one," she muttered, her voice low but trembling with determination.

Shion's mouth fell open slightly. "Wait, wait, wait—are you telling me that she is this Certain Death you're talking about? That lady with the scythe and that crazy aura? She's the one hunting you?"

Tenshi nodded grimly. "She has to be. Who else could it be? Iku even said this thing hunts its targets without fail, and here she is, showing up right after this mark appeared."

Shion leaned back, processing the revelation. "So, what's the plan, Tenshi? If she's as dangerous as you say, you're not seriously thinking about facing her, are you?"

Tenshi smirked, her arrogance breaking through her momentary solemnity. "Of course I'm going to face her. That's why I left Heaven in the first place. You really think I'm just going to sit there and wait for her to come to me? No way. I'm going to deal with her on my terms."

Shion's expression twisted with worry. "You're insane, you know that? You're walking straight into what could be your doom, and you're acting like it's just another sparring match."

"Relax," Tenshi replied, standing up and brushing off her dress. "I've faced plenty of threats before, and I'm still here, aren't I? If this 'Certain Death' wants to take me out, she's going to have to work for it."

Shion sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose. "Fine. If you're so set on this, at least let me help. I might not be much, but I'm not going to just let you run headfirst into danger alone."

Tenshi grinned, her confidence unshaken. "Good. I'll need a front-row seat when I put this so-called hunter in her place."

As they moved to leave their hiding spot, Tenshi stole one last glance in the direction Certain Death had gone. Despite her bravado, she couldn't shake the weight of the mark on her neck—or the feeling that this battle would be unlike any other she had fought.

Tenshi adjusted her hat, her eyes narrowing as she watched the faint trail of the woman's figure slowly shrinks away from their view. The celestial's heart thudded with a mix of adrenaline and determination. That's her. It has to be her, she thought, the mark on her neck almost burning in her mind as a reminder of what was at stake.

She stepped forward, intent on following the supposed hunter. Shion grabbed her arm, her grip surprisingly firm for someone so frail-looking. "Tenshi, are you seriously thinking about going after her now? You don't even know what she's capable of."

Tenshi shrugged off Shion's hand, her expression set in defiance. "I don't need to know what she's capable of. I already know she's after me. If I wait, she'll come to me on her terms. I'd rather face her head-on."

Shion stepped in front of her, blocking her path. "You're being reckless! Didn't you just say this 'Certain Death' is supposed to be unbeatable? What's your plan, huh? Just walk up to her and say, 'Hi, I'm Tenshi, let's fight'? That's suicide!"

Tenshi smirked, adjusting the Sword of Hisou at her side. "You know me better than that, Shion. I don't lose to anyone. She might have the reputation, but I've got the skill—and the will to back it up."

Shion crossed her arms, her face a mix of exasperation and concern. "You're so full of yourself it's unreal. Look, even if you are as tough as you think, what if she's tougher? What if this is the one fight you can't win?"

Tenshi tilted her head, her grin widening. "Then it'll be one hell of a fight. But I won't back down, Shion. Not now, not ever."

Shion sighed heavily, her shoulders slumping. "You're impossible, you know that? Fine, do what you want. Just… don't expect me to be your cheerleader when you get in over your head."

Tenshi patted Shion on the shoulder, her confidence radiating like an aura. "Come on, Shion. You've seen me in action. You really think I'm going to lose to anyone, even a so-called unstoppable hunter?"

Shion muttered under her breath, but she reluctantly followed as Tenshi strode out of the village, her focus locked on the faint trail the woman had left behind. The celestial moved with purpose, the sound of her boots crunching against the dirt road matching the steady beat of her determination.

Shion glanced around nervously, her unease growing with each step. "This is such a bad idea," she grumbled, her eyes darting to every shadow as if expecting something—or someone—to leap out at them. "I hope you know what you're doing."

Tenshi didn't answer, her attention fixed ahead. The faint red mist Rain had noticed earlier was invisible to Shion, but Tenshi's instincts told her she was on the right track. Her grip tightened on the hilt of her blade, and her smile grew sharper.

'Soon', she thought. 'We'll see if you're as deadly as everyone says.'

---

Rain trudged through the dense undergrowth of the Forest of Magic, her steps purposeful yet weighed down by an unshakable tension. The air was still, save for the occasional rustle of leaves above her, and the dim light filtering through the canopy painted the ground in shifting patterns of green and gold. She hadn't gone far before her gaze landed on it again—the broken, bloody corpse of the outsider she had killed not long ago.

His headless body lay sprawled amidst a pool of drying blood, the jagged stump of his neck a gruesome reminder of her strength. Bits of bone and torn flesh clung to the surrounding foliage, painting a grim picture of the violence that had taken place. Rain's silver-white hair caught the faint light as she glanced at the scene, her expression neutral but her grip tightening on the scythe resting against her shoulder.

She didn't stop for long, merely acknowledging the sight with a brief look before walking on. But as she stepped past the body, a voice echoed in her mind, smooth and laced with dark amusement.

"Now that was impressive," it purred, the tone like velvet laced with thorns. "You pulverized him with a single punch. A bit... messy, though, don't you think? No finesse. No artistry. If I were in your position, I wouldn't have killed him outright. Where's the fun in ending it so quickly?"

Rain froze mid-step, her heart skipping a beat. Her crimson eyes widened slightly as she scanned her surroundings, but she saw no one. The voice wasn't external—it was coming from inside her head.

"Shut up," she muttered under her breath, her hand gripping the scythe's haft tightly. Her voice was sharp, but there was a tremor beneath the surface. "I'm not like you."

The voice chuckled, the sound low and sinister, curling around her thoughts like smoke. "Oh, but you are, dear Rain. Perhaps not entirely, not yet. But look at what you've done, what you're capable of. There's a part of you—deep down—that enjoyed it, isn't there? The power, the dominance, the thrill of it all."

Rain gritted her teeth, her steps faltering. "I did what I had to. That's it. Nothing more."

"Keep telling yourself that," the voice teased, mockingly sweet. "But we both know there's more to this story. Speaking of which, have you looked at the scrolls yet? The ones our dear Hecatia gave you?"

Rain's breath hitched at the mention of the scrolls. Her free hand instinctively went to the small satchel at her side where the scrolls were tucked away. She hadn't thought much about them since receiving them, too caught up in everything else.

"Ah, you haven't, have you?" the voice continued, a smug edge to its tone. "I noticed something interesting—one of them has writing on it. Perhaps you should read it. Who knows? It might even be... fun."

Rain stood rooted in place, her head tilting downward as if the weight of the voice pressed on her. She hesitated, her fingers brushing the edge of the satchel. "I don't trust you," she said finally, her voice low and defiant.

"Trust? My dear, trust is irrelevant. Curiosity, though—that's what drives us forward. Go on, read it. Indulge me. What's the worst that could happen?"

The voice's laughter faded into the back of her mind, leaving an unsettling silence in its wake. Rain exhaled sharply, shaking her head as if to clear it, and forced herself to take another step forward. She didn't reach for the scrolls just yet, but her unease lingered, the seed of doubt and curiosity planted firmly in her thoughts.

Rain took a deep breath and forced herself to look away from the satchel at her side. Her grip tightened on the scythe, and with a sharp exhale, she turned her back to the bloodied corpse that lay just off the path. The voice had gone silent for now, but its presence still lingered, like a shadow she couldn't escape.

She wasn't ready to confront whatever was written on those scrolls—not here, not now. It wasn't the right moment. Reading it in the midst of this… of that mess would only make her mind twist further, stir up the unease that was already threatening to bubble to the surface. The body was still fresh in her mind, the grotesque sight of it too raw.

Not here. Not now.

She shook her head again, forcing the nagging thoughts aside. Rain kept walking, her eyes focused straight ahead as the quiet forest surrounded her. The soft crunch of leaves beneath her boots was the only sound in the otherwise still air. The voice might return, but for now, there was peace.

She needed it.

A part of her couldn't help but wonder why Hecatia had given her these scrolls in the first place. What was the purpose behind them? And more pressing—why did she feel this sudden pull to open them now?

But for now, Rain chose to push those questions away. She couldn't afford to let herself spiral. Not now.

Her gaze drifted briefly back to the path ahead. There was a feeling in the air—something that unsettled her just beneath the surface. It was familiar, but she couldn't quite place it.

The voice, it seemed, was content to leave her for now, but Rain knew it wasn't gone. It would come back, just like it always did, testing her patience, pushing at the cracks in her resolve. For now, she would try to remain ahead of it, keep moving forward.

With one last glance at the scene, Rain sighed and resumed her walk, determined to push everything out of her mind for the moment. She needed time, space, to collect her thoughts.

As Tenshi and Shion ventured further into the forest of magic, the sight before them halted their steps. The silence of the woods, so peaceful moments ago, felt suddenly heavy and oppressive. Their eyes locked onto the bloody mess before them, the scattered remnants of what was once a man. Blood had pooled around his body, dark and coagulated in the cooler air. His head was missing, leaving only the mangled remains of his torso and the unmistakable sign of a violent struggle.

Tenshi's face twisted into a slight frown as she took in the scene, the sight of the carnage catching her off guard. Her usual confident demeanor faltered, her eyes narrowing with confusion and curiosity. She instinctively took a step back, but the blood was already making her stomach churn. Shion, standing beside her, paled even further. Her hand instinctively went to her mouth as she tried to suppress her disgust.

"W-What in the world happened here?" Shion whispered, her voice barely audible as her gaze flicked from the lifeless body to Tenshi's serious expression. "This... this doesn't look like something that just happened."

Tenshi's eyes narrowed, scanning the body closely. Her gaze traced the remains of the corpse, taking note of the disarray, the gory mess that was left in the aftermath. The head was gone, but it didn't look like it had been severed cleanly by a blade. It was too… messy. No scythe or blade had been used to finish this man off. There was something else at work here.

Tenshi bent down slightly, inspecting the body with a critical eye, her fingers idly tapping her chin. The expression on her face became one of deep contemplation.

"A punch?" she mused aloud, her voice laced with disbelief. "No way a normal human could have done this. The head... it wasn't sliced off like a clean cut. It was... crushed, smashed, with such force that it left the body looking like this. Whoever did this had unbelievable strength."

Shion's eyes widened at the realization, her face turning even paler. "A punch? But that... that's just insane. Who could possibly punch someone with that much force? It doesn't make sense."

Tenshi didn't look back at Shion, still observing the details with a sharp gaze. "You saw the sign on the gate... the guards were talking about her. Certain Death. This guy... he was unlucky to cross paths with her. There's no other way to explain it." Her eyes glinted with a certain cold amusement. "She killed him quickly, with little effort, and likely didn't even blink while doing it."

Tenshi straightened up, her eyes flicking over to Shion, a smug look playing on her face. "Looks like he picked the wrong day to meet someone like her."

Shion, still standing frozen, let out a shaky breath. "I can't believe this... is this really her work? Certain Death?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper, full of dread.

Tenshi didn't respond at first, her gaze lingering on the bloodied scene for a moment longer. The weight of the situation was beginning to settle in. Whatever the nature of Certain Death, she had no doubt that whoever—or whatever—was responsible for this kind of destruction wasn't someone to be taken lightly. And now, that someone was on her trail.

---

Rain paused in a small clearing, the dense forest canopy casting dappled shadows around her. She reached into her pack and pulled out the scrolls Hecatia had given her. The voice from earlier had mentioned them, and now, curiosity tugged at her. The earlier scene with the corpse still lingered in her mind, but she shoved the memory aside, determined to focus on something productive.

The scrolls were tied neatly, their worn edges suggesting they had been handled before. As she untied the bundle and unfurled the first few, she frowned slightly. Some of them were completely blank, devoid of any text or markings.

"That's odd," she murmured to herself, running her fingers over the smooth parchment. She couldn't shake the feeling that there was more to these blank scrolls than met the eye, but for now, she set them aside. There was no use wasting time trying to decipher nothingness.

Her attention shifted to a scroll with actual writing, its contents immediately catching her eye. At the top, written in bold strokes, were the words:

"In case I forgot."

Rain's brow furrowed as she stared at the phrase. Something about it felt... familiar. It was written as though meant for her specifically, but that was impossible—wasn't it? She brushed the thought aside, focusing instead on the highlighted section below.

"Kinjutsu and magic."

Underneath, the scroll listed techniques, complete with hand signs and instructions.

Kinjutsu: Half-Wraith Form Description: Temporarily split your soul from your body. Allows for ghost-like movement and abilities. Warning: Main body remains vulnerable. No mana is consumed during this state, making it efficient but risky. Spells cannot be cast while active. Recommendation: Ensure someone guards your main body.

Rain's eyes lingered on the detailed instructions, which outlined the specific hand signs needed to activate the technique. The implications of leaving her body vulnerable were not lost on her. Whoever had written this had known the risks intimately, as evidenced by the thorough warning.

Kinjutsu: Complete Wraith Form Description: Fully merge mind and body into a wraith-like state. Enables full spectral abilities while retaining physical capabilities. Warning: High mana consumption. Time-limited. Spells can be cast, but with significant resource drain.

The scroll listed similar precise instructions, emphasizing the need for careful timing and proper mana control.

Rain exhaled slowly as she rolled the scroll back up. There were more scrolls in the bundle, some undoubtedly containing additional techniques or spells, but she decided against opening them all right now. It would be far too time-consuming, and her surroundings weren't exactly conducive to deep study.

"Hand signs, splitting forms… who wrote this?" she muttered, gripping the scroll a little tighter. The warnings felt deeply personal, as though the writer had experienced the dangers firsthand. And yet, the familiarity gnawed at her mind, like a memory just out of reach.

She slid the scroll back into her pack, her steps carrying her further into the forest. The information lingered in her thoughts, though, a constant reminder of what might be waiting for her to discover.

---

Rain then stilled as a prickle ran down her spine. She turned sharply, her silver-white hair catching the faint light that filtered through the forest canopy. Her crimson eyes locked onto the shadowy figures standing just a little beyond the trees. It was clear they had been watching her.

"I know you're there... show yourselves." She said with a calm but serious tone.

Tenshi Hinanawi stepped forward, her expression confident and taunting, as if she had just stumbled upon her prey. Shion Yorigami lingered behind her, looking far less sure about the situation. The celestial crossed her arms, her tone laced with defiance as she broke the silence.

"So, you're the one they call Certain Death, huh?" Tenshi began, her lips curling into a smirk. "You picked the wrong celestial to mess with."

Rain's gaze narrowed, a hint of annoyance flashing in her eyes. "I don't know what you're talking about," she replied flatly, her voice steady but carrying an edge.

Tenshi tilted her head, her smirk growing wider. "Oh, don't play dumb. That mark on my neck? You think I don't know what it means?" She jabbed a thumb toward herself. "You're here for me, aren't you? Well, guess what? I'm not going to go down quietly."

Rain frowned, her patience already thinning. "Listen," she said coldly, "I have no idea what you're babbling about. If you've got a problem, it's not with me."

"Sure you don't," Tenshi shot back, her tone dripping with sarcasm. "Isn't that what killers always say? 'Oh, I didn't mean to mark you.' Spare me the excuses. You're just another coward hiding behind that scythe of yours."

Shion, standing behind Tenshi, finally spoke up, her voice nervous. "T-Tenshi, maybe you should stop provoking her. She doesn't look like the type to take insults lightly."

Rain's grip on her scythe tightened slightly, the metal glinting ominously in the dappled sunlight. Her jaw clenched as Tenshi's words dug into her, igniting a spark of anger. The side effects of the Ibaraki Box of a Hundred Medicines simmered beneath the surface, amplifying her irritability.

Tenshi seemed to sense it and pressed further, leaning casually against her Keystone. "What's the matter? Hit a nerve? Guess you're not as composed as you look." Her grin turned mocking. "Tell me, Certain Death, does it feel good? Picking targets you think can't fight back? Too scared to face someone on your level?"

Rain took a deliberate step forward, her crimson gaze sharp and unyielding. "I'm warning you," she said, her voice low and dangerous. "Shut your mouth before you regret it."

But Tenshi didn't back down. If anything, her grin widened. "Oh, I've seen your type before," she said, her tone smug. "All bark, no bite. You think that scythe makes you scary? Please, I've faced oni tougher than you."

Rain's patience snapped, her voice cutting through the air like a blade. "You really want to test that theory? Keep running your mouth, and I'll show you just how wrong you are."

Shion tugged at Tenshi's sleeve, her expression panicked. "Tenshi, stop! You're going to get us both killed!"

Tenshi shrugged off Shion's grip, her confidence unshaken. "Relax, Shion. I've got this under control. Besides," she said, her eyes locking with Rain's, "if she's so tough, let's see what she's really made of."

Rain exhaled slowly, her grip on the scythe loosening just enough to suggest she hadn't completely lost control. Yet. "You're lucky I have better things to do than waste my time on someone like you," she muttered, though the sharp edge in her voice made it clear her restraint was wearing thin. The tense stand-off hung in the air, the forest around them unnervingly quiet as if holding its breath.

Tenshi's smirk didn't waver as she leaned back slightly, her arms crossed, relishing the tension she was drawing from Rain. Her gaze flicked toward the bloodstained ground where the corpse had once been, and her voice took on a moralizing edge.

"You know," Tenshi began, her tone shifting to one of mock sympathy, "it's a shame really. That man didn't deserve to die, not like that." She tilted her head, feigning regret. "But then again, you don't seem to care about morality, do you? You kill people like it's nothing, and for what? To prove you're tough?"

Rain's gaze hardened as she stared down Tenshi, the crackling energy around her intensifying. The voice within her egged her on, whispering promises of release, of satisfaction if she just let herself go. But amidst the storm of anger, there was a flicker of something else—an ember of defiance not against Tenshi, but against the rage clawing at her insides.

She lowered her scythe slightly, just for a moment, and muttered under her breath, loud enough for them to hear: "I'm not a bad person..." Her voice wavered, not with doubt but with a cold bitterness. Her silver-white hair caught the dim light filtering through the trees, the chain on her arm rattling ominously as she clenched her fists. "Just had bad luck."

The words hung in the air like a confession, but they were spoken with the weight of truth. It wasn't an apology or an excuse—it was a declaration.

Tenshi raised an eyebrow, smirking. "Bad luck? That's rich coming from someone who left a guy's head looking like a crushed melon. Sure doesn't scream 'good person' to me."

Rain's grip on her scythe tightened, her knuckles white. The ember inside her dimmed as the bubbling anger flared, fueled by Tenshi's taunt. The voice in her head came roaring back, louder, more insistent than before.

Rain's eyes narrowed as Tenshi's words seeped into her mind like poison, her jaw tightening in response. Her veins began to throb with an anger she barely kept in check, and for a moment, the forest around her seemed to close in. The cool air suddenly felt stifling, her thoughts fragmented and twisted.

'Oh, this brat has no fucking idea what she's talking about', Rain thought, the voice within her head creeping back in with its familiar whispers.

"Break her," the voice urged, its presence growing stronger. "Break her, and shut her up. Take that smug look off her face. Tear her apart, piece by piece. She doesn't deserve mercy."

Rain's fingers gripped the war scythe tighter, and she could feel the rage bubbling up inside her like molten lava. Her left arm—still shackled with the broken chain—burned with the impulse to act, to strike. Her veins, visible under her pale skin, pulsed with the power of her anger, her body itching to do something... anything.

'Fuck it', she thought, teeth clenched, eyes flashing. 'She wants a lesson? She's going to get one.'

"You little shit," Rain muttered, her voice a low growl, the dark presence within her growing stronger. "You want to lecture me about morality?" Her voice rose, laced with venom. "You want to fucking talk about what's right and wrong? You think I'm gonna let a smug fucker like you get away with this?!"

"You want to die that badly?" she growled, her voice suddenly low and heavy, like the tolling of a death bell. "Fine. I'll make it happen for you, you little shit."

Tenshi blinked, taken aback by Rain's outburst. She opened her mouth to retort, but Rain wasn't finished. The anger had completely overtaken her now, her eyes narrowing to slits as she took a step toward Tenshi, the war scythe scraping against the ground with a menacing sound.

"Listen here, you gopping little shit," Rain continued, her voice now dripping with disdain. "I don't give a flying fuck about your moral high ground. I was named Certain Death for a fucking reason. Whether it's to take life away or just punish you fuckers for being dumb enough to cross me—" she paused, her gaze locking onto Tenshi with a cold smile, "—that's just my fucking job."

Tenshi's defiance faltered for a second, but she quickly regained her composure. "You think that's going to scare me?" she scoffed. "You're just a bully with a big scythe. I'm not afraid of you."

Rain's grip tightened, the scythe now raised high, her voice cutting through the air like a razor. "Why the fuck is it always that death is the enemy when you assholes are the ones doing the most fucked-up shit? Don't you think that's weirdly fucked up? That you—the ones causing all this shit—think I'm the one that's wrong?!"

Tenshi's face twisted with frustration. "I'm just saying that there's more to life than taking it away. Maybe you should—"

Rain's patience shattered. "Is there a point to this?" she snapped, her voice dripping with mockery. "Are you dictating your fucking obituary to me, Tenshit? Cause I'm sure I could help with that, you dumb little fuck."

Tenshi's eyes widened, then narrowed with fury at the insult. "You think you can talk to me like that and walk away unscathed? You don't know who you're dealing with!"

Rain's left arm twitched, the chain rattling slightly, and the coldness in her expression deepened. She raised the war scythe, her voice now full of contempt. "I'm going to eat your soul, shit it out, and use it to smother your fucking girlfriend to death."

Shion, who had remained quiet up until this point, flinched at the threat, her eyes wide in alarm. But before she could speak, Rain was already advancing, her scythe swinging in a wide arc toward Tenshi.

In the split second before their weapons clashed, the air between them seemed to crackle with tension, like the calm before a storm.

And then, in a blur of motion, it happened.

The force of the collision sent a shockwave through the forest, the sound of metal scraping against metal ringing through the trees. The ground beneath them shook as Rain's war scythe met Tenshi's sword in a deadly clash, sparks flying from the impact.

Time seemed to slow, the world holding its breath as the two figures stood locked in combat, their strength and fury clashing in a brutal dance.

But as their weapons held each other in a stalemate, the true force of their battle had yet to be unleashed. And what would come next was anyone's guess.