Waking Up from the Dream - Welcome Home - Story Thread

[IdiotsOpposite]

2:00 PM - Day 3 - Kamisuiwa, Japan - Hotel Room Restaurant

Getting a good night sleep, Den headed over to the restaurant in the hotel. Getting 12 hours of sleep does wonders to the body. Keeping his regular neutral appearance, Den walked over to the table where Zach was sitting with his laptop open. When Zach spotted Den heading through the tables, he waved Den over to his table.

?Glad you could make it. Come, have a seat. I haven't ordered anything yet, unfortunately.? Den sat down at the table.

?Here you can have this back.? Reaching into his uniform, Den produced the book from yesterday and handed it to Zach, who took it with a curious gleam in his eye. ?It proved to be useless,? Den continued.

?Thank you,? Zach replied, opening it up and thumbing through the volume. ?Useless, huh? How so?? ?There?s a big difference between the youkai in the book and what we saw in our visions,? Den sighed.

Setting the book aside, Zach nodded. ?Yes, of course... perhaps we shouldn?t be relying on old books of fable. Too bad, though... I hate being uninformed in a situation like this.? A curt nod from Den, ?Yes, the book depicts youkai as beasts. That?s too big of a difference for us to rely on it.?

Shrugging, Zach adjusted his laptop slightly. ?Ah well, Can?t let such a problem get in our way. Are you hungry at all?? he said, motioning towards the kitchen area.

?No, I?m fine,? Den replied, shaking his head.

Smiling, Zach raised his water glass. ?All right then, shall we get down to business? You?re interested in the shrine pictures, maybe??

Den nodded. ?I am. You said you found something weird, right??

Chuckling a bit, Zach turned his laptop over so Den could see the ransacked shrine. ?Well, see for yourself. Is this what a shrine should look like??

Den stared for more than a moment before speaking. ?No, it?s not. Is that the work of the soldiers??

Zach shook his head. ?I don?t know, but I definitely wouldn?t rule it out. One thing?s for sure, for a shrine to look like that is wrong. Especially when you consider that an inactive shrine shouldn?t be sending out popups in the first place,? he explained his reasoning, following it up with a sip of water.

Den pondered this for a moment. ?The people at Tourist Helpers have a lot to explain. I?m still skeptical about everything I?ve seen so far...? he trailed off.

Zach set his water glass back down as he spoke. ?Indeed. I?ll be demanding an explanation as well. This is too far removed from normal to be a coincidence.?

Den nodded his agreement as he spoke. ?I?ll still go, though. Whatever explanation is in the works here, it got me interested.?

A laugh from Zach. ?Ahaha... of course. I?ll look forward to seeing you there.? He paused before continuing, ?as well as anyone else who received the popup. It can?t be just us, you know.?

Inwardly, Den sighed. More people... geh... His speaking gave no indication of this, however. ?Yeah. It seems too widespread to only be picked up by us.? He began to stand as he gave his goodbye. ?I?ll be off then.?

Zach waved him off with a grin. ?Sure, go ahead. I?ll stay here. I?m actually a bit hungry. Until tonight, then??

Den began to walk out of the restaurant as he spoke. ?Yeah... bye.?

((END OF GROUP POST))

Taking out his headphones, Zach plugged them into the computer with a contented sigh. Waving a waiter over, he asked for a large platter of food before slipping them on and drifting into a euphoria of music and delicious foodstuffs. He would remain this way for another hour or two before heading up to his hotel room and relaxing there for another long while.

((OOC: Group post finished. All that's needed now is a short post of arrival, and I'll be ready.))

[[Y]oukai [J]esus]

10:57PM - Day 2 - Kamisuiwa, Japan - Hotel Room

The youth had arrived back in his hotel rather late. He took the longest path back, pondering on the situation that happened earlier. However, more importantly, Azrul was wondering how the hell that hammer managed to knock him out. He was never that... Easily defeated by an inanimate object before. Setting down his bag, Azrul pulled out his laptop and turned it on, hoping to see if anything had changed. His cursor hovered over the icon of Google Chrome. In his heart, Azrul felt reluctant to check if the message about "Faith" was still present. He didn't want to know the answer so he would just think it was still there - An adventure was awaiting him. He was the kind that never wanted to feel disappointment.

And as such, he closed his laptop and went to do the usual - What every person would do after they reach home.

After a few minutes, the boy was lying in his bathtub. Beside him was a stack of coins, or to be more specific, Medals. Flipping them one at a time, Azrul stumbles deeper into his mind.

"We got friends to save, interested to join?"

Friends, eh? I once had friends... And I guess it would be good to meet new people...

"Since you just said that it would be interesting."

Interesting indeed. I assume that girl planned all of this to get her friends back?

"return here tomorrow around 10."

"10, eh? We'll see..."

Azrul flipped the last coin in reach. It's violet, shiny surface glimmered as light shone down on it. Landing in the palm of the youth, there laid a symbol of a Triceratops, traced with gold and a darker shade of purple. Azrul sighed, smiling softly as he examined the fine touches on the Core Medal.

"Heads. I'm going, it seems..."
-

4:25AM - Day 3 - Kamisuiwa, Japan - Rooftop of the Hotel

"Ahh. Here it comes." Azrul steps on the ledge of the rooftop, staring far into the horizon. The great, shining sun arises from the horizon, illuminating everything in it's wake, pulsing the morning glow throughout the land, sharing it's heat with the rest of Japan. Slowly, but steadily, the Sun rises further and further into the sky. The youth raises his arms, bathing and taking in the sun's radiance. His third day in a new land - One that he feels deep inside, that will change his life forever. Why? It may be just a hunch, it may be just wild guessing, but deep inside, that broken heart of his longs for a day like that.

Only because of that, can Azrul Kyoki live.

"The wind shines, the trees sway and sparkle..."

Then and there, the boy inside the man's body sang it's prayer.
-

9:59PM - Day 3 - Kamisuiwa, Japan - Outside Tourist Helpers
Azrul had changed from his usual clothes into something... A little more formal. Changing his t-shirt with a grey business shirt and wearing black pants instead of his half-jeans, he walked closer and closer towards the spark of light which was the tourist helpers.

Arriving at the shack, Azrul leaned on a nearby lamppost, observing the strangers outside the shop, each one of them perking his interest. One was a tall, obviously foreign man. The other stood rather... Cautious? The boy couldn't find the right word for it. He seemed ready to either pounce or flee at any given moment. The third was a obvious chinese, the only one... Confident? Or afraid enough to speak. From the distance, Azrul could'nt hear what he was saying, but he knew it was something important - He could make it out from the looks of the chinese man and the listeners.

Were they the lost friends of the girl? Were they sent by the government? Were they abominations beyond time and space that had took a human body to deceive everyone around them? Were they followers of a secret cult that kidnapped the Shri-

Azrul shook his head, before letting it rest on the body of the lamppost. From far, he looked like some sort of detective or well, a suspicious person. Especially under this light... But the boy didn't care. He just waited. For something. Anything...

But, somewhere in the back of his head, he decided not to wait. And so,`he began walking towards the group.

"S'up."

[IdiotsOpposite]

9:45 PM - Day 3 - Kamisuiwa, Japan - Outside Tourist Helpers

Zach had spent the last hour preparing for this time. He'd made sure both of his digital cameras were charged and empty of memory. He kept three SD cards and three spare charged batteries, as well as a smaller digital camera, in the camera bag hanging from his right shoulder. In a small, almost holster-like bag hanging from his belt on the right, he had another small disposable analog camera, just in case his electronic equipment shut down. His left pocket contained his phone, which had yet another camera built-in. But the centerpiece of his equipment was the large digital camera, zoom lens and large flash attached, hanging from his neck. Zach was ready for anything. He even had a notepad in his camera bag, just in case he needed to write something down.

As he walked down the street to the slowly gathering crowd, he smiled. He must have looked crazy, or perhaps paranoid. He didn't really care, though. He just knew that if something picture-worthy happened, he'd be ready. No matter what.

Taking his headphones out of his ears, he cracked a grin as he approached the small, but ever-increasing group of people. It didn't take long for more to arrive, and one of them, obviously Chinese, gave a little speech. A nice little speech. One that deserved a response.

"Yes, it would be a good idea, wouldn't it? It's too bad that none of us even knows what's going to happen. Or at least... I don't. One of you might know differently. All I can say for certain is that recent events have been too strange for coincidence, and something odd is going to happen. And I'll be ready to capture it," he said, miming taking a picture with his camera for emphasis. "Although I do hope at least one of you knows a bit more than I do..."

[Nemo★Ma]

1:00AM Day 3 - Tourist Helpers - Roof Garden
After making sure Ken and his companions are safe to rest, Amarillo headed to her room and slowly climb out of the window.
Kamisuiwa is a small town with a long history, thus most buildings are built according to the classic style seen in most Asian villages - Normal 2-story buildings with a flat roof that one can climb to from the 2nd floor. In Tourist Helper's case, this roof has been constructed to a garden. It's not Amarillo's idea since that garden was there when she first arrive months ago, however, a little tree and flowers aren't bad for the fairies, especially that the amounts of fairies she has increased at least five-fold.
However, more people didn't meant an easier win, it never do.
Amarillo looks down from the roof, and saw the square that's the entrance of the town, if she can somehow disable him on the square, it would be good - but only if Diamond is stupid enough to come here by a car or on foot.
With Jeremy's capture, Diamond has fully aware of the incident happened in graveyard, and must be coming back as fast as possible, which leads to his only possible destination...

At the same time - Kamisuiwa Train Station
Star Sapphire, now dressed in full junior high school uniform (plus a cape to hide her wings), is currently talking with an old man sitting in the ticket window.
"Excuse me, I have a package for someone that'll arrive there tomorrow."
The man rise his eyes, "Girl, the storage assistant is over there... Oh, it's closed."
He stood up and walks out from the ticket booth, "Whatever, if this package needs a girl to deliver at such a night, I bet it would be something important. I shouldn't do that, but I'll put it in the storage for you, and leave a record on this assistant's note so he'll call your receiver when he comes out, You listening?"
".....Sure, thank you." As the old man take over the package and locked it in a separate storage box. Then he turns around and picks up the note lying on the table.
"It's from Lin, to 'Diamond'." Star added.
"Lin, Diamond... Don't tell me you are working for a spy or something." The old man laughed, "but if it's part of your set up, then fine, I'll put it down as you wrote." As the old man looks up again, the girl is not there.
"...what...?"He looks around, and eventually, after realizing that even running champions cannot run out of the hall in one second plus not making any noise, he decided that he just had a very strange dream, and returned to his booth.

At the same time - Tourist Helpers - Roof
"Reporting in, the Knight is in position." Hearing Star's voice in her head, Amarillo knows that her very first step of preparation has been completed.
The she heard someone sneaking behind her, she turn around and threw a punch.
"Ow!"
"Don't pretend it, Koishi, it should not be that hard for a punch." She looks up to see Koishi standing in surprise, "plus, if you are pretending you got hit, at least sound painful instead of smiling!"
"I just don't know how you managed to feel me after I cloaked myself." Koishi looks around, "a garden on a roof? That's new!"
"Well, you see, people put garden on their roof so they don't need to water them 3 times a day or worrying about sunlight issues - They entrust everything to nature."
"Truse, huh." Koishi paused for a while, "I've been hearing this word a whole day. Why are you asking that to everyone? "
"You will know soon enough, we are facing against someone very strong, and courage alone won't solve things, as GA-05, Alex and Jeremy recently demonstrated."
"Hm."
"But for you, there is something else to be worried about." Amarillo took out a wristwatch, and looks at her own watch. After some adjusting, she give it to Koishi.
It currently shows the number "22:46:12"
"What's that?"
"Time remain until you expire." Amarillo answered quietly, "You need to decide on a lot of stuff before this happens."
"Time before I *what*?" Koishi is confused.
"Er. I'll rephrase it - Time remain until the blood curse I laid on you expire, after that I can't provide you with any energy and you'll simply disappear from this world, creating a Logical Paradox in the process."
The curse Amarillo laid on Koishi is originally used for splitting one's life force and add the life force onto someone else, then the caster can watch over everything the receiver do, to ensure the receiver finish something the caster want to be done, but cannot due to various reasons. However, on Amarillo's case, she's simply giving out without actually monitoring her, and Koishi on the other hand, won't cost much since she is technically not exist in this world. A rare case that a curse is used for a good purpose.
"But as you see, this world don't have anything that can sustain your survival, thus, once our connection is cut, you'll simply go puff." As Amarillo explains, "You now has 2 ways, one is make it back to the Virtual Gensokyo before tomorrow midnight, another is find someone who'll protecting you in this fight."
"Or I can just select you instead," Koishi declares.
"Would be good, but I'm afraid I myself will be expired if I form a official link with you here. Which will be bad for everyone."
"But you are fine with the fairies!"
"I don't have a official link with them either - You know Nitori is working on something called a "Radio". right?"
"Um, right, she said she can control a giant robot with that, but is this related to our current situation?" Asked Koishi.
"Actually it's quite related. You see, a radio need a broadcasting station, and the robot need to receive radio sent out by these stations to move. Now, think of me as a broadcasting station, and is sending out great amounts of life force that only fairies can receive, and you'll get the idea."
"Ah, so if they leave you too far..." Koishi realized something, "That's why they are sticking with you when you're out there. But that still didn't explain the reason why you cannot taking in me..."
"Simple, an official link is like a cable linking the radio and the robot, we humans of the future dub them "Cable Networks". Real Cable Network is one to many, however that's with machines that could generate tons of energy. We are talking about Normal Humans - Since a human can only generate that much of energy, if a link is made, it will be costing them energy, no need to say, more receiver connected means less energy in stock, with decreases their performance. As of me, I'm already used out everything...."
Koishi chuckled.
"Honestly you lost me. But do you mean if you make me a link then we'll all die?"
"Ah, sorry! But yes, that's the case, I'm already overloading here." Amarillo nodded. "So find yourself a companion, or try to get back to the Virtual Gensokyo quickly, please."

Then Luna's voice appeared inside her head as will.
"The Bishop is in position! Will be unite with Star and heading back."

"As of now." Amarillo push Koishi back to the upward doorway, "Don't think about anything, and have a good sleep - If this diamond guy capture you sleeping on the bed, I'll certainly left you out there to die - No, don't look me like that, you know that's a joke, now SLEEP!"

"The Knight and the Bishop are both ready, now what's left are the Rook.." As Amarillo follows Koishi down, she thought, "...And the Queen."

Around 9:20 AM, Day 3, Kamisuiwa Post Office, about 2km away from Tourist Helpers
"13:55:01"
"So it seems the Rooks are ready too, thanks guys." As Amarillo looks at the bicycles aligning in a beautiful line over at the streets just outside the Post Office.
"But you see, If we have 6 Rooks here, would it count as cheating in the game?" Asked Lily White, who now is wearing the same Junior Highschool uniform and cape.
"That's because we are facing an opponent who may has a bad habit to throw up the board when he's losing. Compared to that, I'm more concerned about the uniforms, they are clearly for BOYS..." complained Lily Black.
"That's because these are the only ones Sunny can find, plus, I don't really see any problem of wearing the boys variant, the only difference is the Bright Yellow color and pants instead of Pink and dresses."
"But you see, no girls in Gensokyo ever... Nah forget it, I understand you have nothing better." Lily Black gave up, "We are very lucky that the uniforms are big enough to make us less like girls, especially you, Amarillo." As she shifted her eyes away from a certain flat zone of hers.
"Well, our jobs forces us to be as unattractive as possible, so don't comment on this, and I don't mind that. Heh. " Amarillo laughed, "Soon our receiver will arrive, the Queen are back in station, I hope he's ready."

(Note: SuperLongPostNo1Of3, thank god for the VPN.)

[natten20]

Day 2 07:58am Kamisuiwa: Hotel Room.

Narr?n was lying in his bed with a bucket beside it.
?Why? why did I need to take the plane? Why didn?t I take the boat instead?
He rolled over and looked out the window.  The sun was rising.
?This is going to be a fine day to?? the sound of his alarm clock caught his attention.
?Is it eight o?clock already? Oh well time to get up? As he rose up he felt how the world started to spin and his stomach turned inside out.

[REDACTED FOR THE SAKE OF THE READERS]

Day 2 09:00 AM Kamisuiwa: Hotel Lobby.

?Finally I?m ready to go.? With those words said, he went outside and started wandering around the city without any real goal or purpose.

Day 2 02:12 PM Kamisuiwa: Hotel Restaurant.

After strolling around the town for several hours, not really getting anything accomplished,  he'd decided to head back to the hotel to get some food.
While waiting for his meal he picks up his laptop to check for news about the convention
Right as he starts it up a window with a link pops up, he clicks it and ends up on  a strange site with a stranger message.
?What? Faith in myself? faith in important people to me...? What in the world is this? And where is this tourist helper shop? Oh well there must be someone I can ask where to go.?
He called a waiter and asked how to get to the adress on the site. After receiving a route description, he stood up and headed towards the exit.
?W? wait, your food. Aren?t you going to eat your food?? The waiter calls out after him.
?I?ll eat it later, just set it aside for now and don?t worry about it getting cold? Bye?
He waved towards the waiter and left the building, leaving the man slightly dumbfounded.

Day 2 02:33 PM Kamisuiwa: Outside Tourist Helpers.

After getting lost a couple of times he finally stood in front of the tourist helper shop.
?If this isn?t it I don?t know what to do? I hope they at least sell cheese here.?

[sorry that it took so long but here it is.]

[Kakyoin]

Since Nemo Ma has her hands full, I wrote the visions for Reisen-tanith and Natten20. Now you two can continue on to reach 10pm on Day3!


Chuck's vision (for Reisen-tanith)

2:15 PM - Day 2 - Kamisuiwa, Japan – Tourist Helpers (Outside)

Chuck glanced up and wrinkled his brow. Such a strange place to go to." Given his earlier run-in with one of those mysteriously suspicious soldiers, he had reason to be suspicious. And yet the strange message he saw on the website intrigued him greatly. "Ah well, it's about time to get this show on the road."

After looking every which way to make sure he wasn't being followed, he turned the knob on the door and, finding it open, stepped inside. He was as prepared as he would ever be.



2:20 PM - Day 2 - Kamisuiwa, Japan - Tourist Helpers (Inside)

The pilot glanced around at the interior that met his eyes. It was rather dark inside for a tourism joint, he thought to himself. Fingers drumming at his side on nothing but air, he took several steps forward.

*click*

Grunting slightly at the sudden shine of light, he looked down and placed a hand above his eyes. What was this, some sort of circus act about to begin?

"Huh...who's there?"

His voice was answered by a sudden flash of light. To his surprise, it didn't hurt his eyes at all...but he felt like he was falling down, and suddenly...


Submerge

"Eh?"

Standing up, Chuck dusted himself off. He was in a forest, based on the trees and calm, silent aura that nature usually gave off. Looking up, the sky was surprisingly dark--only several dim lights that looked like stars shone out, otherwise he would have believed there was no sky at all above him.

"Strange...where am I?" He walked forward between two largely-spaced trees. Glancing at the bark lining their trunks, he noticed that they suddenly became much more detailed. Or no, he thought, something was lighting the place up behind him!

Turning around, he saw a strange duo in front of him. One was...someone with short hair and wings, holding a lantern. That must be the source of the light around them, he muttered to himself. She had a strange hat on, and looked almost like a bird with her wings...rubbing his eyes, he looked at her again. Perhaps his eyes were playing tricks on him. The other was stooped over and seemed to be trying to pull something up from the ground.

"That's odd." He shrugged and started walking closer. "Maybe I should check this out...I feel compelled to, for some reason."

Moving nearby, he looked down and saw with horror that the second one, a woman wearing long droopy ears, was struggling to pull her foot out of a trap! "Hey, are you all right?" he shouted out.

"Angh...gah! Hweh?" The one with long rabbit-like ears looked over at him, her face pained and one eye closed in a wince.

"You need some help, miss?" Chuck analyzed the trap out of the corner of his eye while waiting for her reply.

"Ah...p-please do...ungh..."

The one with wings put the lantern down on a bare stump. "Oooh, just our luck. He looks pretty prepared too."

As he looked over at her, he caught a glimpse of her long fingernails--was she human, or something else altogether? "I...I suppose I am. Here, hold still then." Still wondering why the winged one wasn't helping the one who was trapped, he bent down. Within moments, he had pulled it apart enough for her foot to get free.

Now free, she stumbled back and fell into a sitting position on the edge of the stump. "Ooh...owowow...t-thanks, uh...mister...?"

"Oh." He glanced up at her. She had beautiful, glowing red eyes. "The name's Chuck." He tore his eyes away from hers and looked at her ankle. Why there was no blood or any sign of a wound confused him, but he didn't care as much about it.

"I see, thanks. My name's Reisen, pleased to meet you~"

The winged girl flew forward and landed next to the rabbit woman. "And I'm Mystia. I have a question for you, actually."

He scratched his head, unable to comprehend the situation. He decided to just take it all in, since it baffled yet interested him. "Sure, I guess...what is it?"

"Do you have faith in yourself, those around you and those you will meet in the future?"

Faith, huh? What an odd question to ask at this time, he thought. "I've been through enough to say that if I make some friends, I'd certainly be willing to help 'em out, for sure. Sticking my neck out, and all that good stuff. You get the idea." He felt slightly foolish, but it was true enough.

"That's a great answer~" the winged girl said, almost with a chirping tone of song. She produced a small plate containing something skewered and pushed it towards him. "Here, have some grilled lamprey. It's your reward~"

"Huh?" Suddenly his vision seemed to fade slowly. No matter which way he looked, he couldn't see well. Jerking his head around, he relaxed as he felt the plate entering his open fingers. He grasped the plate and, leaning down, stared at the contents on the plate. It looked palatable enough, and certainly smelled good. The fact that he felt slightly hungry helped convince him of what to do. "Thanks, I guess..." He picked up the skewer and took a bite. To his pleasure, it indeed tasted great. Looking back up at them, he saw his vision clearing up slowly, but surely. "Uh...Reisen and Mystia, right? Who are y--"

The one who had called herself Reisen put a finger to her mouth and let out a shushing sound. "You'll find out soon enough. Please help us..."

The other grabbed the lantern off the stump and started to hover, her wings beating slowly. "Yes. We'll be waiting for you..."

He dropped the skewer onto his plate. "Wait...wait, where are you g--!"

Reisen and Mystia suddenly faded away. Upsetting the plate, he ran over to them just before they disappeared. "Wait, no! Come back!"


Ascend

"Wha?!"

Chuck opened his eyes. Suddenly, he was back in the place he had first entered, Tourist Helpers. Was that a prophetic vision he had seen?

"Ahaha, you look like you've seen a ghost...maybe even two!" A cute, smiling girl bounded towards him. She had a fancy-looking black hat on, as he was aware enough to notice.

"Uh...who...wait, what just happened?" Chuck's eyes settled on the odd eye on strings she was wearing that seemed to be looking at him...only it was closed. "Am I dreaming, or something?"

"Nope! So, how did it feel, seeing what you saw?"

He ran his fingers through his hair. "Well...it was certainly interesting." He wasn't sure how much to share with her, so he decided to get a question off of his chest. "Wait a minute, did you cause that...weird dream, or whatever it was I had?"

The girl nodded her head vigorously. "It was me, yep. So you saw interesting things, huh?"

"I saw..." He suddenly remembered the two he had met. "Wait, those two...they said they needed me!"

"Oh, yes! Please do help them out if you can, mhmm." She put a hand on her cheek. "If you come back tomorrow, I can probably help you figure out where they are..."

"Really?" As incredulous and exciting as it sounded, he wasn't sure if this was real or not. Still, he should find out as much as he could, as this situation seemed real enough. "Well, what can I do? When can I come back?"

"Try coming back at two hours until midnight, okay?"


(Reisen-tanith, your next post should begin just after Chuck leaves Tourist Helpers.)



Narr?n's vision (for Natten20)

2:35 PM - Day 2 - Kamisuiwa, Japan – Tourist Helpers (Inside)

"Hello...?"

Narr?n looked around. No one was inside Tourist Helpers? He started to get slightly worried, feeling like he was lured out here.

"Maybe I should head back, then..."

He considered leaving, but due to curiosity decided to explore the room a bit. The desk was deserted, and the place seemed rather empty and dull inside. Walking to the other side, he saw a hallway that led to several side rooms but decided not to walk further.

Narr?n began heading towards the exit. "Hmm...I guess it was all for noth--"

His musing was cut short as he suddenly saw and felt nothing. His eyes were consumed by darkness, and before he could react he suddenly fell deep into an infinite abyssal pool of black...


Submerge

Narr?n shook his head. He was sitting on a...stool? Looking down, he confirmed that he was indeed seated as such. His ears picked up the sound of music in the background, and as he swung back up his hands felt the counter in front of him.

"Sir, are you sure you're ready to order?"

"What?" He stared at the waitress who had appeared in front of him. She seemed odd...he stared at her chest, his eyes finding the name badge pinned to her shirt, which read "Nazrin". Looking up, he noticed that she had big mouse-like ears. It seemed normal enough to him for some reason. Maybe it was a part of the convention, an internal restaurant. "Uh...well..."

The mouse-eared girl sighed and put her notepad down. "Are you all right? Do you need to see the menu again?"

"W-Well," he stammered, "sure, I guess. I'm sorry, I'm not quite sure what happened to me all of a sudden..."

She produced a light smile and reached down on the other side of the counter. "All right, then. Here you go." She plopped the menu down in front of him.

Picking it up, he opened the menu eagerly. The menu was blank inside, except for a single phrase:

    Do you have faith in yourself, those around you and those you will meet in the future?

He looked back up at the waitress. "Uh...what? This menu is a little strange..."

"So? Can you answer me now?"

Narr?n put the menu down. "Uh...you want me to answer this question written here?" He thought he caught a glimpse of the girl's...tail? Was he seeing things?

"Yes, please do." Notepad at the ready, she leaned down over the counter. "Well, do you?"

"I--of course, if my friends are in trouble I would help them..."

"And everyone else?" The waitress seemed to be jotting down what he had said.

He blinked at her insistence. "Everyone else? Like people I meet? Of course if they need help, I would be willing to see what I can do. Within reason, of course."

She smirked and stopped writing. "Good. Then, when the time comes..." She leaned in closer and whispered in his ear after he turned his head. "...please, I need your hel--....."

Narr?n's eyes widened. His head unmoving, out of the corner of his left eye he could barely see the waitress...disappearing?!

"What?! Hey...wait, what's going on?!" he voiced loudly.

*clack*

He turned back and looked down. Her pen and notepad had fallen onto the counter, but she was...gone!

"Huh...Nazrin...? Where are you? What happened?!" He reached for the pad of paper to see what she had written on it, to see if there was any hope of finding out a secret message she may have left. Before he could grasp it, he felt the strength in his body draining, and his vision fading...


Ascend

"...uh! What?"

Narr?n found himself on the ground. Groaning, he slowly stood up, but found himself helped up by a girl he had never seen before. She had a yellow shirt and green skirt on.

The girl grabbed his hand and pulled him up. "Uff...you okay?" She looked at him after he had gotten up. "So, how did it feel, seeing what you saw?"

"Huh. Were you the one who made me see that? That waitress, and...the weird...uh..."

"Ah, yes. Well, she is very much real though," the girl said rather nonchalantly.

"She is?!"

She nodded. "Yep!"

He thought for a moment. "Wait...but she said she...needed me for something. Uh, do you know where she is?"

"I'm sure I can figure out where she is by tomorrow sometime...maybe around ten o'clock at night? Can you come back around that time?"

Narr?n clenched his fist. He felt important all of a sudden. "I'll be there!"


(Natten, your next post should begin just after Narr?n leaves Tourist Helpers.)

[Nemo★Ma]

Around 9:05 AM Day 3, Kamisuiwa Train Station
"14:14:14"
Diamond is staring at the package he mysteriously received.
Why it's mysterious? That's because this package have no records, which means there is no trace of this package is stored by who, or when. The only information that can give is that this package is directed to him, a man codenamed Diamond.
With caution, Diamond took out a knife from his belt, and sliced the package open. Inside the package, there is a letter, but it's not written, seems like somebody cut off words from the newspapers and pasted them on a sheet of regular A4 print paper.
"It's not nice to put your visitors in an shiny cage,
so we decided to flash outside of it and destroy it.
Big mana fireworks will transform the graveyard into a carnival when you come back, and We have the trigger -
If you don't like carnivals, I suggest you to start the game now instead of mourning about the thing you already lost,
otherwise,
you will begin to lose more."
There is no signature or anything that can show the sender. Diamond turned over the page, and something (in handwritten text as well!) showed up, "The Post Office, the Park, Kamisuiwa Center, choose one."
"How..?" Seeing the texts disappeared again, Diamond folded the paper and put it in the pocket, he glanced into the package again, but there is nothing interesting inside. However, after a closer inspection, there is something pasted on the bottom of the box.
It's a gift card for a bread store in Kamisuiwa Center.
After Diamond picks it up and make sure that there is no poison spiked on it, he looked onto the bottom of the package again, and saw the following:
"Dear Mister: You will probably burn down to ashes for today, please put this gift card to good use."
"Don't....treat me like an idiot!" Diamond yelled, throwing the package (now completely empty) on the ground, and run out of the station.
"Will the sender wait for me at that store? Never hurt to go and see."

Around 9:30, Kamisuiwa Post Office
"13:46:00"
"You are sure you didn't write an ransom letter, right?" Amarillo asks Lily Black, who is telling her the contents in the package, "Your tone for writing this stuff is the first step of the plan, I tell you."
"I wrote that exactly what you wanted, I didn't leak any information, I used a scare tactic, and lastly I lured him to the shop. or trying to lure him, anyway."
Amarillo thinks for a while, then nodded. "We'll test the extents of his ability this way."
"Is that even testable? I only recall they test your ability with some sort of cards with symbols on it..." Lily White asked.
"Well, my ability is sort of a Telepath, so it's only natural that they test me with cards and let me tell them what cards they're having. But whatever, we are now not in a situation like that, We cannot come up to this Diamond guy and ask him "Hey, what's the extent of your ability? Can you show us?""
Then they all laughed.
"So, if Diamond has been really been lured to Kamisuiwa Centre, and he used his ability, then there must be something happening that forces us to go there. Before that, we just wait." Amarillo sit down on the stairs and closed her eyes.
"Hmmm..."Star started "So if he arrived at Kamisuiwa Centre, and didn't find us, plus we are not forced to go there, that must means Diamond can't control the outcome of the things he didn't experience - In other words, he cannot control things that's outcome didn't relate to him."
"That's correct." Amarillo said calmly, "Also, I told Lily Black to write the letter so Diamond won't know exactly who send it - and we have already proved one thing - He need a target to predict their outcomes, and it must be a clear one - "Escapees from Graveyard" simply won't do."

"He had already bought some bread from the store, and is seemingly heading to your location!" Daiyousei's voice suddenly starts to echo in everyone's heads.
"Hmm, an educated guess, or we had already fall victim to his ability?" Amarillo stood up, and steps inside of the post office, the fairies following her.

Around 10:10, Kamisuiwa Post Office, Front Gate
"13:06:34"
Diamond slowed down after he found a girl sitting on the stairs.
She is wearing the Boy's uniform of Kamisuiwa Junior High School, but something isn't right.
She seems less human.
"An Escapee from Gensokyo?" Diamond runs after her.

Seeing the man dash towards her, Star quickly floats up and retreated into the Post Office.
"So it's indeed you!" Diamond shouts, and then quickly muttered something.
As soon as the girl is about to get into the office lobby, the huge neon sign above the gate starts to lose its balance, and with a loud crash, the neon sign fall to the floor, blocking the girl's way.
"What!" Star stopped, but before Diamond could land his hands on her, she turned to a stream of light, and disappears into thin air.
"Hm, she disappeared? Or is she just using one of their abilities?" Diamond took out a pair of glasses from his uniform jacket pocket, using the glasses, he can trace any heat signature and mana signature emitted by anything, however as of now it failed to work, as there is indeed nothing weird happening in the office lobby.

At the Same Time, Kamisuiwa Post Office, Back Gate
"That's some awesome power he displayed, if not we merged in the short time, I doubt Star's safety." An Amarillo with black hair and ponytail undone is standing near the back gate, looking at the security moving off the neon sign from the main gate. "Just to be sure, Star has already checked the signs yesterday, and it won't break that soon if without any outside interference. The only explanation is that was caused by Diamond's ability-" As another stream of light flashes, Star Sapphire reappeared beside Amarillo, "Everyone please put on the hats, pick a bike there, and rush out! before Diamond makes it here!"

When Diamond finally rushed out from the back gate, all he can see is the trails of six bicycles.
"Six people.... if we are counting the human that's connecting them, that makes at least one human and five escapee." He pulled out his cellphone, "Has you located any girls or boys on bicycles? They are wearing the typical male uniform of the Junior High of the local area." He shouted to the phone.
"Let me see.." Diamond's other surviving member, now standing at a cross road near the post office replied quickly, "not "any", but SIX bikes with entities similar to your descriptions are heading out from your location, they split into groups of 2s and rushed off to three different directions!"
In one split second, Diamond wanted to heavily smash the phone to the ground, but soon he realized this is meaningless, "Well, thanks, I think we have an very tough situation here, can you track down 2 groups at once?"
As soon as he asked, he realizes that the question is pretty meaningless as well, he hang up the phone and quickly booted up the Maps software.
"Hmm, we come from the post office, then the three different direction leads to a Library, a Junior School and a national park... It's another set of choices.." Diamond put the phone back, and flipped a coin. After seeing the result, he runs out.

After a few minutes of running, he arrived at a used-car shop. The shop owner is holding some kind of lottery draw.
Diamond stopped and watch, and after another woman leaves with an empty hand, Diamond walks up and draw a ticket.
"Woah, seems we have an winner!" As the shop owner is still declaring the winner, Diamond has already jumped into the prized used-car, and started it.
Before the owner can protest, Diamond has already disappeared from the streets.
"Youngsters these days sure are quick-tempered..." he said to himself. "However I doubt you would have enough fuel! Hah!"

At the same time, RAI Frontal Base Codenamed "GRAVEYARD", Control Room
"What?! He wins a car out from nowhere in a single draw?" As Sunny and Nitori is putting the data from the traffic camera to the big screens, everyone in the room gasped.
Not only them, Etch and his team is also there, Sunny happened to caught them wandering in the base, and after Etch boasts to Sunny about the "Gaining Access from street Cameras", Sunny dragged his team to the Control Room.
"Well, you'll probably got lost again, so it's better to show off your skill here." She said.
Etch obviously didn't know the exactly way of illegally getting into the traffic system, however, after some google search, they successfully find out that the contents of Traffic Camera's captures are actually available on the local net, thus, they had just saw how Diamond has increased his chasing power ten fold by legally acquire a car in no longer than one minute.
"This guy would be very tough to crack."muttered Etch.

(Superlongpost 2/3 done. Have you grasped at least some of this guy's weakness? If not, no problem, if yes, you have gained a huge advantage, please don't spoil it by telling others about that!)

[Kakyoin]

9:59 PM - Day 3 - Kamisuiwa - Tourist Helpers (Outside)

Xuezheng frowned. This was the second time he had heard a strange noise in what he assumed was a nearby street or up an alley, because he had seen nothing out of the ordinary on the brief walk he had decided to take to clear his head.

"All these people show up now too? This can't just be coincidence...maybe that girl inside was telling the truth after all. Intriguing..."

He shook his head and looked back at the group, which had grown larger than he had expected. They were still there, so nothing significant had happened. Sighing, he continued to walk a short distance away to clear his head.

"Ahhh..."

Xuezheng's body jerked upright. It was that sound again. He glanced around, trying to figure out where it was coming from. It sounded louder than before, and like a human...perhaps someone was in trouble? The concerned artist stared back at the others waiting near Tourist Helpers, but nothing seemed out of the ordinary over there. His mind raced as he mentally weighed decisions. Now wasn't the time to investigate other problems, but if someone really was in trouble and no one came to help...

"Hrgh...gah..."

Blinking, his eyes trained towards the direction of the voice. As far as he could tell, it was distinctly female. It was coming from what appeared to be a street corner, or around it. Was it...this wasn't a trick, was it?

"I need to do something about it," he muttered. "But...I'm not sure what I should do...get the others, or..."

"Uwah! J-Jeez...they did a number on me..."

His brow became wrinkled. That was definitely a woman's voice. Deciding to at least peek around the corner, he walked hurriedly over to one of the pillars flanking the entrance to the building at the street corner, trying to remain as quiet as he could. Mouth open, his breathing was as silent as he could make it. Inching closer, he eventually looked around to see if he could see anything.

The expected sight of a young woman sitting on the ground entered his eyes. What was someone else doing around these parts so late...or did she have an unfortunate encounter with those soldiers? In fact, he thought, what if she was just like him? Perhaps she had come out to reach Tourist Helpers and had a run-in with those suspicious soldiers.

Hoping he hadn't been seen by her, he moved back against the pillar and surveyed the area in all directions to make sure no one else was around. Xuezheng thought to himself for a moment. She looked injured, but given the situation it was possible that the soldiers could come back, and he could potentially be discovered...

He clenched his fist together. As much as he hated lying, he would do what he had to do. Slowly, he edged around the corner and casually walked out in plain sight, one hand in his right pocket. Pretending to seem surprised, he faked a flinch and looked down. "Whoa...uh, are you okay?"

The woman gasped and made as if to move away, but quickly stopped upon seeing that he was relatively non-threatening. "Ugh...who are you...?"

Xuezheng bent down, taking his hand out of his pocket and placing both of them on his knees. "That's not important right now...you look hurt. I hope not, but...did the soldiers do something awful to you?"

She averted her eyes for a few seconds, and he noted that she seemed to be thinking of what to say. Eventually, she looked back and firmly stated "Yes. Are you--you aren't with them, are you?"

He paused only momentarily before shaking his head. "I am not. And I can guess that you aren't, based on what I heard you saying earlier."

"Y...Yeah." She winced as she tried to stand up. "Let's just say, I've been incredibly unlucky today...mind--oogh--helping me out a little?"

Xuezheng finished looking her over and quietly extended a hand out. She didn't seem to be wearing much clothing, mostly garments normally worn below outer apparel. He had caught a glimpse here and there of her ponytail, and the blonde color of her hair was still visible even in the relative darkness at this time of night out on the street. He guessed she was about 22 or 23 years old, based on her youthful appearance and height. Taking a stance, he helped her stand up.

"Th...Thanks," she uttered through gritted teeth. "Surprised I'm not bleeding..."

"You're welcome, but what on earth happened to you?" he asked.

"I'd rather not talk about it, really..." she started to say. Noticing him suddenly turn around, she spoke up again. "Hey, wait! Where are you going?"

"I, um," he started. "Well, I'm supposed to be somewhere...important, soon." He looked around the corner at something she couldn't see. "That's why I'm here, you see."

"Heh, I gotcha." She walked a few steps forward and, satisfied that her body was well off enough, let go of the wall. "Mind if I come with you? I could use a place to stay that doesn't involve those...pesky soldiers."

Xuezheng scratched his head. "Well..." This was a predicament, he thought. He didn't even know who she was...was it worth the risk bring her along as well? She didn't seem harmful, that was certain, and their group had grown large enough...he would be safe if something went wrong, and besides, there was no telling if and when the soldiers would come back. "Okay, I guess. There's more than just me, but that's probably more for better than worse in this case, it would seem."

She managed a grin. "Duly noted, I appreciate it. This is a bit unfortunate, but life is unfair."

Looking back at the others from afar, he could see they were still out there and hadn't moved at all. "They're over there." Motioning to her, he started walking in their direction. "But why don't you tell me in the meantime, what were you doing out here so late?"

Shuffling after him, she answered. "Well...I had some unfinished business to take care of, but those go--the soldiers just didn't believe what I was saying. That's really all there is to it."

He raised an eyebrow. "Is that so?" That was interesting. So she wasn't one of them, it seemed. "Well...wait a minute, what's your name?"

"My name? Well, most people I know...they call me Mabel."


(Notes: ATTN EVERYONE WITH CHARACTERS WAITING OUTSIDE TOURIST HELPERS: While taking a short walk to clear his head and think about the recent events, Xuezheng found a woman named Mabel nearby, who seems injured and claims to have been accosted by the soldiers that are plaguing Kamisuiwa. She is following him back to the group gathered outside Tourist Helpers. React as you see fit, and it's okay to go a bit beyond 10pm timestamp-wise. Note also that Mabel will not be very open to talking about who she is nor where she came from, but will only reveal the fact that the soldiers attacked her.)

[Amraphenson]

10:00 PM - Day 3 - Kamisuiwa - Tourist Helpers (Outside)
'Most people I know...does she have an alternate name? That's...well...that wouldn't be out of the question. This is so...strange,' he thought. 'It's putting me more and more on edge...'

The rush of adrenaline was evident. His heart was pounding in his ears, pumping hot blood. He wanted to move, draw, paint, something to get his mind off this entire fiasco. This Mabel person was acting suspiciously, but then again everything was being suspicious. Everything.

He sighed to himself again as the two of them reached the rest of the group. 'All I can do right now is wait, without some kind of enemy or goal right in front of me...'

[Sonae]

Timestamp - Day 3, 10:22 A.M., Hotel Room, Kamisuiwa.
The late morning sun shone into the room, as if it was gazing through the window. Birds whistled and sung their cheerful songs as the day begun to reach its height. Within the room, the sounds of the outside muffled by the closed window, The boy who was lying on the bed awoke.
Slowly, he opened his eyes.
Light assaults his retinas. The boy squints as he tries to shield his eyes from the bright sun. As his eyes adjust, he lets out a quiet yawn and shifts a bit, stretching his sleepy limbs. After waking himself, he sits up and gazes around.

His name was Nikolas. After receiving an invitation to a certain convention in Japan, he had excitedly packed his bags and got on a flight to Japan.
Now he was here, in Japan, staying in a hotel within the town of Kamisuiwa. It seemed almost unreal, as if it were a dream.

Nikolas rubbed his tired eyes, yawning in the process.
Aah?what time is it?? The boy wondered as he looked around for a clock.
Eventually, his eyes came to one. It read 10:24.
Nikolas blinked as he stared at the clock in disbelief. As reality began to set in, he realized that he had already spent half of the morning sleeping.
?Ah?! I need to get up and get going if I want to be able to see all the tourist spots today.? He thought aloud as he threw the covers off and got out of the bed.
The boy grabbed his suitcase and laid it down, opening it carefully as to not spill the contents. Nikolas unpacked his laptop, setting on the desk in the far corner, and turned it on. While it was busy starting up, he withdrew a fresh change of clothes for himself and headed off for a shower to prepare himself for a long and hopefully interesting day.


Timestamp - Day 3, 2:25 P.M., Outside Somewhere, Kamisuiwa.
?Hah! Well, I think that?s all of them??
Nikolas mumbled aloud as he sauntered over to a nearby tree. The boy leaned back against the tree?s large and sturdy trunk, and then slid to the ground. He let out an exhausted breath as he closed his eyes. The many leaves above him cast a generous shadow onto the ground, creating a noticeably cooler area. A calm zephyr rustled the leaves, making the shade move as if it had been alive. Nikolas inhaled the fresh breeze. His hair ruffled gently, softly brushing up against the boy?s face. He smiled as he listened to his surroundings. Two birds that chirped back and forth at each other, the sound the leaves made when the wind passed through them, and the far off sounds of the city. This was something Nikolas enjoyed. It was a wonderful sense of peacefulness, of being part of nature, the world, and as if the passage of time did not matter, like this peace would always be here, forever.
As the wind died down, Nikolas opened his eyes and observed the scenery.
The sky was a clear blue, speckled with bright, pure white clouds. On the distant horizon was a group of mountains, their colors tinted blue by the sky. Foothills stood in front of them, a dark green with a faint touch of blue. The verdant landscape was something that you?d expect to see in a painting.
Oh! I almost forgot I brought my sketchbook with me. Nikolas thought as he took off his backpack and rummaged through it. After about a minute, the boy withdrew a coil-bound sketchpad and a black drawing pencil. He flipped through the book until he came to an empty page. With a smile, he readied himself, tilting the book to its side. Then he gazed forward at the scenery before him, his eyes fixated on the green, blue, and white, as if nothing could break his stare. The boy inhaled, and exhaled; slowly, calmly, smoothly. Then, he let out a rough breath, and raised his drawing pencil to the sketchbook?s paper. He carefully pressed the pencil to the paper, and began to draw.


Timestamp - Day 3, 2:45 P.M., Location Unchanged.
Nikolas continued to sketch in silence. On the paper were faint outlines of the horizon, foothills, and the clouds that hung in the deep sea of blue above. The lines were gentle and carefully drawn, as if he was pouring his determination into this simple pencil drawing.
Eventually, he sighed and sat up straight. He wiped his forehead and gazed upward at the canopy over top of him.
The wind had all but left the area, only giving a short breath every now and again. Nikolas could feel the afternoon heat more now, even though he had not moved from the shade-covered space that sat around the base of the tree. The sun beat down relentlessly. Nikolas reached into his bag and fished out a bottle of water. The boy frowned for a moment, wondering how hot it could get in Japan, then took a drink of water. It was still cool from when he had purchased it earlier. He let out a refreshed sigh as he looked at the subject of his drawing. As he gazed out into the distance, something caught the boy?s eye.
Movement.
Shadowy figures of people moved stiffly in the immediate outskirts of Kamisuiwa.
Nikolas squinted slightly, trying to make out any more details. The sun, as if in compliance, slid behind a cloud, dimming its light just enough that the boy could make out the figures.
Uniforms.
Nikolas opened his mouth, but refrained from speaking his thoughts aloud. Uniforms? What are a bunch of people wearing uniforms doing patrolling around the town?s outskirts? He thought, slightly puzzled. Are they some kind of sports team? No, those uniforms look nothing like sports team uniforms. Are they police officers then? Maybe, but, something feels?off.
Just then, the group moved. One of them waved the other two over, the gesture accompanied by a muffled shout, and then took off running back into Kamisuiwa, with the other two following behind the first.
Nikolas furrowed his brow for a moment, not quite comprehending the scene he had just observed. Did?did something happen in town?? He thought, half bewildered. Curiousity had begun to surface in the boy?s mind, compelling him to go see what was happening. After thinking it over for a moment, Nikolas made his choice.
He hurriedly placed his sketchbook and pencil back into his bag, throwing the bag over his shoulders, and then he grabbed his bottle of water and pushed himself up off the ground, dashing in the general direction in which he thought the group had gone.

[Orphea.Russ]

12:30 PM, Day 3, Kamisuiwa, Japan - Hotel, third floor

She rolled over face-down to keep the light off her eyes. Such a stupid, stupid thing. Aiko hated waking up late. She didn't need a watch or a clock to tell her exactly how late it was; she'd become adept at reading the time by how annoyingly bright it was out.
"The hell kind of dream was that..." Right now she wasn't even sure what had happened anymore. Without collecting the dream's events immediately after waking up, everything just slipped between her metaphorical fingers. After a few minutes she pushed herself up, the sheet falling off her back neatly as she glared at the wall for a minute.
"...Stupid sleep, always screwing up all of my thought lines... whatever."
With that, Aiko pulled herself out of bed to change to a fresh set of clothing and go eat breakfast. ... lunch, whatever it was by now.


5:26 PM, Day 3, Kamisuiwa, Japan - Somewhere not in the hotel

It wasn't hard for her to find a place to go. After eating Aiko had simply exited the hotel and picked a direction and started walking. And walking. So much from yesterday still tugged at the edge of her mind, and with nothing else to occupy herself with, she soon found herself considering it all. She came here for a convention, and instead she got a load of unknown variables dumped in her lap to sort into an equation. Hell, she probably didn't even have half of them to put together, and here she was trying anyway. Like trying to put together a thousand-piece puzzle with maybe a hundred tiles.
... It was worth a try anyway.
"You think you can maintain the faith you have when you will be needed?" She didn't even know what those words were hinting at, and still as she remembered them, they sent a shiver up her spine. Yet it also reminded her that she had to be back at that place tonight.
...she could stand to walk a little more first.


10:02 PM, Day 3, Kamisuiwa, Japan - Outside Tourist Helpers

After a slight delay regarding minor nourishment, Aiko managed to make her way within sight of the Tourist Helpers structure. By her count she was a little late, but a little late was better than not arriving at all. In whatever case, she had to at least figure out what was going on; So with that in mind she made the final approach to the building.
But after all, an answer to one question only yields to many more questions, doesn't it? Maybe we'll just have to see how many questions we can answer in one fell swoop...

[Nemo★Ma]

Day 3, Around 12:00, Kamisuiwa Train Station
"11:50:00"
Amarillo just finished a call.
"I guess we finally got some trouble." shouted as Lily Black (who is actually surprisingly good at riding a bicycle) catch up with Amarillo at the front gate of the Train Station.
"Shhhh...Even if it's trouble, don't say it out loud." Amarillo stopped her, "It seems our guest today got a car out of nowhere."
"But how is that possible!" The fairy gasped As Daiyousei make a sudden stop (without crushing into Lily's bike) and the others follows.
"Possible or not, it has already happened. We need a change of plans." Amarillo took out the map, "According to Sunny, he won a car at this location, using a mean that we do not yet understand - whatever, the point is that now he has a car, he'll be more effective at scouting for us."
"And what do you think he'll go? It's not like if he has got any clues..." Star points at the map, "he already went to the mall, so I guess he'll not be heading there."
"However if he thought the cake thing was our plan to lure him to the mall, then he would went there again, maybe even waiting there to catch us." said Lily White.
"That's some good reverse psychology, however I don't quite get your last part." Amarillo smiled, and continuing her map-reading.
"What's good for us is that we got 6 people here and Diamond only got himself." suggested Luna, "we can just scatter around in the city and he'll be clueless, since we wear the same clothing and all."
"That's not.. a good plan." Lily Black replied, "What if one of you get caught, I don't agree on this tactic."
"Neither do I." Amarillo looks up, "but Luna's idea DO have some usefulness."

-20 Minutes Later-
"So why did you choose me instead of others, or my sister?"
Lily Black's voice echoed in Amarillo's minds.
"That's because you are the only sword among our cast of shields." Amarillo replied.
"Eh, whenever you have doubts, you always goes on with your metaphors - Admit it, you want to take him down for what he did to us."
The girl is now rushing towards the mall.
She don't know if Diamond will actually wait there, however she didn't think so.
From what she knows, Diamond is a guy who want to claim victory AND honor - though in a very twisted way.
Rewrite his own fate to bestow ill fate upon others - That's something both Lily Black and Amarillo Viridian dislikes.

However, huge ego will destroy anyone, even one who writes his own fate.
That's why she is heading to the mall : such a guy like Diamond won't come back to a place just to find a girl that's not here in the first place, or so he thought not to.

and it seems she's right.

Day 3, Around 13:00, Kamisuiwa Editorials Building
"10:47:26"
Kamisuiwa Editorials is one of the few magazines that's published in the town. It's office is located not far from the town center, and is one of the tallest buildings in town. Though it's not as tall as your skyscrapers in big cities, neither can you see every place of this town on the building's top.
However, Luna and Star don't care about that a bit.
"So we need a place that can watch on what's happening on both the Train Station and the Park, correct?" As Star sneaks up to the rooftop ("We are the students from Grade 8 doing a school project!") and found Luna who is already waiting there.
"More or less, also, why don't you just fly up there instead of playing fool around these humans?" Luna looked out towards the square that's in front of the building.
"More flying means more EN consume for Amarillo, we are not in a video game, and there aren't any blue potions that can recover EN, remember that." Star pulls out a can of coffee from her pocket.
"...So what about that?" Luna took the coffee from Star, "Red Potions? Or whatever item that you see in games?"
"No, that's simply coffee. Now what's the color of Diamond's car again?"

At the same time, on the route to Kamisuiwa Central Mall
Diamond is driving, he tried to ask the townspeople about the girls in uniforms on bikes, however as he excepted he didn't get that much information.
Every day there are literally at least ten dozens of students that does the exactly same thing - wearing uniforms, roaming around in town, apparently doing nothing.
"She actually think into it, and picked a way that is hardest for me to track them down..." Diamond parked his car in front of the mall. "However, there are still something I can do."
he closes his eyes.

Day 3, Around 13:30, Kamisuiwa Central Mall
Suddenly, the alarm bell starts to rang all across the building.
"Warning! This is not a test of the fire alarm system, we discovered fire in our storage units, I repeat, we discovered fire in out storage units. Please get out of the building from nearby safety exits..."
"A Fire Alarm?" The girl jumps up from the cafe bar located at the fifth floor.
"Do you think it's a coincidence?"
"Err, Let's hope it is."
Instead of running down the stairs, the girl knocked off the glass that's located on the fifth floor safety window, and jumped out from it.

Diamond runs into the halls, he was stopped by a clerk, however after seeing his "Agent Pass", the clerk can do nothing but allowing him to heading in, believing that a group of firefighters will be coming.
Diamond knows there will be no firefighters, since the fire didn't exist anyway: what he did is simply caused the fire alarm malfunction.
Would the girl he seeks running down into this hall from upstairs? would she staying on top, believing it's a true fire alarm and waiting for people to rescue?
Then he recalls something else.

"Looks like you guys also brought a flying companion, but YOU WILL FALL HERE."

"Ah, yes, I remembered she can fly!" With this sudden inspiration in mind, Diamond turned around and run out of the building.

At the same time, Central Road
So it seems Diamond cannot alter directly someone's fate. Amarillo thought as the girl is riding the bicycle down the road towards the park.
Once they get to the park, she could get cover from Luna and Star. A spiritual bullet is enough to take him out.
Everything works according to plan, however...
A car quickly run past her, and stopped just in front of her.
"Oh I don't have time to listen to you." The girl muttered, and spread her wings, flew over the car and landed heavily on the ground.
Diamond is not counting her to stop either, he took out his gun and just as he begins to shoot-- He received a kick on the neck.
He looks up and see Daiyousei just above him, then she disappears.

"Seems you got not only one companion, however I'm interested on how your bike will be holding after that little stunt?"
Diamond get into the car again, and drive away.
He already have something in mind about their next location.
"However, I cannot simply cause them to appear there.. There must be something I overlooked, but what exactly?"

Day 3, Around 14:00, Rooftop of Kamisuiwa Editorials Building
"9:57:12"
"Here they are!" As Star saw the girl riding into the park and get off the bike, she quickly took out the phone and called her number:
"So is everything going fine?" She asked.
"Pretty much nothing, we encountered Diamond, he caused a fire in the mall. If it's not for Daiyousei I would be dead by now, call Lily White and have her ready at the park."
"OK, then what about you?"
"My bike is busted, so we couldn't delay them with our original means - We'll just wait and see if he appears at here or the graveyard, if He appeared here, we lure him back and have Ken take care of him for us,"
"Sounds good. Then I'll call Sunny too to make sure Diamond is not heading to the graveyard," Star hang up.
The girl left out a sigh, "How can Sunny Stop him from getting to the graveyard... I thought she means stopping him from getting IN the graveyard..."

Meanwhile, Graveyard Control Room
"Ahh, this madmen is heading our way!" seeing what Diamond did and what street he just went on, Etch shouted.
"Don't worry, we had our preparations." As Sunny took out a recorder from her pocket, everybody is staring at her.
Diamond is indeed heading to the Graveyard Base. However, as he arrived, he's stopped by the fully working security systems.
"UNAUTHORIZED VEHICLE DETECTED."
"Ahh, yes, that did seem to be unauthorized for you." Thinking so, Diamond step down, however he's still stopped by the barbed wires.
"PERSONNEL DETECTED : A13 DIAMOND, YOUR AUTHORIZATION EXPIRED 3 DAYS AGO."
"What?!" Diamond cannot believe his ears, "did some one taking over?"
"NEGATIVE."
"Who's decision is it?"
"NEGATIVE. HOWEVER I'M ALLOWED TO TELL YOU THAT YOU FAILED TO MEET YOUR EXPECTATIONS AS OF NOW, PLEASE GO AND FORGET THIS PLACE."
"Heh, this base will went up into flames this night, and you are telling me I'm not good enough? Fine, I'll Prove it."
Diamond drove away.

In the control room, Sunny stopped the recorder.
"I don't know that people of RAI actually, you know, had grudge on this guy." commented Akyuu.
"Heh, if you are working with a guy who can cheat on anything on anyone on any moment, you'll hate him too." replied Etch.

Day 3, Around 15:20, Kamisuiwa Park
"8:37:01"
"Shhh.. Here he comes, maybe Sunny successfully stopped him as well." Listening to Star's reports, The girl ready herself.
Her plan is easy - Diamond won't have time to check the park, so as long as she is hiding in it, Diamond cannot caught her.
However, Diamond just walked in, and he clearly have no intention of going in deeper to search for her, that surprised her.
He stood on the central square of the park, and is actually not aware of the girl, who is just two brushes away from him.
Not like that poses any problem for Diamond.
"Whoever you are that mailed me with threats - I have a sure-fire plan that'll wipe you OUT. After that I have some of my own business to tend to. " Diamond looked around.
"PART ONE: Start to declare just as I go into this place. PART TWO: Declare it in SECRET so you don't know what awaits you. PART THREE: I'll now run because I don't want to got backfired by this AWESOME plan." As he finished, he turned back, run towards his car, and drive away.
"What was he referrin--" As the girl thought... Diamond's voice suddenly echoed from far away.
"PART FOUR: DECLARE YOUR FATE BEFORE I DECLARE MY PLAN!!"
and the girl turned back as a truck hit her head on, throwing Amarillo into the air.

Strangely, She cannot feel anything, probably because she cannot, or is that because....
As Amarillo is falling down, she saw a very familiar shape blocking her from the truck - It was herself, but with darker hair color and red eyes.
"Heh, before you use me as a weapon, I got used as a shield instead, what irony."
"You know that's pointless." cried Amarillo, "Now get back here!"

In an instant, the girl got knocked out again from the shock that she was meant to take, however because Lily's actions somehow reduced the shook, she didn't suffer any injuries that's too heavy.
But one thing is clear, Amarillo's plan to use the Fairy of Rebirth as a weapon failed, since Lily Black would be unavailable for a few days after suffering a shock that heavy.
Still unable to get up, she looked far away, the driver of that truck seems to be dead too.
"Leave no witnesses, do you?" As Amarillo thought about the next actions, she saw a boy far in the gathering crowd.
However when she want to get a closer look, he disappeared.
".....urgh, it still hurts... I need someone to get us out there." Amarillo thought.

Meanwhile, on the top floor of the editorial building.
"What?! How could sis do something like that?" As Lily White tried to look through the smokes far away.
"She always said she don't like soft people, however she took a hit for her, I wonder if that's also a sign of Tsundere..." commented Luna, "Don't worry, with Amarillo by her side she'll be ok in no time. We are more worrying on how they can get out from there after all these. Let's return to the Tourist Helpers and see what Ken's team is doing."

[Kakyoin]

4:10 PM - Day 3 - Kamisuiwa, Japan ? Tourist Helpers (Inside Entrance)

Mayli stopped abruptly, mid-step. Her ears took in the sound of nothing.
    Glancing to her left she saw her best friend, her only human friend for miles, lying calmly on the smaller bed, seemingly lost in thought. She reached a gloved hand up to feel her helmet, the headgear taken from an actual soldier; its flawless smooth surface brought her back to reality. Come to think of it, she thought, I have other human friends here, and yet...
    Feeling anxious, she turned to her right. In the hallway near the stairs, Mokou and Kaguya were sitting uneventfully, conversing with glum expressions. Were they unhappy or just bored? Unable to make out their discussion, she sighed softly. Turning back to face Ken, she lifted the helmet's visor and walked closer.
    "Bored?" she asked as she examined the palm side of her gloves.
    "More relaxed than bored." Swinging his legs up, he brought them down and came to a sitting position. "Just thinking."
    She loosened her grip on the rope in her other hand. "About...?"
    "Eh, nothing really important."
    "Ken..."
    He shrugged innocently, feeling the hilt of the sheathed sword at his side. "It's not much, really...just been thinkin' about how we all ended up like this, and what Yuyuko said."
    He always does that when he's got something on his mind, she thought. "I have a feeling we'll soon find out the truth." Motioning with a jerk of her head, she continued. "How's Hatate? Any better?"
    Frowning, he shook his head. "Not better or worse." Reaching down from the bed he rested atop, he placed his fingers on her cheek and then reached further down to feel neck. He looked satisfied yet perplexed. "She's the same...there's definitely a pulse, and she's breathing lightly, but..."
    Mayli squatted down beside her, noticing the look of peace across her face. It was as if she were in hibernation. "You think we should get her checked out by a doctor? She looks fine but it's starting to bug me. She doesn't seem to be in pain, she's just laying there..."
    He shook his head again. "I'm sure it's related to mana somehow. I have this feeling that Yuyuko is probably right."
    "What about healing her?"
    "Also didn't seem to do much," he said grimly. "But I was wondering...if she doesn't have much energy--only enough to stay alive--what if she..." He sat back up and looked up at her, exhausted. I mean, what if it's because of me?"
    "You? You're fine, dude." She took her helmet off and cradled it against her, grinning gently. "If anything, we all need to get on your level."
    "Ha, as if. I wouldn't stand a chance against any of y--" He promptly closed his mouth and looked away.
    She giggled lightly. "I'm weak, it's okay. It doesn't really matter to me. I studied and drew pictures, you trained hard for combat. That's just how the dice rolled." She pressed a finger to her lips. "Well, you studied too, I suppose..."
    He sighed heavily. "I feel bad saying it anyway. Maybe I can train you or something, so you can--wait a minute..."
    "Hmm?" She let the helmet roll behind her and threw her arms around his neck. "I'm all ears, partner~"
    He groaned and looked as straight ahead as he could. "Ehhh...d'ya have to--ugh...this fake capture thing is bad enough..."
    "Oh c'mon, is it that difficult to accept?" She said, hugging him playfully.
    "I thought we've already been over this...I mean, I like you and all that, but..."
    She loosened her hold and blinked. "No, you goofball...I mean like mana partners...and all that," she added in mimicry.
    After a short silence, he spoke up again. "I was about to say the same thing before you--eh, never mind. So, how exactly does that work, anyway? I never got a chance to talk to you about that again since yesterday."
    She yawned loudly, then nestled her head against his shoulder. "It's not anything special, really...I mean, when I go too far from you like this morning..."
    "When you went out to get breakfast?"
    "Yeah, when it's like that I feel a bit slower or somethin'...I don't know, it's like..." She shifted her arms. "I get this feeling in my stomach that something isn't right. But when I was coming back with food for everyone, I felt all fine and dandy."
    "Okay, that's a relief. I thought you were having trouble yesterday, but the range seems much longer." His face twisted up. "That's...well, it's a good thing. Probably since that was when we had just gotten out of the virtual world, everything was adjusting."
    She bobbed her head up and down as best she could from her resting point. "Yep. Something still bugs--well no, it intrigues me..."
    "We don't have the time right now to try and figure it out, but something definitely happened right before we rode that...cart thing."
    "Hmm." Her mind wandered back to the time they encountered the odd cart beneath the Saniwa Shrine. The runic symbol on the outside of its hull...she had sketched it for future reference that time. Surely it was pure coincidence that the transport system had turned on just as she had finished her drawing. She had dismissed it as a coincidence, as it had probably reacted to someone else, someone with magical powers like Yuyuko or Mokou. It could even have been Ken.
    "Mayli?"
    She focused back on reality and opened her eyes. "What?"
    "I think it's about time, don't you think?"
    She felt him stirring, and slid her arms off of his neck. "Right. I hope this works out."
    "Heh. At ease, soldier. You'll do a good job as long as you don't hold back. This'll be exciting, to say the least."
    Grinning, she stood up and reached for the helmet, rolling it on the bed back towards her with her left hand and saluting with her right, the rope bouncing along with it. "Yes sir!"


4:15 PM - Day 3 - Kamisuiwa, Japan ? Tourist Helpers (Inside Entrance)

The entrance to Tourist Helpers seemed more well-lit than usual. One light in the corner flickered periodically until Yuyuko brought the final light switch down, giving the system some rest. "That looks much better."
    "Yeah." Standing tall yet slightly hunched over, Ken felt a tug at his arms behind his back. He gasped slightly as the rope squeezed tightly against his wrists. "Hey!"
    "Shhh!" Mayli hissed. "I'm not going to keep it that tight, don't worry." She placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder and greatly loosened the coil wrapped around his bound arms. She reached down and grabbed his unsheathed sword, lifting it up delicately. It was lighter than she had anticipated. Guiding it into his hand, she took up the loose rope end. "That should do it."
    Mokou laid to rest on her shoulder the now loaded soldier's rifle. "Well, this baby's armed and ready. I got the smarts, eh?"
    Ken stared over at her. "You're welcome..."
    "Ehehe...yeah okay, thanks. I could have figured it out myself though, probably..."
    "Are you sure you know how to fire that thing?" Kaguya said grimly, as she winced at the thought of Mokou getting ahead of herself. "I'd hate for a disaster to happen..."
    Undaunted, the fire expert held the gun up and pointed it towards the entrance to Tourist Helpers, closing one eye to imitate an aim. "Relax, spoiled brat. I've shot one o'these before, that Kourindou shopkeep had one once and he let me try it."
    "Whatever." The princess wrinkled her perfect nose upon looking at Ken and Mayli. "He looks pretty uncomfortable."
    "Nah, I'm fine." He gritted his teeth for added effect. "It's okay, really."
    Mayli smirked at her. "I'll handle this--and him--well. I trained to be an actress a few years back, so we'll be fine."
    "If you say so. Don't push yourselves too hard now." Kaguya turned her attention to Yuyuko, who was inspecting the rear end of the room, presumably attempting to locate a hiding place or a good vantage point. "Ready, ghost?"
    "Eh?" The ghost princess looked upon the Lunarian's visage and smiled dreamily. "I'm going to hide here until I see a good opening. Or if we get in a great deal of trouble, I have a secret plan..."
    "I'm sure we'll be okay...well, maybe. We'll have to see." Kaguya yawned and rubbed her eyes. "I should prolly scope out a place too. I almost can't wait to see this bald-headed commander myself..."
    She looked around before nodding her head in satisfaction, having found a good spot to conceal herself. Having heard no news from Amarillo or her allies, they had to prepare for the worst: for Diamond himself to come to this hideout...


4:22 PM - Day 3 - Kamisuiwa, Japan ? Tourist Helpers (Inside Entrance)

Ken felt around for the familiar grip on his sword's handle. Finding it, he rolled his fingers over the grip and relaxed his hand, closing his eyes. Behind him, Mayli could occasionally be heard shifting slightly, her glove sliding against the rope pretending to bind his hands together. To anyone else, the situation would look silly.
    Kaguya had recently gone outside to keep watch. When Diamond arrived, she would quickly come inside and hide behind a chair near the table to his right. To his left, Mokou kneeled silently covered by the help desk, gun at the ready. If worse came to worst, she had a quick powerful way to take this dangerous man out, and she was completely fine with following through on it. Behind them, Yuyuko was hiding around the corner of the open doorway.
    He took a quiet, deep breath and opened his eyes. The trap was set, and everyone was in position. Even against someone who could alter fate with a simple declaration, they would triumph. They had the element of surprise. He had no idea what was going to happen.


4:42 PM - Day 3 - Kamisuiwa, Japan ? Tourist Helpers (Inside Entrance)

Twenty minutes had passed, and not a single disturbance had desecrated the quiet, sleepy silence that plagued the front room.
    Craning his neck, Ken looked behind them from his standing point in the middle of the room. Yuyuko's serious face met his eyes as she exposed half of her face from around one side of the door corner. She didn't seem scared or disturbed, but perhaps slightly worried. If even Yuyuko was worried, then they had a significant danger to face. But this danger had to be overcome.
    You okay? Mayli whispered in his ear, through the soldier's helmet.
    Rubbing his sword's grip with his thumb and index finger, he looked back and stared at the helmet she wore. He couldn't see her face behind the helmet's visor, but he imagined that she looked rather serious and concerned. She did look rather daunting in a full uniform and helmet, almost like a soldier in a science fiction movie. He swallowed and nodded back at her silently. Rubbing his lips against his teeth, he turned back towards the front of the room.
    His eyes darted around. Watching, waiting. The scenario played out in his mind, eventually replaced by calm, a void of solace and darkness. He took relief in the fact that everyone was here with him, rallying around him--not just for their sakes, but for his as well.
    This was what he was trained for. This is what Keine desired, and now it was what his friends needed.
    He opened his eyes. The time was near, it had to be.

    *thump*

    Giving a start at the sound of the door opening, he felt a hand restraining him from behind.
    It was Kaguya scampering inside, closing the door behind her quickly. He saw her mouth something silently as she sneaked away:

    He's here.

    He felt a cool part of the rope sliding over his wrists, replacing the warmth that had rubbed against his skin for so long. His long-time friend knew him too well; he was glad she kept him as comfortable as possible for when he had to strike.
    Mayli's uniform rustled as she pulled him closer, her sleeve brushing against the back of his jacket. "Okay," she whispered quietly and urgently. "Remember, after we stop, poke me when ready."
    Nodding silently, he raised and rocked slightly on his heels, preparing for a struggle.

   
4:45 PM - Day 3 - Kamisuiwa, Japan ? Tourist Helpers (Inside Entrance)

To any onlooker, the man standing in front of Tourist Helpers would have seemed ordinary. He wore no helmet, he wielded no weapons...only a pair of glasses and a slim uniform. Arms crossed, head devoid of hair, he stepped forward and stared around the entrance for a moment. This had to be the place, he thought to himself as he tapped his glasses. They had picked up traces, signatures that he had been searching for.

The glasses never lied.

Suddenly the sound of a scuffle reached his ears. It was clearly activity going on inside. Smiling as he cracked his knuckles, he stood parallel to the door. Lady Luck was smiling for him today, he could feel it in his gut.

*CRACK*

The man kicked the door to the tourist joint open. Walking forward purposefully, he shielded his eyes in an attempt to narrow their focus and spot activity. Fortunately, he immediately saw what was going on. He took a hop-step back and took a defensive stance for good measure.
    A soldier--one of RAI's soldiers--was in the process of capturing a young adult male. Unfortunately, the soldier seemed to have lost his gun in the scuffle, or so the man assumed. It seemed like the male was putting up a fight, but over time his struggling became more and more feeble.
    "Diamond, sir!" A female voice was heard. "I-I think this is one of them!"
    The bald man's smirk disappeared. Could it be that his own regime had failed, and one of the others--no, he might be imagining things. Coming to a decision quickly, he resumed his glorious stare of iron. He would let this situation play out first, just to make sure.
    "No! You soldier scum! Let me go, I've done nothing wrong!" the youthful male shouted, fighting ferociously to get free. Looking up, he laid his eyes upon the man with crossed arms in front of him. "Hey! What's the meaning of this?!"
    The soldier jerked harder on the male's arms, which were held behind his back, and he cried out slightly. "Shut up! You won't be getting free again, let me assure you that." Looking up, the female soldier saluted to Diamond. "Sir, just as you ordered...I investigated the area and tracked this man down. He seemed out of the ordinary, and was spotted talking to an unnatural-looking female earlier."
    Diamond bared his teeth in a grin. "Excellent work. Tell me more."
    "Yes, sir. The woman in question, we were unable to find her again, but she had odd purple hair and interesting clothes. Surely she was one of the escapees?"
    "Probably." He walked up to the captured man, who was gasping and squirming, still trying to get free. "How do you do on this fine day?"
    "Rrrgh! You're all scum!" he spluttered. "Ugh!"
    "Right, scum. You're going to talk, and if you resist...who knows might happen to you?" Diamond smiled in pleasure upon seeing his look of horror. "Or perhaps your friend, what horrors can I inflict upon her?"
    The color seemed to drain from his face. "No...don't hurt her! Please..." He hung his head down. "F-Fine...just leave her be...she did nothing wrong, and yet you bastards--how could you do this to us..."
    "Good boy," the soldier growled femininely. "Be a good dog and tell us everything." She looked up at the RAI mercenary leader. "Sir, perhaps...?"
    He nodded as he adjusted his glasses. "Yes. Let's keep him in here for a bit." Diamond strode backwards, his cape swishing behind him with each step. "Should probably do something about this door, though." With a quick push, he closed the front door he had kicked open. "Now then...let us begin."


4:53 PM - Day 3 - Kamisuiwa, Japan ? Tourist Helpers (Inside Entrance)

Sweating slightly, Ken spat at Diamond's feet. "You can't...how can you just do this...terrorizing an entire city with your forsaken soldier bitches...GUAGH!" he gasped out in fake pain as Mayli pummeled him in the back with a gloved hand.
    "Hmmph," she scoffed arrogantly. "Keep talking like that, and I may do more to you with this rope than tie your hands with it..."
    "He'll learn his lesson in due time," Diamond stated, running his hands through his hair. "Now then...let's deal with this little situation." He motioned to Mayli. "Let's let him talk without any hindrances."
    She shifted uncomfortably. "Sir, are you sure? He might try to escape." She felt her heart pounding in her chest, and hoped Ken would strike soon.
    His eyes seemed to twinkle. "I'll be fine, just do as I say. He won't escape this place."
    As she bowed to him slightly, she felt Ken's finger press hard against her stomach. Now was the time to let him go...she had to time it just right. "As you wish, sir."   
    Upon standing back up, she deftly removed the rope from beneath and around the sides of his wrists. It was all up to him now. She nudged him in the back twice. The signal was given.
    Ken looked up at Diamond, who was standing in front of him, then closed his eyes, feigning pain. He had no idea what was about to hit him. He had made sure to keep his sword hidden behind his leg, and because the light was turned off and no outside sunlight had filtered into the room, there was no way to see any reflections of light coming off of his weapon. Mayli had done her part, and now it was time for him to do his.
   
BOSS BATTLE BGM: DIAMOND
   
    His eyes flickered open. In less than half a second, his body roared to life. Pushing slightly off of Mayli, he brought up his sword in his left hand and leaped as quickly as he could at Diamond. Brandishing his blade, he aimed directly for the man's upper chest, swinging as hard as he could into a stabbing motion. The blade was about to hit its target. They had surely won.
   
    Then, the impossible happened. In an instant he found himself tumbling away, and his side hurt...what was happening? How did it--
    "Hahahaha!" Diamond's booming, penetrating laughter echoed loudly all around him.
    Grunting and rolling, Ken finally collapsed to a standstill on the ground. He must have been hit hard from the side by something...a stinging pain throbbed on the side of his stomach, and his arm felt warm...blood. He was bleeding.
    Blinking twice, he realized he was facing the wall on the ground. Sitting up as quickly as he could, he heard Mayli scream.
    Mayli.
    Sudden fear overcame his body. Mayli! Did Diamond somehow figure out she was a fake soldier? He couldn't let her get injured!
    He whirled around as best he could on the ground, only to feel a body crash against his. The wind was knocked out of him and as he croaked for breath, a dull object collided with the top of his head. Searing pain shot through his upper body as Mayli rolled over him exclaiming loudly in anguish. Snapping his neck up, he saw the helmet that had collided with his head. He groaned and, clutching his side, tried to stand up despite feeling pain and slight dizziness disorienting him.
   
    "You fools!" Diamond bellowed. "I didn't have any females in my group. What do you think I am, stupid?"
    "Ugh!" Mayli groaned and clutched her chest. Her body was on fire. Before she could even react, she had been grabbed, punched in the chest and then kicked aside like Ken had been. She attempted to roll over, but her chest felt like it would burst. What is this? she wondered in between multiple winces. I'm so hot here...can't move...
    Ken brought himself up to a kneeling position. "Urgh...you...h-how did you..."
   
    Then it hit the young man like a bolt of lightning. Ignoring the bleeding injury on his right arm, his eyes widened with horror as he recalled what was said previously by the very man in front of them, the man now slowly walking towards them:
   
    "I'll be fine, just do as I say. He won't escape this place."
   
    A declaration.
   
    It truly was Diamond. There was no humanly possible way to have survived such a fast, accurate attack at point-blank range. He had simply cheated fate by saying so.
    Ken felt his heart sink in his chest. What hope did they have against someone with such power? But suddenly he remembered that all hope was not lost...looking frantically to his left and right, he realized he was breathing heavily. And Diamond was closing in.
   
    "Stop right there!"
   
    "Who said that?" Diamond asked, warily looking around. He was buried in mana. Everywhere he looked, it blanketed the air. Realizing that his glasses were no longer of much use, he quickly folded them up and placed them in the pocket of his uniform.
    Mayli felt her mouth drop open as she looked around to see who had spoken up. She noticed that Ken had done the same, and Diamond's smirk had been replaced by a stern frown as he also looked around. Perhaps he had not counted on the second part of their plan, which was just about their only hope left at this point. Gasping, she felt forced to bend over to stop the pain in her chest and the side of her breast from flaring up.
    Ken reached out and put a hand on her shoulder. "M-Mayli...are you..."
    "Ah...I'm...o-ouch...uhhh! It hurts..." Even talking gave her a taste of pain. Diamond had kicked her firmly on her chest. This is the pain of battle, she thought, fighting back tears. I can't...I have to get up...
    The bald man cursed under his breath. His patience was running low. "Who's there?!"
   
    "Looking for someone?"
   
    Ken opened his mouth as Kaguya seemed to appear out of thin air, daintily walking out from her former hiding place behind the table and chairs with a serious expression on her face. What was she doing?! He desperately hoped that it was all a part of her ruse, and as he felt Mayli leaning against him, he instinctively put his arms around her. Heal, dammit...c'mon hands...heal her...
    Glancing over only once as Ken coughed, Diamond stared back at the Lunarian princess. "Who the fuck are you?"
    "Me?" Her eyes were hidden by her long hair as she slowly stood completely upright from her slouched position. "You don't need to know."
    Diamond looked around casually, checking to make sure he wasn't being ambushed by anyone else. "You're right, I probably don't need to know. I see what's going on here. Planning on using your magic against me, wench?"
    Kaguya quickly frowned and seemed to panic. "Wha..."
    "Heh. Well, none of your tricks will hurt me. I'm completely safe, you see?"
    Mayli attempted to take a deep breath, but the pain flared up again and she bit her lip to prevent any outcries. Somehow, the pain was going away slightly. She felt Ken's arms around her arms, his hands clutching her chest where it hurt, but her face blanched as she looked down to see them slipping. Whipping her head around to look at him, she held back a shout as she saw him slumping. He was wasting his energy. That couldn't happen! Grunting, she tried to stand but felt so much burning in her chest that she could hardly find the will to stand up, much less help anyone...
    Her mind raced as she turned back to the scene. She had to do something fast...otherwise they would surely be defeated and taken captive again. That above all else had to be avoided.
    Then she saw Kaguya close her eyes and wave her hands in a strange pattern. Sweat dripped in her eye, and as she brushed it away with her right hand, she saw Diamond's brow furrow, presumably in confusion. Kaguya was using her power! Perhaps now--
   
    *BANG*
   
    Despite the pain it brought, Mayli screamed and closed her eyes at the sudden gunshot sound, drowning out Ken's outburst from behind her. She heard another scream unlike her own, and felt Ken's hands jerk tightly to squeeze her chest, nearly suffocating her momentarily. Scrambling to hide behind the table instinctively, she stopped when she saw the look of shocked horror on Kaguya's face. For a moment, time seemed to stand still. Even Diamond seemed taken aback at what had just occurred.
   
    Then he smiled. It was wicked, a grin of victory. He had won. He had cheated fate so magnificently today.
   
    With a pained expression, Kaguya collapsed to the floor writhing in agony. Mayli thought she saw her arm dripping in blood.
   
    Blood.
   
    Gunshot.
   
    No, she thought. Her hands started shaking. That can't be...Mokou said she...
   
    Upon seeing Kaguya spill to the floor, Ken reached his left arm around, desperately seeking out his sword. Finding it behind him, he gripped it so tightly that his hand hurt. He felt a rage deep inside him swelling up, waiting to explode and blossom. No, it wasn't a rage...he had felt the mana link with Kaguya weaken. He was both afraid and filled with a sadness, a disappointment. He felt blind and helpless, but hopeful. It was a feeling of guilt...guilt, suffering, and tranquility...as confused as he was, his anger was now returning. He was angry at Diamond for causing Mokou to misfire, angry at Kaguya for being shot innocently, angry at himself for failing to protect those who he could call his friends...he felt strength returning to his body. His breaths became shorter as he kicked his legs back against the floor. Feeling his back finally touch the wall, he scrambled to his feet with all of his willpower.
    "Ken?!" Mayli reached out to him, but he seemed ignorant of her presence. "What are you doing?!" Somehow she felt slightly better, enough so she could yell at him without feeling the intense burning in her lungs. "You're bleeding! Don't--"
    "YOU! DIEEE!" Mokou hurled the gun to the ground and, in a sudden fiery fury, flew at Diamond with blazing fists. Wasting no time, she sunk a fiery punch into his shielding arm.
    "Ugh!" Diamond yelled as his legs buckled slightly. Her punch seemed to take him by surprise as he rolled over, absorbing as much of the impact as he could. Cape flying, he lurched upright and aimed a kick at her.
    "Ha!" she cried out, preparing to send her own flaming kick his way. She felt confident that she could win the fight, he had no time to make any declaration at all!
    Her ignited leg met his. He quickly spun back and swept his foot down, attempting to trip her. So this was the one who tried to shoot him, huh? He wondered how she had acquired the gun in the first place.
    Gasping, Mokou jumped up, but it was too late. The edge of her right foot barely got caught by his sweep kick. Holding her hands out, she tried to grab him but her body was falling back. Things looked grim. If only she could--
   
    A large flash of light erupted. Blinded by the sudden luminous flare, Ken could only make out everyone being thrown away to the sides of the room. He suddenly felt all of his strength fade in less than a moment, and he gasped as his sword clattered to the ground. His body seemed to be floating in the air. He heard absolutely nothing, and saw the purest white he had ever laid eyes on; it was so white it almost hurt his eyes. He thought he had seen a shape opening before it had all happened, and small flying creatures spiraling upwards.
   
    "W-What?" Mokou sat up quickly and glanced around. Everyone had been thrown apart. "That was..." She saw Kaguya's body laying across the room on the ground and gritted her teeth, but she knew Kaguya would be fine. It was only a matter of time, letting her recover, but there was so little time left and this madman was still here...
   
    "Ugh...the hell was that?" Diamond muttered. The impact had sent him through the now gaping front door of Tourist Helpers. "That's impossible, they couldn't have harmed me...but I feel fine. What could that have--"

    "Leave now."
   
    All eyes flew to the open doorway towards the rear of the room.
   
    It was Yuyuko.
   
    "...just how many of you are there?" Diamond stood up, surprised that he was unharmed by the attack that he had just been hit by. Perhaps it wasn't an attack at all, even, as it had seemingly affected everyone else equally.
   
    Yuyuko stood floating in the air, her serious countenance staring down at him with astonishing hatred. As her dress flapped around her, she seemed like a goddess who had just bathed them in the light of judgment. "You will not be warned again. We far outnumber you. Turn back...if you value your life."
   
    Several seconds of silence followed. Still surprised at the sudden calm, Ken looked around. Mayli, now standing against the wall still holding her chest, held her breath in anticipation. Mokou was slowly inching her way towards Kaguya. Diamond seemed to be analyzing what Yuyuko had just declared. It was true that they vastly outnumbered him, but a great deal of them were still trapped at the Graveyard base, and Amarillo and her fairies were nowhere to be seen...
   
    Finally, he spoke up. "Very well, but you will never escape me as long as I draw breath." Grinning, he quickly spun around and with a flick of his cape, disappeared out the front door. The pink-haired woman's words were true; even he could not stand against a small horde of them should they be lying in wait nearby. Still, he would take a lull over a defeat. Lady Luck had indeed spoiled him rotten.
   
END BOSS BATTLE: DIAMOND
   
    After roughly five seconds had passed, Yuyuko glided down and landed gracefully, sighing and looking grimly around the room. "This is not good...I managed to scare him away, and yet..."
    "Kaguya!" Ken ran over as fast as he could to the fallen princess. A small pool of blood had formed around her shoulder, and the hair on his arms stood on end. His heart felt icy. It couldn't be...Kaguya couldn't be dying...
    "Hey." Mokou placed a heavy hand on his shoulder. "She'll be fine, she just needs a lot of rest."
    He paused and began to object, but Mokou was probably right. She knew Kaguya better than he did. "Okay."
    The first thing that had to be done was cleaning up after this mess.
    Glancing over, he spoke curtly. "Yuyuko."
    She turned to face him. "Yes?"
    "Can you make sure he isn't still lurking around here?"
    She nodded and floated silently away. He could tell she was not happy, but there wasn't anything else that could be done at the time.
    "Mayli, Mokou...are you two all right?" he asked.
    "Me?" Mokou said in an almost insulted tone. "I'm fine, it's Kaguya that we should worry about. She'll be fine but she needs to rest."
    He stared at Kaguya's wound incredulously. She took a bullet to her arm and was bleeding profusely, and she was going to be fine without medical attention? That shouldn't be possible, even for an immortal...right? Shaking his head, he decided to trust Mokou. "Well...all right. If you say so..."
    "Ugh..." Mayli groaned. "I think I need to lie down..."
    Mokou motioned with her hand. "I'll watch over Kaguya, she can rest downstairs for now. You look after your lady, got it?"
    He nodded and took a deep breath, turning to face Mayli. "You don't look so well."
    "You don't either, you know." Her eyes stared down at the slice in his arm. "Ken, you're bleeding...well, you seem fine somehow, go figure. Hahae-ugh..." She tried to manage a laugh, but stopped abruptly as she placed a hand to her chest. "Still hurts..."
    Ken grimaced and placed his uninjured arm around her, slipping it beneath her arm for support. His arm throbbed murderously, but he held back from crying out as best he could. They had to get to safety first. "C'mon, let's rest up. I'll see what I can do." He felt her body trembling and felt sorry for her. Despite all their efforts, they had failed. For now, they had to recover. Including me, he thought. Kaguya needs me...everyone needs me...
    He took one final look at Kaguya, who was clutching her arm and coughing in Mokou's arms, before helping Mayli down the stairs to their room.



(Notes: Diamond encounters and nearly defeats Ken's team, but retreats warily at Yuyuko's warning. Except for Yuyuko, Ken's team will likely not be leaving Tourist Helpers until after 10pm, as they need to recover.)

[GuardianTempest]

6:58 PM - Day 2 - Kamisuiwa Town Central - Tourist Helpers Shop

   Having spent a couple of his 'sleep hours' preemptively, he decides to stay awake under the stars...or something. He doesn't know, but he thinks there's a balcony or something. To spare him from the trouble of hauling everything for the nth time, there's a large window near the bed where he can settle for the night. For dinner, he brings out a large-sized packet, a small bowl and a water bottle. Following the steps printed on the packet, he creates a cold meal of 'ration soup'. While it is palatable enough for him to keep eating, he compliments how the website where he got this, and other nifty gadgets, from is awesomely useful. He uses the provided towel nearby to wipe his bowl clean afterwards.

   To entertain himself until he feels sleepy, he sets up his trusty 'Command Center' (his laptop), with the power cable connected to recharge the battery. There he does many miscellaneous things for hours until he feels sleepy. One of them is drawing a comic about a humanoid cat who, from depression and trauma of the recent events that happened to it, dons a white robe and a large mask and beats up every dog in its line of fire comically as an act of frustration and maybe even revenge. Taking periodic breaks to avoid intense eye problems, he stops by 11:33 pm.

7:58 AM - Day 3 - Kamisuiwa Town Central - Tourist Helpers Shop

   Another day, another struggle. After waking up late and shaking off the drowsiness, he decides to eat another packet of 'rations' but finds a prepared meal on the table nearby, it's freshly cooked and seems to appeal to his appetite. It seems too good to be true and checks if it's an illusion or such, but it seems so real he buys into it. Finished, he looks away to eat a cupcake as an 'insurance' if the meal did turn out to be an illusion and when he looks back it's gone.

I still feel it in my stomach, so it may or may not be a fake.....weird.

OOC: Just a little side-story, anyway, I'll continue this tomorrow to catch up. Luckily I'm in NEET-mode for the duration of whatever.

[Sonae]

Timestamp - Day 3, 3:12 P.M., Kamisuiwa Park, Kamisuiwa.
Nikolas frowned as he gazed at the various people that loitered about the park.
?I could have sworn I saw them come this way?? The young man muttered under his breath. He glanced from person to person, making sure he hadn?t missed them. After a little over a minute, the boy sighed.
They weren?t here.
In fact, there was no one in any sort of uniform near by. Huh?Odd. Nikolas thought as he continued to survey his surroundings. Nothing looked out of the ordinary and no one seemed suspicious, it just seemed like another peaceful day in the park. He let out a disappointed sigh as he began to saunter through the grounds, likely out of boredom, with but a faint hint of curiousity. The young man examined his surroundings as he did so, acknowledging the minute details embedded within the structures around him. He inhaled calmly as he took in the sounds and the colors of the park. The boy allowed himself to relax for a minute. A small smile appeared on his face as he regained his earlier, more positive mood. After a few minutes, the boy exhaled and turned towards the park?s entrance. As he did so, he caught sight of a man wearing a uniform walking into the park. The man was tall and bald. Upon his face was a scowl, his eyes giving forth a petrifying stare. The man came to a stop as he reached the central square of the park. He visibly sighed and gazed at the plaza as a whole. Nikolas wondered about the man?s odd behavior. He watched the stranger?s actions carefully. The man inhaled, and then he spoke.
?Whoever you are that mailed me those threats,? He began, his irritation clear from his face. ?I have a sure-fire plan that?ll wipe you OUT!? He said, exaggerating the last three words of his speech. ?After that I have some business of my own to attend to.? The man spoke less energetically than he had for his previous speech, his voice returning to a slightly normal volume. He glanced around the park. Most eyes had been drawn to him by his sudden shouting. People watched him curiously. Some questioned why the man was acting in such a way, while others simply decided he must have lost his mind. However, despite his hostile words, no police had come to the park. After nearly a minute, the man began to shout again.
?PART ONE!? He shouted, whipping out his hand dramatically and making a gun with it. ?Start to declare just as I get to this place.? A smirk began to slide across the bald man?s face as he spoke. ?PART TWO!? A second finger flicks up. ?Declare it in SECRET so you don?t know what awaits you.? By now, the man had a full grin on his face. ?PART THREE!? He shouts as his next finger goes up. As he starts to speak, he closes his eyes, but retains his overly cocky grin and his eccentric speaking. ?I?ll now run because I don?t want this AWESOME plan to backfire on me.? As the man finished speaking, he turned and dashed off towards the nearby parking lot. Nikolas watched the man in silence, furrowing his brow in confusion.
I?ve got a bad feeling about this?
In the distant parking lot, Nikolas spots the man getting into a car and backing out. As the car moved out of the parking space, Nikolas watched the man?s hand reach out of the window. Finally, the last finger flicks up.
?PART FOUR! DECLARE YOUR FATE BEFORE I DECLARE MY PLAN!!!?
In a split second, a truck came off the road and into the park, its speed remaining constant. It wasn?t going to slow down.
As if time had sped up, the truck hit someone, a young girl, but the driver didn?t stop. The vehicle veered off to the left and slammed into the first tree it came to. The front of the truck compressed, the windshield shattered as if it had exploded, and the tree was forced to move slightly, tearing up a small area of ground and exposing its roots. Smoke rose from the demolished front of the vehicle with a faint sizzling sound.


Timestamp - Day 3, 3:21 P.M., Location Unchanged.
The young man, having witnessed the scene, is left utterly shocked and speechless. What?what just?happened?
Nikolas stares at the aftermath, eyes wide and in disbelief. His heart pounds from the event, his mouth is left agape, and he is unable to regain his composure. The boy felt frozen by a sense of terror. This was something he had never before witnessed, especially not in front of his very own eyes.
The boy?s daymare was cut short when he realized that the girl who had been run down by the truck was still very much alive.
?Ah! A-are you okay?? Nikolas shouts as he runs over to her. As he reaches her, he kneels beside her.
??Owww?? She muttered lowly, clenching her teeth due to the pain.
Nikolas glanced over the girl. Wait, what? This girl, she was just hit by a truck?but she seems to only have a few scrapes?
?I need to?? The girl started as she grabbed the young man?s arm. ?Get out?of here??
Nikolas blinked for a moment, surprised by the girl?s words. ?A paramedic should be-? He was cut off when she grasped his arm tighter.
??I can?t wait...? Her eyes resonated with a strong sense of determination.
The young man was hesitant. If I move her, won?t I be in trouble? But?what will happen if I don?t? What if that man comes-
Just then, Nikolas recalled the strange bald man that had been shouting in the park prior to the accident. He immediately shifted his gaze up, towards the parking lot.
The car was gone. The man had made a clean getaway.
Could he have?
Before Nikolas could finish his thoughts, he realized the girl had forced herself up to a sitting position.
?Ah! You shouldn?t be moving in your-?
?I?ll be fine?? The girl said coolly, trying to resist the weight of the pain. ?I just need someone to help me?walk?? She said as she tried to push herself off the ground and onto her feet. Her attempt failed and the girl ended up back on the ground. ?I need to leave.? She asserted as she tried to force herself up once more.
?Don?t!?try to force yourself?? Nikolas bit his lip for a moment. No I can?t?but?I have to help?but if she?s hurt she needs?but she said she?s fine?but she?s in pain so?but if I don?t help her, she?ll try to leave on her own, which could worsen her injuries?but?aahh?damn it! He shook his head violently in an attempt to clear his mind. ?Fine!
The girl, still trying to suppress her pain, was slightly surprised when the young man suddenly picked her up. She glanced up at him. His violet eyes shone with the resolve he needed to do what he was going to do. The girl remained silent and merely complied with the boy?s decision.
As soon as Nikolas was to his feet, he dashed off in the direction of the park?s entrance.
Some spectators noticed the young man fleeing with the girl and shouted after him.
?Hey, you there! Stop!? One man shouted particularly loudly.
Nikolas feared for a moment that the man had given chase to him, but the boy purged the thought from his mind and kept running.


Timestamp - Day 3, 3:24 P.M., Streets of Town, Kamisuiwa.
Hah?hah?hah!
Nikolas slowed to a stop as he struggled to regain his lost breath.
The shouting seemed far off now, as if it was only an echo carried by the wind.
As the young man tried to relax his racing heart, he looked at the girl he was carrying.
Her hair was light blonde and long. She was youthful in appearance, something that seemed to contradict her earlier behavior.
Wait, now that I think about it?her behavior was?strange, to say in the least, for someone this girl?s age.
As the boy came out of his daze, he realized the girl was staring back at him.
?Are you all right?? She asked the young man calmly, as if she wasn?t the one that had been injured.
Nikolas blinked, and for a moment, was speechless. ?Y-yeah?I?m all right, just a little out of breath??
The girl was silent for several seconds before turning her gaze to the road ahead.
?We should get moving.? She spoke in a neutral tone and kept her gaze forward, as if hesitant to make eye contact with the young man.
?Eh?? Nikolas muttered with a frown, ?Where do we go??
?I know a place where I can get help.? The girl said, her expression as neutral as her tone.
?Wait, shouldn?t you go to the hospital?? The boy asked, puzzled at the girl?s directions.
?I don?t need to.?
?Are you sure?? Nikolas asked hesitantly as he bit his lip lightly.
?Yeah.? She reaffirmed with a faint smile.
?Eeh?? The young man mumbled uneasily. What do I do? She was hit by a truck, so she should need serious medical attention?but?that?s not where she wants to go?do I listen to her and take her where she wants to go?
?I?ll lead you there. Just follow what I say.? The girl instructed him calmly.
?O-okay?? Nikolas reluctantly nodded and obeyed.
?Turn at the next corner in that direction, and keep going straight.? She said as she gestured him in the right direction.
?All right.?

The young man trekked on with the girl still supported in his arms. As they passed through the streets, some civilians stopped for a moment and stared at the pair, the occasional person whispering something to a friend who stood next to them. Nikolas ignored the onlookers? inaudible comments and continued on.
Since restarting their venture, neither of them had spoken. As a result, they became ensnared in an awkward silence that seemed relentless.
Because of this, Nikolas almost didn?t realize when the girl had started to speak again.
?You didn?t have to help me you know?? She spoke quietly.
?Eh?But if I hadn?t?? The boy replied in an unsure tone.
?It?s fine. At least if you hadn?t helped me, you wouldn?t be in trouble now.? The girl said, as if she regretted letting the young man help her get away from the park.
?Well?? Nikolas started, feeling a sense of nervous guilt as he spoke. ?I can?t really take back what I?ve done now??
The girl remained quiet, as if the young man had said something wrong. With that, it didn?t take long for the awkward silence to hang over them again. Nearly a whole minute passed before the girl spoke up again.
?Take a left here.? She said in a neutral tone.
?Okay.? Nikolas said with a small nod.
This girl?she knows this place well?does she live nearby? She doesn?t appear to be Japanese?
?A right here.? The girl spoke as she pointed in the correct direction.
?Okay.? The young man said as he turned the corner.
She?s pretty tough?I wouldn?t believe someone could be hit by a truck and not even shed a tear?Maybe it didn?t actually hit her? Maybe I only thought I saw her get hit?and the truck didn?t actually hit her?
?Now turn left.? Her voice resounded in the same neutral tone as it had before.
?All right.? Nikolas responded almost automatically as he moved towards his next turn.
Just as the pair rounded the corner, the girl caught sight of something that startled her into a quick response.
?No no, not this left, keep going straight.? She commanded, her voice having exchanged its neutrality for a slightly panicked tone.
?O-okay!? Nikolas replied as he stopped his advance to the left and dashed back onto the straight path the pair had been following.
The girl bit her lip slightly as she thought about what she had seen.
Down that street was a RAI soldier on watch.
The girl frowned in a grave manner.
If he saw us?


Timestamp - Day 3, 3:47 P.M., Near Tourist Helpers, Kamisuiwa.
?Okay just keep going straight now. We?re almost there.? The girl said, having regained her neutral tone, which seemed a bit lighter than it had before.
?All right.? Nikolas replied as he let out a sigh of relief in his mind.
So we?re almost there?I wonder where exactly we?re going. What kind of place is it? And what is this place like? The girl said she could get help there, so?
Within less than a minute, The two strode into the square of what seemed to be part of a shopping district. Continuing on with the girl still in his arms, Nikolas gazed about at the various buildings that surrounded the square. From his observations there were no notable places nearby. Where is it she wanted to go, anyways?
?We?re here.? The girl said with a faintly relieved expression.
Nikolas almost hadn?t heard when the girl had spoke, taking a few more steps forward. With a light tug and quiet ?stop?, the boy nodded and halted his advance. Nikolas looked around, as if trying to find some indicator of their destination. Just as he was about to question the girl about it, someone shouted.
?Amarillo!?
The two of them turned their attention forward in the direction of the voice.
It was a girl.
Her hair was light silver, tinted with a pale green. It was long and wavy. Her eyes were a deep shade of green that had a mysterious and alluring depth to them. She wore a golden yellow shirt with large sleeves and black frilled trim. Light blue, diamond-shaped buttons lead up her shirt to a green folded collar trimmed black with frills. A green, rose patterned skirt stopped just above the girl?s knees. Atop her head was a wide brimmed black hat with a yellow ribbon tied to its base. On her feet she wore black footwear, which appeared to be boots.
However, the thing that stood out about her the most, was the strange indigo to violet cords that seemed to be wrapped around her body. At their ends were two purple hearts which were placed upon her boots, and at their source was a round, indigo colored object.
Nikolas gazed at the girl who had approached them with curiousity. He wondered about her. Who was she? Where was she from? What was that thing with the cords? Despite his mind?s questions, he didn?t manage to voice them.
?I?m back.? The girl Nikolas had been carrying spoke up. She smiled at the girl before her with a sense of gentleness.
?Are you okay?? The strange girl asked, the concern obvious from her tone of voice.
?A little injured, but I?m alive.? The one, apparently named ?Amarillo?, said.
The odd one sighed in relief and smiled. After a moment, the girl turned her eyes towards Nikolas. She made a motion for the boy to pass Amarillo to her.
The young man snapped back to reality and carefully let the blonde-haired down. The girl supported her friend as he did so. Then, the strange girl turned to him and smiled.
?Thank you for bringing Amarillo back safely.? She said, her voice, clear yet gentle.
?A-ah?You?re welcome?It was no problem?? the boy said, his nervousness obvious from his speech. After a moment of awkward silence, he spoke again. ?A-anyways, I should be getting back to the hotel...?
The girl smiled, making direct eye contact with the boy. ?Okay. Goodbye.?
Nikolas twitched slightly, his face reddening faintly, then turned around and began to head off in the direction from which he had entered the square. After several seconds, he glanced back to see the pair had also turned and headed for home. He shifted his gaze upward and read the sign above the store they were entering. Tourist Helpers, huh?
Nikolas inhaled deeply, and then exhaled. By the time he had finished gazing at the building?s rather plain outside, he noticed that the two had already headed inside.
With a light sigh, Nikolas turned his attention back to the road ahead of him.
?Well, I suppose I should be heading back now?? The young man mumbled to himself as he commenced his journey back to the hotel.

[Kakyoin]

3:58 PM - Day 3 - Kamisuiwa, Japan ? Tourist Helpers (Outside Entrance)

After watching the boy run off, Koishi turned to Amarillo, who seemed normal enough. Taking a step forward, the satori cocked her head slightly. "Are you okay?"
    "Heh, I am fine," the fairy commander responded. "In fact, it is you that I am more worried about, since that timer is ticking..."
    Koishi clicked her tongue. "I guess. So, what now? Obviously Diamond is not here, and he is not after you...what happened?"
    "Let's just say that the plan was abruptly...tanked, but he thinks that I was taken out. We have a bit of downtime until he realizes this."
    "Well, whatcha wanna do? I was going to stay here." Koishi pointed towards the familiar Tourist Helpers building to their side.
    Amarillo finished scanning the area and turned back to face her. "I'm a little worried about the Graveyard base. Do you--no, you don't have any word from Sunny."
    Koishi shook her head. "Maybe you ought to go? But you're alone, are you sure that's a--"
   
    "She's not alone!"
   
    Both of them turned, Amarillo in expectancy and Koishi curiously, to see Daiyousei float nearby. "I'm here, you know. Not all fairies got taken out, ahaha..." Looking at them, she stopped giggling. "Yeah okay, I guess now isn't the time to say that."
    "Daiyousei is with me, so I'll be fine." Amarillo approached the front door. Reaching for the handle, she suddenly yanked her hand back. "Right, Ken and everyone is in there, don't want to disturb anything...and it sounds quiet enough inside." After a surprisingly loud yawn, she strolled over to the side of the front of the building face. "Maybe I should just head there immediately. You can keep watch, right?"
    Koishi bobbed her head in agreement. "Sure~"
    "Then," Daiyousei started, "we'll take off right now? The hidden passageway, yeah?"
    "Affirmative." Amarillo motioned to have Daiyousei follow her. "Let's get going, I have to snuff out this bad feeling in my stomach. I wasn't sure if a recording was enough to distract Diamond from entering..."
    "But, you would have heard news from Sunny, wouldn't that be the case if--"
    "True," replied Amarillo. "But in a surprise attack, there is no time to make a call."
    Daiyousei sighed. "I guess so. What are we waiting for, let's go!" She flew over to the hidden exit behind the shop.
    Well, old friend, Amarillo thought with a smile. Looks like I need your service once more. First Ken, and now me...
    The fairy leader followed behind Daiyousei. It was time to visit the Saniwa Shrine again and see what had happened for herself.
   
   
   
4:00 PM - Day 3 - Kamisuiwa, Japan ? Tourist Helpers (Outside Rear Entrance)

Hands at her sides, Koishi skipped over to the rear door of Tourist Helpers. "I wonder what's going on in here."

Her hand wrapped around the handle, and she gave it a slight tug. It swung open slightly, and she peered inside. No one was there, it seemed. She figured they were elsewhere, probably downstairs.

Not wanting to bring attention to herself, she quietly closed the rear door behind her and slipped inside, heading up the stairs. No one would notice her anyway, since she was who she was. It was both a blessing and a curse.

Walking up the stairs, she couldn't help but think about that boy who had brought Amarillo back to this location. Something about him seemed...interesting. But she had some thinking of her own to do now, so it was time for some more isolation.



5:12 PM - Day 3 - Kamisuiwa, Japan ? Tourist Helpers (Outside Front Entrance)

Yuyuko sat on the edge of the road, hands to her face. She sighed and looked around gloomily. No sign of Diamond or even any soldiers in sight still.
    She couldn't help but feel like she had waited too long to help during the fight. If she had revealed herself earlier--but no, she had to wait until the right moment to strike, the moment Diamond had his guard down.
    Watching Diamond's declaration powers at work had scared her. The possibilities...the opportunities he had to strike, to cause everything to swing his way...there had to be a chink in his armor.
   
    No power was without responsibility and weakness. She herself was especially aware of that.
   
    "Look, it's a ghost!"
   
    Taking her hands off of her face, she looked around in wonder before seeing two young-looking school-age girls running towards her. Their uniforms seemed appropriate, but she thought she recognized them. "Um...hello?"
    "Yuyuko, it's us!" the one with drill-like hair stated as she slowed to a standstill.
    The ghost managed a faint smile, having realized who they were. "Luna...and this is the spring-bringing fairy with you."
    "Yes, Lily is here too. How goes it? Did something bad happen?" The fairy of light looked at the entrance to Tourist Helpers nearby and, seeing the door left open, frowned. "Wait, where's Ken? Where's Mayli and Mokou and everyone else?"
    Yuyuko's smile dissolved. "Well...I suppose it's safe enough out here at this point...I'll tell you inside. Let's get in there."
    Lily White twisted her mouth. "I have a bad feeling about this...no one's hurt, are they?"
    Yuyuko stood up and stretched her arms up for a moment, releasing breath in a softer sigh as she pulled then back down. "You'll see. The front room may not be a very pretty sight, there was a...problem."
    The two fairies looked at each other. Looking worried, they both realized what this likely meant: Diamond had come.



5:15 PM - Day 3 - Kamisuiwa, Japan ? Tourist Helpers (Downstairs Room)

"Ugh..."

Ken felt extremely guilty. He hardly felt injured himself, and here was Mayli clutching her chest, having a hard time breathing. Why? Why was he feeling fine? True, he was tougher than she was, but he was just a human...
    Looking over at the other bed, he saw Mokou looking grimly down at Kaguya. He had panicked a few minutes ago after seeing her wound up close. A bullet in the arm was a serious injury...yet, Kaguya was in an almost dormant state, eyes closed, showing no pain. He had trusted Mokou and taken her at her word, and the princess' blood loss seemed to also be slowing. Maybe she was getting better, through some miracle or another. He certainly hadn't done much for her by trying to heal, other than exhaust himself further.
    He shook his head. This was ridiculous. Diamond had ripped his team apart, and would have succeeded in doing so if not for Yuyuko's intervention.
    Suddenly feeling cold, he wrapped his arms in front of his body and hugged himself. He really wanted Yuyuko at his side right now, needed her...
   
    "...and here they are."
   
    Upon hearing Yuyuko's voice, he uncrossed his arms and looked up. "Yuyuko..." Peering behind her, he saw two others that he thought resembled several of Amarillo's fairy partners. "Ah, they are...?"
    "My goodness, what happened here?!" the one with long, straight blonde hair exclaimed. "So there was indeed a fight here..."
    He gritted his teeth. "It was Diamond...we tried a ruse, but he still saw through it."
    Lily White flew over and sat down next to Ken. "You need some help? Move your arms."
    "Huh? What are you--"
    After his arms were uncrossed, he stared in surprise as she sat down in his lap. "Umm..."
    "You're cold, right? I can't really do anything else, and I'm kinda warm after flying everywhere in the sun."
    Looking at Yuyuko, he saw her shrug slightly. That was enough for him. He hugged the fairy's soft, warm body to his. "Thanks...well, you can see what Diamond did to us...Mayli is pretty hurt..."
    The one in question winced and took the opportunity to lie down. "Oooogh...chest still hurts. Diamond certainly doesn't know how to treat a lady, that's for certain. O-Ouch..."
    Ken turned on the bed to see Mokou sitting near Kaguya, who was lying unmoving in the larger bed. "Somehow, he managed to even dodge a bullet, and well...look what happened as a result."
    Luna flew closer, and as she did her eyes widened. "A bullet? Wow, he certainly doesn't pull punches..."
    Mokou glared at the wall nearby. "It...it wasn't him, it was--"
   
    "Uuungh..."
   
    Kaguya's groan silenced everyone for several moments. Lily White took the opportunity to see the bullet wound in Kaguya's arm and left Ken's lap.
    Sighing, he stood up. He was restless and needed to walk around a little. "Yuyuko."
    The ghost raised an eyebrow. "What?"
    "How did it look outside?"
    She twirled a lock of her hair. "Um, it seemed fine...almost too quiet, really."
    He walked over to where his sword was resting, the sword he had tried to kill Diamond with, and froze.
   
    He had tried to kill a man.
   
    He was so focused on their own safety, that he had completely dismissed it.
   
    His body shook with a shiver. Was it because of his realization, or because he was cold? He didn't have time to worry about that right now. Everyone needed him. He had to stay strong.
   
    "Ken?"
   
    Without turning around, his hand completed its journey to the sword. Picking it up, he held it loosely in his right hand as he answered Yuyuko. "I'm fine. I need to talk to you though." He turned around and surveyed the situation. It was calm and peaceful now, despite their issues and injuries. "I'd also like to talk to the fairies, I'm sure you know what's happened to Amarillo."
    Mayli sat up slightly. "Ah, I'll go with you..."
    "No, you'll do no such thing!" Worried, he stared at her. "You stay there and rest. You need it more than I do, easily."
    She blinked. "But, what about you? Surely you--"
    "Believe it or not, I'm actually fine."
    "But," she protested, "You have a huge slice on your arm! Doesn't it hurt?"
    He held his arm out and observed the long gash. "It's actually not that deep."
    "Ken!" she nearly screamed. "For heaven's sake, you need to rest too! I--we, we all depend on you...we need you to be healthy..."
    A moment passed before he responded. "It...actually doesn't hurt as much as it looks like it would. If I needed to do nothing but rest, I would. Just trust me on this, okay?"
    She sighed heavily. "Ken..."
    "Besides, right now we need to be prepared for the worst. I need to talk to Yuyuko and the fairies for a short while. We'll be just outside. Now then," he said coolly as he reached out and touched the top of her hand with his. "I need to know what we should do in case we get attacked again. You need to rest. That's an order."
    Dissatisfied, she relented and unwound herself back down on the bed. "Meh. Fine."
    "Okay. Thanks." He turned to look at Mokou, who looked solemnly back at him. "How's Kaguya, anyway?"
    "She's fine, she just needs a good deal of rest. This may take her a long time, but she'll be okay."
    "Are you sure?"
    She grimaced. "Trust me, I know...I should know."
    "Even with all that bloo--" he stopped mid-sentence after noticing that her blood loss had nearly terminated, as the fresh towel beneath her arm was quite unstained. "Huh. Well, ain't that something."
    He felt a warm hand grab his. Looking over, he saw it was Yuyuko.
    "They'll be fine," she said as certainly and gently as she could muster. "Let's go talk, we really do need to figure this out, and hear about what happened to Amarillo."



5:30 PM - Day 3 - Kamisuiwa, Japan ? Tourist Helpers (Employee Break Room)

"A TRUCK?! "

Ken's voice echoed throughout the room momentarily. He stared incredulously at Luna Child. "She got hit by a truck?!" Motioning with his hands, he continued. "Like, one of those huge transportation trucks? That's impossible..."
    Luna sighed and nodded. "Yes, a truck..."
    "Impossible!" he exclaimed, looking away from everyone else. "That's not possible...she would have died. Are you sure that's what you saw? She wasn't playing a trick on Diamond?"
    "Pretty sure it wasn't a trick, since she used the power of my twin sister to absorb the blow and get out safely," Lily White said.
    "Ken," Yuyuko interjected. "These fairies would probably not be here if Amarillo had perished...but still, Diamond went that far in public? He really must love his job, or want us captured..."
    "Or want us dead! This guy is dangerous! If he can he just summon a truck the fuck out of nowhere, then...argh!" Ken stood up, anxious and restless. "Where is Amarillo right now?"
    "No idea, but she's still alive. That's for certain," Lily answered. "So, what are we going to do in case more RAI soldiers come to attack?"
    Before he could answer, Yuyuko spoke up. "I have an idea...if I may?"
    He nodded silently, still trying to understand how this man was so capable of twisting fate.
    She continued. "Then, we have to consider what's happened so far. So Amarillo got taken down by Diamond, who caused her to get hit by a truck...or at least, so he thinks. He came here somehow, I don't know.."
    "Maybe he knows about the mana, or he can sense it somehow..." Lily White pondered. "Who could have tipped him off?"
    Yuyuko shook her head. "No idea. The point is, he came here and got driven off after I told him he would be overrun and taken down by many of us. So, what has he gone to do now?"
    Feeling calmer, Ken snapped his fingers. "Wait, you two said Sunny called and said he was denied access to the Graveyard base, right?"
    Luna Child nodded. "Yup, that's what she said."
    "Then," Yuyuko continued, now catching on, "since he thinks he can't go to the Graveyard base, where else would he go?"
    There was a momentary silence. Then, Ken spoke up. "Wait...there's another RAI base that Amarillo told us about, I remember...but what was it called? Mayohiga, or something? Er, no...it was..."
    "Haha, that's the Yakumo place," Yuyuko laughed. "You mean Hanamidori, right?"
    "Yeah, that place." He placed his sword on the table in the middle of the room. "You think he's going there, don't you."
    "Probably. He likely wants to regroup himself. So," she said, pointing a finger to her right. "If we assume that he's going to Hanamidori, this is our chance to keep this place safe."
    "Whoa whoa whoa, hold on a minute," Lily White quipped. "You're saying we should influence the soldiers ourselves? How is that possible without exposing ourselves?"
    "Well," Ken mentioned, "we still have that uniform we took from a soldier..."
    "Ah yeah, that suit you said Mayli was wearing when Diamond came in." Luna Child drummed her fingers on the table. "You're saying we should use it again?"
    "We can. But it certainly won't easily fit on a fairy." Ken sniffed. "Maybe Mokou or Yuyuko can wear it...I doubt Mayli wants to play dress-up as a soldier again, at least this soon."
    Yuyuko stopped looking at her fingernails and turned towards him. "I probably would fit best...but yes, we can try to influence the other soldiers somehow, it's certainly worth a try. We still have to assume that Diamond hasn't spoken to them..."
    "Diamond isn't very well-liked, though. Amarillo shared that with us. Apparently Sunny Milk stopped him outside of the Graveyard base with some recordings. Let's just say that RAI doesn't really like him that much..."
    Ken grimaced. "Maybe that's our chance, then...and Diamond does only have a small squadron of personal soldiers based on how he talked to Mayli and myself earlier. We almost have no choice. Yuyuko, do you think I can call upon you once more?"
    Yuyuko stood up. "Let's get to it."



5:55 PM - Day 3 - Kamisuiwa, Japan ? Convention Center (Outside Entrance)

The Kamisuiwa Convention Center, referred to by the locals as the KCC, was hard to miss. It spanned several blocks in the center of town, and this was where all sorts of conventions were to be held. This week was no exception.

A lone soldier calmly approached three others standing outside. Fiddling with a gun, the soldier spoke to the others urgently. Various locals passing by, having now adjusted for the most part to their presence, paid them little attention.

"Diamond has been tracking some of the escapees!" The soldier stated. "Unfortunately, he had to back down due to a possibly overwhelming situation."
"You mean an ambush?"
"Yes. He sent me here personally to inform everyone that they are likely making their way to the outskirts of the city."
One of the soldiers laughed. "Haha, looks like he was worth hiring after all. Guess he ain't all bark and no bite."
"Yes, of course. Now, we cannot afford to let them escape," the first soldier remarked. "He suspects that they may be headed opposite the Hanamidori base."
"Really now? Well, we've got this place pretty locked down."
"Fool!" Another soldier of the group hissed. "It's that kind of sense of false security that let them escape in the first place. Let's at least go check out the other side of town and boomerang back here."
"That's right," another said. "So an ambush, eh? Guess we should stay away from that side of town then. If Diamond got scared off, I guess we should be cautious."
The lone soldier nodded. "Can you three handle it? I need to get some food soon, I haven't eaten since breakfast."
"Yeah. Go on, get outta here. We'll handle it and spread the word for ya," the final soldier said with several waves of his gloved hand.
"Thank you. I appreciate it. Good luck!"
The soldier headed off in the direction opposite the group of three, each now with destinations in mind.

After walking hurriedly for several blocks, the lone soldier carefully looked around for several moments. Noticing no one, the soldier took off the helmet on her head, revealing a head full of short, wavy pink hair.

"Well then," Yuyuko said with a smirk. "Looks like my job here is done. Now hopefully some delicious food awaits~"



6:30 PM - Day 3 - Kamisuiwa, Japan ? Tourist Helpers (Downstairs Room)

"Oooh, smells good in here!"

Yuyuko, having returned from her deceiving ploy, was indeed hungry. She had followed the smell of food downstairs and couldn't wait to eat. Bounding into the room, she saw several trays on the beds acting as makeshift tabletops for eating.
    Ken motioned her over and patted the bed he was sitting on, indicating she should join him. "Hey Yuyuko. So it was successful, as Luna told me."
    "Yup, as far as I can see we should be safe at least for today." She ravenously dug into a plate of sushi. "Uuuohhh! Delicious~"
    "Heh. well, you deserve it after helping us out. It was the least I could do to go out and get dinner." He stared over at Mayli. "Although this one protested quite a bit before letting me go..."
    "Hey now," Mayli complained with a mouth full of okayu. "I know you're hurt still, you're probably just lying to me. You shouldn't be overexerting yourself!" After swallowing it, she wiped her mouth. "This stuff is pretty good, actually. Thanks, man."
    He stared at her apologetically grinning face before turning away, shaking his head. "Just eat it, I figured you probably needed something gentle to go down."
    "Ohhh...Kaguya, you're awake!" Yuyuko chimed. "How do you feel?"
    "I've been better," the Lunarian responded after gulping down a chewed portion of chicken. "But no bullet's gonna put me down. Still, it took a lot longer to recover than I had hoped..."
    Mokou sighed. "That's because we're not in Gensokyo anymore, or that fake Gensokyo, or whatever you want to call it now." She picked up something shiny from the nearby small desk between the beds and held it at eye level. "This here's the culprit. Want a look at the bullet, Ken?"
    He stopped mid-chew. "Not while I'm eating. Maybe I'll have a look later." He turned to Lily White. "So Amarillo made it safely, I bet..."
    The fairy nodded. "Yeah, she called me up while you were gone. She might be a while longer, actually..."
    "That's too bad, I bet she's pretty hungry herself." He turned back to pick up another piece of sushi from his takeout container, only to find it empty. Mouth open, his eyes darted over to Yuyuko, who had a guilty look and a stuffed mouth.
    "Uwwhhngh..." she spluttered with a full mouth. "Thowwy, hungwy..."
    "Jeez, ghost! How do you stand to eat that much?" he said after a heavy sigh. "I don't get it, ghosts shouldn't be eating so much...well whatever, you helped us out a lot today, so I guess it's in our best interest to keep you fed and happy."
    Mayli placed the empty okayu cup on the desk and sat up more. "Well, that was good. I think I'll draw for a bit, I need to do something aside from lazing around."
    "Sure, you do that." Ken yawned and stretched, laying down next to her on his side. "I should rest up while I can, I gue--"
    He was interrupted after noticing her face breaking out in a smile. "W-What? What's so funny?"
    "Ken," she said with a laugh. "You...you're posing like you want to be drawn, or something..."
    "Uh...!" He removed the hand supporting his head. "No, that's not what I--"
    It was too late. She grinned sheepishly. "What was that saying, again?"
    "No," he protested. "No, don't you--you don't need to say i--"
    She picked up her pencil. "I believe it was 'draw me like one of your Fr--"
    He interrupted her. "You don't have to say it!" He heard Kaguya suppress a laugh, masking it by pretending to choke on her food. Glancing around, he saw Lily White and Luna Child looking at him strangely. "Er, well...what she meant to say is 'draw me like one of your friends'. Sounds plausible, right?"
    Lily White giggled. "Haha! I don't even know what that means, but it sounds funny."
    Sighing, he put his hand back up to hold up his head. "Fine, I guess you can have some fun every now and then...not that I mind being sketched, really..."
    "Oh, I bet you do mind," Mokou teased. "Maybe if you sketch him, with that power of yours you'll have two Kens. Ever thought about that, Mayli?" Giving her joke time to sink in and Ken's cheeks to redden further, she donned an innocent face and sipped her mug of tea casually.
    The artist's eyes seemed to light up. "Oooh, that's a great idea! All right Ken, just sit still..."
   
    Closing his eyes, he heaved the biggest sigh he had made all day.



(Notes: Amarillo has headed towards the RAI Graveyard base with Daiyousei, and will return to Tourist Helpers much later in the day. Yuyuko has started a rumor that the escapees from the RAI Graveyard base are headed in the exact opposite direction of Tourist Helpers. Ken's team will remain in Tourist Helpers and won't be doing anything until 10pm, or before that time if Nemo Ma posts otherwise.)

[Grimarg]

10:05 PM ? Day 3 ? Kamisuiwa, Japan ? Outside Tourist Helpers

Andy looked down. Apparently nobody else in the group was a smoker, so he once again had to resort to his old Zippo.

I should really re-fill this thing? He thought as he caressed the engraved surface of the lighter.

This was also a gift, alongside the cigarette case inside his pocket. Just like with that book, he could never get away from them.

He looked up. He returned, the Chinese man with whom he had talked before. As he kept trying to light his lighter, he caught a glimpse of a blonde woman behind him. Interesting? The girl seemed a bit inhibited, as well as the man in front of her. In any other circumstances he would?ve dismissed this as just coincidence, but this wasn?t a regular situation. He was starting to sense some kind of plan.

He does have a point, we should stick together at least until I figure out what is really going on...

The lighter finally produced the fire, a small weak flame, but enough to light the cigarette in his mouth. Covering both the fire and the cigarette, he lit it, released a puff of smoke and walked towards them.

?Please excuse my manners before. I forgot to introduce myself? He said to the man after reaching them. ?My name is...? And then he made a stop. He never gave people his real name unless it was a client. He looked into the man?s eyes and sighed. ?My name is Jaeger, Andreas Jaeger.? He said, reaching a hand out to him. ?Nice to meet you."

(OOC: Andy saw Xuezhen  and Mabel coming. After thinking it for a while, he decides to follow his idea and stick with him for a while.)

[Sonae]

---Timestamp - Day 3, 9:42 P.M., Hotel Room, Kamisuiwa.
The young man is lying on the bed, gazing up at the empty ceiling above him. On his face is a concerned expression.
The boy exhaled a slight sigh as he recalled what he had read earlier.

---

---Timestamp - Day 3, 6:59 P.M., Hotel Room, Kamisuiwa.
Nikolas sighed as he strolled toward the bed. The young man, worn from carrying a strange girl for a half hour across town, flopped on the bed lethargically.
After a few minutes of well deserved rest, the boy noticed something had come up on his computer.
Huh? What?s that? He thought as he pulled himself over to the laptop.
Sitting in the middle of the screen was a small window, completely blank with the exception of a single link.
Nikolas paused for a moment before clicking the link, which leads to a website, empty except for a single line.

Do you have faith in yourself, and the people important to you?

As the boy glanced over the line, he noticed something vaguely familiar.
?posted by Amarillo Viridian.
Ama? The young man?s thoughts are cut off as he recalled a cheerful voice and honest smile.
?Thank you for bringing Amarillo back safely?
The strange girl from earlier flashed in his mind.

---

---Timestamp - Day 3, 9:44 P.M., Hotel Room, Kamisuiwa.
Nikolas frowned as he let out another sigh.
Amarillo Viridian? Who is this girl? Nikolas wondered to himself, his gaze still fixed onto the ceiling.
After a minute, the boy sighs again.
Staring at the ceiling isn?t going to get me any answers?

Knock, knock, knock!
Startled, the young man quickly sits up and shifts his gaze to the door.
?Nikolas Reinhart. Police! Open the door.? A voice shouted from the other side of the door.
The boy blinked, a dumbfounded expression on his face. Wait, what? Police?!
??Psst!? A second voice, albeit a much gentler one, called to the boy from behind.
Nikolas spun around swiftly. In doing so, his eyes came to a face too memorable to be forgotten. There at the window was the silvery-green haired girl from earlier today. By now, the boy?s mouth was agape.
?We need to get out of here-? She started, motioning for the young man to come to the window. She spoke softly, almost as if she were whispering. Her voice was soothing and her expression rather calm considering the circumstances. Before she could finish speaking, another shout came from beyond the door.
?We know you?re in there. Surrender yourself peacefully and you will not be harmed? A second anonymous voice called out.
?Come on, hurry!? the girl demanded while still retaining a whisper.
The young man, realizing the weight of the situation, made a split decision. He quickly grabbed his laptop, put it in his suitcase, withdrew a different object, closed the suitcase, and slid it under the bed. He quickly tugged the blanket so that it didn?t appear too suspicious and dashed to the window.
?This is your final warning, Open the door and come out peacefully!?
Nikolas could hear another voice as he climbed onto the small sitting area.
The girl pulled away from the window, allowing the boy to slip through it.
In an instant, he was through the window, and just a moment later his feet hit the ground.
?Ah..!? he mumbled as he was thrown off balance and back onto the ground. ?Oww?? he muttered under his breath. When he opened his eyes, the girl was right in front of him, leaning over him.
Nikolas began to speak up, but was quickly silenced when the girl placed her finger upon the boy?s lips.
?Shh?!? She breathed.
At that moment, the two of them heard a loud commotion above them. They became dead silent, waiting for the danger to pass. Seconds felt like hours, moments an eternity. The silence seemed endless, as if time itself was frozen.
??Clear.?
Above they heard someone speak, with another cursing in response. A few moments later, the faint sound of shuffling drifted out the window. The unidentified officers had left.
The girl heaved out a sigh as she lowered her finger from the boy?s lips.
Nikolas gazed at her for a second, hesitant to speak, but the young man eventually spoke.
?What?s going on?? He inquired cautiously.
The girl turned her gaze upward, making eye contact with the boy.
?Look, right now, you?re in danger.? She said sternly. ?We need to get out of here before they find us!? She exclaimed as she got to her feet, grabbing the boy?s wrist and pulling him off the ground in the process.
?Ah! Wait! Where are we going?? He spoke, almost shouting, receiving a quick shush from the girl in front of him.
?You?ll see!? She said as she turned her head for a moment to give the young man a simple smile before dashing off with him in tow.


---Timestamp - Day 3, 10:04 P.M., City Outskirts, Kamisuiwa.
As day turned to night, light shifted into darkness. The town?s many streetlights shone triumphantly, cutting through the darkness. A world of shadows spread out from where the light had been intercepted, distinctly engraving shapes across the ground and walls. The summer night air was cool and, with every breeze, became slightly chilly. A serene silence hung over the town, occasionally interrupted by a passing car or two. The bustling sounds present during the day were gone, leaving only the peaceful sounds of nature in their place. Above was the vast sky, partially obscured by passing clouds. Stars flickered from their place in the heavens, unchanging, as if they were eternal. A half moon hung in the sky, its calm glow darkening the surrounding clouds and illuminating the empty space, almost as if the light and darkness had swapped places. However, the moon?s pale luminescence did not reach the ground, as if the moon was afraid to extend its gentle beams onto the earth, or perhaps deemed its light was no longer needed in our artificial world.

Two figures, a boy and a girl, dashed through the darkness, their shadows briefly appearing when the streetlights found them.

The pair came to an abrupt stop behind a building.
Nikolas heaved his breath, trying not only to regain lost air, but to also calm his pounding heart.
The girl with him was not nearly as disturbed by the events as Nikolas was. She slowly peaked around the corner of the building, but quickly pulled herself back.
?Hm?from the looks of it, it doesn?t seem like we?ll be getting back to Tourist Helpers any time soon.? She spoke quietly. ?There?s too many soldiers around. We?ll be caught if we try to go through town.? She said as she glanced about the surrounding area.
Nikolas, who had been trying to regulate his breathing, spoke up swiftly. ?Wait, what? Did you just say ?Soldiers???
The girl turned to him and nodded with a mumbled ?yep?.
Nikolas gave her a perplexed expression before speaking. ?What exactly is going on here??
?It?s a long story.? The girl replied simply. She peaked around the corner to see the soldier was strolling in their direction. ?Come on, we need to get out of here.? She said as she grabbed the young man?s wrist and tried to pull him along.
To her surprise though, Nikolas held his ground, causing her to only get another step or two before coming to a sudden stop. She looked startled and turned to him.
?Can you atleast?tell me your name?? He spoke between breaths.
The girl blinked, but then gave the boy a small smile. ?Koishi?
The boy looked slightly stunned for a split second, So her name is Koishi?
??Come on, let?s go.? She said, giving his wrist another tug.
The young man nodded, pushing himself off the wall he had been leaning against, and followed after the girl.
The two figures, their features obscured by shadow, dashed towards the darkness of the forest, running away from the city?s dangerous light.


---Timestamp - Day 3, 10:31 P.M., In the Forest, Kamisuiwa.
?We should be safe for a little while now?? Koishi said as she glanced back through the trees at the sleeping city.
The pair had entered the forest a distance away from the city, in hopes that they would not encounter any soldiers.
Koishi sighed lightly as she turned back towards Nikolas, who was leaning against a nearby tree trying to catch his breath.
?So, I guess now I need to explain don?t I?? She said with a guilty smile.
Between gasps, the young man nodded.

After Nikolas had regained his breath, Koishi spoke again.
?Let?s keep moving.? She said as she started off through the forest.
Nikolas complied and followed after her, carefully maneuvering his way around and through the woods.
?So where should I start?? She said with a smile.
?Well,? the boy began, ?How about you start with what?s going on??
?Ehehe?~? The girl laughed weakly. ?That?s a hard one to answer.?
?Why?? Nikolas asked with a neutral tone.
?It?s a long and complicated story really.? Koishi replied simplistically.
Nikolas sighed heavily as the pair continued on through the dark forest. ?Well then, can you start with who those??soldiers?, were??
?They?re RAI?
?RAI? I?ve never heard of them.?
?That?s what they want? Koishi began. ?They don?t want anyone knowing about them.?
Nikolas was silent for a moment before speaking. ?Why did they come after me??
?Hmm?? Koishi mumbled as she held a finger to her mouth and thought for a moment. ?Well, did you do anything to offend them? Like get in their way, or go somewhere you shouldn?t have, or did something bad, or bothered them??
?Um?I don?t think so.? Nikolas said as he recalled his day.
?Hm?Oh!? She chirped as she spun around to face the young man. ?You carried Amarillo back!? She said with an out-of-place smile.
Nikolas came to a halt. ?What??
?You see, those soldiers don?t like Amarillo.? She started. ?So if they saw you with her, they?d definitely come after you.?
The second Koishi had finished speaking, a memory flashed in the boy?s mind.
?No no, not this left, keep going straight.?
?O-okay!?
?So?this is all because I helped that girl?? Nikolas said uneasily.
?Probably,? Koishi replied without turning to face him.
Nikolas sighed, visibly chastising himself for not realizing what he was getting himself into. ?Who exactly is she??
?Amarillo? Well,? Koishi hesitated for a moment, trying to figure out what to say. ??It?s complicated.? The girl laughed weakly as she carefully stepped over an exposed tree root.
A hint of disappointment flashed across the young man?s face. I hope that?s not the answer to everything. ??Well, can you at least give me a basic answer??
?Sure!? Koishi chirped in an overly happy tone. ?Amarillo is the leader of the fairies.?
At first, Nikolas didn?t register what Koishi had said, until he repeated the last word to himself. The boy stopped. ?Wait. Did you just say fairies??
?Yup!?
Nikolas was speechless for a moment, unsure of what to make of it. Fairies?! ?F-fairies? like the tiny winged girls in fairytales?? He asked, the boy?s composure disrupted by the sudden revelation.
?Well, no, they?re about the size of a human child, so I wouldn?t really call them tiny,? The girl said nonchalantly. ?But yes, magical winged girls. Amarillo has a special ability that allows her to team up and combine with the fairies?
Nikolas blinked, his mouth agape, ?Combine with them!??
Koishi chuckled lightly to herself at the young man?s response. ?And that?s just the simple explanation? She says with a smile.
Nikolas opened his mouth to speak, but decided against it after realizing he didn?t quite know what to say. He was still trying to comprehend it, all the strange things that had happened to him today, and the two strange girls he had encountered.
Wait, now that I think about it, Koishi was the one who greeted me and took Amarillo from me. The boy thought as he gazed at the girl?s back. Was she? ?Could Koishi be a?a fairy?
The girl turned and gave the young man a simple smile, oblivious to his thoughts, and tilted her head to the side slightly, curious as to why he had stopped.
Nikolas held his breath for a moment, unsure of what to say to the light silvery, green haired girl that stood before him. He stared into her deep green eyes, mesmerized by them. Trapped within his daze, he almost didn?t hear Koishi speak again.
?We should keep moving? She said simply.
?A-ah, yeah we should?? Nikolas averted his eyes as he spoke.
Koishi smiled and spun around, walking on through the trees. Nikolas paused for a moment to take a breath, and then dashed after her.

?So, those soldiers?RAI was it?? Nikolas paused and drew in a breath before continuing to speak. ?Why don?t they like Amarillo??
?Hm?? The girl mumbled to herself as she attempted to retrieve an answer. ?Actually, now that I think about it, I don?t know.? She said, frowning faintly.
?Eh?? The young man muttered in response.
?Amarillo doesn?t talk about herself much,? Koishi starts, ?Well, at least not to me.?
?Oh?? Nikolas mumbled lowly with a slight frown. That Amarillo girl seems mysterious?
While slightly lost in thought, Nikolas didn?t notice when he had come to another rogue tree root, causing the boy to trip and stumble a bit. Fortunately he had managed not to fall, but the thump was clearly audible.
Koishi turned around and gazed at the young man, who was holding his breath trying to resist the pain. The girl tilted her head slightly, but turned her attention back to the forest ahead and continued walking.
Nnn?Now I?m making a fool of myself? He thought as he tapped his head lightly. I?m not really making a great first impression? He thought, averting his eyes from her.
?Hey, don?t fall behind now! It?d be no good if one of us got lost!? Koishi called from ahead.
?Ah! Y-yeah, I?m coming!? Nikolas responded as he faced forward and ran after the girl.

Koishi proudly led the way through the forest, following nothing but her instinct as she navigated the tangle of underbrush. The girl smiled despite the situation, and her eyes contained not the slightest bit of worry.
As she continued on, she glanced back at the boy behind her to make sure she hadn?t lost him. After confirming his presence, she shifted her gaze back forward.
?!
Just then, her vision blurred, the darkened greens of the forest melding together for a moment. She felt her balance wobble, and her head was assaulted with a dull pain and a slight dizziness for an instant. In response, she stopped.
Her eyes widened for a moment, unsure of what had just happened. What was? ?It couldn?t be?! She lifted her wrist and glanced at the watch
It read?1:16:09?
Koishi stared at the time in disbelief. It can?t be?
?So, What are those RAI soldiers after anyw-? As Nikolas had been speaking, he realized that Koishi was moving faster, almost as if she was running from, or even to, something up ahead. ?H-hey! Wait up for me!? The young man shouted as he dashed off after the girl.
Nikolas ran through the dark woods. Branches, twigs, and thorns snagged on his clothes, as if trying to constrain the boy. Rocks and roots tried to make him falter, but even if they tripped him or hurt him, he kept up. Each breath the young man drew in was a short, shallow gasp. He ducked and wove in, around, out and over the irregular growth of the forest. He kept his eyes fixated on the girl?s hair, which seemed to shine in the darkness. Finally, he shouted.
?Koishi! Wait! What?s wrong?!?
The girl hesitated for a moment, slowing enough for him to catch up. As she did so, she felt the bombardment of dizziness come back to her.
??Why are you running?? he asked as he came to a stop beside her.
?Because?? She started. Slowly her eyes fell to the ground. Her breathing was heavy, like the boy?s was. She recalled what Amarillo had said to her when she had given her the watch.
?Time remaining until you expire??you?ll simply disappear from this world? ?once the connection is cut, you?ll simply??
Koishi felt a trace of fear creep up her spine as she thought about it.
We need to make it to everyone else?!
??There isn?t much time left! We need to hurry!? Koishi spoke, her voice shaking. As she spoke, she began to move again. ?We need to g-!?
Despite Koishi?s attempt to run, something yanked her arm, preventing her from running away.
Koishi spun around fast to see that Nikolas had grabbed ahold of her wrist. Within a second, their eyes met.
The young man?s eyes widened. Staring right into his was the girl?s deep green eyes, and what he saw reflected through her eyes left him speechless.
Pure terror. A fear stronger than any he has felt before. It burned into his mind. The depths of her green eyes captured him. He could feel her fear, her worry, her panic, and most of all, her desperation.
Nikolas was taken aback, utterly speechless. He regretted stopping her from leaving and he let go of her wrist.
However to his surprise, she grabbed his hand and shouted at him.
?Come on! We need to go!? She shouted as she started running as fast as she could through the remaining length forest
Nikolas snapped out of his daze the instant she had tugged on his arm. He quickly dashed after her, reassured by the girl?s actions.


---Timestamp - Day 3, 10:54 P.M., Near Saniwa Shrine, Kamisuiwa.
Koishi and Nikolas continued running through the darkness, in a desperate attempt to get?somewhere.
However, Nikolas shook away the thoughts, not allowing them to distract him. He had to keep going, keep running and to keep up with Koishi.
Just then, he saw her falter.
The girl lost her footing for a moment and stumbled a few steps forward.
?Ah! Koishi! Are you all right!?? Nikolas shouted against his lack of air.
?I?m?fine? She said as she managed to regain her balance and continue on.

It didn?t take the two long to finally break out of the forest. Up ahead, Nikolas could see a clearing. He felt relief at the sight and, despite his exhaustion, smiled.
?There?s a clearing up ahead!? He called out to the girl ahead of him.
??Yeah?? She responded with not as much vigor as Nikolas would have imagined. Then he noticed it.
Koishi had been slowing down. By now, she was barely more than a meter ahead of the boy.
That?s odd?Now that I think about it?she has appeared to gradually be losing energy for a while now?
As the two entered the clearing, the moon?s pale light shone upon them, illuminating their features. Once out of the forest, Koishi turned slightly, running more adjacent to the border of the woods. Nikolas followed attentively. By now, he was right behind Koishi. Soon enough, he would be right beside her.

??!?
Just then, Koishi?s body shifted forward and became limp.
?Ah!? Nikolas gasped as he rushed forward and grabbed ahold of the girl?s arm, narrowly missing, and pulled her towards himself. ?Koishi! Are you all right!??
Koishi shook her head weakly. ?Time?is almost?up?? She mumbled lowly.
Nikolas leaned in to hear her better as she spoke. ?What time??
The girl?s breathing was raspy and weak as she spoke. ?Time?till I?? She paused, appearing to be overwhelmed by what she was about to say. Her eyes reflected her emotions. She was afraid, scared of what was supposedly to come. She wanted to run if possible, but she couldn?t escape. Trying her hardest to not cry, she spoke again.
?Till I??expire??
The young man felt his heart skip a beat. His eyes widened in bewilderment as he was left speechless for a moment. E-expire?? Koishi?s going to?going to?expire? She?s going to die?! W-why?! What?s wrong? Why didn?t she say something? The boy?s lip trembled. No?she can?t?not now...
Koishi?s breathing became weaker by the second, going from raspy to barely noticeable.
?Koishi!? Nikolas shouted, his heart pounding within his chest. ?Don?t die. You can?t?.We?ve barely gotten to know each other yet?So you just can?t die. Not now, not like this??
The girl tilted her head slightly towards him, her mouth was open and her eyes were half closed, as if in a tired, trance-like state.
?Please?Koishi??
Koishi?s eyes slid close.
?I don?t want you to die!?


?!
A sudden burst of white light filled the boy?s vision. Overwhelming his senses and blinding him for an instant.
He gasped, shocked by the sudden light. With his eyes wide, he just stared forward at the white space that surrounded him. With the exception of his pounding heart and harsh breathing, silence filled the room.
After a few seconds, his breathing slowed and became more relaxed. He blinked for a moment and observed his surroundings.
White.
He was confined in a white space devoid of anything else. Not even walls appeared to surround the boy, just blank nothingness that extended on for as far as the young man could see.
?Where am I? The young man wondered as he gazed about, still shaken by the sudden change of scenery. What?.happened?? He thought, trying to recall how he had arrived there.
!
Then he remembered Koishi, who was dying in his arms. He swiftly shifted his gaze down to his arms.
Nothing.
His arms were empty, and Koishi was gone.
Nikolas was frozen with disbelief. He felt a lump in his throat, preventing him from speaking, his breath barely managed to escape his quivering lips. She?s gone?Koishi is??no?it can?t be?she can?t be?de-
?Gensokyo?
A voice resounded throughout the white room. Startled, the boy lifted his gaze upward.
There standing a distance before him was Koishi, alive.
?A wondrous land hidden from modern humans. Here, various mystical creatures flourished. Youkai, Fairies, Ghosts, Vampires, Tengu, Oni?? She paused for a moment, drawing in a breath. ?They all lived happy lives here.? For a second, Koishi lowered her head, as if she was reminiscing silently. With a silent sigh, she turned her stare back to the young man in front of her. ?But one day, that all was shattered.? She paused, her expression becoming darker.
?Gensokyo was destroyed, its plentiful resource of mana stolen from underneath it.? Koishi paused again, allowing a moment of silence before she continued speaking. ?In order to survive, we made pacts that bound us to humans who supplied us with the mana we needed to live, and together, we set out to take revenge on the people who did this, and to stop them from doing it again.?
Nikolas listened in silence, trying to comprehend the strange things the girl was saying. Gensokyo? Youkai? Things like magic really?exist? The boy felt a surge of excitement for a moment, curious for proof. Then he recalled Koishi?s words. Wait a second, ?we?? Is Koishi??
?We had attacked one of the bases of our enemies, RAI. But the raid failed, and we were all captured.? Koishi paused for a moment. That was when she noticed Nikolas had timidly held up his hand.
?Um, so you?re a?.a youkai??? He asked, reddening slightly from the silence that had taken over when Koishi had stopped speaking.
Koishi blinked for a moment, and smiled at him, giving him an acknowledging nod. After a brief moment of silence, Nikolas asked another question.
?So you managed to escape??
Koishi nodded. ?Thanks to Amarillo. If not for her, I?d still be trapped.? As she took in a breath, her eyes reflect a faint sadness. ?Many are still trapped within the base, and still need to be rescued.? Koishi paused for a moment, seeming reluctant to say her next words. ?But, we can?t escape alone. Without mana, we?ll die. That?s why we need help. That?s why we need partners. So we can live.?
Nikolas started to see the picture. ??People like me?? He asked slowly.
Koishi nodded. ?You see, Amarillo helped me escape through a special means, without having a partner.? She paused, trying not to be overwhelmed by her own emotions. ?But??
?It was only a temporary thing?? The young man fills in as he rises to his feet.
Koishi gazes at him, and then nods. ?Yes, and that time is just about up.? She spoke with a hint of fear in her voice. ?If I don?t make a mana pact before it ends, I?won?t be so lucky as the others, who can survive for a bit after having their mana supply cut off. I?ll??
Nikolas?s eyes widen for a moment, and his face becomes slightly pained.
?I?ll?vanish from existence entirely?? Koishi looked almost as if she was about to cry. ?So?I tho-?
?I?ll do it.?
The girl blinked and looked at the boy. His expression showed a powerful determination and an understanding of what his declaration meant. She hesitated for a moment, affected by the intense emotion in his face, then spoke.
?A-are you sure??? She asked him, averting her eyes to the white floor.
?Yeah? The young man said with confidence in his voice. ?I don?t want to see you die. I want to get to know you, to learn about your world, to hear your stories, and most of all spend time with you.?
Koishi looked surprised by the boy?s reaction, as if she wasn?t excepting it. ??R-really??
Nikolas smiled at the girl, genuine and true, as he stepped closer to her. ?Really.?
Koishi was speechless for a moment, lowering her head after a second, and then a moment later, raising it with a truly happy smile. The girl nodded fully.

And with that, the light faded away into darkness.

---

As Nikolas? vision refocused, he found himself where he had been earlier, amongst the darkness of the night. With his awareness regained, the young man calmly glanced around. Now that he had a second to spare, he gazed about at his surroundings.
Nikolas found himself kneeling on the ground near a building, what appeared to be a Shinto shrine from the looks of it. The boy felt a hint of embarrassment thinking the residents had heard his shouting, but on closer inspection, it appeared no one was home.

Then the young realized Koishi was still in his arms. He shifted his gaze to the youkai.
The girl was now breathing softly, but visibly.
Nikolas closed his eyes for a moment and let out a sigh of relief, thankful that she was alive.
?We should keep going?? She said.
Her sudden speech startled the boy, making him jump slightly. ?O-oh, you?re awake,? He said, blushing slightly. ?Can you walk??
Koishi shook her head. ?I?m still in the process of regaining my energy so?I shouldn?t really be doing anything too strenuous?
?I?ll carry you then.? Nikolas said with a small smile.
?Okay.? Koishi said with a gentle nod.
?So where to?? The young man said as he rose to his feet after repositioning Koishi so that she could lead the way with ease.
?In there.? The girl said as she pointed towards the shrine.
?Eh?? Nikolas mumbled. ?But??
?We need to go in there? Koishi reaffirmed.
Nikolas bit his lip lightly, unsure if they were even allowed to just barge into the shrine in the middle of the night without either warning nor permission. However, Koishi?s incessant pressuring made the young man go against his bad feeling about entering, and reluctantly he headed into the building with caution.

[CrowCakes]

10:15 PM - Day 3 - Kamisuiwa, Japan - Outside Tourist Helpers

Danao would not have minded staying out in the dark, cold streets on a late night and leaning on a lamppost. He would not have minded not talking to anyone- he was too tired for that, anyway. He would not have minded going without coffee or soda for an hour at night.

But the delay was going to kill him.

With his hands hidden in his pants' pockets, Danao trodded lazily to the front of Tourist Helpers, approaching the small group of people he had been watching since he arrived. There had been small talk, but he could hear none of it from where he was at. The addition of the woman from the alley cost him fifteen minutes trying to figure out how he was going to address everyone but her.

So he was winging it. "So have all of us gone on a trippy dream yesterday?" he deadpanned. "Or are we just that bored? 'cause I know I am. It's fifteen minutes past ten."


OOC: Danao would like to see how many people actually came for the dream.

Okay, with almost everyone here, I think I'd better jump back into the game.

[Kakyoin]

With this post, the plot advances. Consult the very bottom for new posting opportunities. Listening to the music presented alongside the story in this post is optional, but recommended. Enjoy! 

Part 2 is below this post, I could not fit it all in a single post due to character limits.


5:45 PM - Day 3 - Kamisuiwa, Japan – Saniwa Shrine (Underground Tunnel Entrance/Exit)

"Well," Amarillo said hastily after climbing out of the fully stopped cart. "That took a while, but we still have to make it the base."
    "What about the other tunnel?" Daiyousei asked. "I think there's another tunnel, if I remembered correctly."
    "There is, but we cannot really use it, remember? It got blocked."
    Daiyousei sighed. "That's not good at all! If we had that, we could speed everything up considerably."
    "We'll have to do something about it, yes." Amarillo climbed up the long flight of stairs with little light to guide her. "Something, indeed..."



7:38 PM - Day 3 - Kamisuiwa, Japan – RAI Graveyard Base (Side Corridor, Near Virtualization Room)

BEGIN: AN ARRIVAL BGM

"Oh, it's Amarillo."

Owlbear turned Luize to face the new arrivals. "See?"
    "Oh...yes! And she isn't a ghost of Amarillo, right? This is the same one that got hit by the truck..."
    Shinki smiled and strode forward. "She appears to be fine, Daiyousei is here with her. Are you okay?"
    "I am fine," Amarillo stated swiftly. "However, it took me longer than expected to get back here. The underground tunnel that leads from the Shrine to this place is closed due to blockage, and there were quite a few soldiers hanging around." She brought her spear out from behind her back and frowned stiffly. "I should probably not make it a habit to carry this everywhere with me, a girl such as myself cannot easily hide it."
    "Even so," Shinki continued, "you look fine. We heard you had gotten hit by a large truck! And yet, here you are standing before us."
    "Lily Black saved her!" Daiyousei said. "I was afraid it was the end for her too, Diamond is very very strong..."
    Amarillo nodded grimly in agreement. "He is strong, but he is in unfamiliar territory. He isn't in his element yet, we know this thanks to Ken's group."
    Owlbear stood up. "Ken's group? What happened?"
    "I'll tell you, but first gather the others. We have some housekeeping to do in this place."
   He slowly nodded in compliance. "Sure, but we haven't seen Jan's team in a while. I think they're still exploring this place. That all right with you?"
   "Yes, that's fine. I think the rest of you will be more than enough, much appreciated."
   "Heh." He gave a small salute before walking back, talking over his shoulder. "We want to help too, glad you found a use for us."
   
    "Amarillo!"
   
    She looked around to find the person who had spoken her name, and her eyes saw Nitori running towards her. "Oh, it's you..."
    "I have good news! The ship, you remember it, right?"
    Amarillo seemed perplexed. "Er, the Palanquin Ship?"
    Nitori nodded. "Yeah, that! I figured out how to get it away from this place!"
    "What, really?" She shook her head at Nitori's sheer brilliance. "Well, now we have an excellent escape route. I'm not sure how you did it, but good job!"
    "Of course! All in a kappa day's work." She seemed incredibly eager and excited, and for good reason.
    "But," Amarillo suddenly brought up, "what about the Captain? We need the Captain of the vessel, the one Hijiri announced as owner...without her, surely we cannot operate it, right?"
    Nitori's pressed her lips together. "Murasa is still stuck in the virtual world, and I'm not sure how long it would take me to hack in. Fortunately, I think I found a way to control it anyway. It might take me an hour or two longer, maybe a bit more, I think..."
    "Hmm...well, okay. You focus on getting that ship out, all right? We're depending on you."
    "Right!" the kappa said before bounding off.
    "Well now," Amarillo muttered to herself as she walked in the direction Owlbear's group had gone off. "The pieces of the puzzle are falling into place. Now it's time for the next piece..."

END: AN ARRIVAL BGM



7:45 PM - Day 3 - Kamisuiwa, Japan – RAI Graveyard Base (Outside Mana Experimentation Room)

BEGIN: CAREFUL EXPLORATION BGM

Patchouli stepped carefully near a room with a mysterious-looking symbol on the wall, to the  right of the closed door. Her gentle fingers carefully rubbed against the insignia. She could sense it.

Mana.

The essence of her powers, Koakuma's powers, and now their life's sustenance. Youkai in this world, it was possible only with mana; without it, they would certainly perish. So far they had gotten lucky, but eventually their luck would wear out. On humans they relied. What an ironic twist of fate. Yet, this was but a stone wall blocking acceptance; acceptance of the faith they must have in those with mana powers. So many undiscovered secrets about the world awaited. She had to be patient.
    Putting her lips together into a twist with a slight sigh, she lowered her extended hand to the safety latch. The feeling of mana was fluctuating. It wasn't coming from the door, nor the wall. Something was inside. Something important, something that emanated the powerful quintessence. Her hunches were not normally incorrect.
    Swishing her long hair around with a turn, she stared over at Jan and Koakuma, who were catching up to her amidst partaking in a conversation. It was nice to have a small break, and yet she herself had insisted that this was a fine opportunity to sniff out any suspicious possibilities or apprehend useful tools or devices that they may happen upon. She had taken it upon herself to lead the investigation. Leave it to a magician to tend to the wonders of science, she thought to herself as a smile crossed her lips. So much potential awaited discovery, so many problems to solve, so many solutions to provide...
    As soon as she had smiled, the magician quickly frowned. The proximal feeling of mana had vanished. This wasn't the first time it had disappeared from all senses since they had entered the corridor they now traversed. Still, it was much stronger around this particular door.
    Looking up after turning back, she sniffed as she read the letters engraved above the top of the closed passage: "MANA ROOM". Indeed, it seemed her intuition was spot on.
    She ran her left hand through her hair, fingers streaming down flawless purple strands of hair. Still, there was no telling what awaited inside.
   
    "Patchouli! You found something?"
   
    "It's certainly possible," she said without turning around. "What do you make of this mechanism fastened to the door?"
    Jan took several steps forward and felt it carefully, pulling on it slightly. "Hmm...it seems a bit loose, but...I don't know, you think we should be breaking into any room we see?"
    "Considering how much of a predicament the others are in, I would certainly hope we should."
    The magician placed her hand against the door, patting it several times. It seemed stiff and strong, not easily opened by force. Her head dipped down to stare at the latch again. It was very tempting.
    "Patchy!" Koa exclaimed. "You feel something, too?"
    She looked back and nodded. "Yes, that's what drew me to this dreadfully dull door."
    "Feel...what?" Jan asked. As soon as the question had escaped his mouth, however, he immediately stood straight up, having sensed something. "Wait...that's..."
    "Correct. It is mana. I would bet my spell book on it," Patchouli declared. "Now, I simply must know what's in here..."
    Koakuma sighed. "You would say that, wouldn't you...well, we're all in this together, so..."
    With that, she walked over to the door and examined the latch herself. "This appears to be holding the door closed. It looks strong, but we can blast it off."
    Jan scratched the back of his head. "Are you sure?"
    "Of course we can," Patchouli stated. "The question is, do we or don't we..."
    "Well, we know what your answer is already," he proclaimed. "Koa?"
    "Eh?" The devil's wings drew closer towards each other behind her back. "Um...I think given what we have to lose, we probably should at least see what's inside. But all this strange machinery and stuff, it just doesn't...feel right to be messing with it."
    "It's just a door," the magician nearly whispered. She cleared her throat. "Well, I'm going to open it up. I didn't see any strange wires or devices hooked to this little mechanism keeping the door closed, so..."
    He smiled. Patchouli was probably anxious to get back to using her magic. He only hoped it would not be too harrowing, given what had recently happened. Hours ago, Ken had suffered greatly when Mokou tried to free Keine from those strange pods they had been sleeping in. Still, he convinced himself that this was different. It would probably have minimal impact on their group, since Patchouli could contain herself.
    "I'll use just enough." The magician swept her arms to the side, signaling them to back away. Not wasting any time, she flicked her fingers apart on each hand and took a breath. Suddenly, her arms swung down in an arc and stopped in front of the door near the latch.
   
    *SHHHH*
   
    Jan watched in wonder as a small ball of fire formed at her fingertips. Refusing to hesitate, the fireball leapt from her touch and smited the hapless lock. Within moments, it had burned enough to break and fall down to the floor with a small clink. Patchouli's magic never ceased to amaze him, no matter how often he saw it. He briefly considered what would happen should the world, the reality he was from, lay its eyes upon her talents...not just her, but the others...for now it was relatively contained, and that was beneficial for the time being. The population would--no, he couldn't think about that right now.
    "Good job!" Koakuma beamed. "Too bad my magic isn't really useful for that kind of thing..."
    "It's fine," her master assured. "Now please help me get this door open, if you would be so kind as to--"
   
    *BING~*
   
    All three of them jumped slightly as a red light above the door turned on. For several moments, they remained still and tense, watching the beacon of emergency.
    Jan held his breath, hoping that an alarm wasn't about to trigger. That would be very problematic for them.
   
    *TKKK*
   
    Without warning, the light turned green. Jan heard Koakuma sigh with relief. He too took a short breath. "That seemed rather anticlimactic..."
    "Good thing too," Patchouli said with a small forward tilt of her head. "Anyway, the--"
   
    *REEEEEE*
   
    "Eh?!" she exclaimed after being interrupted. "Oh, the door, it's..."
    The door had swung open on its own. How did that...oh, I see. It must be a precondition for clearance, she thought momentarily. "Let's not waste a moment, shall we? This door has decided to be courteous."
    "Oooh...Patchy, the feeling..." Jana said more loudly than before. "Maybe there is something in here. I feel that power welling up nearby again, or something..."
    The magician took two unwavering steps inside the room. The mana presence had returned, but the room was pitch black. "Yes...hmm, it's a bit dark...hard to see anything." She took a step back and placed a hand back to make sure she did not bump into either of them. Her hand was taken by that of her servant. "Let me look at the wall, perhaps there's a way to activate the lights he--"
   
    *CLICK*
   
    As if on command, the light fixtures on the ceiling and eastern wall flickered to life, slowly basking the room in its light.
    Patchouli closed her eyes and sighed loudly. "Okay, I get it...stop interrupting me, room...thing!"
    Jan chuckled. "I'm sure it was waiting for you this whole time, just to bother you. Oh, but what's this?" He looked over and his eyes immediately darted to the strangely large, intricate-looking machine. "That thing looks a little...eh, Patchouli?"
    She was seemingly in a trance, not paying attention to anything but the contents of the room spilling into her eyes. The feel of mana was pulsing. They had discovered something crucial, and yet the entire room was just waiting to be explored. The curiosity brimming inside her was dying to see what awaited them.
    Her eyes rested on the machine. "Oh. Well, this seems worthy of attention. Hmm."
    "Patchouli-sama..." Koakuma murmured softly. "Be careful in here...I sense--I feel the energy again, but we should be careful."
    "Careful this, careful that." The magician's grumblings became audible for them to hear. "I understand we need to be careful, but if we are too careful then we may miss out on opportunities like this." She took a few steps forward, noticing the aura of mana becoming stronger as she walked. "Something in this room could help the others, who knows."
    Jan shrugged. "We're worried, you know. You can easily tell. Or at least, I am. Koa seems bothered too...we're not experts on this kind of thing, and for all we know RAI may be the only ones qualified to use machines like this or even know how to."
    Koakuma sighed again. "Jan, you know she's curious. She can't contain herself in times like this." Placing a clenched hand on her hip, she continued. "We're here too, so there shouldn't be a problem."
    "Yeah, I know." He continued to focus on the strange machine taking up a good portion of the back of the surprisingly small room. "Hmm, I can't help but feel that I've seen this before..."
    His concerns failed to reach Patchouli's ears, as she had already walked closer to the large device, spellbound by the desire to investigate. She resisted a yawn as she reached out to feel its outer metal hull. "Is this contraption active?"
    Her eyes wandering, they settled upon a blinking light atop the control panel beneath the hull overhang. She guessed it was to be used for indicating status. Perhaps it was dormant, sleeping; slumbering like they had until only recently, in that wretched room full of transportation chambers.
    Making a slow about-face, she reaffirmed her grip on her trusted spell book in her left hand and addressed her two companions. "It appears to be enabled, but idle."
    Koakuma managed a smile. "That's a relief." She pressed her wings flat against her back and leaned against the wall next to the open entrance behind them. "I think I'll admire it from afar though, my legs are feeling a bit tired right now."
    Jan motioned with his hand to the magician. "Go ahead, you're the closest thing we have to an expert on this kind of thing." He thought for a bit. "Well, there's Nitori, but she's kinda busy right now..."
    "Plus," Patchouli added, "we aren't going to tinker with anything. If we hold that rule in esteem, then we are practically guaranteed safe."
    "We'll just show the kappa later," the devil said, looking at her long fingernails.
    The magician nodded. "Understood." Looking back at the machine, a smile graced her lips. It was time to do what she enjoyed most in this new world. Even if they were the inventions of the enemy to their existence, her appetite for knowledge was whetted. After all, it was her namesake.
    Suddenly, a tiny flicker of light caught her attention. Looking to the left towards the shelves attached to the wall, she saw several transparent orbs sitting delicately inside insets on a smooth rack, which was clearly meant to hold them. One of the orb objects had a deep blue hue, a pulsing light swimming inside of it. She recognized its pattern, its presence in the air.

    Mana.

    There was no doubt in her mind that these objects housed the magical energy they thrived on. Taking a few steps back, she attempted to detect further traces of mana to ascertain the possibility of other sources nearby, in case her senses had been led astray. Closing her eyes, she felt the machine touch the back of her robe as she stepped back as far as she could from the shelf.

    *click*

    "Ah..." she breathed quietly.
    From her spot on the floor near the entrance, Koakuma's pointy ears twitched. "Patchouli-sama...did you hear that?" She looked to Jan at her side. "That noise..."
    "I didn't see anything pertaining to the noise," he affirmed. "Maybe it came from the shelves over there."
    "There are several strange devices on the shelf, it's probable," Patchouli commented, her eyes still closed. "I suspect the mana is coming from them, but there's more to see in here so--"

    *MMMMMMM*

    A smooth, soft hum began to resound throughout the room.
    "Uh..." Koakuma said, eyes slightly wider in moderate concern. "That sounds abnormal...maybe this room is haunted or something..."
    "Ghosts are not thought to exist in this world," the magician responded with a sigh. She opened her eyes and took a step towards the shelf again. "In any case, I can't feel anything else around with mana. It must be a product of the orbs on this sh--"
   
    *WHIRRRR--CLICK*
   
END: CAREFUL EXPLORATION BGM
   
    Her eyes narrowed as she spun around, hearing a sound behind her. "The machine is on? But how? I never--"
    In the split second that followed, she saw a small red button on the curved surface of the machine near where a mechanical arm was attached to the machine. Before she could look up, brightness enveloped the room, blinding her.
   
    *BANG*
   
    "Unngh!" she cried out in surprise. Her body was thrown away from the machine by an invisible, crushing force. Gasping for breath, she felt her chest burning suddenly as she nearly fell backwards. The book she was holding flew from her hand and clattered against the wall. She heard it falling to the floor as she felt her legs grow cold; she was on the floor, her hands frantically stretched out to keep her balanced on her knees.
   
BEGIN: EMINENT CRISIS BGM
   
    Shaking uncontrollably, she felt every hair on her body standing up. Her heart beat rapidly. Was she having an issue right now? No, this was clearly the work of an outside force.
   
    Mana.
   
    She felt her cheeks growing cold. The sudden realization hit her in the stomach as the blinding light seemed to die down. The machine before her was alive with a collection of lights and electricity arcing overhead.
    She swallowed hard. Her eyes hurt; they felt incredibly dry. "Wh..."
    As soon as the machine had roared to life, it began slowing down. Her hair fell lifelessly down, and her body was relaxing ever so slightly. She took several deep breaths and fell to her left side against the wall near the machine, leaning on it for comfort. It felt like tranquility, a lull in a violent maelstrom.
    The calm after the storm.
    Mouth still agape, she looked over to where Jan and Koakuma had been sitting.
    Their bodies were lying on the floor, unmoving.
    "N-No!" she gasped. Her right hand numbly reached around in an attempt to locate her spell book. "Jan...? Koa...?!"
    Half a minute passed. They did not respond, nor stir.
    Closing her eyes, she leaned completely back against the wall. She pushed the hair scattered in front of her vision out of her face and held her chest with her left hand. Her right hand met a hardback cover. Recovering her book, she stared back at the machine. The lightning atop the machine's metal mandibles had disappeared, and it had returned to dormancy.
    They were in trouble. She had to get up...but she had no will to do so. Closing her eyes forcibly, she tried to calm down. She felt completely exhausted. I didn't see anything, so how...
    Her legs refused to budge. She couldn't move. Chest heaving, she felt icy sweat dripping down her cheek. Why it felt like ice, she could not be bothered to ponder. Something had gone horribly wrong. Something felt very wrong. She had to figure it out...
    "H-Hey...wake up..." she croaked, attempting to get through to Jan and Koakuma. Neither of them said a word.
    This feeling, she thought to herself. I've felt it before, long ago...
    Her eyes widened, and her throat seized up. She felt her heart nearly skip a beat.
   
    She was dying.
   
    It was happening. Her body was going to die and fade away. Her energy was fading. It was happening, slowly but surely. Her legs were numb and she was losing the feeling in her quivering hands, despite being able to move them. Death's embrace was upon her, sooner or later. It was the feeling she had felt after the Hakurei Barrier had gone down and Gensokyo, her home world, had collapsed. It was a distinct lack of energy. The ebb and flow of sustenance in her body, it was disappearing.
    Shaking her head, she gritted her teeth in an attempt to mitigate the stomach pains. She had to do something.
   
    Mana.
   
    In desperation, she threw her book down and flung her arms up, grabbing at the nearby shelf. Grunting, she focused every bit of strength she could muster into pulling herself up. Arms shaking, she glanced over at her immobile friends. They weren't faring any better. Jerking her head up, she thought of the orbs resting above her, on the lower shelf. It was her only hope.
    The icy cold sweat was dripping down her face. She took several forced breaths, and her body responded with cool calmness. Okay, I'm not going down yet.
    With a cry of desperation, she pulled herself up. The sudden shock of losing her life energy was throttling her body. How she had lost the ability to contain mana, she did not know. She did not care. She needed it, and it was here in front of her.
    Staring at the blue orb only for a moment, she nabbed it off of its stand, causing the other orbs to rustle in their resting spots in the stand. She peered into it hungrily. Her body wanted it. She felt consumed by greed and desire, but didn't care. This was going to keep her alive, she had no doubt of it.
    As if on command, she felt her stamina returning, her chest lightening, her heart beating slower and less intensely. Power. Life. She was saved. The orb had saved her. It had given her what she needed, what she so avidly sought.
    Heaving a huge sigh of relief, she dismissed her condition. She was well. The others weren't. Clutching the orb to her chest, she leaned down with ease and picked up her spell book in the other hand. Quickening her pace, she stepped over several wires running on the futuristic floor and arrived at the entrance.
    "Jan...! Koa..."
    Without hesitation, she dropped her spell book and reached out a hand. Her mind raced as she thought about the two of them, trying to figure out what was wrong. Did they have mana still? Were they alive, or had they perished in that instant?
    Cursing to herself, she picked up Jan's hand and thrust the orb into it. After at least ten seconds had passed, she tried again. Closing her eyes, she reached out and felt the orb herself. The power of magic was once again coursing through her body.
    She could feel nothing. No traces of him mentally, no indication, no mana.
    Scrambling on her hands and knees, she took the orb and thrust it into Koakuma's lifeless hand. She too seemed passive and dormant, unmoving. Leaning down, she could barely hear her servant draw breath.
    Relieved, Patchouli still tried to envision Koakuma in her mind. Was her mind playing tricks on her? Was this a result of the sudden shock of losing her own energy, throwing her life's fate out of balance? Surely, she thought, I must feel something. Anything.
    It was useless. They were not responsive, although they were not dead either. However, her reading failure was the only thing on her mind right now.
    She glanced back at the strange machine, which had returned to the state it was in initially when they had first broken into the room. Walking to the side of the hulking device, she suddenly got the idea to check for any instructions or labels. This machine had to be identified. They had to have documentation lying around, somewhere.
    The magician's face grew concerned. There was a pattern of indentation near the button she had likely pushed while backing up before the bright light had nearly wiped her out. Reaching out, her fingers felt a tiny crevice at the lower-left corner, and with a small tug it opened. She put her free hand on her knee as she bent over, reading the newly exposed print next to the large switch.
   
    Mana Manipulator - RAI ZRT#45661
    Distributed to GRAVEYARD.
    Warning: DO NOT REMOVE FORCIBLY. REPORT TO SUPERIORS BEFORE TRANSPORTING.
    In case of emergency, press red button outside hub cover to normalize mana in area.
   
    She ignored the rest and held her breath. The button...she had pressed it earlier. It had done something.
    "Normalize...mana?" she whispered to herself. "How...what does that--no!"
    It couldn't be, she thought. I can't--that...I could have my link removed, it can't be...this machine was capable of severing mana links? It explained why she could no longer sense Jan or Koakuma, and yet...
    She didn't have time to consider it any further. She had to get help. There was no telling what else would happen. Regardless of what had happened, who was at fault, she needed to get help. She could drag them back, but she was not strong enough and time was of the essence. She could not lift them with magic, it was too risky; she had no choice but to place her faith into that which she held in her right hand, the blue orb of light. The one thing keeping her alive right now.
    Looking nervously at Jan and Koakuma on the ground, she bit her lip. I'm sorry...I can't--I have to get help. Please, be well...
    Spell book now in hand, she turned to face the open corridor. Head down, she hurried out of the room without looking back, her spell book in her left hand and the orb in her right. Her mind raced; she thought not about her partners, but about the mysterious spherical device in her clutches. It was her life, her everything.
    It was in that moment that she felt the hatred. She hated not herself, not the RAI technology, but the system she was forced to live with. Everyone wanted it, needed it. Everything started and ended with it.
   
    Mana.

END: EMINENT CRISIS BGM



7:54 PM - Day 3 - Kamisuiwa, Japan – RAI Graveyard Base (Side Corridor, Near Virtualization Room)

BEGIN: RAI BASE ~ TECH LEGACY BGM

"Well, glad that's underway. Hopefully clearing out that tunnel won't be too problematic."

After the others had taken off towards the tunnel, Amarillo looked at Sunny Milk nearby. "So, the recording actually worked?"
    "Of course!" Sunny chirped. "Thank goodness Diamond seems to rub RAI the wrong way, otherwise we might not be talking right now."
    "Excellent." The fairy commander sat down at a desk with a computer on it. "Now then, since he is headed back to a base he can, you know..." she paused with a slight laugh before continuing. "...actually get into, we need to focus on completing the plan."
    "Oh, the plan!" Daiyousei chimed in. "We hafta get everyone we drag back Tourist Helpers to come to this place, yeah?"
    "That's the plan," she confirmed as Daiyousei flew around, presumably to get some exercise. She turned back to Sunny Milk. "Ken actually held him off somehow, it honestly surprised me..."
    "Hey, have more faith in him, he's our comrade," she replied with a sigh. "We're all in this together." She looked over in thought before speaking further. "Then again, Yuyuko is really strong..."
    "True, true. All right, I guess that was a bit uncalled for." Amarillo herself stood up. "I'm going to take a short walk. I have a lot to think about. Mind if I talk to you for a moment?"
    Sunny seemed almost insulted. "You'd have to pry me away with a corebar! Of course I will, you had to question it? You order it, I will do it. We fairies need your guidance, after all."
    "Sunny, you know..."
    "What?"
    Amarillo smirked as she started walking. "It's 'crowbar'..."
    "Eh?" The fairy seemed puzzled, then tapped her forehead lightly with a groan. "Ah, whoops. These modern things, I'm still not used to it all." Taking wing, she floated after the fairy commander and strategist.
    "Sunny, look around us." Amarillo stopped walking almost as soon as she had begun. "What do you make of this place? Does it seem out of the ordinary to you?"
    "Er...wait, is that a trick question? Of course it's very advanced, with lots of machines and lights and fancy wallpaper or...whatever it is. That's not what you really mean, is it?"
    She shook her head. "No, I mean aside from the obvious. RAI is very technologically advanced, that much is certain. Does anything else strike you as...odd?"
    The fairy put a finger to the bottom of her open mouth. "Uh.....hmm. Considering who they are--"
    "...and there it is."
    "Huh?" The fairy's wings ceased flapping momentarily. "What do you mean?"
    "RAI is hunting us," Amarillo stated. "This base, you've seen enough of its interior to see how serious they are about this. Doesn't that seem a bit strange to you?"
    "Hmm...that's right, now that I think about it from that angle. They sure have a lot of fancy gadgets and mana technology." She cocked her head. "Come to think of it, they have an awful lot of stuff, and this base is really flashy and--it's almost as if they had kappa help them build it, or something..."
    Amarillo nodded. "This is rather unnatural and exceptional, considering the world we are now in. Such equipment, it is so very advanced. I suspect it might be--"
    She was interrupted by the sound of someone moving quickly ahead of them, in an adjacent corridor. Amarillo drew her spear weapon, holding it at the ready. "Someone's coming. It's only a matter of time before he or she greets us. Be careful!"
    Sunny nodded and flanked Amarillo on the ground. "Right!"
   
    From around the corner, Patchouli appeared. A sense of urgency plagued her, as she seemed unnaturally tense.
    Amarillo lowered her spear. "Patchouli? Why--"
    "Help!" the magician spluttered, turning to run as best she could despite her big gulping gasps of air. "There's an accident, we need--ahhh--h-help, hurry...!"
    Amarillo raised an eyebrow. "Where's Jan and that devil you hang around? Shouldn't they be with you?"
    Sunny flew over to check the magician for problems. "You aren't supposed to be running either..."
    The fairy saw a glowing blue orb that Patchouli seemed to be guarding with utmost care, but otherwise no issues. However, the feel of mana suddenly graced her. "Eh?" What's this? That thing you're holding, it's--"
    "There's no time to explain!" the magician barked hoarsely. "I--Jan and Koa...they're in trouble...I don't know how serious it may be, that's why--"
    Amarillo stepped forward and held her spear up at her side. "Calm down. We'll get to the bottom of this. Sunny, Daiyousei, if you will?"
    "Right!" Daiyousei immediately took off without hesitation, turning mid-flight into the corridor Patchouli had come in from.
    "She...didn't listen, just acted on instinct," Amarillo stated with a sigh. "Sunny! Hold for one moment. Listen to what Patchouli has to say."
    "Of course," the more patient fairy responded curtly.
    Patchouli gulped down more air. "Jan and...and Koakuma...they...I was in--we were all in a room, and...big machine, cut my mana..." She paused to cough several times.
    "Wait, what?" Amarillo seemed taken aback. "Your mana was cut? You mean, you got separated from Jan? Is that even possible?"
    The magician nodded, her composure mostly regained after a few breaths. "Yes, that is what I believe. I cannot sense either of them...I'm not connected. The only thing that saved me was..." She held out her right hand, a clear orb filled with a moving magical blue energy. "This...it must be mana inside. I had to return here. Please, help them!"
    "Where is the room?"
    "It's--there's a straight path to it, down several corridors...the side door that's open."
    "Got it. Sunny, please go now. Drag Daiyousei along too."
    Sunny saluted at her partner. "Right!" Without hesitation, she flew off.
    Several moments later, Amarillo sighed. "No mana, as in no mana link anymore? You are certain that's the most likely option? It seems rather unlikely that--"
    "Trust me," Patchouli stated firmly from her position against the wall on the floor. "I could not sense them, even though they were right next to me. The machine must--it has to be a device that manipulates mana. No question about it. It is incredibly dangerous...are you sure your fairies will be fine?"
    "They'll be fine. Sunny, Dai, the others and I have a...special bond. They will certainly be safe from such a machine, provided they don't touch it or do something foolish." She looked down at the magician, eyeing the orb in her hand. "They won't betray my orders, they know what can happen if they do..."
    "I see. That's good." Patchouli coughed once more. "I am not cut out for rushing about, that much is still apparent."
    "Now, your mana...you seem fine now. That sphere in your hand..."
    "Ah yes, this." She held out her right hand, exposing the orb of energy she had been holding tightly. "I was fortunate enough to find this nearby, on the shelf across from the machine after...the bright flash of light overwhelmed me, and the others. I owe my life to it, as it is mana-infused."
    "That's fortunate." Amarillo stooped down closer to Patchouli's line of sight. "However, you know that this is a RAI artifact...who knows how it works. You have--"
    She extended a hand out and felt Patchouli's forehead. Moments later, she pulled it away and frowned. "You're not tied to anyone, are you?"
    Patchouli seemed surprised. "You can tell? How is that so?"
    Amarillo smiled faintly. "Don't worry about that. Right now, we have greater issues to worry about." Looking around, she put a hand on Patchouli's shoulder. "For now, stay near me."
    "I can do that, but as soon as Jan and--"
    The fairy commander shook her head. "No. We cannot risk losing you. By no means are you to be exposed to...unfortunate circumstances."
    Patchouli's expression changed to unamused. "I don't follow. Sure, this mana source may run out, but why can I not wait to make the pact again when Jan recovers?"
    "There's no telling when he will wake up, or if he is well enough to make a pact with you in time. That artifact cannot be relied upon for too long. Besides," she said after laying her spear against the wall, "you will be safest around me, I am fairly certain."
    The magician seemed puzzled. "You? I agree on one point: this device is not reliable, even though it may sustain me now. Please elaborate."
    "All will be revealed if it is necessary." Amarillo stood up and stretched. "Until then, please stay within reasonable distance of me. I will aid you if you need it. Do you have any idea how long that device will last?"
    Patchouli rubbed the orb, which was sitting in her robed lap. "Based on how strong it is, it can probably last until the end of today. Only a rough estimate, of course."
    Amarillo nodded. "That is more than enough time to allow for my plan to work, so fear not. However, it may require you to travel with me, as I need to go back to Tourist Helpers later on. Ken is probably wondering what I am up to, which is nothing new, ahaha~"
    Patchouli's body seemed to respond attentively. "Ken's there? That's good. I was wondering who else might be there..."
    "You and I and my fairies will be there too. There is something we must do."
    "Is that so? Interesting, please fill me in..."
    Amarillo extended her hand. "Here, stand up. Let's take a walk. I'll fill you in in the meantime, but we will have to head off sometime soon."
    "Thanks. I feel I have little choice. I will go with you." Patchouli took her hand and, upon being pulled to a standing position, bent back down to pick up her spell book. "I'm fairly certain that Jan and Koakuma are alive and well, but the shock of losing so much mana..."
    Frowning, Amarillo started walking ahead. "You'll have to explain that to me in more detail, I'm afraid without having witnessed it I need a good description of this machine you speak of."
    Patchouli hesitated. "Hang on. Where is everybody else? Why can I not make a pact with one of them?"
    "I asked them to help clear out the hidden tunnel between this dreadful place and the Saniwa Shrine. It's quite blocked up, I figure they would need all their strength. Besides, my aid would suffice. Your life shall more than likely be preserved."
    "I see," the magician resounded. "I will place my faith in you, then." She walked more briskly to catch up to Amarillo further on down the room. "Now, where to start..."
    "Actually, I need to explain to you first. You're probably wondering what it is I'm planning, what it is that I can do to aid you should you require a steady mana source."
    Patchouli tore her eyes from the impressively sleek wall nearby and looked ahead blankly. "It's whatever you did with Koishi, is it not?"
    "Huh, not bad. I suppose I shouldn't be surprised that you have your wits about you at all times."
    "Not wits. This was pure observation." The magician scratched the back of her head with her spell book hand. "I noticed that Koishi had no partner, or at the very least did not have her old partner at her side. Surely she needed something. Something you could provide. You did something to her, what it is I do not know, but you possess some special power or...ability."
    Amarillo nodded. "That is true. What I have done to Koishi is...a blood curse pact, of sorts. It requires the blood of...someone, as a typical blood pact works. However, this is rather special to me. Koishi now has a set amount of time with a permanent link, before she finally expires." She looked at Patchouli's face, studying her unwavering gaze. "Unfortunately, it does not last much longer than a day, if even that. I'm afraid I had an accident earlier, and it likely shortened the pact I have with Koishi, but she should know what to do before well before it runs out."
    "That's fine, it's good to know that I can count on that in case this device betrays me before I can make a pact." She paused to run the tips of her fingers through her long, silky hair. "Do you think it's too early to see if my friends have recovered?"
    "Probably. If the machine indeed did what you say it does, chances are good that they will be out of commission for quite some time. Mana shock is...truly a terrible thing," she added. "Having it cut short for some time is one problem, but losing part of the link..."
    "Yes. Ken had that happen earlier, it was not a pretty sight. But he recovered well enough, from what I gathered."
    "Correct," Amarillo asserted. "He apparently had enough strength to fight Diamond back, but the end result wasn't very pretty according to what I have been told..."
    "Well, I shall witness and hear it firsthand soon, I presume." Patchouli grimaced and stared back at the wall. "Anyway, I take responsibility for what happened, but I never expected something so...final. I was scared for my life, like that night Gensokyo collapsed. I felt the drain of death encroaching." She gulped after thinking about it, then turned back. "It is not pleasant. Amarillo, what must I do to obtain safer status as soon as possible? I would prefer not confronting that feeling thrice."
    "If that is what you want, then..." Amarillo paused in thought for several moments. In order to do this, Koishi must be free of the pact herself...we'll have to go check up on Koishi and talk to her if she doesn't find someone soon, just in case.
    "Then...?"
    The girl finally spoke out loud. "Then we need to leave soon. We leave for Tourist Helpers within the next half-hour. I have to check something very important."
    Patchouli forced a small smile. She was actually eager to speak to Ken and see how his magic training was faring. "As you wish."

END: RAI BASE ~ TECH LEGACY BGM



8:21 PM - Day 3 - Kamisuiwa, Japan – Tourist Helpers (Front Room)

BEGIN: GATHERING AND TRAINING BGM

*CLACK*

Breathing lightly, Ken leaped back after exchanging several blows with Mokou, all of which were met wood on wood. He was shocked at how smoothly she wielded it, despite claiming to have little training with weapons. They had found several wooden swords hidden beneath some cloth in the break room, and they were clearly meant for training of sorts.

"Well, Ken? You had enough?" she spoke calmly but with assurance, holding her sword out with a single hand.
    "Hah...you're pretty good, Mokou." He smiled casually and lowered his sword. "I had no clue you could fight well with a sword."
    "No, it's definitely just your imagination." She also took her turn to stand down. "I have very quick reflexes. My parries were likely improper." Her teeth showed in a quick grin. "You're pretty quick too. It's good to know that we can rely on you. We could have been much less fortunate."
    "Aww, thanks honey," he quipped. "You're gonna make me blush."
    "Aww, shut up," she retorted halfheartedly. "Well, this helped to pass the time...but now I'm kinda bored. Let's do something I want to do now."
    He gently let the sword fall to the ground. "Like what? Roasting a chicken?"
    "Oh please, I'm more civilized than that." She placed the wooden blade on the desk counter behind her and walked towards him, biting her nail. "You wanted me to be more open, is that right?"
    "Huh?" he asked. Then he recalled the issue that had happened yesterday, when he had actually struck her across the face to snap her out of whatever stupor she was in. In all the intense struggles and preparations, he had nearly forgotten it despite how recently it had occurred. "Oh, right. Well then, what of it? Going to share some of your wisdom with me, or something?"
    She shook her head as her lips formed a tight smile. "Nah. I want you to share something with me, this time."
    "What, me?" He threw his hands up in mock despair. "That's not how this was supposed to go!"
    "Hey, it goes both ways. You should know that." She sat down at a chair in front of the guest table. "So cough it up. You want to pass the time, dontcha?"
    "Yeah...okay, right." He sighed and leaned down, acquiring the sword he had recently dropped. Walking over to the counter, he took his own sword back from where he had left it and left the wooden one in its place. "Hmmm...what to share."
    "Tell me more about your life in the virtual world. What were you doing aside from your training and Keine-worshipping?"
    He coughed when she mentioned the latter. "That's not--"
    Then it hit him. It was a risky idea, but it would surely amuse her, and perhaps even things out a bit right now. "Say, I had a few dreams previously..."
    "Dreams?" She seemed interested. "Those are always fun. Last night, or...?"
    "In the virtual world. Like two of 'em."
    Mokou sighed. "Oh, sure then. Going to tell me how you had nice sexy dreams of Keine, probably..."
    He leaned forward and stared seriously at her. "Actually, they were about you."
    "What?!" she exclaimed. "Me? Oh dear, do I really want to hear this? Is it something I would burn you to a crisp over, hmm?"
    "N-No," he assured her with hand gestures. "Well...that's exactly what you seemed to be doing in both of them..."
    "Oho? Burning you alive? That's kinda brutal." She leaned back and put one foot up on the table. "Surely there's more to it than that, though..."
    He swallowed hard. "There was...some more intimate, er...activity going o--"
    "What?!" Her jaw dropped. "You--I had only just met you, and you...ugh..." Her face looked unfriendly. "Men, I swear. Absolutely terrible!" she concluded with a huff.
    "I couldn't control what I was thinking!" he shouted. "Really, I didn't--my mind did that on its own!"
    She closed her eyes tightly, a curt expression remaining on her face. "Awful. But, now that you've told me," she said as her face mellowed out, "I actually am interested. Do tell, Mister Mana Man."
    "Um...a-are you sure? You won't get angry at me?"
    "Oh please," she said with a snort. "Do you have any idea how rare it is to have someone tell me something like this? I'm hardly seen often by anyone as-is, much less talked to. I mostly lived in isolation before coming to this world. Keine was my only friend." She leaned back further and yawned, then looked down at him again. "You're--the other day you actually hit me, and last night we slept together at your insistence. Something is different about you, having the nerve to do all these things to me...and even in your dreams too, it seems. Ha!"
    "It's just...what I think should be done. That's all I know how to do things," he mentioned, feeling his cheeks warming up. "Besides, nothing explicit actually happened in those dreams..."
    She blinked. "Oh, well you got me hyped for nothing then. What, was I wearing a sexy maid outfit or something stupid like that? I remember before we got captured, that ridiculous, uh...issue, happened. Bah..."
    "Not that, but..." He paused cautiously. "Well, you had a nice apron on, it showed a lot of...skin."
    "Silly boys will be silly boys. Yet they are still just dreams. Don't worry about it," she said with a wink. "I won't if you won't."
    Ken was slightly taken aback at how easily she had accepted it. "Well then, okay...thanks."
    "Of course...eh?" Mokou was interrupted by the sounds of flapping. "A fairy's coming, I think..."
    He stood up, sheathed sword in hand. "Maybe there's news, finally? It'd be about time Amarillo showed her pretty face here."
    "Pretty face this, pretty face that..." Mokou mused as she too leaned forward in the chair and also stood up. "Next you'll be telling me that I'm a princess of Japan, I bet."
    Ken glared back at her and shook his head, turning to face the employee break room entrance. Sure enough, Luna Child came flying into the front room, phone in hand.
   
    "Great news!" she announced upon landing. "Amarillo is on her way back here!"
    "It's about time," Mokou offhandedly murmured. "She didn't get trucked this time around, did she?"
    Luna stuck her tongue out. "What kind of good wish is that? Of course not, she's perfectly fine."
    "Mokou!" Ken said scoldingly. "Save the rough edges for when we're not around the others." He looked over at Luna. "Anything else?"
    "Actually, yes. If I heard correctly, Patchouli is also on her way..."
    Ken blinked and flinched slightly. "Lady Patchouli? Why is she--wait," he voiced. "She's coming here with Jan and Koakuma, right?"
    The fairy reached a hand up to her hair and rubbed one of her drilltails. "Uh...well, she did say just Patchouli...there's some sort of issue, I think."
    Mokou shrugged and put her hands on her hips. "Guess we can't complain about being bored around here. Does Patchy need help?"
    Luna sniffed. "She does, but Amarillo didn't say anything about what to do in the meantime." She turned to look at both of them. "So, what do we do?"
    Lady Patchouli was coming? Ken turned away and recalled his few interactions with the magician. That first day he had begun to learn magic, it was burned into his brain. Keine had taken him to the Scarlet Devil Mansion, and the two of them had lunch with her in the great Voile Library. The place had astounded him; it was clearly the largest collection of books of all kinds in all of Gensokyo. As soon as Keine had mentioned the subject of magic, he remembered seeing the magician's pure purple eyes light up, and she became much more conversational. That was when he had first met Reisa. Come to think of it, he thought, Reisa looks a lot like a fairy version of Lady Patchouli. He then remembered that the maid of the mansion, Sakuya, was glad for his visit, as he had put a smile on the Lady's face. Back then he didn't understand entirely, he had been so focused on his magic training.
    He dashed the smile he had on his face and focused on the situation at hand. "Did she say anything about it?" He was starting to suspect that Amarillo was keeping quiet about a problem to prevent it from escalating in their minds. "If Lady Patchouli is coming on her own, without her partners...without Jan, especially..."
    Mokou caught on. "Yeah, that's a tad bit suspicious. It sounds like there's a serious problem."
    He stretched his arms upwards. "Sounds like we should prepare for our guests. Got an ETA, Luna?"
    The fairy seemed puzzled. "Er...ETA?"
    "Estimated Time of Arrival," Mokou answered. "When are they coming?"
    "Uh, no idea...probably pretty soon, I think they're in the tunnel on their way here, it sounded like some vehicle was moving during the phone call."
    Ken started walking towards the basement stairs. "In that case, they'll be here pretty soon. I need to check up on the others first. Mokou, be ready near the rear entrance."
    She nodded silently and walked towards the employee break room past the counter.
    He turned to the fairy. "Luna, do you mind watching for them?"
    "Hmm? Oh, sure, no problem." She wasn't used to taking orders from others, but right now she was eager to see Amarillo again. She flew off after Mokou.
    Turning back to the stairs, he placed his right hand on the side rail. "This could potentially be a problem...we must be prepared. Don't worry, Lady Patchouli. We'll be ready."

END: GATHERING AND TRAINING BGM



8:10 PM - Day 3 - Kamisuiwa, Japan – Underground Path [Saniwa Shrine - Tourist Helpers]

BEGIN: RIDE OF SENSE & HOPE BGM

"Hah..."

Patchouli took a deep breath and exhaled. Her hair was flapping in the draft caused by the transportation vehicle she, Amarillo and the fairies were riding in. She thought she had felt the device in her right hand, her life's necessity, waver slightly in power. And that boded ill for her if it failed too soon. She was determined not to perish over such a simple, monumental mistake.
    "You are feeling unwell?" Amarillo asked from her seat across from the magician.
    "I'm...it's fine. I thought it might have failed, but I still feel it moving through my body."
    "Well," the fairy leader said hesitantly, "I would hate to see that happen, seeing as I could not aid you right now..."
    Patchouli shook her head. "It's fine, I have no intention of losing myself to such a ridiculous outcome." In her mind, though, was a different story. She had been thinking of what options she had. Amarillo had a method to aid her temporarily, but she had a curse pact with Koishi at the time. She could only make one such pact at a time, and could only sense Koishi while she was branded with it.
    She had realized, however, that unless Koishi made a true pact, Amarillo would be unable to make one with her. This was the only plausible explanation for her having not made one immediately, and needing to check up on the satori. As far as she knew, only Ken was going to be at Tourist Helpers, but he already had so many with him that--
    A tug at her sleeve brought her back to attention at her seat in the cart. She looked down and saw Daiyousei pulling on it, smiling. "Eh?"
    The fairy smiled. "You look glum, magic lady. Cheer up, things will work out!"
    "Mmm...yes, I'll try. Thank you," she concluded with a bitter smile. It was hard to focus on staying positive when one's life was in the balance.

END: RIDE OF SENSE & HOPE BGM



8:58 PM - Day 3 - Kamisuiwa, Japan – Tourist Helpers (Outside Rear Entrance)

Ken stood outside the back door, scanning for Amarillo, Patchouli or the fairies.

"See anything?"

He turned eastward, and saw Mokou standing up against the wall. Shaking his head, he walked towards her. "Nah, nothing yet. But they should be here any moment now."
    "You eager to see Patchy again?"
    He stiffened. "How could you tell?"
    "You sat there with this look of content on your face when that fairy came in and told us, that's why. Pretty easy to tell, really." She pushed herself up off the wall and stood straight. "You got a crush on her, or somethin'?"
    "Not really," he responded quickly. Pretty sure I said that a little too fast, he thought.
    "You can't fool me. If you have those kinds o' dreams about me, a lone wanderer, surely you must--"
    He sighed loudly. "I--well...okay, look. You all are...like a totally different species of woman. Even you, Mokou. You're all unnaturally...appealing to look at." He felt his face growing warm, and closed his eyes. "Forgive me, but as a human I find, uh... p-products of Gensokyo like you, er..."
    She looked away and let out a harsh sigh. "Yeah yeah, okay, I getcha. Just--oh, look!" She pointed behind and past him. "Speak of the dev--I mean, magician..."
    "Wha?" He whirled around and saw a woman with long purple hair wearing a long purple robe. There was no mistaking it, it was definitely Lady Patchouli. "That's good, let's see now..."
    He ran over and immediately noticed that something was not right. Patchouli seemed to be either limping, or walking slower than normal. She looked stressed in some way. Undaunted, he continued until he was nearly in front of her, and called out to her. "Lady Patchouli!"
    Her face indicated that relief had washed over her. "Hello Ken. It's been some time, hasn't it?"
    "Are you...feeling all right?" he asked, staring into her eyes. He thought he saw an expression of pain flash across her face.
   
    "She's fine for now."
   
    Amarillo appeared behind the magician, with her fairy companions in tow shortly behind her.
    "There you are," Mokou said casually. "About time you showed up here. Making a grand entrance, I suppose?"
    "Heh." Amarillo continued walking past Mokou. "You know that isn't my style." She stopped and turned around. "We have things to discuss, and I must speak to Koishi sometime soon."
    "Koishi's not here," the fire mage responded. "We actually thought she'd be with you..."
    "No, that's not--&q

[Kakyoin]

Part 2 of a single post. Part 1 is above this, please read Part 1 first.

    Ken tore his eyes from Amarillo and Mokou and looked at Patchouli again. "Are you sure you're all right?" He looked past her. "Where's Jan? Where's Koakuma?"
    "They're...ugh." Patchouli grasped the orb in her hand tighter. "Something very unfortunate happened. We'll talk about it insi--ahh..." She felt her knees weaken.
    "Lady Patchouli?!" He caught her as she began to fall.
    She coughed once more. "Pleh...this is an issue, indeed..."
    He pulled her up to a standing position, and she seemed fine. Still, he wasn't about to take any chances. "Lady Patchouli, please...here, hold still..."
    She looked up at him from her weak standing position, only to find herself suddenly lifted off the ground in his arms. "Ah...I suppose I can't really complain, now, can I..."
    "She insisted on walking herself," Amarillo stated. "Well, it seems like she can only do so much by herself given what happened." She continued to walk towards the open back door, and the fairies followed closely behind her.
    Patchouli frowned. "You don't need to tell me that, I know what my limits are."
    Ken grunted as he shifted his grip on the robed librarian. "Lady Patchouli, I'm taking you inside. Okay?"
    "Oh." She wasn't entirely used to being called to so formally. "Sure, please..."
    Mokou kept her eye on the orb in Patchouli's hand as she walked next to Ken. Eventually she let him go inside before her. Still, there was something strange about that strange object, she could sense it. Looking over her shoulders outside to make sure no one else was outside, she closed and locked the door behind her.



9:03 PM - Day 3 - Kamisuiwa, Japan ? Tourist Helpers (Employee Break Room)

BEGIN: DISCUSSION ON THE EDGE BGM

Amarillo opened the rear door to the employee room and motioned for everyone to come inside. "Let's go in here. I'll make this as quick as possible, then I'll need to search for Koishi. She's at least still in the city, which is good, but..."
    Ken nodded and, sword handle in his grip, followed her inside. "Sounds good."
   
    "Ken!"
   
    He was greeted by the surprising sight of Yuyuko and particularly Mayli, both sitting around the table in the middle of the room. "Mayli, what are you doing here? Shouldn't you be resting?"
    She handwaved it off. "I felt better earlier, so I figured I'd come up here where it's warmer. It's cold downstairs, you remember!"
    He smiled at her. "Yeah, I was just down there, it is pretty cold for some reason. I hope Patchouli can rest up for a bit longer down there." Still, he was glad to see Mayli back in action. "You look well enough."
    She folded her arms beneath her chest, staring at him as he took a seat next to her. "Of course I'm fine, I'm not some dainty princess that just sits on a throne looking pretty. I'm a little tougher than I look, at least give me that much credit."
    He put a hand on her shoulder. "For a schoolgirl, you certainly seem more..." his eyes drifted down her body, then rapidly back up to her now scornful-looking eyes. "...more well-built and durable."
    She closed her eyes. "If I wasn't relying on you right now for mana, I'd probably slap you."
    He shook his head. "Heh. I see your wit is back. No harm meant though."
    "I know, I have a brain. I honestly couldn't really care, as long as I can actually do something like talk to people. I'm impatient, I know."
    "Don't worry about it." He turned to face Amarillo, who had already taken her seat across the table from him. "So, we heard the general story from Luna and Lily White." He paused to look over at them. They seemed happy to finally be reunited with her. "Got anything else to add?"
    She put her hands on the table. "Of course. We don't have as much time as I'd hope, since I have been told that we will have some undesired visitors later in the form of soldiers...but I need to know, what happened during the fight with Diamond? Did he use his power on you?"
    Soldiers? So, RAI was coming for them again, at night. Setting aside the topic for now, he put his elbow on the table and leaned his head against his upright hand. "He--well, I was about to kill him, or at least I thought so...then, suddenly I was on the ground. I'm afraid I didn't quite figure out what happened in that moment." He turned to his left. "Mayli, did you see what happened?"
    She looked tense and unhappy. "I could have sworn he had...moved incredibly quickly. I'm not sure what exactly happened, but..."
    He looked to his other side. "Yuyuko?"
    The ghost princess shook her head. "I was trying to remain hidden, I didn't see it that well, sorry."
    "I saw it," Mokou said, as all eyes turned to her. "In an instant, he had punched and kicked Ken...I think part of that fool's glove must've dug into Ken's arm, that's the only way he could have sliced him like that."
    Amarillo seemed calm. She was considering what she had heard. "I see, that's unfortunate. Anything else?"
    "He got to me next," Mayli said dejectedly. "I got kicked really hard in the chest...I didn't see anything else, I couldn't focus otherwise...it was so painful."
    "Also," Mokou added, "I had the gun Ken stole from a soldier earlier, and I had that fool in my sights...then he said something about being safe, and suddenly I had..." she paused unhappily. "Somehow, I shot Kaguya on the other side of the room, instead of hitting him...I can't even begin to figure out how it--"
   
    "It was me."
   
    Everyone turned in their chairs to see Kaguya standing in the doorway. Her arm seemed to have recovered almost completely, as there was no more blood on it. She winced and walked into the room.
    "Kaguya!" Ken exclaimed. "Are you sure you're fine?" He moved to get up to help her, but she held up her other hand. He slid back into his seat. "What do you mean, it was you?"
    "My power, of course." She sat down on the couch behind Amarillo, against the wall.
    "Ah," Yuyuko exclaimed. "The power over eternity and the instant..."
    "That's right. I tried to make Ken's attack happen as quickly as possible. But, somehow it backfired...it failed horribly. Mokou too, I...ugh." She resisted the urge to clench her fists together in frustration. "I swear I timed everything right, and yet..."
    "Kaguya!" Ken proclaimed. "It's fine. I'm not sure what happened, no one seems to be sure...he moved amazingly fast and worked us over, even Mokou."
    "Hey, I almost had him!" the fire mage said roughly. "I just...messed up a tiny bit."
    "Yeah." Mayli looked at her smugly. "Fortunately, Yuyuko was here to save your royal ass...well, and all of ours too, I guess."
    Mokou snorted arrogantly. "You mean Kaguya's royal ass, and our regular ones. Watch your mouth, girly."
    "Whatever." Mayli glanced over. "Amarillo?"
    Amarillo seemed deep in thought. She suddenly seemed aware of what they had said. "Oh. Well, there isn't much that can really be done about that. It looks like he used his power of declaration on you all as well. Diamond is very capable of using his power, he won a car in a used car lottery and sent an entire transportation truck to hit me..."
    "He won a car?" Yuyuko seemed to be pondering. "Why would he need that?"
    "He pursued us!" Daiyousei asserted. "He drove it to catch up to us on bikes."
    "Yeah, that's pretty much what happened," Luna concluded. "The rest, I'm pretty sure I told them."
    "All right," Ken stated. "Now, let's talk about Patchouli. Why exactly is she here?"
    Amarillo pursed her lips. "In short, it's because she lost her mana link."
    "WHAT?!" he exclaimed. "That's--who did it? Did RAI--"
    "Ken!" she hissed. "Let me finish. It was something of RAI's that did it. Some machine, capable of separating mana--no, removing mana links."
    "Wait," Mokou began. "How is she still alive then? Is it that spherical blue thing she was holding this whole time?"
    Ken froze up. When he had placed Patchouli into the bed downstairs, the one Mayli had rested in, he took her spell book and placed it on the table. When he had tried to take the orb in her, she had protested vehemently. He had let her be, but perhaps that glowing orb was actually keeping her alive...
    "That's right," Amarillo said with a sigh. "Apparently her link with Jan was severed."
    Mayli gasped. "Severed, just like that? You mean, instantly?"
    "According to her, yes. There was a machine they discovered while exploring a room in the Graveyard base. Somehow it was activated, and then...Jan and Koakuma were far away, and Patchouli...she lost her link with them, being on the other side of the room when it activated."
    "That's terrible!" Yuyuko looked fully concerned, holding up a hand to her mouth similarly to how Kaguya usually did. "And she's alive because she found a device that could give her mana? How lucky..."
    Amarillo nodded. "Yeah. Now, we have to worry about what Patchouli will do. You see, that device was in the room where she lost her link. It gave her mana, yes. However..."
    "It will run out..." Mokou finished for her, swinging her leg anxiously. "So she needs to make a pact, then."
    "That's correct."
    Ken raised his hand. "Hold on...so if she needs to make a pact...what if we have someone, one of the ones who are coming tonight...what if he or she does it?"
    Mokou closed her eyes. "Or you can be a man and do it for her."
    He glanced over at her, surprised. "What, me? Why? I already have to take care of you and Kaguya, Yuyuko, Mayli, Hatate..."
    "Hatate isn't really active though." Mokou stood up, unable to sit still anymore. "Surely you have enough to spare, don't you? You always seemed pretty...capable of dealing with more than a handful."
    He stared plainly at her. "I'll take that as a compliment, I guess."
   
    "She's not active? What does that mean?"
   
    Patchouli stood at the front entrance to the room, holding the edge of the door frame for support.
   
    "Lady Patchouli!" He nearly bellowed, rising to get out of his chair. "You shouldn't be--you need to rest!"
    She shook her head and walked into the room slowly. "Nah, I need to be here to explain anything that may involve myself. Who knows...I might not get another chance to."
    He moved to sit back down, but paused. "Well...all right, if you say so...here, come sit in my chair." Standing up, he stepped back and pulled the chair out. "Let us know if you need anything."
    "Much obliged." She took a slow seat down and put both arms on the table. She still held the orb in her right hand.
    He carefully pushed the chair back in slightly so she was closer to the table. "It's true that we can't afford to lose knowledge, but..."
    "Yeah, in more ways than one." Mayli interjected, looking at the spherical device in the magician's hand. "So, Ken..."
    "Oh, right. Well, before we had made it here, or even before making it into the city limits, Hatate--well, she...collapsed. We would have arrived here yesterday sooner, but we had to take our time to make sure she was okay. It set us back almost two hours, I believe...right, Mokou?"
    Mokou spoke nonchalantly. "Of course." She turned to Patchouli. "There is a theory we--well, Yuyuko came up with, to describe this collapse."
    Patchouli's brow had furrowed. "Is she all right? Perhaps she suffered similarly to Jan and Koakuma..."
    "She was holding this." Mayli held up the doll of Su-san. "It's highly likely that her mana link with Ken was...improper, due to this being in her possession. We honestly aren't sure."
    "I recognize that doll," Patchouli replied. "Medicine's doll, the one that circles her. But that's not similar at all to what happened to Jan and Koakuma." She lifted her head higher and looked over her shoulder. "So she's alive, but not receiving mana? Is that even possible?"
    "She's...I can feel her slightly. Very slightly. I have to concentrate hard to notice her, in my mind." He put a hand on the magician's shoulder. "You...you truly lost your link? You could sense no one after that accident?"
    "Yes. That's the only explanation for what happened. I couldn't even feel Koakuma's magical presence, despite seeing her in front of me with my own eyes."
    "That's...sensational. I mean, it's terrible, but--"
    "I understand," she interrupted. "However...it cannot be undone."
    "That reminds me," Ken posed. "What happened to Jan and Koa?"
    "I can answer that!" Daiyousei fluttered her wings several times. "They're fine, but they need to relax for a long time. We left them near the tunnel entrance, where the other teams were. They almost looked like they were sleep-walking or something."
    He was about to respond, but Patchouli held up her hand. "Let's move on. The situation is quite clear: I need a mana link now. I have no idea how much longer this device will last, but based on how steady it seems to be working, it should at least help me for a few more hours." She stared into the glass-like object, and her face became more sincere. "The glow has lessened slightly, so that's my estimate."
    "I offered to give her a pact," Amarillo stated. "I did the same with Koishi, but she is still bound by it. That girl should know to make a pact sometime soon, the blood curse will not last for long..."
    Already thinking of the answer, Kaguya spoke up. "Amarillo cannot help you right now? She can't make a curse pact or whatever?"
    Amarillo shook her head. "I can only do one at a time, and there's no telling what would happen if I tried to overload it or try too many times."
    "Well then," Mokou said conclusively, putting her hands together. "Looks like Ken's the only choice after all." She smirked and glanced over in his direction. "Gonna be a dear and rescue the princess?"
    He was unprepared to respond to her. "Er...well, I certainly don't want Lady Patchouli to perish, and Hatate is not using up much mana at all. I could give it a try if it's the only sure way."
    Amarillo spoke up while playing with her bangs. "Let's have you do it if none of the others coming tonight can do it."
    "Or if there's an emergency," Patchouli stated. "I would be fine with that, either way."
    "What about Koishi?" Yuyuko asked. "Is she still out in the city somewhere?"
    "She is," Lily White affirmed. "However, we aren't really sure where..."
    The fairy leader held her hand up. "I'll have to go find her, or at least attempt to figure out where she is She should know what's good for her, but we'll have to see."
    Yuyuko stood up. "Okay, that's resolved. For now, what do we do?"
    Amarillo placed her hands together, noticing that most if not all eyes had gone to her. Eventually she uttered a final statement before standing up.
   
    "For now, just wait; the time will come to take action."

END: DISCUSSION ON THE EDGE BGM



9:52 PM - Day 3 - Kamisuiwa, Japan ? Tourist Helpers (Employee Break Room)

Amarillo sighed. Koishi's distance was hard to keep track of. She kept thinking that Koishi would return, but it had been so long since her return. Much too long.
    She put her head down and rested it on the table. Koishi's signature was now far away and hard to read...was the satori coming back or not? It had seemed so several times, but now...she had to take action now. She hoped that Koishi would have already made a pact, yet she still sensed her somewhere.
   
    "Hey, you okay?"
   
    She looked up and saw Daiyousei floating silently nearby.
    "Dai...well, Koishi is not here. We have to go track her down now, even though--"
    "You know what time it is, right?"
    Amarillo looked up at the clock on the wall behind her and exclaimed in surprise. "What? Already five minutes until 10 o'clock?!" She had completely lost track of time during their in-depth discussion earlier.
    Daiyousei nodded. "You actually fell asleep for a while. Thought I'd let you rest, you really need it..."
    She immediately stood up and pushed the chair in. "I might have, but it's nearly time to greet our guests."
    "Well, what do we do about Koishi?"
    "Koishi...well, she knows how much longer she has, she wears that watch I gave her." Amarillo grabbed her spear from against the wall and exited out to the front room. "What to do...we will be having guests soon, quite a few of them. What are we to do? Koishi..." she said with a sigh of frustration. "I suppose it isn't your fault, you didn't know about this accident."
    "Just let Ken do it," Daiyousei suggested. "The time is running out, and he can do it properly."
    "As much as I hate to admit it, that's probably the only choice we have now. None of the ones out here can be trusted to do it with such risk and distance from any resources we would need for emergencies."
   
    "Amarillo!"
   
    The fairy leader jumped slightly. She saw Mayli at the top of the basement stairs, accompanied by Lily White. "What's wrong?"
    The young artist let out a breath before speaking. "It's Patchouli! Something's happening to her!"   
    "What! Already?" Amarillo frowned and pursed her lips. This was very ill-timed. Perhaps Lady Luck had done more than just favor Diamond today. "Ken can handle it, I have to deal with those who are arriving soon."
    Lily White gulped and opened her mouth with a soft sigh of intensity. "The mana device broke!"
    Daiyousei's eyes widened. "Wait, it did?! Oh no! Patchouli...she's going to die!" She tugged at Amarillo's arm with both hands. "You've gotta do something!"
    "Calm down!" Amarillo snapped. "Panicking is not going to help us! Now, listen to me...we do not have much time." Her mind was racing, but she knew what had to be done. "Here's what we do..."



10:16 PM - Day 3 - Kamisuiwa, Japan ? Tourist Helpers (Outside Entrance)

Amarillo breathed out, opened her eyes and pushed the front door ajar. She was greeted by an unfriendly darkness. Despite the lighting on the streets, it was still very quiet. Unusually quiet.

Then she saw them.

There were no more than a dozen of them.

She walked out further. All of them had ceased talking and were staring at her. She held her spear behind her back so as not to surprise any of them. Indeed, they had come.

"Everyone, thank you for coming." She knew she had to be careful regarding what she said. "I am Amarillo. Some of you met with me yesterday, others didn't."
    She took another breath and continued. "There is little doubt that all of you have seen what is going on in this town. Something is fishy. Someone or something is up to no good. Am I correct in assuming this?"
    She saw several of them nod. One of them asked her, "Including the soldiers?"
    "Yes. Those soldiers are not to be trusted."
    "Wait," another mentioned as he stepped forward. Amarillo saw some of the moonlight reflecting off of his black hair. "Why...should we trust you?"
    Amarillo relaxed her shoulders as she outwardly appeared to be pondering the question. She knew someone was going to ask that. For better or for worse, they had a prime opportunity to showcase what was going on.
    "If you come inside, you will see what is happening. We are resisting this oppression, but it is not without consequence." She brought her spear out from behind her back and kept her arm at her side. "Please withhold judgment until you witness what is happening inside. What you see may be shocking, but please...do not just run away. We need your help."
    He swallowed. "What about the one I saw when--"
    "That's right. She needs your help." She swept her gaze side to side, looking at each of them. "They need your help. So what are you waiting for?" She extended her spear to point towards the open door. "Please, at least give us your attention."



10:17 PM - Day 3 - Kamisuiwa, Japan ? Tourist Helpers (Downstairs Room)

BEGIN: TRAGIC EMERGENCY BGM (up to 5:28)

*cough cough*

"Lady Patchouli! H-hold on!"

Ken frantically reached for her trembling hand. "You're okay, we're all here!"
    "Ken, w--" she coughed once more. "Ugh...t-the orb, what--"
    Mayli had scooped up the pieces of it. It had only happened not more than ten minutes ago. They were all sitting having a discussion as Patchouli was resting, when suddenly a faint crack had been heard. Then Patchouli had gasped and it became apparent that the mana device she had been holding, had suddenly cracked and fizzled out. She felt so sorry for Patchouli, but knew that she did not know how it felt to lose her life's sustenance. "I'm sorry, it's broken..."
    "Where's the blue light?" she whispered. "Please tell me it's here somewhere...in the air, or..."
    "Ken squeezed her hand rhythmically and often. "I didn't see it...you'll be okay, all right?"
    She nodded slowly. "Okay. Just let me...g-give me my--urk!"
    As her eyes widened in surprise, he squeezed her hand hard. "Lady Patchouli! Hold on, let me--there's got to be something..."
    "Ken, hurry!" Mokou yelled from the room entrance. "Maybe Amarillo can make a pact with her!"
    "What?" Kaguya blurted out. "Why can't he make one with her?"
    "Even if Hatate is down, she's still taking up mana!" She motioned urgently for Ken to leave the room. "what if it doesn't work?! Grab her and let's go already, dammit!"
    He swallowed in an attempt to relieve the dryness in his throat. "B-But--"
    "NO BUTS!" She practically screamed at him. "Don't hesitate! Get her and let's go upstairs!"
    He felt his heart beating rapidly. Looking back at Patchouli, he saw the pain flicker across her face once more...only this time it was real. He saw fear in her eyes. "I'm...g-going to move you, okay?"
    She nodded, hands clutched to her chest. "Please...I need--urgh!"
    Coughing violently, she felt him suppressing her against the bed. Her body was feeling that icy, sharp pain. It was coming. She felt something warm on her numbing lips. It tasted thick in her mouth.
   
    Blood.
   
    She felt her body go cold, as if ice had impaled her insides. I'm dying, she thought. Her mind spun, and her ears seemed to stop working; the background noise was muffled. She saw flashes of colors as she felt a lifting sensation. It took everything to get her to swallow the blood in her mouth, if only to give her the false security of knowing her throat may be relieved of its hot burning pain for a moment. Dizziness engulfed her. This was worse than before, she thought through the intense aching.
   
    Much worse.
   
    Suddenly her mind collected, her eyes refocused and the pain subsided. She could hear a voice nearby, repeating 'you're okay, you're okay, you'll be fine'. It reverberated in her ears, racking her brain. She felt as if had not the strength to move, but she had to do something about the icy numbness taking over her body.
    Looking up, she saw through her trembling and repeated shaking Ken's face, determined and worried. Her last moments would be in the arms of a man she had aided years ago, someone who had shown such promise...and now he was fighting for her. She closed her eyes and smiled, a small amount of blood leaking out of her mouth and dripping down her chin. I'm dying again...

PAUSE: TRAGIC EMERGENCY BGM



10:19 PM - Day 3 - Kamisuiwa, Japan ? Tourist Helpers (Front Room)

Amarillo closed the Tourist Helpers front door and sighed. Everything was going according to plan so far.
    She walked near the visitors, who had taken to looking at the front room in its entirety. She stepped in front of them. "You all remember this place, right? This is where you were shown those who need help...the ones who are trapped, and require aid. Not just anyone's aid, but your aid."
    A young male with messy, light brown hair scratched his head, then voiced his thoughts. "This place again..."
    "Yeah," another man with much darker brown hair mentioned offhandedly. "So, are they here, or...?"
    "The ones you saw, they are..." Amarillo paused for effect. "...not here. They are at a place beyond this city."
    "Um, then if I could ask," a young woman with shockingly white hair wearing headphones questioned, "Why did we have to come here?"
    "Because--"
   
    "Amarillo, help!"
   
    Upon the sound of urgency, everyone in the front room stared at the edge of the room, where stairs led to a downstairs area. A young man with short dark hair was racing up the stairs, with a very elegant, robed woman in his arms. Everything about her screamed purple, except the trail of red on her chin.
   
PLAY: TRAGIC EMERGENCY BGM
   
    "What...what's going on?!" one of the visitors exclaimed. He readied his camera for some opportune shots, but Amarillo placed a hand on it as he took it out.
    "Please don't take pictures," she calmly stated. "You can only see this with your own eyes, it can't be shown publicly..."
    Everyone, including Amarillo's fairies, looked on in wonder as the man placed the woman carefully on the rug-ridden floor at the edge of the waiting area, next to the tiled floor closer to the center of the room.
    Amarillo stepped forward and kneeled next to the woman, who was clearly having physical trouble. She leaned down and whispered something to Ken, who replied somewhat frantically. Several other women came up the stairs, one with incredibly long hair and bright red pants, and another with a blue nightgown-like robe, short pink hair and a blue hat. To the visitors, it was clear that they were not normal humans.
    Amarillo stood up after concluding her private conversation. She turned and walked back towards the group of awed onlookers. "This woman is dying."
    She braced for the sudden surprise, and heard several cries and at least one protest. Closing her eyes, she held her arms open to block them as best she could from racing closer to the scene.
    "What?" one of them breathed. "Then we need to call an ambulance, this is--"
    "No!" Amarillo retorted devoutly, standing wider. "Just watch. Watch and see what happens!"
    The fairy commander turned to face their direction, and watched as Ken closed his eyes and held his arms over Patchouli's form.
   
    Within a few seconds, his hands began to glow.
   
    Amarillo heard several gasps behind her. She knew how unreal and computer-generated the scene looked, but what was about to happen was the real thing.
    "Patchouli, please..." he pleaded, placing his hands directly on her chest, over her left breast. "F-Feel me...please! Get healed..."
    Without much attention, Mayli and Kaguya had moved from their positions on the stairs to within an arm's length from Ken.
   
    "What's going on?" the camera-holding visitor stated flatly. "Is that...that can't possibly be..."
    "He is trying to heal her," Amarillo stated simply. A silence blanketed the room. She took the chance to convince them further. "This is very real. If any of you doubt what is happening, you are about to see magic unfold before your very eyes!"
    Upon hearing several gasps, she looked back down. Nervousness suddenly racked her body, but she stood straight up. It was happening.
   
    In front of everyone in the room, Patchouli was disappearing. Her entire body was fading. The floor could be seen beneath her as she coughed violently, her fingers crushed against her palms in agony.
   
    "Patchouli! NO!" he cried out. The light upon his hands faded quickly. He felt several beads of sweat rolling down his cheeks. His efforts hadn't worked, she was not healed at all.
    "Ken!" Mokou shouted. "Do it, right now! Do it before she dies! HURRY!"
    He nodded and quickly thrust his open left hand out. "M-Mayli, please...my sword..."
    Mayli rushed over without hesitation, nearly slamming the handle of the sheathed blade into his hands. "Good luck, Ken...please, save her..." It was truly nerve-wracking to watch a comrade dying. She could hardly believe that Patchouli's body was indeed fading away, that she could be dying. Her heart pounded and she shook slightly. Death was ever the herald of uneasiness, the harbinger of fear.
   
    One of the visitors ran past Amarillo before she could protest. She made as if to move out and bring him back, then stopped herself. This was all in Fate's hands right now. If they required further proof, this would definitely suffice. Of this she was assured.
    "This is impossible..." he mused as he ran over to the transparent woman lying on the ground. "First the visions, and now this...I have to see if this is real!"
    "Hold your ground!" Mokou leapt in front of him. "You can't interfere!"
    "Wait, Mokou!" Kaguya yelled out. "Let him feel her!"
    The fire mage's expression turned incredibly nasty. "That's not something I--"
    "JUST DO IT!" Kaguya screamed.
    Mokou flinched momentarily. She thought for a split second, then realized what would happen. She moved to the side and pushed the young man roughly but encouragingly on the back. "Hurry up, touch her and see."
    A lightly-clad woman had run past Amarillo as well. She must be his friend, Amarillo thought. She didn't recognize her at all from the vision visitations, but she seemed equally concerned and unarmed. This too shall soon pass.
    The man, who had hair about as dark as Ken's close to his head but certainly not towards the tips, held his breath and reached a hand out. He plunked his fingertips down onto her leg and initially jerked his hand back, then quickly tried again. There was no mistaking it, he thought. This...it feels too real, like real material...
    The woman who was at his side had felt her limp, transparent hand. She too recoiled in shock. "T-This is...her hand feels real...but, how is this possible...!"
   
    Amarillo had let the others in the room move closer, and she was now glad she had done it. "He's done it," she muttered under her own breath. Then she spoke out loud. "Everyone, please make sure others can see this. You are about to see a miracle unfold!" Looking down at the dying magician, she felt misery and regret. No matter how much she tried to convince herself otherwise, she had given Patchouli false hope in the end. Curse my emotions, she thought painfully, resisting the urge to cry. Ken, don't you dare fail this...I can't help but worry, even though it will probably work out...this is almost cutting things too close!
   
    "Augh...u-ugh..."
   
    Several gasps emerged from those closer to the man and woman. The others formed a near-tight half-circle and peered at the situation. A red substance adorned the inner parts of the woman's fully opened robe.
   
    Blood.
   
    Grimacing, Ken let the cut on the outside of his right forearm paint a red trail around her body. Seeing more and more of the rug beneath her, he cried out and redoubled his efforts to spread it around her. "Please," he seemed to be chanting, "Please save her...let me help her..."
    Kaguya took several steps forward and pushed his left hand down to the ground, forcing him to let it go. She picked it up and placed it on the nearby table. Death was not a problem for her, but watching another succumb to its wicked embrace...
    Wetness rolled down from Patchouli's eyes, spilling down the sides of her head. Her vision was fading into pure light. She was at her end. All she saw were the faces of many, as muddled and displaced as in the oil paintings hanging in her favorite corridor to pace in the Mansion. She had lost, and Death had won. Despite their efforts, she was going to die. Despite Ken's efforts to save her, she was at the end of her life.
   
    Her heavy heart felt weightless all of a sudden. She saw everything rushing before her, collapsing into silent emptiness...

END: TRAGIC EMERGENCY BGM

10:25 PM - Day 3 - Unknown Location (Mysterious Garden)

BEGIN: SAVIOR DREAM BGM

The emptiness consumed her. She was falling, floating...

*WHUMP*

"Ugh?!"

She gasped in surprise as she felt an impact. The sun's rays bathed her face gently.
    The sun? she thought, raising a hand to shield her eyes. Why is it so...bright? Wasn't I...
    Her pupils refocused on the vast blue in front of her. Was she above a lake? No, it was not moving at all. She saw no reflections, only luminosity. The radiance of warmth from the sun shone brightly on her skin. She had a hard time willing herself to move with it coursing over her, and her hand flopped down to her side like a dropped marionette. For a fleeting moment, she saw the light dissolve into a pure blue aura.
    The emanation took to surrounding her. Warmth spread out through her entire body. To her, it felt like pure energy. It breathed life into her. Before she could say anything, it happened.
   
    The energy was running across her face, sliding down her neck and chest, tickling her stomach and warming her loins.
   
    It roared down her thighs, rocketing powerfully into her feet and lifting her toes with incredible force.
   
    It spilled tremendously down the nape of her neck, crashing through her shoulders, surging around to her upper arms and gushing through her forearms, shocking each finger into its fullest extension.
   
    I am alive.
   
    The thought ran across her mind as she lay silent. Her back was arched, and her torso shuddered gently. Gasping dryly for breath, she felt her tongue lying helplessly, exposed to the energy from within her agape orifice. Her chest, her bosom, her ribs, all felt passionately hot. Her luminous purple eyes, shining from the sun's embrace, awaited sweat to drip over her eyebrows and eyelashes and into her eyes. Awaiting liquid to spill down her skin and into her pores; waiting for the very essence of life to bath and make her whole again.
   
    I am alive.
   
    Her body relaxed, and she felt a strong push from within her body. As soon as the light had purified her, it left and leapt back into the air. The calm blue aura was gone, blending back into the vast sky beyond. She mouthed several words to herself. I am alive.
   
    "Patchouli Knowledge."
   
    As if on command, her body sat up. Looking down, she saw her naked breasts and stomach. Upon further inspection, both of her arms and legs were devoid of clothing. She had been reborn, surely. Perhaps she was in heaven.
    Her eyes gazed out into an infinite meadow of lush, colorful flowers and plants, soft, innumerable grasses and intangible aeons swinging through the air. Clearly, she was inside heaven's maw.
   
    "Lady Patchouli!"
   
    Looking over her shoulder, she swiveled around to face a man that looked familiar. The voice of a woman was heard. "W-What?" Soon after hearing it, she realized it was her own.
    "You're okay, you're going to be okay..." he smiled at her and pointed a solitary finger at her. "You look beautiful."
    She stared back down at her body, only to see that her normal attire had returned to cover her vulnerable body. Looking back up, she stared incredulously around at the unbelievable scenery, then back to the man in front of him. "Am I...dead? Have I gone to heaven?"
   
    "You are alive."
   
    He reached a hand out, an innocently happy smile across his face.
    Her cheeks flushed. She reached both hands over to smooth out her robe sleeves in sudden, puzzling embarrassment. "Alive...but, I was dying...I don't understand, how--"
    "You have been saved." He stepped closer and took her right hand away from her sleeve, gripping it snugly. "I saved you."
    In an instant, she was pulled to her feet. "Saved...then, it was..."
    "I..." He suddenly sniffed and inhaled, closing his eyes then immediately opening them with uncertainty. "Do you have any idea where we are?"
    She shook her head. "No...but, Ken...you really--"
    "Yes." He squeezed her hand. "I barely...I guess I barely made it. But you know what this means, don't you?"
    "Jan..." she said longingly. No, she couldn't turn back now. It was too late for that. She needed to live. She had to stay alive. She would do anything for it.
    "Lady Patchouli, do you regret this? Do you not--"
    "Don't be absurd. I...most definitely desire this." She looked around and took in the beautiful flora. It melted the moan of awesome pleasure before it could escape her lips. This was truly heaven...
    She bit her lip and looked back at him. "W-With this, you will...share your mana with me, will you not?"
    "If you want to live, then you should, Lady Patchouli." He adjusted his glasses with his left hand. "Otherwise, you might not survive. I hate to force this upon you, really."
    "Stop that." She gently hammered her left hand against his chest. "You and I have always been on friendly terms. For you to spill your own blood over me," she continued as her memory of her former final moments seemed to come alive in the gears of her mind, "and save my life...this is a pittance of repayment. I accept--with absolute clarity."
    He smiled, then immediately frowned. "You promise, then, to fight and stand by my side to defeat those that oppose us?"
    "I don't care, I...need you. I needed you, and you came through for me." She smiled slightly. "I always had a good feeling about you."
    "Er...w-well," he stammered, clearly embarrassed. "Then please, wake up. Wake up from the dream, Lady Patchouli Knowledge."
   
    Before she could respond in the affirmative, a great wind whipped up around them. Instinctively, she moved forward and pressed her face against him to shield her eyes from any debris. She felt the hem of her robe flapping madly.
    Opening her eyes, she saw that he was gone. The world was falling. She was falling. A swath of flower petals brushed along her legs, and she was swept off her feet by an intense gale.
   
    She was falling...into silence and nothingness. But her hope was not lost this time. She was coming back.
   
    I am alive!

END: SAVIOR DREAM BGM



10:25 PM - Day 3 - Kamisuiwa, Japan ? Tourist Helpers (Front Room)

Patchouli opened her eyes. She was aware of her surroundings before she had even seen what was going on.

Every pair of eyes in the room was staring at her.

"She's...alive!" Lily White yelped happily, clapping her hands together. "It worked!"

Ken slumped over her, sweating slightly and panting heavily. "L-Lady Patchouli...that was..."
    "Ken." She gently pushed him back up to a sitting position before assuming said position herself. "Thank you. Really, I--"
    "Is that...even possible?" someone nearby said incredulously.
    Feeling the sting of his wound sealing up, Ken looked to his left and saw an unfamiliar face. Beyond it were almost a dozen new faces. They were probably the ones Amarillo had brought in. There was a woman nearby as well, for some reason she seemed familiar to him...he couldn't put his finger on it.
    Wait! he thought suddenly. Now wasn't the time to stand around. They had to get going!
    "Everyone, we have to get going!" He shouted suddenly, quickly trying to close up Patchouli's robe, his hands fumbling with the slippery buttons on the front ends.
    "Ken, calm down!" she said commandingly. "Why are you rushing?"
    "It's true," Amarillo said, rushing to the entrance to the employee break room in the back. "There are soldiers coming to get us soon. We should make haste while the night is still somewhat young."
    "What about Koishi?" Sunny asked.
    "Koishi is...I'll have to trust in her, or look for her later," Amarillo replied hastily. "There's no time now, we've overstayed."
    Ken caught looks of wonder and confusion on the faces of those he did not recognize as they passed him by. He turned back to Patchouli, who had stood up before him. "Er, milady..."
    "Just call me Patchouli," she said sharply out of haste, looking around for her single belonging. "My spell book, where is it?"
    "It's downstairs. I'll go grab it for you, all right?" He turned to head down the stairs as quickly as he could, but was stopped by Mokou.
    "And just where do you think you're going, mister?" She said calmly.
    "Mokou, this isn't time for games, we have to get out of here!"
    "What? And since when is going downstairs equivalent to 'getting out of here', hmm?"
    "La--Patchouli's spell book is--"
    "I have it right here, jeez." She pushed the book against his stomach. "I'm not silly, I know we have to evacuate this place. Now hurry up, give it to her and let's leave!"
    "Uh, thanks!" He took it from her and ran over to the magician, who seemed to be in peak health. He was glad, but they could still not yet rest. Handing Patchouli her spell book, he then found himself next to Mayli.
    "Nice going, man!" She said with a grin. "I was really afraid of what was happening though..."
    "Yeah, okay. Let's talk about it later, all right?" he managed to say before swallowing. His body was still pumping with adrenaline, and his arm was still stinging slightly.
    "All right. Hey, go take care of Patchouli. We're going on ahead. Better keep up!"
    Before he could respond, she bounded off after the others departing.
    He looked back at Patchouli, who had regained her composure. She looked serene yet serious, her usual self. He could hardly believe what had just happened. So much had happened...he felt exhausted. Reaching out, he guided Patchouli out of the front room, sword in his other hand.
    "Nothing is ever easy," he mused. "Nothing at all. What in all that is holy is this world coming to...?"



Summary & Notes
It's finally happened! Everyone standing outside Tourist Helpers has been shown the near-death of Patchouli Knowledge (who Ken now has a pact with) and the blood pact has been revealed as a method for creating a pact with a partner. By the way, Amra's character and Mabel were the ones that ran up to feel Patchouli, IO's character had the camera, and Crow, Marokuu, Grimarg, YJ and Aiko's characters asked questions of Amarillo, for reference.

Ken's team, Amarillo's team and everyone formerly waiting outside Tourist Helpers, including Mabel, will now make haste for the RAI Graveyard base. There are now two posting opportunities (3 windows for posts, time-wise) for those who were waiting outside Tourist Helpers:

1. Window 1 - Something miraculous unfolded before the eyes of many: A woman was saved through something supernatural, and Xuezheng and Mabel had the chance to actually make sure it was real. While on the way to the underground tunnel, feel free to speak to anyone about what was just witnessed and ask questions, because surely this was not just a bunch of magic tricks...

2. Window 2 & 3 - Since the tunnel access point is a short distance from the back of Tourist Helpers, reaching it is a cinch. However, to get to the RAI Graveyard base, everyone will take an underground passageway (see the fourth timestamp about the Underground Path, and feel free to ask GMs about the hidden tunnel if requiring clarification). Each team will ride MINECART, an automated large cart system that responds to mana. Each cart can only fit up to 6-7 people, which means that parts of Ken's and Amarillo's teams will need to be split up amongst everyone else.

Clarification: See this post for more info on these three posting windows.

For the sake of speeding things up, I have planned out who will be in each cart (in order of cart-taking):

Cart 1:
Amarillo
Lily White
Mayli Ayume
Ashley Fisher (Yog/Nemo)
Andreas "Andy" Jaeger (Grimarg/Duke)
Narr?n Alda Sam (Natten)

Cart 2:
Daiyousei
Star Sapphire
Yuyuko Saigyouji
Azrul Kyoki (YJ)
Mao "Xuezheng" Xue Zhen (Amra)
Mabel
Charles "Chuck" Harker (Reisen-tanith)

Cart 3:
Sunny Milk
Fujiwara no Mokou
Kaguya Houraisan
Aiko Shiratori (Orphea)
Kristian Johansson (Marokuu)
Zachary "Zach" Hayami (IO)

Cart 4:
Luna Child
Ken Shojiki
Patchouli Knowledge
Hatate Himekaidou [unconscious]
Danao Madarang (Crow)
Neil John Parilla (GuardianTempest)

If there are issues with these pairings, or if you desire to be placed on a different cart for the sake of conversation, please let either Nemo Ma or myself know.

There is opportunity for conversation here. For the sake of clarity, there are two windows for posting during the MINECART ride (~30 minutes from the back of Tourist Helpers to the Saniwa Shrine, then extra to extend to the RAI Graveyard base). The first window is the first 15 minutes, the second window is the remaining 15 minutes. This will allow others in the same cart to respond or pick up where the first poster left off. You may use any of Amarillo's and Ken's characters (and if in Cart 3, also Mabel) for the sake of conversation. PLEASE indicate in your post(s) which window (first or second half) you are posting in when posting for the MINECART ride!

Feel free to team up with others to write group posts as well, or plan out the two halves with others. You may post as many times as you wish (more or less than 3 is fine). Happy posting!

[IdiotsOpposite]

10:27 PM - Day 3 - Kamisuiwa, Japan - Tourist Helpers (Downstairs Room) - Window ONE

It still felt like a dream. That was the first thing that popped into Zachary's mind. He knew for certain that it was not a dream, could not be a dream, but it still felt like a dream. He needed a moment to collect his thoughts, and for the first time in a long time, taking pictures was the farthest thing from his thoughts. As he followed the others, he recounted what few facts he had.

That person was dying. That was the first fact he could think of. He wasn't even sure it was true, but you had to assume at some point, and that seemed a good place to start. After all... he cracked a small grin to himself, after all, that's what this was all about, wasn't it? Faith in himself. And he felt that to be true. The purple-clothed person was definitely dying... and then they weren't. The second fact. She was definitely not dying when he left. That was also true. Which means...

Something that man did saved her life. The third fact, and arguably the most important one. If that man had saved her life, it's possible that he, Zachary Hayami, could save others. Maybe. He wasn't sure about this. He definitely needed more info... the white-haired girl was the nearest, hopefully she knew something about the situation. He could ask her and see what she knew. But how to lead into it...

"Excuse me," he said to Mokou as the group fled, "but who... what... no, who are you? And what's going on, if I may ask? This is all so sudden and confusing, and..." he gave a long look at Sunny's wings in the front. Definitely not human. A small gulp escaped his throat before he could stop himself, but he continued without missing a beat. "I'd like to get some more info. Anything you can tell me would be helpful."

[CrowCakes]

10:26 PM - Day 3 - Kamisuiwa, Japan - Inside Tourist Helpers - Window 1

For the record, Danao would have demanded for an explanation immediately, but his sleep-addled mind was worrying about other things. The feeling of an incoming chase was building up in his chest, and had he brought a jacket, he could have kept it in. But jackets are too stuffy. The best he could do was to clench the strap of his bag.

Upon seeing everyone else leave with no prompting, he steadily caught up with the "magical pair", who were accompanied by two other oddities. One had fairy wings and a white-black dress and hat, while the other had a rather modern casual outfit, if it were not for the wooden sandals. It was the strangest sight; while the bespectacled man was helping the purple-haired woman, the fairy was hauling the apparently unconscious girl along.

Looking aside, he found a boy, who had also been waiting outside the building awhile ago, trailing behind him. He was dressed up in a military uniform, but there was something about him that looked very familiar.

Danao, still walking, gestured him to come closer. "Well, where are you from, kid? Did you get dragged into this, too?"


OOC: GT, before you post a reply, PM me. It would be better for us to collaborate on a joint post for that.

[Forte Blackadder]

10:26 PM - Day 3 - Kamisuiwa, Japan - Outside Tourist Helpers - Window 1

It was a great party at the Healthy Boy Club, suffice to say. Most people were calling us "lazy rich bastards" but it was certainly not our fault to be born with luxury. And because of our luxury, it wasn't particularly necessary to work was it? Anyway, it was a great party and I drank quite a lot. The Moon shined even brighter this night and the whole sky was clear. I've seldom been struck by a sharper attack of euphoria, but my body and perhaps fate had decided that tonight I'd be seeing something extraordinary before going to bed.

And by something extraordinary, I meant an elegantly beautiful, but cute, girl. The combo was never seen before, nobody had ever witnessed a high class, refined lady with an innocently air-headed mind that can melt you simply by asking direction. Of course we have seen bits. But no-one had discovered a genuine woman like that without enclosing her other hidden personalities which usually ruined the whole thing later on.

So, I was basically wandering about with that thought in mind. Then to my surprise, under the moonlight that gently grazed on the darkness, my eyes were struck by the appearance of an enormous bosom. The most dignified looking person showed her presence, her eyes carelessly gazed into mine, and then I knew fate might not be possibly false.

"Good morning young lady, if it is indeed a good morning."

Was it love? I didn't really know, as I'd felt like this many times over. However nobody else was this wonderful. Thanks for this, I hardly noticed her hair was naturally pink and her feet floating in the air. That, and a group of people was directly approaching us from behind her...

[natten20]

2:55 PM - Day 2 - Kamisuiwa, Japan ? Tourist Helpers (outside)

As the door closes behind Narr?n, he looks up to the sky searching for the sun to see what time it is.
?Hmm? three o?clock, how long was I in there??
He  turns his head to look at the closed door behind him.
Just when narr?n thought about going back in to the shop again he heard a loud growl coming from his stomach.
?Oh, that?s right I left my lunch lying back at the restaurant.? He looks back at the sky.
?I hope that they haven't thrown it away, maybe if I hurry it won?t be too late.? He says out loud to himself.

Before he starts running back towards the hotel he opens up his backpack to make sure that nothing is missing.
Laptop, sling, bag with stones, jacket, soul gem and some other necessary items.
Everything was there but he felt as if something was missing, though he couldn?t recall what it was.
?It can't be my knife or my staff because I left them at home." He ponders for a moment trying to remember what it could be. "Hmm, never mind I should hurry up or I won't have anything to eat.?
He closes his backpack and throws it on to his right shoulder as he starts to run back towards the hotel.


Before he started to run back towards the hotel.
He opens up his backpack to make sure that nothing is missing.
Laptop, sling, bag with stones, jacket, 'soul gem' and some other necessary items.
Everything was there but he felt as if something was missing, but he couldn?t recall to what it was.
?It can't be my knife or my staff because I left them at home, Hmm, never mind I should hurry up or I won't have anything to eat.?
He closes his backpack and throws it on to his right shoulder and starts to run towards the hotel.

[edited]

[Kakyoin]

10:26 PM - Day 3 - Kamisuiwa, Japan – Tourist Helpers (Outside Rear Entrance)

After Mokou had returned from going back inside to retrieve Hatate for him, Ken closed the rear entrance to Tourist Helpers and locked it with the key Amarillo had given him. He took a deep breath and turned around, only to behold Patchouli's visage.
    "Is that everything?" she asked with a concerned look on her face, slightly trembling hands gripping her patented spell book.
    "Yeah." He slid the key into his pocket and shouted ahead of him. "Thanks Mokou, I really appreciate it..."
    Mokou turned and blew air up at her bangs almost in rebuttal. "Oh please, it's not a big deal. You take care of one, I'll handle this one. Besides, she's feeling rather light." As if to prove her point, she gently shook Hatate's limp body in her arms. "Maybe it's her hollow bones, or something."
    He rolled his eyes and heard Patchouli groan as he placed a hand over the right side of his face, trying not to laugh. "That's...I'm sure that's not it, she's not an actual bird..."
    "Ha! Well, hurry up and take yer new girl along, we need to catch up with everyone else." She walked off hurriedly to close the distance between them and the others, tengu in arms.
   
    After making sure his sword was sheathed and tied to his belt, he made as if to pick the magician up, but Patchouli took a step back.
    "I'll...be fine walking," she said slowly.
    He scratched his head, feeling that his attempt was a failure. "Are you sure? I mean, we just--"
    "We just made a pact, yes. But as you can see, I am standing by myself, and I even walked out by myself." Her lips were pressed together gently. "Well, for the most part I did. I may be widely regarded as physically inept, but I am most certainly capable of walking."
    He nodded. "Then, let's walk. It's good for you after all, Lady P--"
    She sighed as they started walking away from the building. "Ah...Ken, call me Patchouli. You don't need the appellation, it's just four extra letters and a waste of breath."
    He put his hands on his hips. "Well now, someone is feeling better already."
    Her face soured. "What's that supposed to mean? My mind is always thinking, it can't be helped."
    "I suppose I should just feel glad that you're here and alive." His concerned face met hers. "I can't help but worry, considering you almost, you know, died."
    Patchouli forced her eyes closed. "Let's talk about that some other time, right now I would like nothing more than to not talk about nearly dying for the third time..."
    "Fair enough." He looked ahead after hearing several shouts. "Well, it seems like we are about to have the subject changed for us. Something's happening in the main group."
    "So it seems." As much as she had her mind on her near-death experience and a second pact, it needed to be put to rest.
    The two of them moved to catch up to the others, Ken watching the magician carefully for any signs of mishap.



10:27 PM - Day 3 - Kamisuiwa, Japan – Streets Behind Tourist Helpers

"Grab him!"

Ken and Patchouli stopped to behold some sort of chase scene...only it was winding down before it even began. His eyes darted to Yuyuko, who had a dreamy yet concerned look on her face. He saw Hatate on the ground and immediately wondered where Mokou had gone to.

"Gotcha!"

Patchouli elbowed Ken gently and pointed a robed hand out, her finger lined up with a peculiar sight.

Mokou seemingly had grabbed a young man he had never seen before. "Dirty scumbag, trying to get your hands on Yuyuko...she's too good for you!" she growled.
    "No, I swear!" the man protested as he tried to wrestle free from the fire mage's grip. "I did nothing, she only walked closer and I--"
   
    "All right, what's going on here?" Ken shouted to stop their struggle. "Who is this, and why are you giving him a bear hug?"
    Mokou held him still. "This bugger, from my angle I could have sworn he had touched Yuyuko inappropriately..."
    "What?! I didn't do that, I was just walking minding my own business!" he gasped. "Let me go! She approached me, not--"
    "Whatever," Mokou retorted. "You saw us, now you're gonna have to be made to forget what you've seen..."
    "Wait just a moment," Amarillo said, stepping closer. An idea was forming in her mind. "Let's first hear what they have to say. Yuyuko, what happened?"
    Yuyuko closed her eyes and shrugged. "He didn't really do anything to me...just said hello, really. I was the one who moved closer."
    "Let him go, Mokou." Ken walked forward as she released him reluctantly. After he had gotten up, Ken looked him in the eye. "Who are you? I didn't see you at Tourist Helpers back there."



(Forte, you can respond to my second timestamp. To all unaware, Forte's character has been encountered and will be detained with the group on their way to the underground tunnel entrance, you may react accordingly or disregard it for your first window posts.)

[Amraphenson]

10:25 PM - Day 3 - Kamisuiwa, Japan - Inside Tourist Helpers - Window 1

Don't think about it. Don't bother trying to understand what happened. Just go along with it. Right now...right now wasn't the time to be bothered with anything like 'whys' or 'whats'. Someone nearly died right there. Didn't die. Saved. By magic. Or what looked like it. Faeries? Maybe. Maybe just an elaborate costume, but it sure as hell didn't look like it.

The best he could do was follow Ken and the lavender haired woman that had been saved. Patchouli...that was her name? An odd set of syllables...more useless thoughts. They were in danger now, and the situation was already beyond anything he could contribute to intelligently. Right now he had to follow directions, keep people safe, get ready to fight. His entire body tensed with half-restrained energy.

Implicit trust. That's teamwork. Art projects or martial arts. Implicit trust was a must. So he'd trust these people until he got his answers, and he'd protect them with all he had if needed.

"I've got your back," he said, falling into step behind Ken. The entire situation was too crazy to even think about, so he wouldn't. Like so many times before, he'd entrust this task to his body, not mind. He'd watch and stand vigil over this man, who seemed to know the most of all, until he got what he needed. Wanted.

[Kakyoin]

10:25 PM - Day 3 - Kamisuiwa, Japan ? Tourist Helpers (Inside Rear Entrance)

"Huh?"

Ken turned around, surprised to hear another voice behind him. He caught a glimpse of Patchouli turning as well, just before they had reached the rear entrance.

In front of them now was a tall young man with moderate-length black hair, and a young woman who seemed a bit underdressed behind him. He recognized the male as the one who had gotten close to him just before he had initiated the pact with the then-disappearing Patchouli.
    The woman, however, held his attention. Squinting his eyes for a moment, he thought he had seen her before. Briefly glancing at her long, straight blonde hair, he was on the verge of dropping the matter when she locked eyes with him. In a split-second, she had moved herself directly behind the man before him.
    "Hmm, do you know her?" Patchouli questioned.
    "Not...not that I know of," he responded offhandedly, still trying to relax after the life-saving incident he had partaken in. "But you..." he said as he looked at the man before him. "You were the one who felt Patchouli as she was disappearing."
    The man seemed as calm as he himself normally was, and almost instantly spoke up. "I'm, uh...Xuezheng."
    Ken raised an eyebrow. He seemed quite composed for what had just taken place. "Xuezheng, eh? Well, I bet you have--wait a minute, who is this young lady behind you?"
    The one calling himself Xuezheng seemed slightly taken aback. Oh right, Mabel...I almost forgot about her in the heat of the moment...
    The woman took a step back, and as Ken craned his neck to see her, he took in her facial features.
   
    He froze.
   
    That can't be, the swordsman thought to himself. But, it looks just like her...is that really...
    "I hate to interrupt you," Patchouli said with a brief handwave and cough, "but we should probably escape while we still can..."
    Ken nodded. "So, Xuezheng...well, we'll have time to chat later."
    Xuezheng started walking out the rear entrance, but stopped and turned around. "Do you need any help, or...?"
    "We're fine, you can help me out by making sure the others are doing fine. I think it best if Patchouli stayed with minimal company for now."
    Assuming that the young woman was following Xuezheng out the open doorway, he turned to Patchouli. "We gotta get outta here, so let's go!"
    She nodded and turned, only to be nearly cut off by Mokou. "What in blazes--?!"
    "Ken!" Mokou yelled as she ran down the nearby stairs. "Go outside! I'll get Hatate. Can't believe you nearly forgot her..."
    Ken's eyes widened. Shit! I forgot all about her. I'm sorry, Hatate...I was so caught up in all this, I didn't remember you...
    "Hey," Patchouli said calmly. "Don't worry about it, a lot of incidents have occurred recently. Let's just walk out and let Mokou take care of the rest, okay?"
    He shook his head and then started out the door once again, with the magician behind him. "Yeah...yeah, that's right."



(Amra, there's the Forte incident that happens directly after this chronologically. You may assume that it will be resolved with Mokou and Amarillo agreeing to detain him and take him with the rest of the group, and that Ken and Patchouli will not be overly involved in its resolution aside from the response post I made previously. If you want Xuezheng to continue discussion with Ken/Patchouli, do so after the Forte incident is resolved, chronologically [make up a time]. You may do as you please with Mabel, she may stay near him, speak in conversation, or walk with others or by herself and not be a part of it until the next posting window.)

[Forte Blackadder]

10:28 PM - Day 3 – Streets Behind Tourist Helpers

Breasts.

They were soft, and tender, like those of a goddess'. Before I could get out of my panic and realise how I was captured and dragged into an unwanted mess, I felt Heaven. I'd never felt Heaven before of course, and didn't have any intent to. However, when one's back had a contact with one's front, the former would be rarely whole, mentally or physically. I barely took a glimpse of the person in question's figure, and her profile stroke me back with rather heavy impacts that I feared I couldn't be sober any time soon.

A spring of silver.

Her hair, certainly, was so lustrous it put the Milky Way to shame. Even the Moon which I'd been in love with so dearly also seemed less exquisite compared to her noble skin. When she embraced me, however barbarically, I wasn't aware of her alluring face. Additionally, she had the physics of a demi-god: more powerful than a bear, yet delicate as a flower. Because of all that, I almost passed out. It was very rude and tasteless of me to mumble such common excuses to her, and the beauty in pink. But could one do more, when one was accused to such heinous iniquity such as  inappropriately touching a lady? No sir! I struggled effortlessly to prove my innocence, then a massive dissatisfaction kicked in when she released yours truly.

Someone spoke, presumably referring to me. I looked up and vaguely saw a man, looking at my direction. The lights weren't bright enough for someone in my state to recognise uninterested faces, read "men", and so forth. So I tried to stand up, kind of wobbling but got it alright. Before I could say anything, the ones that I unclearly saw before turned up. A couple, or so I thought, briefly talked and the only thing that caught my ears was "Share Trunk". What kind of name was that?

Then the resplendent goddess rushed downstairs, blaming someone for forgetting something. The guys, unexpectedly, didn't pay much attention to her. Well to be honest, both of them were companied by their girlfriend, so I really couldn't blame them. Anyhow, the pink lady was still floating around...

Floating?

Now, I'd been seeing strange scenarios including meeting angels, encountering ghosts and so on. But with some vividity, they were, in fact, unreal. Human do not float in air. There were some tricks, surely, to delude one's mind from penetrating the coat of Amunet to witness the reality. However this lady didn't look anything like a magician, or "trickster" as we usually called them in the House of Lords. To assure myself, I stepped up and pretended to lose my control, felling over the one named Yuyuko.

It was a change in temperature when my body slipped through hers, not cold as described on books, but I could feel it very properly.

She was, with all certainty, a ghost.

Although seeing a ghost was extraordinary, not to mention she was a very cute ghost with a significantly wonderful chest, I still believed in curses and horrors. If Death was coming to me, then I'd inform him I was in no shape of being taken away. Pretending to be dead was very easy too, thanks to the beer I had in the Club. If I should survive, I would be grateful to not crossing this road ever again.

"What the hell is with this guy?" a muscular voice echoed, followed by that of a girl's:

"The way he fall was somehow unnatural, I'm not sure if he's just too drunk or faking it..."

"Ara~ I think to be surest, we should just take him with us. We don't want people to know about things right? Also, I like how he said 'Good morning', it's funny because it's actually night-time now!"

"Yuyuko, your taste in humour is sometimes very strange..."

I wished, this was all a dream...

[Kakyoin]

10:27 PM - Day 3 - Kamisuiwa, Japan ? Tourist Helpers (Front Room)

"There's no time for questions right now!" Mokou snapped to the nearby man holding the camera.
    Zach flinched slightly. "Oh...w-well, maybe--"
    Realizing she had nearly scared him, she took a short breath. "Later, after we get outta here. You get me? There's no time now, go out!"
    At her insistence, he took one final look at the woman's remarkable features before turning to exit after the others. Was she even a human? She dressed like someone who would go to a convention, but everything down to her incredibly long white hair seemed natural.
    Then there was the fairy. She most certainly was not a human. Could it be a special effect? he thought. No, impossible. He had seen something amazing happen in front of everyone, and it was very real. It was like a science fiction movie, but come to life. There had been no machines or special effects that I could see, and yet...
    Zach hurried outside through the open door as his body felt the cooler outdoor air's embrace, camera in hand. There must be something I can do right now...but what?



(IO, this was a response to your character asking Mokou. There is the Forte incident soon, and after that is resolved Mokou will become available for interaction again. Please either pick up after it has been resolved [you may estimate the time based on the previous relevant posts] or post about something else until Zach can talk to Mokou again.)