~Hakurei Shrine~ > Patchouli's Scarlet Library
Scarlet Soaked Sympathy
Zer0Axiom:
Responsibility is the measure of necessity. It holds fast to one's mind and haunts with the prospect of failure. At the same time, it rewards fulfillment for our successes. At all moments, responsibility follows as a shadow; its hold unshakable and unbreakable. I am mindful of my responsibilities as I hold to my purpose.
I have failed, and the second of the intruders has passed the gate. Cornered, I held my ground as the gathering of faeries began to lay siege to the gate. They formed into smaller groups and moved to cover several direction around me. There was nothing more I could do but strike with a spell card.
"Colorful Sign: Extreme Color Typhoon!"
In a flurry of radiant energy, my chi condensed into prism shards and rained upon the faeries around me. Caught in my spell, the faeries scrambled helplessly as my attack cut through their numbers. As the remaining faeries reassembled, more arrived and my progress had reversed. Although I declared the intend to turn them away, it was highly possible that I would be overwhelmed by their returning numbers.
With a renewed fervor, the faeries retaliated, and I found myself pressed for safety in the volleys. There was little room in the formation for me to maneuver and I could not wander away from the gate. Calming my hastened breath, I reached for another spell card.
"Rainbow Sign: Iridescent Wind Chime!"
The colorful prisms returned and spiraled into the surrounding space. The faeries tried to move out of its path, but found their numbers unaccommodating. Once more, the faerie gathering shrank into a more manageable collective. As I dreaded the prospect of another wave of faeries arriving, there were no reinforcements. In a sigh of slight relief, I returned to my efforts of defending my post.
Examining the chaotic clusters, I took notice of the green haired faerie that spoke earlier. It seemed as if she was directing the others. If I could manage to neutralize her presence, I could destroy morale and prevent a full scale invasion force from overrunning the gate. As I kept my defenses up, I looked around for an opportunity to strike.
Firstly, I needed to weed out the crowd. Even if I broke their morale, their numbers were still too great. From the left to the right, there were clusters of lesser faeries in groups of eight. Spaced between the groups were two stronger faeries. As they attacked, the larger groups cycled around in two loops. As they drifted across their paths, the central faeries shifted between being inside and outside the loops. The assault plan was simple enough to read, but that made it effective to execute. Releasing several waves of chi, I managed to throw back their advance and removed some weakened faeries from their lines.
Secondly, I would disable their commander. As their numbers lessened, the green haired faerie entered the fray and I reviewed the field for an appropriate plan of attack. The different groupings reassembled and followed a segmented wheel. As they did before, they attacked then moved along a looping path. The difference was that the paths were separated into zones and did not cross in their lines. This newer movement allowed for more versatile maneuvers.
The stronger faeries meandered in a hit-and-run style raid. They moved in; attacked; then pulled away. Along their flight path was the green haired faerie. She pulled across the open gaps between the different clusters. My moment to strike would follow below her as she prepared to attack.
Expelling my doubts, I rushed in and mounted my assault. With an upward kick, I struck across her chin and leaped above her. As I positioned to strike down at her, I drove my knee into her neck then pounded downward with my fist across her face. With her tumbling across the ground, I chased after several confused underlings.
As the faerie presence lessened, I returned to the gate and reevaluated the enemy strength. A small group of about 16 lingered, including the green haired leader. They assembled a small distance from my location and were discussing something.
Just then, one of them cried out, "Cirno!"
Turning my attention to where they were facing, I noticed a blue colored faerie sitting on the bank. The other faeries rushed around her and were loud in their excitement.
"Cirno!" "Are you alright?" "We were so scared."
"Uh... Aqua? What happened?"
"That magician used a bright light. Then, she ran away and we couldn't find you."
"Ah, that's right! Where'd she go!?"
"Into that house, but we can't get in."
"What!? Why not!?"
"That person's in our way."
Judging from their conversations, I surmised that this Cirno was battling with the black dressed magician that damaged the gate. After using her ridiculously large laser, she fled from the other faeries. That would explain why the faeries were so agitated, I suppose.
As I reviewed the new information, Cirno approached me, "Apologize to my friends!"
Responding with my stoic gaze, I objected to her demand, "They were the ones that attacked the gate first. I will neither apologize nor forgive them."
Although displeased by my response, she declared with a smirk, "Then, I'll just have to punish you!"
Zer0Axiom:
"If that's the case, I shall proceed."
She proceeded with her incantation, and nothing else. I figured she would keep with the shining laser and stuff, but I guess it wasn't needed if I wasn't attacking her. Maybe the next spell will be cool looking. I simply waited as she continued chanting.
To be frank, I really don't know what was so good about her magic. Up until then, it had all been so bland and average. I would even go so far as to call it "useless," but there really wasn't much else I could say to her. After all, I really was admiring her magic.
"Wood and Fire Sign: Forest Blaze!"
As the spell took shape, the scattered leaves from her previous spell started to gather in a fiery manner. The heat was far greater than the first spell, and now, there was fire all around me; it made for a very effective combination of magic. In addition to setting fire to the fallen leaves, more leaves came showering in from nowhere to strengthen the chaos. The situation only worsened as fireballs took to the sky.
I didn't like how things were looking. The heat was oppressive, the fires ran rampant, and the winds fanned the flames. The spell effects were long for a bomb, too. Even when it ended, it wouldn't put out the burning leaves. Out of the frying pan, and into the fire, indeed.
It was fortunate that my missiles and lasers were able to keep the fires from spreading too closely to me. As the temperature began receding, I nearly collapsed onto the shelf. Coughing for a bit, I began to worry about what types of magic she would unveil next. Her incantations weren't long, but I was able to catch my breath during it. As I managed to calm down, she finished her recital.
"Earth Sign: Rage Trilithon!"
With a loud, grumbling roar, boulders shot across the room. They weren't overly large, but their size wasn't very modest, either. They sailed about without much regard to where they were going. Although their speed was not impressive, they kicked up a lot of dust. It became more difficult to see clearly and breathing was already a concern. Without much choice, I endured the hardships; eventually arriving at the intermission.
Wiping my eyes and coughing for clean air, I began to think about the spell incantations. I always thought that incantations were used for long rituals and were unwieldy in the middle of battle. It was illogical to cast ritual style magic when speed casting was imperative. As I thought on it more, I wondered if I could use incantations to strengthen my magic as well. I've never really practiced ritual magics so I wasn't sure about how it would work, or if it could work at all.
"Guess I'll look into it later."
"Fire and Earth Sign: Lava Cromlech!"
"Great... more fire..." I really wasn't in the mood to be roasted again. With my spell card handy, I waited for the best timing in order to avert the damaging onslaught.
As the spell began, the oppressive heat made a return. Following close after were the familiar flying fireballs. Added into the mix for this round was a tumbling wall of rocks, but not just rocks. Instead of a volley of boulders, the spell churned out a miniature landslide. Boulders, pebbles, dirt, mud clumps, ash, and an occasional rough gemstone were all present in the loud mass of rumbling earth. I used my spell card as the rock wall approached since I didn't feel like toughing through it at all.
"Magic Sign: Stardust Reverie!"
Between the heat, fire, earth, and stars, I couldn't see a thing. With the loud collision of magic, there wasn't much hearing done either. Even as my Stardust Reverie swept across the fire and rock, I still felt the imposing heat's grip on me like a hungry snake on its prey. It was very dizzying.
As my Stardust Reverie began to wind down, I sensed no end to the heat, and panicked, "Is it going to outlast my Reverie?"
The red flames reached out as the tide of earth encroached. Dodging the mass of matter was beyond the realm of my abilities. I tightened my grip on my broom, closed my eyes, and braced for the Lava Cromlech to reach me.
What hit me was a great stillness. There was no pain, no shock, no change; it simply was. Without notice or hesitation, the calm air settled around me. It was so abrupt that I wondered, "Am I dead?"
The silence was nerve wrecking; so I decided to take a peak at what was happening. I opened my eyes and found the bookworm magician hunched over on the shelf top.
"Maybe she overdid it?" I thought.
Setting down nearby, I asked, "You all right, there?"
"I feel a little anemic," she responded, which seemed a little forced.
Since I wasn't satisfied with her answer, I asked again, "You all right, then?"
"Yes," her voice sounded terrible, "but I can't recite my spells like this."
"So..." from what I understood, it wasn't anything severe, but she couldn't continue the fight. It felt hollow, but there was only one possible outcome, "I win?"
Zer0Axiom:
Conflict and confrontation are unavoidable when dealing with the powerful. From the the opaque halls of foreign design, the pathway forward was stopped short. A simple servant stood in defense of her master, but even the meek would not receive mercy when faced with judgment. Bearing Gensokyo's safety, the Hakurei Miko brought judgment to the wicked, the foul, and the foolish alike.
Formalities of battle were long forgone. In the spacious arena of the the main foyer, Reimu and the tall maid were locked in a stalemate struggle. As knives and talismans sailed to the walls, the two kept watch over the other's movements. Reimu's clever multi-directional attacks kept the maid on edge while the maid's crafty sleight-of-hand volleys kept Reimu from gaining momentum.
A multitude of cutting tools took flight and scattered across the room. A seemingly random outburst at first, but the knives then preceded to change their trajectory and returned for another round at piercing Reimu. With the chaos of the shifting blades, the maid then threw several more handfuls of knives at the preoccupied Reimu.
The knives also held priority in a clash with the talismans, and though the odds stood in the maid's favor, the struggle would progress without change unless drastic actions were taken. Seeking to put the dissonant guest in her place, the maid revealed her spell card and made the first move.
"Illusion World: The World!"
With a flurry of magical energy, a small gathering of spheres began drifting outwards. Then, in the blink of her eyes, a wall of knives appeared and cut across the space in front of them. With nothing more than luck, Reimu drifted through the cluster while receiving nothing more than a few small cuts on her arms and clothes. After reaffirming her bearings, Reimu returned her gaze to the maid.
Around the maid's location, there were three amulets that could still be activated. As Reimu considered a few options, she opted for a long shot. If the plan went well, it would give her an opportunity to use a spell card from a more effective range. Gathering her focus, she set her plan into motion.
As she moved to the left, the maid responded with a volley of knives and drifted in the opposite direction. With the two circling each other once more, Reimu launched a barrage of talismans and moved overhead. Taking a defensive stance, the maid returned fire to counter the talisman barrage and observed Reimu's movements. Following the chance opening, Reimu activated her amulets and charged towards the maid.
Startled by the reckless charge, the maid stepped back and was struck by the unseen amulets. As she stumbled to a side, Reimu attacked with another wave of talismans and made ready her spell card. In a bizarre act of defiance, the maid attacked at Reimu and endured the incoming set of talismans, preventing the optimal range that Reimu was seeking. Having been driven back, Reimu landed a distance from the maid and reconsidered another course of action.
"Not to be rude, but...," the maid spoke out to Reimu while removing the talismans from her clothes, "Were these paper things suppose to do something?"
Confused at the conversation's abrupt rise, Reimu blankly explained, "They're talisman infused with spiritual power. They can cause considerable damage to youkai."
With the last talisman removed, the maid held it in hand and asserted, "... 'But are useless against human'?"
Combining the facts, Reimu commented, "I guess that makes you human."
"As such being the case," the maid proceeded with her inquiry as she tossed aside the talisman, "Do you have any means to cope with human targets?"
"For a more crude approach, I have these needles," Reimu stated on a lackadaisical whim. Revealing a small set of needles grasped between her fingers, she continued, "They aren't much different from the talismans, except-"
"'They're still harmful to human flesh'," the maid concluded, "Most crude, indeed."
"Well, thanks for the intermission," Reimu remarked playfully, "I won't need to waste time wondering why the talismans weren't working."
"And I won't need to worry about those weird paper weapons of yours," the maid retorted.
Resuming from where they left off, Reimu and the human maid circled one another as they prepared their respective tools. With the effective loss of her amulets, this would become a battle of attrition for Reimu.
"Where's Marisa when I need her?" she whispered.
Although lacking in any discernible judgment of modesty and restraint, Marisa's magic made for an effective combat devise against all lifeforms. Against your average human, she made for the perfect threat factor. Now, when faced with a skilled human opponent, Reimu felt most appreciative for Marisa's indiscriminate destructive power.
"I'm here!" Marisa announced as she plowed through the doorway from the northern corridor.
In the distraction afforded by her entry, Reimu attacked the maid with her needles. Injured from the surprise attack, the maid fled from the scene.
"Don't think you've bested me yet!" she declared as she vanished from sight.
"What was that all about?" Marisa asked, confused by the confrontation's sudden end.
Exasperated, Reimu kept her explanation short, "Nothing. Let's go."
"Whatever," unsurprised by the nondescript explanation, Marisa cheered, "Let's go!"
Zer0Axiom:
The looming darkness, it is comforting and frightening. There is a moment in which I desire its comforting embrace, but fear its cold touch. Such a paradoxical thought, I wonder if I'll ever be free of its torment. The peacefulness of solitude and the terror of seclusion, will I ever be free?
As I regained consciousness, I found myself covered with books. Taking a further glance at my surroundings, I noticed that I was sitting on one of the bookshelves. Shaking off the headache that gripped at me, I slowly recalled the circumstances to my situation.
I was moving some books that the Professor had finished using. She had also instructed me to retrieve several other text from the section that I'd be in. As I was managing to lighten the load, I remembered being struck from behind and then hitting my head.
Shaking away the migraine, I reminded myself of my objective, "Better get back to my task."
As I reached the shelf top, I heard a voice that I wasn't familiar with, "You all right, there?"
"I feel a little anemic," it was the Professor that responded.
I was lost in my thoughts as the conversation continued, "Were they fighting? Did the Professor lose because of her anemia? Who was that other person?"
As I was pondering over some plausible explanations, I heard the professor coughing and without a moment's hesitation, I rushed to her side. I really wasn't too sure what I was supposed to be thinking with the headache that graced me as I asked her, "Are you alright? What happened? Who is that person?"
Between her coughs, the Professor managed a clear response, "...intruder..."
"'Intruder'? Understood," at least I think I understood. The person that was with the professor was an intruder. They were fighting because the Professor was trying to get rid of her. Wait, was she the reason for my headache as well?
Affixing a glare towards the intruder, I remarked, "Quite the troublemaker, aren't you?"
The intruder was nonchalant as she mused, "So I get another admirer? This is quite the night."
"Who's you're admirer?" I instinctively interjected. Taking notice of the fact that the Professor was still in my arms, I set her down as I confronted the intruder, "I will expel you from the grounds!"
With a diabolical grin, the intruder continued her musing, "Perfect timing. I was looking to let off some steam."
If she was able to match the Professor in a fight, then I had little chance for victory. Reconciling my doubt, I looked her over to study her condition. There were a lot of burn marks on her clothes and a few abrasions on her skin. If my guess was correct, she would have been slightly exhausted from the confrontation as well. I was not very confident in my magic against her, but I felt I could probably beat her with close fighting.
Using a small blast of magic to start, I circled around to her side. The intruder moved to her side and appeared directly in front of me. With such a remarkable opportunity, I struck at her and knocked her off her broom.
"That wasn't very fair!" she protested, having tumbled over the shelf top from my attack.
Although her protests seemed rather childish, I indulged her with a response, "All is fair in love and war. Did you think I'd fight you on equal footing?"
Tossing the broom aside, I charged in to defeat the intruder. As I approached, she tried to ward off my advance with her own magic. I was right to believe a direct attack would be best approach. She scrambled away in her attempt to avoid my attacks. Using my magic to corner her, I managed to pin her at an edge and sent her flying across the shelf top.
As she dangled from the ledge, I closed in to finish her off. When I reached striking range, she let go of the ledge and dropped down below. Halting at the edge, I noticed her holding a spell card.
"Love Sign!"
Taking the defensive, I backed away to avoid the entrapment, but my retreat was cut short. From behind, I was struck and pushed over the edge. My eyes glanced behind me to see her broom had rammed into my back. As I returned my gaze forward, I saw a wide grin on the intruder's face, "All's fair in love and war, right?"
I had failed to stop the intruder. I have failed the Professor's expectations of me. With the accumulating magic that gathered from her spell, I would probably fail to survive the attack as well. Completely helpless, I closed my eyes and whispered, "I'm sorry."
"Master Spark!"
With a blinding flash, I was enveloped in a rush of magical power. The deafening roar pierced through me. The pain clenched in my chest. My consciousness faded. "I'm sorry," echoed in my mind as my strength failed me.
Zer0Axiom:
Comrades are a treasure. They are trusted and trusting. They stand by you as you by them. It is during my hour of peril that I realize how remarkable they are.
Once again, I found myself in a bind. If the many faeries from before were not enough, they were now in the presence of their true leader. There was a clamor over the battle. It seemed as if the other faeries wanted to assist Cirno in the fight. It was with gradual persuasion that they resigned to keeping out of the duel. If they were to keep to their word, then I would be facing Cirno in single combat. It was an opportune respite since I did not have the strength to face a full confrontation with the many faeries present.
Cirno grinned as she turned her attention back to me, "Sorry about that. Now, I'll beat you fair and square. Are you ready to get beaten?"
Returning to my combat stance, I acceded to battle, "As you will, then."
Cirno made the first move. She formed a fragmented ring of icicles and then directed them towards me. Shifting my weight around, I managed to avoid being pelted by the barrage. Keeping on my toes, I kept watch to her movements. Shortly after the icicles passed by, Cirno released a laser blast and I stumbled to avoid it.
The prolonged fighting had begun to take its toll on me. I expended a lot of my chi fighting with the miko and further drained my reserves against the faerie horde. There was little more that I could do but struggle. If nothing else, I might have a chance to defeat her if I struck quickly enough. Without a moment's rest, I gathered my chi.
Even as I faced Cirno, it took most of my strength to stand. I would have only one chance to succeed. Awaiting her attack, I followed for the opportunity to attack. As she aimed her laser, I made my move.
Charging at the bewildered faerie, I reached with a palm strike. She stepped around it but was startled by my approach. Continuing my assault, I kicked high to lure her to my side. When she dodged into my trap, I closed in and drove my fist into her chest. As she went flying a short distance away, I recoiled from the attack.
In my haste, I neglected to consider the obvious. It was a dangerous act to strike at an open flame, and frozen object were no better. Cold air exuded from her presence and my fist nearly froze over from hitting her. The chilblain was yet another factor to worry over with my current predicament.
As she returned to her feet, Cirno fumed with anger, "Now I'm mad! I'll use this! Snow Sign: Diamond Blizzard!"
In a burst of cold air, ice shards scattered about and I was caught in its torrential fury. As I knelt from the pain and exhaustion, I closed my eyes and awaited my suffering. As the cold currents flew past, I was shocked that I remained unharmed.
"Was it possible that the attack would miss me entirely?" I wondered.
After the winds were calm once more, I found myself completely unscathed. By some strange miracle, the Diamond Blizzard spared me from Cirno's wrath. With reluctant joy, I returned to my feet. Cirno was not pleased and made ready to unleash another spell card.
With the last of my strength, I rushed at her and attacked in desperation, "Even if I become paralyzed from the damage, I will defeat the enemy in front of me!"
As I brought in my left hand, I struck out and hit her with my right. As the pain drained my dwindling strength, I drove my left palm across her chin. Completely disregarding the agony, I leapt over her and drove my right heel across her cheek. With Cirno skidding across the ground, I twirled in the air and landed ungracefully onto my face.
The faerie onlookers were no longer able to watch idly. They attacked at me with swift retribution. Devoid of any strength, I resigned myself to crushing defeat. Just then, I was pulled away from the fatal barrage. Several of the faerie maids emerged from the mist and attacked the faerie invaders.
As I glanced at my saviors, a maid inquired to my condition, "Are you alright? Can you move?"
"I've felt worse," my voice would not respond.
"We'll take care of things here."
"Were they able to repel the intruders already? Is that why they came to my aid? Then, I did not fail in my duty?"
Uncertainty clawed at my confidence as my consciousness faded to exhaustion.