~Hakurei Shrine~ > Kosuzu's Grand Bookstore
A New World: Book 1 Completed
Iced Fairy:
?I knew you would come here, murderer.?
?Oh good, I'd hate to think I wasted the trip.?
?You seem rather carefree for someone whose powers are being negated.?
?Ufufu. Normally I'd pretend that I care, but you're such a fool you'll go ahead with your plans anyway, even if I tell you about the trap.?
?.... I think you're bluffing. Kill her.?
?Strike me down, and I will become more powerful then you could possibly imagine.?
?Do you really want your last words to be that??
?What makes you think that these will be my last words? We will meet again....?
***
?Time to wake up Mary.?
Maribel muttered something unintelligible then forced herself to sit up. ?Wha...? She looked around the small attic getting her bearings before turning to her friend. ?Renko. You waking me up??
Renko sighed. ?I'm waking you up because we're going to the Myouren temple today. Remember??
Maribel stretched then nodded. She figured she shouldn't mention she was actually asking if they were really so late Renko had to wake her.
Maribel pulled herself free from the futon then stood up and grabbed her dress. Renko and her had been wearing spare kimonos in town to help blend in, but outside the village she didn't need to bother with that.
Renko sat and waited for her. ?You look out of it Mary. I thought you wanted to go to the temple and get your eyes looked at. Did you have bad dreams??
?I'm just not looking forward to hearing more about that Yukari.? Maribel sighed. ?But I suppose that's a stupid reason to dawdle.?
?Yeah it is,? Renko said. ?I thought you'd gotten over that too. You didn't seem angry when we were chatting with Yuyuko again yesterday.?
?Only because she actually was talking to me this time.? Maribel finished dressing then adjusted her hat. ?Also it's really hard to stay mad at her. She just doesn't seem to have any malice.?
Renko nodded thoughtfully. ?Yeah. Maybe being dead that long gives you a different view on things.? Her friend laughed lightly. ?But I don't think that'd be a good thing to experiment with.?
Maribel smiled in return. ?No it wouldn't.?
The two girls made their way down to the first floor of Keine's schoolhouse home and were greeted by the smell of a traditional Japanese breakfast, the standard at Keine's home. It was good and filling, but a little monotonous. Maribel once again made a mental note to try to get up early and make pancakes one of these days.
?Good Morning!? Keine said with a smile as she waved the two towards the seats where meals were sitting. ?Mokou got called out to help the foresters, but there shouldn't be any trouble getting to the temple so long as I'm there.?
Maribel just nodded and started in on her food. Renko sat beside her.
?So who are we going to meet at this temple?? her friend asked. ?I think I saw something about them in your histories but we haven't really run into them in the village.?
Keine chuckled. ?Actually I bet you've seen Nue about. She does most of their shopping these days, though I don't think I'd notice her since she'd be hiding her true form.?
Maribel frowned. ?Nue? Didn't Hiyori shoot the creature? And wasn't it a troublemaker??
?Apparently she was merely sealed,? Keine sighed. ?And she still is a troublemaker, she just doesn't kill people anymore. One of the good deeds Byakuren accomplished. But perhaps I should tell the story from the beginning.?
Keine explained how the temple of Myouren came to be. From the fall of the legendary Myouren's sister Byakuren, to the incident where Marisa (who had apparently been human at the time) and two miko freed her, and helped her build a temple where youkai and humans could learn to live together. While it was a truncated version Maribel found herself liking the characters Keine described.
Keine finished her explanation about the same time breakfast wrapped up. ?Of course, when the border solidified and relations between humans and youkai became strained again, the Myouren temple tried to fix things. Sadly there's only so much goodwill alone can do. After the battle Byakuren retreated to her chambers to meditate. Some people think she's running from her past actions. I personally think she's investigating the barrier to find a way to set it back to it's old state. But either way Shou is in charge now.?
?Hm...? Maribel considered the matter. ?So we're not likely to get answers there then. Just a guard to help us get to the Hakurei shrine.?
Keine shook her head as they started to clear the table. ?I admit Byakuren's advice would be helpful, but Shou or Ichirin might have an idea as well. The temple of Myoren is a Shingon sect temple, and Shou is an avatar of Bishamonten. All of them are proficient in spiritual abilities.?
Maribel looked outside. The sun was shining mildly, and she heard the laughter of the kids in the front playing on the grounds in front of the school.
?Well if nothing else it's a nice day for a walk.?
When everything was put away the three headed out. Maribel nodded to some of the villagers she'd seen about, and they stopped to chat with Haraguchi-sensei, the woman who apparently as a private tutor for the few children who wanted to advance their studies beyond what Keine's school could offer. Maribel was still sometimes taken aback by how quickly Renko and her had been welcomed into the community, but apparently being vouched for by Keine counted for a lot. Or maybe the village just was quicker to band together.
Outside the village Maribel and Renko once again marveled at how natural everything was. Even the rice fields seemed a thousand times more lively then the world they left behind, with all sorts of strange insects and birds flitting about. The expedition turned into more of a nature hike as they exited the farms and hit some rolling hills.
Soon however they reached their destination. Four stone walls surrounded the strangest temple Maribel had ever seen. It looked like someone had tried to turn a old grain silo into a boat, then beached the thing and slapped a few temple buildings around it. It was by far the ugliest building she'd seen in Gensoukyo.
?Is that the temple?? she asked incredulously.
Keine nodded. ?Yes. Remember it was built around the flying grain silo of Myouren.?
Renko blinked at it a few more times. ?Well, I can believe that.?
?Is it safe?? Maribel asked.
Keine nodded. ?Oh yes. They keep the temple very well maintained physically and magically. After all hard labor is a good focusing technique.?
Maribel supposed there ware stranger looking buildings back at home. Still those looked modern so you could believe there was a scientific trick keeping them stable. This just looked... patched together.
A woman dressed in simple clothing came to meet them as they entered. ?Welcome. It's good to see you Miss Keine, and your guests as well.?
Renko squinted slightly as she looked at the girl. The girl smiled and bowed. ?Oh! You must be Nue. That's an odd form to pick if you want to look inconspicuous but... Anyway I'm Renko Usami.?
The girl jumped backwards in shock. ?Eh!??
Maribel bowed as well. ?Maribel Hearn.? She looked over the girl once again. ?Though I don't think it's all that standoffish myself. When'd you see her Renko??
Renko looked at her with disbelief. ?Uh Mary, those wings would stick out, even if she wasn't wearing a short black dress and thigh highs.?
?Wings?? Maribel stared at the girl. Then she blinked, and the figure in front of her changed. Simply put Renko had been right. Those asymmetrical wings were very distinct. And she noted with a hint of displeasure, the woman was in fact wearing a very short black dress. She shook that off quickly though.
Nue rubbed her head. ?Ehehehe. That's really strange. Looks like my power doesn't work on you. Oh well, I suppose I really shouldn't be obsessing over hiding my true form as much.?
Keine lightly coughed. ?I hate to interrupt, but could you tell Shou I'm here? We actually came here to get some magical advice.?
Nue raised an eyebrow at that. ?Eh? Sounds like something interesting's up.? The youkai girl smiled. ?Go on in. I'll grab Shou.?
To Maribel's surprise the girl hopped into the air and then flew into the temple complex.
?I didn't think she'd be able to actually fly with those wings,? Maribel said as they walked in after Nue.
Keine's mouth opened in an o of astonishment, then she smiled and shook her head. ?That's right. You two don't know how easy it is to fly yet. Most people can do it. However people walk nowadays because flying is seen as a sign of physical weakness among some youkai.?
Renko coughed and asked the question they were both thinking, ?Er, what about the pantyshots??
Keine looked confused for a moment. ?Pantyshots? Oh! Well you can't let yourself be restrained by those sort of things too much.?
Maribel wasn't sure if she wanted to discard that much of her common sense. She looked over at Renko and they nodded in unspoken agreement.
The inside of the temple was much better construction then its outside. Here the wood all matched, and the beams were solid. The inner temple that Keine lead them to continued the trend, being fairly simple, but very solid. The only really extravagant item in the room was the gold statue on the alter.
They had just seated themselves when their host entered in a blaze of radiance.
At first Maribel was uncertain if the person who entered was a boy or a girl. But matter which was correct the robed figure was stunningly beautiful with a golden halo. As Maribel's eyes readjusted she became aware, somehow, that what she was seeing was the weakened boundary between god and youkai.
Suddenly she felt a poke in her side. She jumped, then flushed and looked down slightly when she realized Renko must have prodded her for staring.
?Greetings Keine Kameshirasawa, Maribel Hearn, and Renko Usami. I, Shou Toramaru, welcome you to the temple of Myouren.? As the woman sat her aura weakened considerably. Maribel felt even more embarrassed when she realized that Nue and two other women had entered the room as well. One was very obviously a Mouse youkai, while the other seemed to be a ghost in a sailor's uniform. ?How can we help you??
Maribel let Keine explain the situation while her heart slowed down. The temple's acting head was pretty, and she had a striking aura of confidence as well, but Maribel's stunned reaction had been purely from the divine power. Yet another annoyance she could thank her eyes for.
Thus when Keine finished Maribel said, ?I really need to find someone who can help fast. I don't want to be randomly incapacitated every time there's a weak boundary about.?
Shou nodded. ?Yes that would be dangerous. Unfortunately I personally have no skill in boundary manipulation. The way of the Buddha is to move past boundaries and definitions, and while in my position as an avatar I will find it difficult to gain such enlightenment, I do not stray from the path either.?
Maribel slumped in disappointment. ?So I can't get any help here??
Shou raised her hand. ?I can't speak for Ichirin or Byakuren. My strength is my own, but my magic is purely derived from Bishamonten. Ichirin is attempting to ask Byakuren now, so when they arrive you may have more options.?
?If you'll forgive me though, I have some questions for you Renko.?
?Or rather Nue and Murasa have questions,? the mouse youkai said with a smirk.
Murasa laughed and waved the comment off, ?I just thought I'd seen her before. Not likely though if you are outsiders.?
Renko shook her head. ?I know I've never seen a ghost like you before.?
Maribel chucked. ?We haven't seen many ghosts at all before arriving here. No matter how much we looked.?
?I'd like to know what your power is,? Nue said. ?You shouldn't be able to see through my seed of the unknown form with any illusion piercing magics.?
Renko shrugged. ?Uh, all I know how to do is figure out where I am and what time it is by looking at the stars. I don't have any other powers.?
?Aha! That's where I saw you before!? Murasa pounded her fist into her hand. ?You were the woman captain of that boat I sank! That really surprised me. I didn't even realize you were a girl until you'd drowned. Actually managed to save some of the crew before going down with the ship. Real impressive.?
Murasa noticed everyone looking at her. ?Er, sorry about that by the way. I've stopped doing that.?
Renko looked at Maribel. ?How come you get to be the reincarnation of the incredibly powerful being that created a mystical world, and I get to be the reincarnation of someone who drowned??
?How come you get to have eyes that tell the time and see through illusions while mine short circuit my brain,? Maribel retorted.
?Now, now calm down,? Keine said as she placed her hands on the two girls shoulders.
Maribel flushed again. Obviously her eyes were still affecting her. "Sorry."
Shou nodded. ?I promise you we'll get you help for that problem one way or another. Even if Byakuren can't find a solution, Ichirin and Unzan can escort you to the Hakurei Shrine easily. And they are certain to have a solution."
?That won't be necessary.?
Space seemed to tear open. Maribel could see the boundary being manipulated, and she once again saw that strange yet familiar realm. Out of there stepped a kitsune in a blue and white dress. Maribel couldn't see them all, but she somehow knew that there were nine bushy tails behind the woman, and her yellow ears twitched as everyone in the room stood.
?We have a door, Ran,? growled Shou.
The kitsune ignored Shou's statement. ?I should be able to handle the the girl's teaching myself. After all who alive knows boundaries better then a Yakumo??
Maribel's eyes narrowed and she breathed a sigh of frustration. ?Yakumo.? Two sentences, and she already didn't like the fox.
She figured this was going to be a long day.
nolrai2:
Heh the Ran/Maribel interaction will be interesting.
Dan-Heron:
--- Quote from: IcedFairy on September 18, 2010, 08:58:32 PM ---
?Strike me down, and I will become more powerful then you could possibly imagine.?
--- End quote ---
Damn, Yukari is the only character who can get away with saying that quote.
Pretty good stuff so far, read it all in a single sitting. Only complain is that there's no more. Great view of what could possibly happen, sad about some of the things that went on the past.
Iced Fairy:
Shou apparently saw Maribel's displeasure. ?I think you should be asking instead of demanding, Ran. And perhaps also explaining.?
Keine turned to face the kitsune. ?Indeed. For example, where have you been??
Ran frowned. ?I.... I suppose I can explain. You wouldn't realize what's been happening.? Maribel edged backwards as the Kitsune pointed straight at her. ?This girl has destabilized the barrier.?
The room somehow got more tense. However all that tension seemed to be focused at Ran. Maribel stood up straighter. ?What exactly does that mean? And how do you know it's my fault?? asked Maribel.
Ran sighed. ?Don't all glare at me. I'm not accusing her of anything. The barrier is slowly going back to the state it was supposed to be in!?
A collective gasp came up from the youkai. ?Oi! Then why aren't you telling everyone about this!?? yelled the mouse youkai.
?Yeah! If everyone knew, then things would go back to the way they were and Byakuren would....? Nue trailed off into silence.
Ran grimaced painfully. ?Yeah, that's what I thought too. I've been trying to set things up for the last week or so. But that won't work anymore. People don't trust me.? Ran tossed her hands up in exasperation. ?Hell they didn't trust Yukari either. I'm trying to pull off 200 years of social evolution in two hours. I'll need something concrete before anyone will listen to me.?
?So you want me as a prop?? Maribel snapped.
Ran's eyes narrowed as she looked into Maribel's eyes. ?If necessary? Yes.?
Maribel matched the woman's glare. ?And if I refuse??
?Then....?
?Oh Ichirin. You didn't tell me Ran was here as well.?
The tension in the room seemed to shatter at the cheery voice coming from the entryway. Mary turned and found herself face to face with a beaming woman in a black and white dress. Behind her was a Buddhist nun, and what looked to be a pink cloud.
?Hello,? the woman said, ?I'm Byakuren Hijiri. I'm pleased you came to visit my temple, Maribel Hearn.? Byakuren then turned to Renko, ?And you as well Renko Usami. This is a place that allows humans and youkai to enter freely in a spirit of understanding. I hope you feel comfortable dropping by at any time.?
?However right now, I'd like to talk to you about something very important. If you have the time of course.? Byakuren put a hand on Maribel's shoulder while smiling at Ran and Renko. ?And unfortunately it has to be for your ears only. I'm sorry to interrupt your discussion like that, but I'm sure Shou can keep you company while we're away.?
Maribel looked at Renko who gave a quick thumbs up. Keine seemed to be fine with the matter as well so Maribel nodded. ?I'd be glad to speak to you for a bit.? Anything to get away from that annoying fox girl.
Ran was frowning deeply. ?Byakuren you know what's at stake here.?
?Yes, I do know Ran,? Byakuren said, before turning back towards the door.
Maribel watches Ran's grimace deepen, then fade. She could almost see the calculations going on behind the fox woman's eyes.
It was not an endearing trait.
Deciding that spending any more time dwelling on the matter was foolish she waved a quick goodbye to Renko and Keine and followed Byakuren out the door. The tall woman led her just a little deeper into the ship before opening a side door to a small tea room. ?Please have a seat.?
Maribel sat down on the small pillow that was probably put there for people like her who didn't practice sitting formally very often. Byakuren closed the door then sat down across from her.
As Maribel finally took the time to study the woman closely, she noticed Byakuren seemed somewhat tired. There were no circles around the eyes, or lines on her face, but she drooped slightly, as if under a heavy weight. It didn't seem to fit with her youth and energy.
?Would you like some tea child?? the magician asked, offering a cup that had just appeared in her hands.
?Yes. Thank you.?
Byakuren set the cup in front of Maribel, then produced another one for herself. Maribel took a quick sip to wet her throat.
The tea was... plain. Utterly dull. Though, Maribel supposed she should expect that from a temple. She took a few more sips, then turned her full attention to Byakuren. ?So what is so important that even Renko can't hear it??
Byakuren blinked, then smiled slightly. ?Oh sorry, I'd forgotten that already. The truth is that there's nothing that really needed to be hidden about our little talk. It's just it will mostly be about you, and your power, and I imagine your friend is getting sick of being the fifth wheel in these conversations. You can tell her all about it later. Besides, she'll learn more from Shou this way.?
Maribel paused, then smiled in return. ?That's true, I can't imagine she was enjoying hearing everyone say the world revolved around me all the time. I don't like it either, but at least it makes me sound important.?
?The world does not revolve around anyone, but some people change the world more then others,? Byakuren stated simply. ?Though I feel your friend is still stronger then most. She might be able to become a good magician. Perhaps on Alice's level or my own.?
Byakuren shook her head. ?But that's for later. First let's handle your own power.?
?You can do that? That would be great!? Maribel shifted a bit in her seat. ?I've been troubling Keine and Mokou for the past week, not to mention the pain it causes me. Anything that can help would be good.?
?Very well, let me explain your power first,? Byakuren set her tea cup to the side and closed her eyes. ?The power that both Yukari Yakumo and you wield is the power of boundaries. Within the world of illusions boundaries are the most important power. The Boundary of Death defines Life, and even outside of Gensoukyo, the Boundary of Dreams defines Reality.?
?Without limits and boundaries there is nothing, as you see whenever you look at Fujiwara no Moukou. She is neither alive nor dead, but a unique existence. Not fully allowed to live in either realm.? Byakuren opened her eyes again. ?So all we need to do is change the limit of your powers so that you choose when to see boundaries and when not to.?
The two women looked at each other for a minute.
?Um, that's nice and all... but how do I do that?? Maribel asked.
?By having you read this aloud.? Byakuren raised her arms over her head, then pulled them apart in an arc. As she did so a rainbow colored scroll formed in the air, shining brightly throughout the dim room.
Maribel tried to look at the scroll, but the glare caused her eyes to water. ?Is there any way to turn that down??
?You have to endure the light. Don't worry, it's not long.?
Maribel gritted her teeth and tried to look at the scroll once again. She tried shielding the light with her hands, but that only made it worse. She tried closing her eyes and reading the red splotches on her retina, but that didn't work either. So in the end she just kept staring and blinking the tears away, until finally she thought she could see the kanji printed on it.
?Namusan!?
Maribel sighed with relief as Byakuren closed the scroll, returning it to where ever it had come from. ?Very good.?
Maribel rubbed her eyes vigorously. Then took a look around the room. ?Um... Did it work??
Byakuren nodded and waved her hands. This time a window appeared in the air, showing Renko, Ran and Shou chatting about something. ?You should now have to concentrate to see the border.?
Maribel frowned, then did try to focus her eyes. As she did so the abnormality in the border of space quickly became evident. In fact Maribel thought she saw better then before. Instead of simply seeing the presence of power she saw threads of power forming the alteration in the boundary. Of course that might just be Byakuren's magic.
?This is great! Thank you so much!? Maribel smiled at the magician. ?So what kind of spell was that? Can you use it to teach me how to use my abilities in other ways??
Byakuren coughed lightly. ?I'm sorry. I'm afraid that there wasn't a spell at all. If I were to compare it to something I suppose it would be a placebo effect.?
?What?? Maribel stared at Byakuren incredulously. ?But, you're saying that wasn't a spell? Then how...??
Byakuren took a sip of her tea. ?Explaining it will be both simple and difficult I'm afraid. To start with, I performed no spell. However you altered your own abilities in response to my suggestion.?
Maribel thought on that for a moment. ?You're saying I could do that all along, I just didn't try hard enough??
?It's not that simple.? Byakuren sighed. ?It has to do with your power. All powers are defined by their limits. For example, one's strength is defined by the limit of their lifting capacity. Do you understand??
Maribel nodded slowly. ?I think so.?
Byakuren returned the nod and continued. ?Your power is the alteration of limits. In short, it was impossible for you to control your powers, but you changed that. Now controlling your power is within your limits.?
Maribel, thought about the matter. Then thought about it some more. ?Wait. Did I really just give myself the power to control my powers??
?Yes.?
?Isn't that a paradox??
?Somewhat.?
Maribel's head was spinning. ?Wait. So my power can do whatever I want it to do??
Byakuren nodded again. ?Indeed. You can alter the boundaries of your abilities to do almost anything.?
Maribel considered that for a while. ?Doesn't that make me omnipotent??
Byakuren sighed. ?No. You see this is where it gets complicated.?
Maribel sipped her tea and listened.
?As I said before, power is defined by boundaries. Without limitations on your power you actually can't do anything.? Byakuren held out her hands. ?This is true for most magic. I can summon a ball with pure willpower.? A ball appeared in the magicians hands. ?But if I don't limit the spell to summoning a ball nothing would happen. I can't summon 'something.' I must limit the spell so I'm not just wasting energy.?
That made sense, Maribel thought. ?So I have to know what I'm doing, and limit myself to a certain level of power??
Byakuren smiled happily. ?Yes. Exactly.?
Maribel considered the matter a little more. ?So what keeps me from making myself effectively omnipotent??
?Two things.? Byakuren held up two fingers to emphasize the points. ?One, you must believe the action is possible. That's why I tricked you into thinking you were casting a spell. Now that you've accessed your abilities voluntarily you believe you can, but before you would have doubted. And that would have prevented you from making the alterations.?
?Two, you can only perform actions you comprehend, obviously.? Byakuren shrugged. ?If you don't know something exists you can't alter its boundaries.?
?Hm...? Maribel nodded. ?But it's got to be hard to believe you can change something that you understand very well just by thinking about it.?
?Very good.? Byakuren rewarded Maribel's insight with another smile. ?That's one of the reasons magic is difficult. The other reason is that with magic other people's disbelief actively hampers a spell. That at least is something you don't have to worry about.?
Maribel happily took another sip of the tea. She liked Byakuren. In fact the temple just seemed like a friendly place in general. This seemed like a good place to study her power. Especially, she remembered with sudden distaste, since going to the Hakurei Shrine would mean dealing with that fox woman.
In this case to think was to act. ?Thank you for the instruction Miss Hijiri. You seem very knowledgeable about my abilities, would it be possible to study with you??
Byakuren's eyes widened slightly then her smile softened a bit. ?Ah. Trying to avoid having to deal with Ran??
Maribel grimaced. ?Is it that obvious??
?Yes, though I can understand how her nature can be a little offsetting.? Byakuren sighed. ?The poor girl has been trying to do the impossible for so long, I'm afraid her social skills have suffered for it. Still she is the best person to teach you how to master boundaries, for whatever purpose you may find for that ability.?
Maribel couldn't help but ask, ?Why? All she's done in wander into my life and start making demands."
Byakuren stared into her cup for a long moment before replying. "I can't ask you to like her. That's something you two will have to work out yourselves. Or not, as the case may be."
?I will explain why she's the one who can teach you the most, because I believe it will do you some good to understand. But certain parts will anger you. Because you see, to explain fully I'll have to tell you not only about your power, but also about the sin that lead to your early reincarnation.?
Tengukami:
--- Quote from: IcedFairy on October 01, 2010, 08:04:54 PM ---Anything to get away from that annoying fox girl.
--- End quote ---
+1 Maribel.