The black menace rampaged down the path from Heaven towards Gensokyo. It devoured the bodies of every Chaos Spawn or Corrupted it saw, absorbing them and adding their powers to itself. The Chaos Creature blasted it's way through the corrupted blockade, reaching the top of Youkai Mountain. There it surged down the mountain with amazing speed, somehow managing to avoid the Tengu guarding the mountain. Shredding the slowly advancing Chaos Spawns at the bottom of the Mountain, it began to walk slowly, almost stroll towards the Great Youkai Forest.
-
Chaos Spawns advanced on the position they had saw the Embodiments and youkai. Slithering their way through the dense forest, they soon reached one of the lakes. There, they saw that their "prey" were still in the area, their guards were down and they were relatively defenseless. At the moment. From experience, the Chaos Spawns had learnt that the embodiments could take on forms granted by their godly parts. They needed a plan, and the simplest one was to take the most defenseless one first. The mouse Youkai.
The Spawn's positions were off. Nazrin was in the middle of a lake, and the only way they could get to her was by revealing themselves. Attempting to think of another plan, the leader began to notice that one of the embodiments was just sitting on a log, overlooking the other three. Impulsively, the leader signaled for them to go after the man. The spawns gathered, moving slowly and silently in the cover of night and within the bushes. Once in range, two Spawns began to push their heads out of the bushes, and they struck.
With magnificent accuracy, their tentacles flung forward and caught the embodiment: Newan's arms, pulling him towards them. Vante looked back just in time to hear a grunt before another tentacle began to cover Newan's mouth. Getting up from the ground, Vante called forth his scythe. It exploded into being in a flash of turquoise and gold light, flaring with runic energies. Vante squinted his eyes from the burst of light, and threw. The scythe flew forth, slicing through the tentacles that grabbed Newan. Once freed, Newan jumped back, his sword beginning to materialize on his backhand.
"I told you."
"Ps-" Mystia's annoyed reply was cut off as more Chaos Spawns appeared, grabbing the two Youkai and pulling them towards the forest. Vante and Newan gave chase, the former calling his scythe back and throwing it once more at the Spawns. This time, they learnt Vante's attack pattern, well, the ranged one that is. They curved their tentacles and threw the youkai to the side, narrowly avoiding the Scythe's deadly blade.
Their dodging gave Newan enough time to reach the Spawns, slicing off the tentacles that attacked him, attempting to grab Mystia, who was the closest to him. His blade crackled with energy, cutting through the spawns like a knife going through hot butter. The tide turned in an instant, the ground breaking and tentacles reaching out to immobilize the two embodiments. The tentacles wrapped around their arms and legs, bending them slowly back towards a point limbs were never supposed to bend.
A loud roar is heard from deep within the forests. The Spawns look back, their leader was gone. In it's place an eight-foot monstrosity took it's place, green, acidic blood dripping from it's mouth and claws. It charged forward, ripping the Spawns in half and taking their mangled bodies into it's mouth. The Creature soon freed the embodiments and youkai, devouring all the Spawns it could. The few lucky ones escaped with burn marks on their black bodies. Newan takes a few steps back, shocked by the sudden appearance of the beast. Vante puts his hand on his shoulder, a sign of reassurance.
But their hopes are crushed once the beast reaches for both Youkai, grabbing their bodies like little fragile toys and lifting them up, roaring. The youkai squirm and Newan grits his teeth, glancing over to a surprised Vante.
"I... I could have sworn..."
The beast lifts Nazrin toward's it's mouth, the acidic blood from earlier dripping and burning the skin on her arms. It tilt's it's head to the side, looking at the night sparrow. The beast tosses Nazrin to the ground, and begins to pull Mystia close. Nazrin rolls on the floor, crying in pain as the skin on her arms melt, and stop slowly, revealing burn marks. The creature brings Mystia to it's mouth, breathing on her face. The night sparrow attempts to move away, only to be hurt as the beast squeezes her tighter. The blood however, doesn't leak down her. Instead, it's black saliva leaks from it's mouth down onto Mystia, before the creature tosses her away.
It begins to walk off, as if being forced to. It gives one final look, before it walks away into the forest. It knows now that those were Gensokyans. Mystia's clothes soon turn black. A corruption process begins, but luckily, not on the night sparrow herself.
-
Yukari moves over to Tenshi, pushing her slightly.
"Tenshi, tell me where this place is."
"I don't know...It's black an-"
Yukari bends down, picking up what seems to be a corrupted, ball-like object. She tosses it at Tenshi. "What? What's this for?"
"We're not at the closest point to Gensokyo. We're at it's center. Kanako, I expected better from you."
"Me? All I did was go in the direction where everything seemed to be g-"
"We're getting closer to the source of the corruption, an-"
"Stop fighting you two! Gensokyo is in a crisis and the two of you are beginning to argue."
"...Unyu..." Utsuho moves behind Orin and Gale.
"Look Yukari, since you know this place so well, why don't you lead us to where you can use your powers." Aesera crossed her arms.
"You've been going on this quest to get me to get your friends here. Let me tell you now that I can't."
"You said that if we brou-"
"My powers will take longer then that to recover, Aesera. Not like bringing us to the bottom most point of Heaven will do muc-"
Aesera goes forward and pulls Yukari towards her. "You're saying we just wasted our time?"
"Yes. Yes! I'm saying that. Because I don't know what the fuck these things are, who the hell you are, or why you, Kanako, that man, this hellcat and that bird-brained idiot are together as some team! This Chaos is some youkai that came from nowhere, and then you people pop up and stuff. I thought it was weird enough so I visited you at the outside. I didn't learn anything much there. And now you've dragged Miss Arrogant face Celestial and Wriggle into this."
"Listen, Yukari." Aesera grabs Yukari's collar and pulls her closer. "Your home is under attack by these things and you still wan-"
"Get your filthy hands off me, human. Do not test me."
"You're weak now, aren't you? Or is that a lie? Why won't you help us?!"
"For all I know, you and those humans probably called them here! What if you are the invaders? What if you are the mastermind!"
"...Yukari! Enough!" Kanako swings her sword in a wide arc. "Aesera can't be the enemy. She was almost killed more then three times because of Chaos!"
Yukari shoves Aesera back, looking away. "I'll end this. I'll end all of this. Chaos is a Youkai, and I am one of the most powerful youkai in Gensokyo."
"You don't understand, Yukari!" Tenshi sprouts.
"What don't I understand, Celestial? Tell me!"
"Those things aren't youkai!" Orin calls out. "Please, Yukari..."
"To hell with all of this." Yukari turns away from the group. "Why do you interfere in my work, Aesera? Why did you and your... Companions have to set foot on Gensokyo. As far as I know, you could be the cause of all this. All of you should just leave." Yukari turns back, with sadness in her eyes. Just pure, concentrated sorrow. "Gensokyo is my home. I will take care of it. Me and Reimu, together, we will end all of this."
"...You don't understand..."
"No, YOU don't understand. This was never your fight." Yukari walks away.
"...It is our destiny to save or damn the world." Aesera mumbles quietly. "Or have all we learnt all lies?"
"...Aesera..." Gale finally speaks. "Let's go. Yukari can take care of herself. We'll go find whatever's causing this."
"Gods are unchanging. They can not learn, they can not evolve, for they are perfection in your eyes. However, humans can rise above that. Humans can change, can learn, can become better than they are now. In time, anything can be understood, any boundary passed. Gods too are blinded by their biases, and are unchanging, while humans can evolve, can improve.
You humble humans can see with not only your eyes, but with your mind, making conclusions. With work, diligence, and perseverance, one can see more than the gods, for the gods are a permanent standard, while human perception is a variable.
In the end, there is nothing that one can not improve on in themselves, and that is why one may supersede the gods, blind in their perfection.
If Heaven, Hell, and Earth were to merge into one, then, while the demons and angels would fight, being led to do so by their masters, and while they would be more powerful than most humans, the living have a power others do not. They can make choices.
Choices make you human, choices let you choose what you do, who you are, who you serve, and what you think.
Is it not better to choose what you do, who you follow, than to fight in a war because it is your nature?"
"We are unable to do things mortals are able to do. Chaos is the reason for that. Our bane. And yet, we require Chaos. All Life needs Chaos. Our Boon."
"Have all our work, be of naught?"
Growling is heard from behind. The corrupted Celestials began to rise.
-
Everyone lives their life, but few truely live.Pathetic. Entirely abject. You disappoint me, Alice Margatoid."...What...?"
I would delight to see you grovel thus, but I have not yet earned your prostration."Who is this?"
"...Alice, what are you talking about?"
If you had not set out on your journey here, your allies would have the alliance of Yukari Yakumo. They would have fostered your false hopes. Now they will feel Despair."...Yukari...? What did you do? Who are you?!"
"Alice! Calm down!"
"This displeases me." Alyssa flinched, turning to face the almost endless road ahead. There stood a winged figure. A ghost-like, angelic figure with long, white hair and azure eyes. Her six, feathered wings flap every once in a white. Her long blue robe seems to glow with power. In her grip, a single, mysterious wand.
"...I thought you died..."
"Chaos cannot die, foolish youkai... and embodiment..."
"...Leave her alone. If you need a victim, try me. Take your chances!" Alyssa steps in front of Alice, maybe driven by childish courage and pride, or maybe out of care.
"And if I do not?"
"...Then... then..."
"Insipid girl! You are too young to understand any of this! You were supposed to have died - extinguished like a tiny flame meeting the fierce winds."
Alyssa yearned for strength; for the validation of whatever godly power she could use. If that woman gave her as much power as the rest, she woud have the force to her repudiation. Alice slowly walked to stand beside Alyssa.
"Alice Margatroid, your partner is a mad vessel, one that clings so stubbornly to continuance when she should have perished ages ago."
"If you want a fight, come at us. We'll give you one. One you will never leave from."
"Oh, quite the cont-"
Sariel bends down to look at her chest. A spiraling beam of energy penetrated her body, spinning wildly and releasing electricity. Sariel frowns, and turns back. "Who dares?"
"That'll seal you for a while. In the Angel of Death's body, your powers are amplified. But that little while is all I need." Another six-winged figure approaches the trio.
"...M-Mother!"
"It's time for us to return. Alyssa has somewhere else to go."
"...B-but, Gensokyo... It..."
"It is not your destiny. Neither is it hers. Come, let's go." Shinki waves her hand, two portals forming along the path. Shinki soon dissipates into nothing, but she will soon rematerialize.
"It is sooth that the two of you were called forth to aid in the quest. But it is not true that you had to finish it. You've had a hard journey, Alice. You too, Alyssa." Shinki walks into the first portal, leaving only the duo.
"...I guess it's time we go."
Alyssa gives a silent nod. Alice smiles, and goes over to hug the little girl. "We'll meet again, Alyssa. I'm sure of it." Soon, Alice goes into the portal after her last goodbyes. Alyssa takes one last look at Gensokyo, before she too enters her own portal.
"I'll miss this place, even if my adventure... Wasn't that great."
-
