Ch. 1 EX 2: Edge of Spacetime 2
Shaking Former Capital
Miko
Wh-What's going on?! Why is there so much steam?!
Byakuren
It looks like there are hot springs here... Is it always like this?
No... the steam shouldn't be this thick.
???
The heat from the depths of the earth has risen, causing all the water falling down from the Sanzu River to boil...
Mysterious Box
I'm guessing that's the cause. I heard something similar happened in the past.
Byakuren & Miko
...
Mysterious Box
What? Don't tell me you're scared.
Mysterious Box
...Oh, I get it.
Mysterious Box
You're scared of me, aren't you?!
Mysterious Box
Ahahahaha! How pathetic! But your fear is delicious!
Miko
(It's like the world's negative emotions have been compressed into a single entity... My ears hurt from hearing so much evil!)
Byakuren
(Its aura is similar to a youkai's... No, that's not right! It's too primitive for a youkai. It's more like a pure soul...)
Mysterious Box
What are you two doing? Are you having a game of "guess what's in the box" or something?
Mysterious Box
You'll never figure it out, so stop trying. And whatever you do... don't open this box.
I won't... I promised Mister Rinnosuke that I wouldn't.
Mysterious Box
Good. That's for the best.
Murasa?
There are way too many vengeful spirits! I can't believe the spirit-quelling experts let so many through!
Ichirin?
Get a grip! That's why they called us former residents to help them out.
Nue?
I thought this would be easy if I showed a bit of my true power, but they just keep on coming...!
Murasa?
I don't think we're strong enough for this. But we have to stop them!
Ichirin?
Argh, why did this have to happen while Boss isn't with us...?!
Nue?
No way... Is this the end for us?!
Byakuren
Is that... Murasa and Ichirin?! Does that mean Unzan is around here too?!
Byakuren
(They sound different from what I remember, but I could never mistake their auras... It has to be them!)
Murasa?
Lady Hijiri! Are you back already?!
Ichirin?
I'm so glad you're back safe and sound!
Byakuren
Aah... My adorable disciples!
Byakuren
Thank goodness you're OK...!
Ichirin?
L-Lady Hijiri?! Why are you crying?!
Murasa?
Don't worry! We're fine!
Nue?
...!
Nue?
Look! This is bad! Another wave of vengeful spirits is coming our way!
Nue?
No, I can't even tell if they're truly vengeful spirits anymore!
Murasa?
Uh-oh! We have to fall back and regroup!
Ichirin?
Lady Hijiri has returned to us, so let's all retreat together!
Murasa?
Lady Hijiri! Follow us!
Mysterious Box
What's wrong, Priest? Aren't you gonna go with your friends?
Byakuren
...
Byakuren
No.
Byakuren
I will stay here and fight to protect my disciples.
Miko
Well said!
Mysterious Box
*sigh*
Mysterious Box
I'm sure you've already sensed this, but our opponents are boundaries with tangible forms.
Mysterious Box
You've just been lucky that the ones we've fought up till now haven't been that strong.
Mysterious Box
One slip, and you'll be dead. Are you still willing to stay?
Byakuren
Of course. That doesn't bother me in the slightest.
Byakuren
I'm not a saint, nor am I enlightened.
Byakuren
I sided with youkai and became a youkai myself...
Byakuren
I'm Byakuren Hijiri, the Demonic Head Priest.
Battle Before the Palace
Miko
Vengeful spirits, huh? It doesn't matter if they're the real thing or imitations... They're still dangerous.
Byakuren
They are a natural enemy of both youkai and humans. It's almost like they wanted us to join forces to fight against them.
You've both gotten much better at fighting together!
Miko
Th-That's just how I always fight!
Byakuren
E-Exactly! There was nothing special about that...!
Mysterious Box
Yeah, vengeful spirits should be crushed to oblivion.
Mysterious Box
It's not that hard, but you guys spent way too much time on them.
Mysterious Box
Aren't you taking this seriously? At this rate, you're gonna die before you deliver me.
Byakuren
Vengeful spirits are a type of wandering soul. Destroying and removing them from the cycle of reincarnation is inexcusable.
Miko
There were so many, so a few real vengeful spirits might've been hidden among them.
Mysterious Box
There's no difference.
Byakuren & Miko
...What do you mean?
Mysterious Box
Once someone becomes a vengeful spirit, it's unlikely they'll ever attain salvation. They won't try to improve themselves.
Mysterious Box
There's hardly any difference in erasing them right now, especially if they're mixed up with this incident's boundary.
Mysterious Box
No, even that boundary is the same.
Mysterious Box
They should all be destroyed.
Futo?
...Huh? Hey, Tojiko! Is that Lady Taishi I spy?!
Tojiko?
What are you talking about? Have you gone mad?
Seiga?
Did you already forget that Lady Toyosatomimi went down to the depths of the Earth to forestall the incident's approach?
Yoshika?
Yeah. Are you always forgetting things, Futo?
Futo?
Nay, behold thither...! I could never mistake Lady Taishi's divine silhouette!
Tojiko?
Y-You're right! That cute hairstyle definitely belongs to Lady Taishi!
Seiga?
I can tell by her aura. It's Lady Toyosatomimi!
Yoshika?
I can tell by her scent!
Miko
(These desires I hear surely belong to Futo and Tojiko...! And is that one of my teachers, Seiga Nyan Nyan?!)
Futo?
Lady Taishi hath returned, so the cause of the incident must've been dealt with!
Futo?
Victory shall be ours as soon as we get rid of these lingering vengeful spirits!
Tojiko?
You might be right, but let's retreat for now. The Myouren Temple group has already left.
Seiga?
Lady Toyosatomimi. It's particularly dangerous near the Palace of the Earth Spirits, so please follow us!
Yoshika?
Let's plan for a counterattack together!
Miko
Futo. Tojiko. They safely awoke as shikaisen...!
Mysterious Box
What's wrong, deceitful prince? Why don't you go with them? It seems like you'd be more than welcome.
Miko
...
Miko
No.
Miko
The cause of this incident still hasn't been dealt with. So I'll take care of it personally to ensure their happiness lasts...!
Byakuren
My sentiments exactly!
Mysterious Box
*sigh*
Mysterious Box
So you'll deceive them as well, will you? I should've expected that.
Mysterious Box
Well, whatever.
Mysterious Box
Head to the Palace of the Earth Spirits. That's the fastest way to descend further down.
Byakuren
Are you... helping us?!
Miko
You've done nothing but talk down to us, so I assumed you were going to try and interfere...
Mysterious Box
Huh? What are you talking about?
Mysterious Box
I can't freely move about while I'm like this. And if I got out of this box, things would only get worse.
Mysterious Box
Having you lot carry me is much more convenient.
Mysterious Box
Yes, you'll pull me along and take me where I need to go...
Mysterious Box
...just like oxen or horses.
Miko
There are dense clouds of steam here too...!
Byakuren
Let's stay on guard. Is there anything else out of the ordinary...?
Did you hear that?
Byakuren
I-Is that a cat?!
Byakuren
Miss Miko! Miss PLAYER! Look, there's a cute cat!
How adorable!
Miko
What a cute little animal. I've heard that some of the powerful clans kept similar creatures as pets.
Byakuren
Shake.
Byakuren
Come on, shake.
Miko
Oh my, you got scratched. Perhaps you aren't virtuous enough.
Byakuren
No, this is...!
Byakuren
...not a normal cat!
Entrusted Hope
Mysterious Box
Animal Divergent Spirits, huh? They probably imitated the forms of beast youkai or similar long-lived animals.
Mysterious Box
Why'd they have to look like that? I hate it. Let's hurry onward.
Do you have a soft spot for animals?
Mysterious Box
Huh? Don't speak to me like that, you lowly human. Or what? Do you not fear death?
Mysterious Box
You're not a shrine maiden or a warrior. A normal human cannot speak to me like an equal, so keep your mouth shut.
There's a reason why I was chosen to carry this box...
...instead of Miss Miko and Miss Byakuren, isn't there?
Mysterious Box
...
Mysterious Box
You really know how to talk, don't you? It's kinda getting on my nerves.
Mysterious Box
And I've already warned you, haven't I? Do you not fear death?
Mysterious Box
The Buddha would probably give you three chances.
Mysterious Box
But I won't.
Mysterious Box
I don't even need to break my seal to handle the likes of you.
Mysterious Box
―Get eaten!
Mysterious Box
Argh!
Miko
(Quiet down, box!)
Byakuren
(Shhh, please be quiet and look over there! Can you see them?)
Koishi
S-Satori...!
Satori
Stay behind me, Koishi. And don't let go of my hand.
Satori
I don't want to lose sight of you.
Koishi
O-OK!
Byakuren
(They look like youkai that originated as incarnations of mountain gods but fell to ruin... Are they sisters?)
Miko
(Wow, I guess you're not a youkai activist for nothing. You know your stuff.)
(It's Miss Satori and Koishi.)
(I'm pretty sure they belong to this world.)
Byakuren
(I see. So they look exactly the same as how you remember them.)
Miko
(That means they probably aren't Divergent Spirits.)
Mysterious Box
(Oh, they're the satori kids. They were the weakest youkai on the mountain.)
Mysterious Box
(I can't believe those hated sisters are living in a palace in the Underworld!)
Mysterious Box
(HAHAHA! This is just too funny!)
Miko
(You're too loud.)
Mysterious Box
(Mmph!)
Byakuren
(But what are they scared of?)
Mysterious Box
(Look further down the hall. There's something there.)
???
Why did you bring me here from the Netherworld? What are you planning?
???
To think some youkai could break my master's spell. You're dangerous.
Youmu?
I've heard stories about mind-reading youkai. You cannot be trusted.
Reisen?
Why did it have to be the most impure youkai―the youkai of the Underworld? I'll have to deal with this conflict and insanity.
Satori
(What's going on...? The thoughts that I'm seeing are strange.)
Satori
(They haven't lost their memories. And it's not like their memories are different.)
Satori
(It's as if they came here directly from the past... like they're still affected by the madness of an incident.)
Koishi
Satori...
Satori
Don't worry, Koishi.
Satori
(I don't have to read her mind to know that Koishi is scared. And we're already pretty exhausted.)
Satori
(This Reisen and Youmu aren't the first strange-minded beings with slightly different voices and appearances we've seen...)
Satori
(We've been fighting them non-stop...)
Koishi
Satori...
Koishi
If we don't hold them here, these strange girls will head outside, won't they?
Satori
Koishi...
Koishi
Then I'll fight to the end. 'Cause there's no point if I'm the only one who survives.
Koishi
And besides...
Koishi
...I'm not scared to meet the end if it's by your side.
Satori
...
Satori
No, I can't allow that!
Koishi
Satori!
Satori
...That's what I'd like to say. But I guess we don't have any other choice.
Satori
Thank you, Koishi. I love you.
Miko
...Let's go!
Byakuren
Yes!
Youmu?
What?!
Reisen?
Where'd they come from?!
Miko
Sorry, but you're in our way.
Byakuren
If you try to stop us, we'll force our way through!
...
Mysterious Box
Are you serious? Those two seem to have made up their mind, but you're still hesitating, aren't you?
Mysterious Box
You're so optimistic... just like that shrine maiden.
How could I not... hesitate?
Mysterious Box
Well, that's your choice. But...
Mysterious Box
...the incident doesn't care what you think or feel.
Urk...!
Mysterious Box
Well, it's pathetic, but you can keep on worrying if you want. There's only one thing I gotta say to you...
Mysterious Box
Whatever you do, don't drop me.
Mysterious Box
That's all I expect of you.
Satori
Why are you two here?!
Byakuren
The others have retreated toward the surface. You should follow them. Quickly!
Miko
We'll deal with all the threats below.
Koishi
Satori! Let's go!
Satori
...!
Youmu?
Have you finished talking?
Reisen?
Then we won't hold back!
Youmu?
You're all going to Hell!
Reisen?
I'll show you the moon's insanity!
Determination
Byakuren
We're going the right way, aren't we? The absence of light makes me a little nervous.
Miko
There haven't been any forks in the path, so we should be fine... But this is strange.
Byakuren
So you feel it too? This vague sense that something isn't right?
Miko
Yes. I've been sensing that for a while now...
...
Mysterious Box
Cheer up already. You're such a pain.
What do you think of this situation?
Mysterious Box
...
Mysterious Box
Are you mad? I'm not human, you know?
Mysterious Box
Don't you have even the faintest idea what will happen if a normal human like you keeps listening to a heathen like me?
Wh-What will happen...?
Mysterious Box
You'll stray from the path of humanity without a second thought.
Mysterious Box
Shall I dumb it down for you?
Mysterious Box
You'll stop being human.
You mean... I'll become a youkai?
Mysterious Box
Yeah, pretty much.
Mysterious Box
There are lots of different theories about it nowadays, unlike back then, so this is only my explanation for it, but...
Mysterious Box
...the ones who originally created youkai were humans.
What?! Really?!
Mysterious Box
Don't get me wrong. I'm just saying that's one way you can think of it.
Mysterious Box
And I mean "humans," not "a human." In other words, a gathering of humans living together creates youkai.
You mean a society?
Mysterious Box
Yeah.
Mysterious Box
For example, imagine if you took someone else's life.
Huh?!
Mysterious Box
Calm down. It's just a what-if.
Mysterious Box
...If you took someone else's life, at that moment, you'd be a human, not a youkai.
Mysterious Box
That's 'cause a human could kill someone over the course of their life. It might not be forgivable, but it is possible.
Mysterious Box
However, if someone saw you do that, denied your existence, denounced you, and exiled you.
Mysterious Box
From that moment onward, you'd start to become a youkai.
Mysterious Box
When these accusations against you spread and become the common conception for the people around you...
Mysterious Box
...your youkai transformation will be complete. Of course, this is only one example of the process.
So what you're saying is...
Mysterious Box
Yeah. There's no one here who'll denounce you for exterminating Divergent Spirits.
Mysterious Box
So you haven't strayed from the path of humanity.
Mysterious Box
You're still human.
Did you tell me that to cheer me up...?
Mysterious Box
Argh! You're such a pain! Honestly!
Mysterious Box
Besides, I wasn't planning on telling you any of that. But look at those two...
Mysterious Box
Don't you think they look awfully peaceful for beings that have strayed from the path of humanity?
Yeah, they do.
Mysterious Box
Exactly.
Mysterious Box
I won't tell you not to stray from the path. You can safely do that whenever you want.
Mysterious Box
That's all.
...!
Thank you.
Mysterious Box
Hmph.
Miko
Is it just me, or are our senses getting duller the closer we get to our destination...?
Byakuren
No, this clearly started when we arrived at the Underworld city...
Miko
This is bad... We might not be able to go much further at this rate.
Byakuren
I can only think that something is deliberately trying to hinder us...!
Mysterious Box
So you've finally realized, huh? Took you long enough.
Miko
Does that mean someone really is working against us?!
Byakuren
What?! If you knew, why didn't you tell us earlier?!
Mysterious Box
Don't give me that. You've been on edge all this time, haven't you? I told you as fast as I could.
Who could hinder Miss Miko and Miss Byakuren...?
They must be really powerful...
Mysterious Box
First off, you shouldn't think of the incident as a natural occurrence. It's clearly a threat caused by a sentient being.
Mysterious Box
Whoever's obstructing us is probably that being's pawn. They're not like the Divergent Spirits we've met so far.
Mysterious Box
They show a clear willingness to oppose us and do us harm.
Byakuren
No way...!
Miko
Who or what could they possibly be...?
Mysterious Box
...
Mysterious Box
They're your natural enemy.
Mysterious Box
And I'm guessing they're waiting for us just ahead.
Mysterious Box
We're coming to the true depths, deeper than the bowels of the earth.
Mysterious Box
They won't have any reason to hide from us down there.
Divine Comedy
Miko
What an unforgiving environment! Isn't this supposed to be just the "remains" of Blazing Hell...?!
Byakuren
I've heard tales of this place, but they fail to describe what it's really like...!
Miko
Isn't that Makai place you were sealed in pretty brutal too? Not that I know too much about it...
Byakuren
Huh? Hm, well, umm, I suppose you could say that...
Mysterious Box
Isn't Makai a paradise for youkai and the like? I'm sure it must've been pleasant for a heretic priest like yourself.
Huh? Is Makai really like that?
Mysterious Box
I don't know if her Makai is the same as the one that I know, but either way―
Mysterious Box
―this isn't the time to discuss it!
???
You're late... So late...
Byakuren & Miko
...?!
???
Late! Late! Late! Late! Late! Late! Late! Late! Late! Late!
???
LATE! LATE! LATE! LATE! LATE! LATE! LATE! LATE! LATE! LATE! LATE! LATE! LATE! LATE! LATE! LATE! LATE! LATE!
Ran?
LAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAATE!
Ran?
You could've gotten here way sooner! I was worried you'd make me wait in this awful place forever!
Ran?
My fur is all messed up from my sweat. How are you going to make this up to me?
Ran?
Oh, I know.
Ran?
You can atone for it with your lives.
Miko
The Hata clan's deity...?! That can't be Inari, can it?!
Byakuren
That's Dakiniten! Why is a dharmapala standing in our way...?!
No, she looks and sounds a little different, but...
...she must be Miss Yukari's shikigami, Miss Ran Yakumo!
Ran?
Ran Yakumo?
Ran?
...
Ran?
Oh, I get it now. That explains why my thoughts are full of all this barrier and shikigami nonsense.
Ran?
Hmmm.
Ran?
This brain must've belonged to that Ran Yakumo!
What?!
Then, who are you...?!
Ran?
Yeah, hold on a sec.
Ran?
...
Ran?
OK, it all makes sense now. I wouldn't have even questioned this if you hadn't asked me about it.
Ran?
It seems this Ran Yakumo went to repair a barrier or something under orders from her mistress.
Ran?
However... she was sent here for some reason. No, perhaps it'd be more accurate to say her existence was copied.
Ran?
I guess the specifics don't really matter.
Ran?
Anyway, it seems something went wrong when she was copied. You shouldn't blame her. There will always be bugs.
Ran?
It was only for an instant, but a gap, an opportunity, opened up for me.
Ran?
The one who turned her into a shikigami was highly skilled, so an accident like this shouldn't have occurred.
Ran?
But against all odds, that is what happened.
What did you do to Miss Ran?!
Ran?
Quiet down. Why are you shouting? This has nothing to do with you. I only told you all that out of kindness.
Ran?
Well, whatever.
Ran?
You want to know what I, the body, did to her, the brain?
Ran?
I ate her. That's all. What of it?
No way...!
Then... what are you...?!
Ran?
Me?
Ran?
I'm a greater youkai...
Ran?
...the nine-tailed fox.
Miko
A big youkai fox...?
Byakuren
Is that a youkai that originated from China?
Nine-Tailed Fox
Huh? You've got to be kidding. Don't you know the legends? Not even the one about the killing stone?
Nine-Tailed Fox
There's even a Noh play and a novel written about it. Did you two come from the distant past or something?
Nine-Tailed Fox
Yeah, that must be it. Nothing else would explain your ignorance!
Nine-Tailed Fox
Honestly, this makes me feel sad...
Mysterious Box
It's no wonder that you two don't know about the legends.
Mysterious Box
The nine-tailed fox went wild in this country while you were absent.
How do you know so much about everything?
Mysterious Box
Hm? Why wouldn't I know these legends? The nine-tailed fox is one of the few youkai who actually has a backbone.
...?
Nine-Tailed Fox
All right, let's stop playing around.
Nine-Tailed Fox
I shall devour you all and gain even more power!
Miko
Why did you say she was our natural enemy?
Byakuren
She certainly looks like a powerful youkai, but...
Mysterious Box
Haven't you figured that out yet?!
Mysterious Box
Tch! There's no time to explain!
Nine-Tailed Fox
You seem fairly strong, but I doubt you'll last very long. You probably won't even entertain me.
Nine-Tailed Fox
I'm more interested in that box with the strange aura... It's so mysterious.
Nine-Tailed Fox
...
Nine-Tailed Fox
Well, whatever.
Nine-Tailed Fox
You there, normal human. I doubt you'll have much success, but try to exorcise the vengeful energy before it reaches you.
Nine-Tailed Fox
Though I guess even if you do accomplish that, your friends will have already passed on to the next world.
Nine-Tailed Fox
Oh, wait. We're already there, aren't we?
Hidden Depths
Miss Miko! Miss Byakuren!
Miko
Argh...! How is she so strong? She's just a youkai fox...!
Byakuren
Is it because she has so many tails...? Is that what makes her strong?!
Nine-Tailed Fox
I can tell that you are both very skilled.
Nine-Tailed Fox
A normal youkai―no, even a powerful youkai―wouldn't stand a chance against you.
Nine-Tailed Fox
You're every bit as skilled as the youkai exterminators of old. It's impressive.
Miko
Then how are you so much stronger than us? What kind of trick are you playing...?!
Byakuren
I have met many youkai in the past, but I never imagined a youkai could be this powerful...
Nine-Tailed Fox
*sigh* Unbelievable. You've been looking at this the completely wrong way from the outset.
Miko
Huh?!
Byakuren
What do you mean...?
Nine-Tailed Fox
You presume I'm a youkai who'll be exterminated and that you humans will exterminate me, but it's the other way around.
Miko
What do you mean, "the other way around"? That doesn't make any sense!
Byakuren
Besides, I'm an ally of youkai. In fact, I'm a magician, a type of youkai.
Nine-Tailed Fox
So you're a priest who shelters and befriends youkai. How can you not realize that's the same as exterminating them?
Byakuren
Huh?!
Nine-Tailed Fox
You pacify youkai to prevent them from attacking humans. And in so doing, you domesticate them like animals...
Nine-Tailed Fox
That's essentially extermination. I bet none of your youkai friends have harmed any humans since you befriended them.
Byakuren
...
Nine-Tailed Fox
Well, whatever.
Nine-Tailed Fox
I shall exterminate you like how humans exterminate youkai...
Nine-Tailed Fox
...and you will be exterminated like how youkai are exterminated by humans.
Nine-Tailed Fox
That's what I'm doing.
Nine-Tailed Fox
It's the opposite!
Nine-Tailed Fox
Hehe...
Nine-Tailed Fox
Hahaha!
Nine-Tailed Fox
Ahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha!
Mysterious Box
It's no wonder that you two are confused. Even I haven't seen something like this before.
Mysterious Box
That fox... changed when it ate a shikigami. And it wasn't just an ordinary shikigami...
Mysterious Box
She ate a shikigami that uses other shikigami and absorbed some of its powers.
Mysterious Box
She's a new type of youkai. If I had to give it a name, I'd call it a Shikigami User Youkai.
Mysterious Box
And she's using these newfound powers to interfere directly with you both.
Byakuren
What are you saying?
Miko
If we were shikigami, then it might make sense... but we're not.
Mysterious Box
You're kidding, right?!
Mysterious Box
Are you seriously telling me that you still haven't realized?!
Mysterious Box
You already know about a similar concept to shikigami!
A similar concept to shikigami...?
Do you mean... Divergent Spirits?!
Mysterious Box
Yeah, that's right.
Mysterious Box
You're both Divergent Spirits.
Byakuren & Miko
Huh...?
Byakuren & Miko
What...?
Mysterious Box
Divergent Spirits aren't self-aware, so I guess I shouldn't have been surprised that you didn't know.
Nine-Tailed Fox
The incident's forces are made up of shikigami-like beings summoned from worlds ravaged by the incident.
Nine-Tailed Fox
And I can easily command and manipulate these forces with my overwhelming youkai power and shikigami techniques.
Nine-Tailed Fox
That's why I was summoned to this world as the leader of the forces invading up from the depths of Hell.
Nine-Tailed Fox
True chaos shall engulf this world on a scale that hasn't been seen since the universe's beginning. It will be wonderful.
Nine-Tailed Fox
And I shall let you all be a part of this ideal world.
Byakuren
D-Did she just start an earthquake?!
Miko
It's a big one!
Nine-Tailed Fox
This is the incident's roar.
Nine-Tailed Fox
The whole Underworld will collapse upwards.
Nine-Tailed Fox
At my command, it will all crumble away to nothing.
Nine-Tailed Fox
Now then, normal human. This should be enough to end a non-shikigami like you.
Nine-Tailed Fox
Farewell. You were a pretty weak human.
Miko
This is bad...!
Byakuren
It's really collapsing...!
...Ah!
(There's no escape! I'm gonna get crushed...!)
???
...!
???
...PLAYER...!
Miko
Wake up...! Miss PLAYER...!
Byakuren
Please...! Please open your eyes... Miss PLAYER!
Miko
You seem... to be OK!
Byakuren
Th-Thank goodness...!
Miss Miko...! Miss Byakuren...!
Mysterious Box
They shielded you with their bodies.
Nine-Tailed Fox
Oh my. You are persistent, aren't you?
Nine-Tailed Fox
*sigh* Fine, I guess I'll just have to crush you directly with some of the incident's forces.
Mysterious Box
...
Mysterious Box
Are you OK, PLAYER?
Mysterious Box
Can you see?
Urgh...
...Yeah!
Mysterious Box
Good.
Mysterious Box
...
Mysterious Box
Can you draw her attention for a bit?
Mysterious Box
I'll deal with her.
Mysterious Box
Don't worry. I'm not gonna sacrifice myself.
Mysterious Box
Her guard is down right now. We won't get another chance.
...OK!
Mysterious Box
I'm counting on you.
Super-Unified Hell
Nine-Tailed Fox
Hey, come on.
Nine-Tailed Fox
Read the room.
Nine-Tailed Fox
Your friends have already been defeated. There's no point in dragging this out any longer.
Nine-Tailed Fox
Why didn't you use your full power earlier?
Nine-Tailed Fox
...
Nine-Tailed Fox
Oh, I get it.
Nine-Tailed Fox
You're not that smart.
Nine-Tailed Fox
...
Nine-Tailed Fox
Sorry, that was rude.
Nine-Tailed Fox
I shouldn't have stated the obvious.
Nine-Tailed Fox
We youkai can live for eternity, so we have a firm grasp of all the different kinds of patterns that exist.
Nine-Tailed Fox
This is intelligence. This is wisdom.
Nine-Tailed Fox
Humans that struggle to live for a measly hundred years cannot hope to compare.
Nine-Tailed Fox
Plus, I've also consumed a shikigami that was created by an exceptionally skilled practitioner.
Nine-Tailed Fox
My brain is like that of an abacus savant. It feels like I could compute every single possibility.
Nine-Tailed Fox
Now then...
Nine-Tailed Fox
I think I'll eat you and then meet up with the other leaders of this incident.
Nine-Tailed Fox
I'll revert this world back to an age of chaos―
Nine-Tailed Fox
―and my intellect shall be the sole bastion of order, ensuring my rule over everything!
???
Argh...
???
...you're so noisy.
???
Shut up.
Nine-Tailed Fox
U-Urgh!
Mysterious Box
You do seem to possess exceptional intelligence, but unfortunately for you...
Mysterious Box
...you lack power.
Nine-Tailed Fox
What?!
Nine-Tailed Fox
Is that... an arm?!
Nine-Tailed Fox
Oh, I see.
Nine-Tailed Fox
No...
Nine-Tailed Fox
...I CAN'T ACCEPT THIS!
Nine-Tailed Fox
The gaps in power between the different classes of youkai can't be insurmountable...!
Nine-Tailed Fox
They... can't... be...
Youkai Arm
Aren't you supposed to be smart? Accept the truth.
Youkai Arm
...
Youkai Arm
PLAYER. You're not hurt, are you?
I'm fine, but Miss Miko and Miss Byakuren...!
Miss Miko... Miss Byakuren...
Miko
Miss PLAYER... is that you? I can no longer hear your desires.
Byakuren
It seems you defeated that youkai fox...! I would have liked to have saved her... but as long as you're OK...
No, you should rest...!
Miko
But to think that... we're actually Divergent Spirits...
Byakuren
That explains how we could identify the other Divergent Spirits as such.
Miko
This is such a strange feeling...
Byakuren
At least there's some comfort in in knowing we didn't end up siding with the ones who want to destroy this world...
Miko
Yeah...
Byakuren
Hehe...
Miko
Fighting side by side with a youkai...
Byakuren
Fighting side by side with a human...
Byakuren & Miko
...wasn't that bad.
...
Miko
It would be nice if we could bring this lesson back to our true selves...
Byakuren
But that probably isn't possible for us as Divergent Spirits...
I'll do it for you... Someday... I promise...
Miko
...We'll leave our prayers... in your hands.
Byakuren
Now we don't have any... regrets.
Byakuren & Miko
Thank you... PLAYER.
...
Youkai Arm
The beings that you call Divergent Spirits are copies indistinguishable from the real thing.
Youkai Arm
But as far as you or they were concerned, they were real. They existed independently from their "real" versions.
Youkai Arm
You've seen that firsthand.
Youkai Arm
You know what we must do, right?
Yeah, don't worry. I can handle this.
Youkai Arm
Good.
???
Good?! There's nothing good about this!
Huh?!
Nine-Tailed Fox
Our battle isn't finished! I won't stop until this world is steeped in chaos...!
Youkai Arm
No, you're done. Disappear as a Divergent Spirit, and return to the world you came from in your rightful form.
Nine-Tailed Fox
Sure, I'll do that! AFTER I deal with you!
Nine-Tailed Fox
Incident! Advance!
Youkai Arm
Uh-oh! PLAYER, grab on to me!
...!
Wh-Where are we...?
Youkai Arm
Tch...! That hurt...!
Youkai Arm
Hey, PLAYER... Good, it seems you're OK.
Youkai Arm
So we're here...
Youkai Arm
This is the true Hell.
Youkai Arm
This place is the end of almost everything. It's where we've been trying to go.
Youkai Arm
But I didn't expect it to be right below the remains of Hell. The folding must've progressed further than I thought.
Youkai Arm
I don't know if we should be thankful for the shortcut or be worried about how dire the situation has become.
Is the person I'm supposed to deliver you to here?
Youkai Arm
Yeah.
???
―I never get any time to rest. What is it now?
Reimu?
I know a vampire is behind this incident. But the one I found after coming all this way is obviously something else.
Reimu?
She might not suck blood, but considering how she trapped me here in this hellish place, she must be some kind of oni.
Reimu?
...Though you look like a normal human.
Reimu?
There's no way a normal human could come to a place like this. And that arm you're carrying is obviously a youkai.
(Again, she looks and sounds a bit different, but...!)
...Reimu?!
Reimu?
...
Reimu?
Oh, so you know my name, do you?
Reimu?
That's not good.
Huh...?
Reimu?
'Cause piecing everything that I know about you together leads me to just one conclusion...
Reimu?
You're a human of Gensokyo who's turning into a youkai.
Huh?! No, that's not―
Reimu?
Human youkai that disrupt the balance of Gensokyo must be exterminated.
Reimu?
Prepare yourself.
Urk...!
(If this arm isn't meant to go to Reimu, then...)
Youkai Arm
(PLAYER. Look behind her.)
(...!)
Kasen
*sob* Reimu... Reimu...!
(M-Miss Kasen...!)
Youkai Arm
(That's where I need to go.)
Youkai Arm
(We can survive this if I manage to reach her. If we combine, we'll be crafty and treacherous...)
Youkai Arm
(...We'll be unbeatable.)
(The brawn and the brains...!)
Youkai Arm
(But I can't go to her while that berserk shrine maiden is between us.)
Youkai Arm
(That shrine maiden is probably the true leader of this side of the incident folding up from below.)
Youkai Arm
(Though it seems the fox thought she was the leader till the very end.)
Youkai Arm
(This means that the shrine maiden is stronger than that fox. But as long as I can reach her over there, we can...!)
(All right. I know what I have to do.)
Youkai Arm
(You don't have to defeat her. Just buy me some time...)
Youkai Arm
(I'll only need a moment.)
(OK.)
Youkai Arm
(I'm counting on you.)
Youkai Arm
(And...)
Youkai Arm
(Farewell.)
Reimu?
Are you done? I wanna exterminate the incident's culprit already, so I can start looking for the way back home.
Reimu?
She was a strong oni, but she wouldn't fight me seriously. I don't get it, but that's no reason not to exterminate her.
Reimu?
After I defeat you, I'll finish that oni off, and then I'll return to Gensokyo.
Reimu?
For some reason, I feel really good today. I feel more powerful than usual.
Reimu?
Tough luck for you, I guess!
Reimu?
Wow, not bad. Can you go another round?
Reimu?
...Huh?
Reimu?
Where'd she go? How strange.
Fate-Splitting Dawn
...Whoa!
Kasen
Oh, you're awake. I witnessed what you experienced in your dream with my senjutsu.
So I made it back...
Kasen
It looked like you were sleeping peacefully on my lap. But it wasn't all smooth sailing in your dream, was it?
Kasen
So you were the one who delivered this Seal Crystal and my arm to me.
Kasen
I still find it hard to believe even though I vicariously experienced what happened.
Kasen
We can only perform these kinds of investigations because this world has been freed from the influence of a Lost Word.
Kasen
After you disappeared, I picked up the Seal Crystal you left behind and fought together with my arm against that Reimu.
Kasen
She was a little different from the Reimu I know...
Kasen
But to me, she was still Reimu.
Kasen
I couldn't erase her on my own...
Kasen
No, let's not speak any more about it. It's in the past, and things have started to look up now.
Kasen
I guess I should explain what happened to my arm...
Kasen
You know what she's like, but we still make the best team. It's like we're twins.
Kasen
I went and made my arm bear all the guilt for erasing Reimu.
Kasen
I'll have to make it up to her someday... She's still asleep after using all her power.
Kasen
Even now, I still have flashbacks of Reimu's face...
Kasen
She went all out without a second thought... She even looked happy...
Kasen
...as she tried to exterminate me.
Kasen
No, I've got no right to be upset.
Kasen
It's the exact reverse of what I did to Reimu in the past...
Miss Kasen...
Kasen
Oh, sorry! I'm sure this sounds like nonsense to you.
No! It's OK...!
(Everyone has their demons...)
Kasen
...
Kasen
This Lost Word Incident can destroy the identities of people and the worlds they inhabit.
Kasen
It spreads from world to world, eroding whatever it touches. The baku of the Dream World has also sensed this danger.
Kasen
But...
Kasen
...this incident has also caused tremendous pain that cannot be described with words.
Kasen
Like the pain that you and I felt―that we still feel.
This... pain.
Kasen
I'm prepared for what's to come, and you must prepare yourself too.
Kasen
You and I... and all our friends... will feel more of this pain and will keep getting hurt.
Kasen
Beings that look identical to those dear to us will stand in our way and try to kill us... And we won't be able to hate them.
Kasen
I'm sure this is only the beginning...
Kasen
We've got a painful journey ahead of us.
