Karma Speed
Index
Karma Speed
???
...
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...It's starting.
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No, it's about to start.
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It's beginning? How about "Starting now"? Hmm, no, that's not quite ｗhat I'm looking for.
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Let's begin... Yeah, that works!
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Let's begin, shall we?
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Wake up, shrine maiden of the beginning.
M-Me...?
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Who are you?
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You're not a shrine maiden. Don't interfere.
S-Sorry!
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*sigh* That was almost perfect. Let's try again.
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Wake up, shrine maiden of the beginning.
"...?"
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Are you awake?
"Huh? Where am I? What's going on...?"
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Yeah, I get it. You're confused.
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But this isn't the first time this has happened.
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This is the 80th repetition, though I guess you could also call it the 20th, depending on how you count it.
"What are you talking about? Who even are you?"
???
Oh, I thought you could see me. I'll fix that now.
"I don't know what needs fixing, but get on with it."
Reimu?
Surprise!
"...Huh?"
"Ummm, how do I say this?"
"It's annoying, but you kinda remind me of myself."
"Even though you're obviously a different person."
Reimu?
Yes, you would feel that way. We used to be the same, after all.
Reimu?
But we're different now. I'm not your past, and you're not my future.
"Yeah, I figured. You look the same age as me."
"You're a weird doppelganger or my dream self, right?"
Reimu?
Where'd you get that idea?
Reimu?
Honestly, I'm sick of explaining this over and over again. You always react the same way.
Reimu?
Well, whatever. You don't remember anything, so it's not like I've got much choice.
"I never realized seeing someone who looks like me..."
"...would be so infuriating. Anyway, enough chitchat."
"I wanna get out of here. How do I leave?"
"Do I have to beat you up or something?"
Reimu?
Of course not!
"Wait, are you like the previous... No, never mind."
"I don't really remember much about her anyway."
Reimu?
Fine, don't ask me. By the way, I noticed you aren't making the most of your Yin-Yang Orbs.
Reimu?
Actually, on second thought, that's probably for the best. I'd rather you didn't unleash their full power.
"Can you stop talking about random stuff?"
Reimu?
Nope. I'm the one who's been tasked with talking to you, so that's what I'm gonna do.
"Well, I didn't ask you to talk to me."
Reimu?
No, you didn't.
Reimu?
But if I wasn't here, you'd use your ability to fly off somewhere, wouldn't you?
"I've already told you that I don't know how to leave..."
Reimu?
...
Reimu?
All right, why don't I show you a tale from the past instead? I'll even give you a friend, so you can enjoy it together.
Reimu?
What's that? You can't wait? Aww, that's so sweet!
Reimu?
Now, without further ado...
"You're not even listening to me, are you?"
Reimu?
Let's begin!
??? A
Miss Hakurei...
??? A
Is that really your decision?
??? A
Are you really going to cast your lot with Gensokyo?
??? A
Hmm, then I'm sure you and your clan will drive out all those foul youkai, bringing eternal peace to that land.
??? B
Careful, Miss Miyadeguchi. The shrine maiden wields the Yin-Yang Orbs, so she has to remain neutral.
??? B
She has already made her decision, so we'll just have to see how it plays out.
??? A
Tch. Thanks for pointing that out, Tamatsukuri...
??? C
I feel honored that you've let me, a youkai, join you for this discussion.
??? C
I am a youkai through and through, but I can assure you that I'm not up to anything at the moment.
??? C
I'm merely here, in all sincerity, to offer some helpful advice to the Hakurei shrine maiden.
??? A
I don't think I've ever heard someone sound so shady before. Are you like a fox youkai or something?
??? B
I understand that you're the self-proclaimed Youkai Sage who plans to create Gensokyo. Say your piece and be done with it.
??? C
Hakurei shrine maiden, inheritor of the Yin-Yang Orbs, human, and professional youkai exterminator...
??? C
Let me ask you a question.
??? C
Have you ever seen the future?
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Have you ever gone beyond the boundary of a distant tomorrow to witness days yet to come?
??? B
The future?! Are you talking about seeing things before they actually happen...?
??? A
Isn't that like divination? Are you some kind of fortune-telling youkai?
??? C
Not at all.
??? C
To me... and my fellows, those things have already happened.
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Do you understand what I'm saying, Hakurei shrine maiden? Your future is our past.
??? C
And that future has already been repeated multiple times.
??? A
You've lost me. I guess I should've expected a youkai to speak in riddles.
??? B
I'm still trying to wrap my head around it, too...
??? C
Hakurei shrine maiden, you are putting your life on the line to try and protect humans from youkai.
??? C
This mountainous region is full of youkai, but there are many more places like it all over Japan.
??? C
No matter how long it takes, I will gather all these enclaves together to form a single Gensokyo.
??? C
You and your descendants shall live in that great Gensokyo as the last remaining youkai exterminators.
??? C
Yes, you heard right. All the other clans that specialize in exterminating youkai...
??? C
...will begin to fear youkai more and more with each subsequent generation. They will become simple village folk.
??? C
The last remaining youkai exterminators will be those of your bloodline.
??? C
And eventually, the monks of the outside world will try to seal you away along with all the youkai.
??? C
This isn't because they fear youkai but because youkai, along with youkai exterminators, will have outlived their use.
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In the near future, barely a thousand years from now, humanity will enter an age of unprecedented peace.
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This will be achieved thanks to you and your fellows, but that won't stop the humans from expelling you from their world.
??? C
They will end up treating youkai exterminators like they're just another type of youkai.
??? B
...Are you trying to say that if youkai exterminators don't stop exterminating youkai, they'll become youkai themselves?
??? A
You're trying to save your own skin by threatening the shrine maiden with a fantastical depiction of the future, aren't you?
??? C
I don't care if you two don't understand. I never expected you to.
??? C
While the continued existence of youkai and humans, or lack thereof, may be important...
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...I didn't come here to talk to the Hakurei shrine maiden about that.
??? A
...Huh?
??? B
But aren't you making that Gensokyo, or whatever you call it, so youkai can have somewhere to live?
??? C
Obviously.
??? C
But there's no point talking about that since even you two have figured that out by now.
??? C
I wouldn't come here to speak to the shrine maiden directly unless I had something infinitely more important to discuss.
??? C
So, Hakurei shrine maiden, would you care to give me your thoughts?
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No matter how many times these events are repeated, they always play out the same.
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Gensokyo is created, the Hakurei shrine maiden stands against the youkai, a boundary is established, and a barrier is formed.
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In fact, futures that don't include the creation of Gensokyo as I envisioned it never occur.
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It's almost as if someone purposefully expunged these futures like they're some kind of blight on their perfect paradise.
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Why do you think that is?
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Even if you can't answer that now...
??? C
...perhaps your descendants will be able to figure it out.
"Huh? Where am I...?"
"I've got a bad feeling about this..."
"It's like I've been wandering for a very long time..."
???
...Oh? It's you.
"Wait, I think I know you... You're Shinki!"
Shinki
Yes, and you're Reimu. Wow, how long has it been since I saw you last?
Shinki
But why are you here? Shouldn't you have gone to Mima instead?
Shinki
No, perhaps not. You must be here because I'm... no, we're last.
Shinki
We have the last first meeting.
"I'm glad I found you, Shinki. How do I leave this place?"
"I have no idea how long I've been wandering, but..."
"I get the feeling that I really have to leave."
Shinki
You're just as I remember you. You're always going somewhere.
Shinki
...You can't help it. That's what makes you you.
Shinki
I'm sure Mima would've wanted to see you. She'd have said you should unleash the full power of your Yin-Yang Orbs.
Shinki
But Meira would suggest that she should use them instead. We've had nothing to do but watch as events played out.
Shinki
So, I'm really surprised that it ended up like this. Perhaps I can still contact Alice or Yumeko somehow...
"There's no time for that."
"I wanna hurry up and leave this place."
"I bet Marisa is doing the same thing somewhere else."
Shinki
Marisa... Right, that makes sense. You two end up forming a bond with each other.
Shinki
Yes, I remember now...
Shinki
But surely you have enough time for some tea. I think I still have a few Makai Manju that I haven't eaten yet.
"No. I have to hurry."
Shinki
Hmm, I see.
Shinki
Then why don't we chat for a bit instead?
"What's wrong with you?! I just said I have to hurry!"
Shinki
I know. Unfortunately, this isn't the kind of place that one can enter or leave at will.
"But isn't this your Makai?"
Shinki
Not exactly. But that's not important right now.
Shinki
Besides, we're not talking for my sake.
"Are you saying talking will help me somehow?"
Shinki
Well, kind of, but it's probably more complicated than that.
Shinki
Having someone else hear our conversation through you... will benefit you in the long run.
"Can you get any more vague?"
Shinki
Words have limits. So you need to remember what I'm about to tell you in a way that doesn't use words.
Shinki
Or... you could get someone or something else to remember it for you.
Shinki
To leave here, you must cross an incredibly powerful boundary.
Shinki
There are blatant and irrevocable differences between this side and the far side of that boundary.
Shinki
You could think of them as major differences in language, culture, and perceptions of the universe.
Shinki
It's like if you took the differences between the human world and Makai or Hell and scaled them up to eleven.
"Yikes... Can I really go to such a place?"
Shinki
Marisa has already gone there, so it's definitely possible.
"What?!"
Shinki
That said, I've known for quite a while now that only a select few people can go there.
Shinki
This is the 20th repetition, after all.
"I've been hearing that number a lot lately."
Shinki
And I've heard you make similar comments plenty of times, too.
Shinki
It seems that things have been arranged so that you and Marisa will be the first ones to cross over to the other side.
Shinki
Beyond the boundary lies a world beautifully colored in scarlet. Scarlet is the color of the beginning.
Shinki
And I don't mean the beginning in terms of time. It is the beginning of a sequence.
"What's the difference?"
Shinki
Honestly, I don't fully understand it myself.
Shinki
Anyway, what I'm about to tell you next is what you really need to remember.
Shinki
It's related to how Marisa must've crossed that boundary.
"What do you mean?"
Shinki
The two sides of the boundary should border each other, but they don't. There's a massive gap between them.
Shinki
It's like how the land of the living is separated from the land of the dead by the Sanzu River.
Shinki
There should be something that can fill this gap, but I have no idea what that might be...
"And you're saying Marisa found that something?"
Shinki
Yes, and that's how she crossed the boundary.
"Hmm..."
"Thanks. I better go then."
Shinki
What?! Already? Don't you think we should talk some more?
Shinki
The concept of time has no bearing on this place, so it shouldn't really matter how long you stay here.
Shinki
I don't think you have to hurry.
"Even so, I'm going. I can't just sit here."
"See ya."
Shinki
She still doesn't know where she's going or how she's going to get there, does she?
Shinki
...
Shinki
Well, whatever.
Shinki
It's not like that's ever stopped her before.
...And then I left.
I don't know when it happened, but I lost the consciousness possessing me... Or was I possessing it?
Either way, it was gone, and I could now begin living my life as I saw fit.
I don't usually get hung up on minor details, so while I had a few weird memories, I just assumed that was normal.
When incidents started happening, I resolved them. This led to more youkai gathering at my shrine, but whatever.
I was happy to let those days continue forever.
But somewhere along the line, incidents stopped occurring.
It wasn't like the youkai were pulling any punches. They tried, but they only ended up causing minor disturbances at best.
That obviously wasn't enough to satisfy anyone. Something bad was bound to happen if this kept up.
That's when Yukari started investigating those Seal Crystal things, thinking they could help.
But before she could get anywhere with that, our whole world suddenly came crashing down around us.
No, perhaps it wasn't that sudden. There were warning signs, but we were just too powerless to stop it...
We all got consumed...
...by the Lost Word.
How did it end up like this?
What could I have done to prevent it?
What am I gonna do now...?
This can't be happening...
...
No, it's not over yet.
I can't just give up. I have to find a way to fix this.
There might not be any coming back from this, but what's the harm in trying?
If only Yukari was here! I'm sure she'd know what to do...
Ah, Yukari. Just who I was looking for!
No, wait, you're not my world's Yukari, are you? Umm, what did we call you again?
Yukari?
...
You're here to do something about the Lost Word, right? It's gotten pretty bad, but I bet you've still got a plan.
I'll help! I'll try harder... no, I'll give it my all this time.
I lost everyone and everything precious to me, so I'll do whatever it takes to bring them back.
I know what it's like to lose them now... So... please...
Yukari?
...
*sob* Please... *sniff* help me...
Yukari?
...
Yukari?
...
Yukari?
......
Yukari?
.........I'm sorry.
Huh?
Sorry about what?
Yukari?
The me you see before you is nothing but a remnant. I haven't got long before I disappear entirely.
Yukari?
And besides, that girl has already left. She's no longer here.
Yukari?
That said, I'm sure she'll pull through. She'll put an end to the Lost Word Incident even if it can't be resolved.
Yukari?
So... pray for her.
Yukari?
Pray for her, my other me's crybaby Reimu.
...What?
I don't understand...
What were you trying to tell me?
Sakuya
It seems we're going to disappear whether we like it or not, so we're here to say goodbye, Reimu.
Youmu
I might not be the brightest, but even I can tell that this is the end...
Reisen
I kept fighting, thinking there might be some hope left, but one look at you now makes everything clear.
Sanae
I want to cry with you... but I know you've got it way worse than me, Miss Reimu...
Sakuya
Haha, I'm pretty sure the end of the world is equally bad for everyone.
Sakuya
I'd be crying too, if I hadn't already shed all my tears for my mistress.
Sakuya
Lady Remilia left a message for you, Reimu. She said her time in Gensokyo was fun, thanks to you and your shrine.
Sakuya
I had fun too.
Youmu
...
Youmu
Lady Yuyuko worried about you all until the end. And that's not because Gensokyo's the land that Lady Yukari loved...
Youmu
...but because Lady Yuyuko loved Gensokyo, too.
Youmu
And I'm the same. I loved Gensokyo from the bottom of my heart.
Reisen
...
Reisen
Lady Eirin and Lady Kaguya couldn't handle this incident, so I guess it was too much to hope that we could resolve it.
Reisen
But I still think our efforts meant something. Lady Toyohime and Lady Yorihime kept talking about you, you know?
Reisen
I'm sure something has changed, thanks to what we did.
Reisen
This may be the end, but our lives weren't without meaning.
Sanae
...
Sanae
Lady Kanako and Lady Suwako said that gods were a thing of the past and that humans had to pave the way for the future.
Sanae
That's why they'd always say that I'm the literal future of Moriya Shrine.
Sanae
Even if this is it for us, I still believe we can become shining, miraculous stars for someone somewhere in a far-off future...
Sanae
So, Miss Reimu, if, at the very end, you manage to find even a tiny spark of hope...
Sanae
I trust you'll know what to do with it.
...
......
It's over.
I don't have to speak anymore.
'Cause there's no one else here.
I don't have to think, either.
'Cause there's no future.
But there's one thing that keeps bothering me.
If there is some kind of last hope, will it really just come to me if I wait?
Then again, it's not like there's anywhere left for me to go.
So, should I just lie here and wait in this desolate world?
...
......
Nothing's happening.
...
......
How much time has passed?
The only reason I haven't disappeared already is 'cause I'm blessed with good luck.
But...
...is there any point in staying here any longer?
...
......
.........
............
???
...!
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...mu?
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Hey! Reimu! Are you OK?
...
...?
(Did I just hear a voice?)
Dark Marisa
Sup. You seem to be doing well.
Dark Marisa
Don't tell me you were just lying there waiting all this time.
What? Umm, no, of course not.
Dark Marisa
You don't have to act tough. I can pretty much guess what happened.
Dark Marisa
Anyway, this isn't really the best place to chat. C'mon, let's go.
Wh-What are you doing?!
Dark Marisa
Really? Are you blushing? I never thought I'd see the day.
N-No... I just don't understand why you're here. Everything has already ended...
Dark Marisa
Do you even have to ask?
Dark Marisa
I've come to steal you from this world.
Dark Marisa
That's why I'm here, Reimu Hakurei.
Dark Marisa
No, your title pretty much decides itself, so I better use it, huh?
Dark Marisa
C'mon, let's go save the world...
Dark Marisa
Lady of Fantasy.
Reimu
...
Reimu
...
Wasn't that the mastermind Reimu and Marisa?
How do you have a mastermind's memories...?
Reimu
I don't know. I've been trying to figure that out, but something else has been bothering me even more.
Reimu
I can't remember everything from when I was little, but I know I've met lots of humans and youkai over the years.
Reimu
And out of all those people, Marisa has always been special. There's no one else like her.
...Yeah.
Reimu
That's why...
Reimu
...I really want to know who you are.
Reimu
Sorry. I'm sure you want to know that more than anyone.
Reimu
So...
Reimu
Let's talk about it between the three of us―you, me, and Marisa.
The Armored Yin-Yang Orbs are Yin-Yang Orbs with extremely tough outer shells.
And why wouldn't they be tough? They're my shell, after all―old Genjii's turtle shell.
You must think that the shells are there to protect something precious inside the orbs, am I right?
Well, you'd be wrong. The shells protect the outside, not the inside.
They protect the entire world.
They are there to prevent Lady Reimu from unleashing the orbs' full power and becoming...
...the shrine maiden of the end.
