Naraka
Index
NAЯAKA
...Everything is falling.
It's all falling down and breaking apart.
I've never seen such a thing before, but I know what this means...
...This is the final day of the Underworld.
You can see the whole Former Capital from this spot.
It's a beautiful sight.
I have watched over it for such a very long time.
The Former Capital has changed gradually over the years, shaped by every new arrival and departure.
You can see vengeful spirits in the hot springs, fairies everywhere, youkai hard at work, and oni barking orders.
Some humans even ventured down here some time back... That was kind of fun.
And as the seasons turn...
...every spring, the cherry crystals float down from above, like shards of sparkling purple light.
I've seen them more times than I can count.
I heard somewhere that the crystals are spirits of the dead that were purified as they descended underground.
It's hard to believe something like that could be so pretty.
There's no better spot to see the cherry crystal snow. It might be the most beautiful sight in the Underworld...
I'd like to see the cherry crystals from here next year too. And I was sure I would.
I didn't doubt it for a second...
Now, they are no longer purified...
...but they keep dripping down from the ceiling.
It's tragic.
The temperaments of the dead have mixed into a cascading slurry...
Screams of anguish. Anger at a life forcibly ended. Pain of a mortal wound. Resentment at the futility of it all...
Curses left to wander aimlessly. Spiteful obsession over what was lost. Wails of lament. And persisting regret...
They clash, repel, insult, condemn, and wound each other until they split apart...
...and become vengeful spirits. Then the cycle starts anew.
This scene of disastrous annihilation and creation fills the "skies" above the Former Capital.
There is no longer any way to distinguish one spirit from another.
It's like a mountain of rotten corpses that have melded together or the detritus that gathers at such heaps.
It's too overwhelming to turn away, and it's too fleeting to feel fear.
The Former Capital has never reeked so much of death. And I thought I'd be used to that smell by now.
And if the Underworld is this bad...
...the surface must be a thousand times worse!
...
...
Yeah, I understand.
The mistress's heart and mind are wavering.
I only wanted to project my consciousness out a little, but that was a mistake.
...Yeah, this isn't the kind of scene that you'd want to see more than once.
And I've seen it more than enough times already.
Besides, I have more important matters to attend to.
I must stay by my mistress's side...!
Milady?
Where are you, milady? Are you in your room?
...
...
I see. She must be in the animal room.
Milady? Are you here?
Ah! There you are. Milady...
Satori
Go on. You should run.
Satori
Come on, you too. And you as well.
Satori
I don't know if you'll be able to survive, but it should be better than staying here...
Satori
Go on... Hurry.
Satori
Don't cry. Don't be sad.
Satori
I also want to stay with you all until the end.
Satori
I want to stay with you forever.
Satori
*sob*
Please stop, milady. It's no use.
I'm sure this will just be a repeat of what happened last time.
It should start soon...
Satori
...
Satori
I can't take it anymore.
Satori
I feel sick.
Satori
They're flowing into my head...! I don't wanna read...
Satori
...so many!
Satori
The lingering thoughts of the dead that pervade the Underworld are forcing their way into my head...!
Satori
I don't wanna read 'em! I don't wanna! I DON'T WANNA REEEEEEAD 'EM!
Satori
"I don't wanna die... I don't wanna die. I don't wanna die yet. Please, save me. It's too soon. I don't wanna die."
Satori
"Wait... What? How did that happen...? Why...? What's the shrine maiden doing?! She should've protected us!"
Satori
"Haha, ha. It's over. The world is ending. No one's safe. Ahahahaha! I don't have to hold back anymore, do I?!"
Satori
"Ow, it hurts! N-No, st-stop... Please! Someone! Please, help me! Ow, ow, ow, it hurts so much! HEEELP ME!"
Satori
"Let's run to Moriya Shrine! The mountain should still be safe! Come on, follow me... Hey! Say something! Hey!"
...She's broken.
Milady has been ended along with the world. And she has been sealed within a shell of darkness.
No, it feels more like she was sealed within the shell just before everything was lost...
Hmm, "feels" might not be the right word since I've long since lost such senses.
Well, either way, this is the end result of the Lost Word Incident.
I am also trapped here together with Lady Satori in that shell of darkness.
Milady recalls her memories over and over again...
...as that is the only way she can hope to resist losing herself to the void.
I've lost count of how many times she has experienced the end of her memories like this... She's worn out.
It looks like she's reached her limit. She practically said as much.
No... I shouldn't say that. I can't give up on her.
Didn't I swear to support her till the end?
But I guess that's the effect of the Lost Word... it even steals my will. Everything will disappear.
That includes me as well, so I cannot blame milady for whatever decision she makes.
I'm trapped within the same shell of darkness, and I exist within the memories that she recalls.
I'm here with her. But that's all.
I try to remember as much as I can in her stead. But what good is that?
What can I possibly do to help her...? Have I even achieved anything after all this time...?
I haven't helped her at all, have I?
There have only ever been two choices for us both.
We can continue recalling memories and eventually fade from existence...
...or we could disappear right now.
...
...
Argh, it's no good. I can't even think properly anymore.
So this is how it ends, huh? It's like a terrible and silent lullaby that will inevitably put me to sleep.
Even the strength of my will shall be broken and cast aside.
Just before the end, as I tried desperately to keep hold of the faint traces of Lady Satori's presence that remained...
...a thought came unbidden from the depths of my being.
"Someone. Anyone. Please help us."
When it came right down to it, I pleaded for outside assistance. I don't care if you think it's pathetic.
But once you've bet everything and lost, and when every semblance of hope has been stolen from you...
...the only option left is to throw away your pride...
...and ask someone for help.
And I think that plea was a prayer.
It sounds ridiculous to pray in the Underworld, doesn't it? It's ruled by youkai, and there aren't any gods.
But, you see...
...there's a building in the center of the Underworld that quells the vengeful spirits in the Former Capital.
The Palace of the Earth Spirits functions as a spirit-quelling anchor, exactly like a shrine.
Just as faith is drawn to a shrine, hatred and grudges are drawn to the Palace of the Earth Spirits.
The vengeful spirits know it seals them down here, and the youkai think of it as the home of their hateful ruler.
That's what makes the palace a shrine without a god.
I cannot be certain, but I think that's why...
No, I suppose it's much more likely that it was just a coincidence, but...
The first prayer I ever made―
―was answered.
In an unbelievably distorted fashion.
???
*sigh* This is ridiculous.
???
I thought it was over already.
???
I can't believe I've been sent down to a place like this. Sure, I wanted to fight another round, but come on.
???
...Hm? Who's there?
Satori
Y-You're...!
Satori
Yuugi... No, you're not her. You're not Suika, either.
Satori
But judging from your aura, you're definitely an oni.
Satori
Who... are you...?
???
Hmph. It's just a weak little satori, huh?
???
I heard you're good at reading minds, but such a thing is wasted on me.
???
Oni hate lies. The words that come out of my mouth are the same as my thoughts.
???
But I guess we don't have to worry about that right now, as you don't look capable of reading anyone's mind.
???
What with all those incessant grudges covering you from head to toe...
Satori
Huh? What are you talking about? It seems you're just a lowly oni, after all.
Satori
I was being polite because I thought you were equal to Yuugi, but now I see that I needn't have bothered.
Satori
There is no greater ability than the ability to read minds. With it, I can easily dispose of rude intruders like you.
Satori
Now, tremble in fear as your past trauma consumes you!
???
You're kidding, right? It's the other way around.
???
Aren't satori supposed to be perceptive? Do you even understand what you're facing?
???
You can see more than just an arm. You can see my entire form, can't you? Then ya better be careful.
???
You're already afraid of me. The one reliving their trauma... is you.
Satori
What nonsense. You should give up while you're still able.
???
Heh!
???
I'm glad that I finally got to leave the shrine.
???
I probably wouldn't have gotten this opportunity if the cataclysm hadn't completely destroyed the surface.
???
...
???
Sure, I'll help you overthrow the status quo.
???
And in return, I'll take your life as payment, not that it's worth anything right now anyway.
Satori
...
Satori
...
Satori
...Haha.
???
...Hm? What's wrong?
Satori
Ahahaha!
???
What's so funny...?
Satori
...
Satori
Sorry, it wasn't really anything to laugh about.
Satori
I assumed it was impossible to rid myself of these intense feelings of resentment that flow into me.
Satori
But it seems I managed to do exactly that.
Satori
Oni.
Satori
You're an eyesore. So I shall get rid of you immediately.
Satori
I have no grudge against you... No, that's not right.
Satori
There are innumerable grudges against you, oni. So I'll make you feel the pain of each one before you disappear.
Satori
This is justice for the countless people you oni have wronged.
Satori
"Oni hate lies," you say? Don't make me laugh, you liar.
Satori
You're nothing but an outdated monster that only finds gratification in wanton destruction.
Satori
Since you want to wallow in pleasure so much, it would be my pleasure to end you right now.
???
Are you OK?
???
This isn't even a conversation anymore. You're contradicting yourself.
Satori
Shut up. Be quiet. Oni don't have the right to talk.
Satori
We haven't forgotten what you've done.
Satori
Don't think this will end until we've paid you back in full.
Satori
Ever since you came to the Youkai Mountain...
Satori
No, even before that...
Satori
...you've kept going on and on and on AND ON AND ON AND ON AND ON AND ON AND ON AND ON AND ON―
???
Fine, I get it! Enough already!
???
It seems you've been possessed by grudges against oni... but what about humans?
???
What do you feel about them?
Satori
Humans...?
Satori
Humans! Weak, fragile things! Aah, such pitiful beings!
Satori
Youkai aren't youkai unless humans fear them! The same goes for satori youkai!
Satori
And despite all that...!
Satori
...someone came up with the absurd concept of exterminating youkai! And it actually caught on.
Satori
It's ridiculous. We should just leave a token number of humans alive and destroy the rest!
Satori
Youkai should rule the world. And they should be led by satori youkai.
???
I know a thing or two about the outside world, 'cause unlike "her," that's where I've always resided.
???
You're what the humans in the outside world would call a hybrid.
???
You're on the verge of becoming a new type of youkai after absorbing too much vengeful spirit temperament.
???
You can no longer differentiate between your own emotions and those that you've read, can you?
???
Youkai are mental and spiritual beings, so if this continues, you will vanish when your species is updated.
???
I'm sure you know that... but I guess there's no point asking you.
???
I'd rather pose you a different question.
???
Hehe! Hahaha!
???
Aah, you're so interesting, satori youkai!
???
Hey, satori youkai!
???
Why don't we turn this world into a Makai?!
???
We could rule it together!
Satori
Whoa, that sure brought me back to my senses. Even as a satori youkai, I didn't expect that.
Satori
Hmm, perhaps I should start calling myself a former satori youkai.
Satori
Satori Komeiji will disappear along with her old species. But the new youkai hasn't quite come into being yet...
Satori
Whatever. That's not important right now. What do you mean by turning this world into a Makai?
Satori
Are you talking about doing the same thing that was attempted in the past... about 1,000 years ago?
???
Exactly.
Satori
Isn't it too late for that? The countdown for the end of the world has begun. The outro music is playing.
???
Wait a sec. You seem to have picked up some strange vocabulary. Was it from all those grudges you absorbed?
???
Well, I'm familiar with the lingo in the outside world, so it doesn't really bother me. I'll stop questioning it.
???
If you're worried about whether we'll have enough time, don't be. I've got a plan.
???
Follow me.
Satori
The courtyard...? Why did you take me here?
Satori
Below here is the Remains of Blazing Hell, and the remains of various other Hells lie below that...
Satori
You're not planning to go on a tour of the Hells, are you?
???
Well, I suppose that's one way of putting it. Our destination is not merely down.
???
I doubt this makes any sense to you, but everything has been reduced to a concept, and our actions are rituals.
???
I am an arm. Arms reach out, grab, and pull things inward. They also handle tools.
Satori
...?
???
Yeah, I figured you wouldn't understand.
???
There's no time to explain. Let's go.
Satori
By the way, what should I call you? There must be something better than Miss Oni.
???
I don't care if you call me that. But yeah, if you want to call me something different...
Shadow
...you can call me Shadow.
Satori
Shadow... OK. Then, Shadow it is.
Satori
Hehehe.
Shadow
What a creepy laugh.
Satori
...Oh? I don't recognize this cat. Did she come in here to hide?
Shadow
Huh? That's a cute―... That's a cat. Kicking her out now would be cruel, so we'll take her with us.
Satori
...Yes. Good idea.
Shadow
Have you got everything? It's too late to go back now, but I thought I'd ask.
Satori
I'm fine.
Shadow
Then let's go. In the outside world, there's an incantation that people invoke at times like these...
Shadow
"Going down."
Shadow
This is our first stop.
Greater Youkai
...All right. I understand your concerns.
Greater Youkai
I have dealt with the disturbance, and everything went as planned.
Greater Youkai
However, I see that this alone cannot alleviate your fears.
Greater Youkai
This recent disturbance, "the Vampire Incident," will only happen again if youkai keep having to deal with youkai.
Greater Youkai
But this youkai is quite powerful. I hear that she belongs to a species of famous greater youkai in the west.
Greater Youkai
It would be impossible for a human to defeat her using the methods they've relied on in the past.
Youkai A
Then, won't this lead to youkai exterminating youkai...?!
Youkai B
There's no place for youkai in the outside world anymore, so if more crazy youkai like her come to Gensokyo...!
Greater Youkai
Oh? Aren't all youkai crazy? That's our natural state.
Greater Youkai
She used her power to try and achieve her ambitions. I'd say that vampire is what all youkai should be.
Youkai B
Well yes... I can't disagree with that, but...
Youkai C
If this continues, us youkai will eventually die out, or worse...!
Youkai Crowd
What should we do...?! We have to do something...! Isn't there a way...? What about the humans...!?
Greater Youkai
Silence.
Greater Youkai
That's where the Hakurei shrine maiden comes in.
Youkai Crowd
Her...?! Didn't she completely ignore this latest disturbance?
Greater Youkai
Yes, you're not wrong. But that won't happen again.
Greater Youkai
I have already used my authority as a sage to propose my Bill for the Naming of Duels to her.
Greater Youkai
With this bill, the equilibrium between youkai and humans shall be restored. Peace will return to Gensokyo.
Youkai Crowd
R-Reallly...? Are you sure this will work?
Greater Youkai
Yes, of course.
Greater Youkai
Now then, why don't I explain the details? Firstly, the Hakurei shrine maiden's position...
Shadow
...This appears to be the moment when the Spell Card Rules were instated.
Shadow
Though, I can only presume, as I heard about it second-hand.
Satori
Are we... traveling back in time?
Shadow
Who knows? I guess it depends on how you read memories.
Satori
It depends on me...? Isn't this your ability?
Shadow
Yeah, it's mine too. This is basically the result of combining our abilities.
Satori
Shh! Be quiet, OK? We don't want to get spotted.
Shadow
So then... what do you think?
Shadow
About the Spell Card Rules, I mean. They could be construed as a curse that limits our actions.
Shadow
They stop us youkai from going wild and doing as we please. It's practically domestication, isn't it?
Shadow
Well? Doesn't that get your blood seething?
Satori
...
Satori
Yes, it is as you say. It is detestable how those sages impose their ideals upon us.
Satori
But... if these rules prevent youkai from destroying each other...
Shadow
Wait, hold on. Are you really sitting on the fence?
Shadow
You're, like, the most hated of hated youkai, so I'm sure you don't think much of other youkai.
Shadow
No, I guess your emotions from when you were purely a satori youkai got messed up from all the grudges.
Shadow
But even so, I'm sure you wouldn't bat an eye no matter how many weak youkai end up destroying each other.
Satori
Yes, you're right. I don't care in the slightest if the number of weak youkai dwindles.
Satori
But something doesn't sit right with me...
Shadow
It's dangerous to linger here if you can't make up your mind. Let's head to the next stop.
Satori
Huh? Already?!
Shadow
If you linger in someone else's house, they won't be kind when they drive you out. Visits should always be short.
Shadow
"Going down."
Shadow
We've arrived... This is our second stop.
God of the Back Door
...The storm clouds faded in an instant. There's nothing but clear sky.
Greater Youkai
...
God of the Back Door
Are you all right? You don't look too good.
Greater Youkai
...Oh?
Greater Youkai
I'm sure that's just the light of the moon playing tricks.
God of the Back Door
Really?
God of the Back Door
You're pretty tough to be fine after being in the presence of such a colossal being.
Greater Youkai
There's no way I'm fine.
Greater Youkai
They created Gensokyo. We sages are merely the custodians.
Greater Youkai
And our oaths have been sworn...
Greater Youkai
The Great Hakurei Barrier has been established.
God of the Back Door
Isn't that what we wanted?
Greater Youkai
Indeed. However, our decision bears a hefty responsibility.
Greater Youkai
We won't receive any mercy if we break our promise.
God of the Back Door
Obviously. We are insignificant compared to that mighty being.
God of the Back Door
All of Gensokyo exists in the palm of their mighty hand. They can do with it what they will whenever they please.
Greater Youkai
That's why...
Greater Youkai
...we can enjoy this extensive peace and beautiful abundance.
God of the Back Door
I know what you mean. It's incredibly reassuring to know that they will watch over and nurture Gensokyo.
Greater Youkai
It would be a disaster if anyone saw us acting like this...
God of the Back Door
You could say that again.
Greater Youkai
With the Great Hakurei Barrier in place, Gensokyo has now reached its first stage of completion.
Greater Youkai
Our task for the time being is to inform everyone who needs to know about this development.
God of the Back Door
Yes, it's going to get busy.
Shadow
...That was the moment when the Great Hakurei Barrier was established.
Shadow
I was told this was only possible 'cause the sages prayed and swore an oath to the creator god of Gensokyo.
Shadow
I guess this is the moment that formed the foundations for what Gensokyo is today.
Shadow
This barrier is a cage that traps anyone caught inside it. "Gensokyo" is just a fancy word for "prison."
Shadow
Once you enter, you can never leave. It essentially turns youkai into slaves.
Shadow
I wonder if the animals kept in zoos are truly happy. What do you think, satori youkai?
Satori
Perhaps the barrier was intended to make Gensokyo into a kind of nature reserve.
Satori
However, the introduction of many foreign species, lack of oversight, refusal to maintain its natural state...
Satori
...and the deliberate "improvements" have distorted that vision.
Satori
The youkai of Gensokyo are like circus animals, earning their keep by performing tricks and being gawked at.
Shadow
You might be right. Shall we destroy it?
Shadow
The barrier has only just been established. We might be able to break it.
Satori
...
Shadow
Your hesitation shows that you still lack conviction.
Shadow
All right.
Shadow
There's no time. Let's keep going.
Shadow
"Going down."
Shadow
We've arrived at our next stop.
Kasha
Kasha and Hell ravens have always lived around here, though most can't take a human form like I can.
Kasha
This is the perfect spot to survey this level of the Underworld, and it also caps the Remains of Blazing Hell.
Kasha
I was worried about what would happen to the palace after the Yama left, so I'm glad someone moved in.
Kasha
I wonder what Hell―or rather, Former Hell―is going to be like now...
Kasha
Will we still have a place here...?
Kasha
Huh? You're letting us live here? HERE?! In the Former Hell's capital?!
Kasha
Thank you! My fellow kasha are going to love this! Not to mention my Hell raven best friend...!
Kasha
Wow... Just wow... This is wonderful! It's such a wonderful plan!
Kasha
Please let me assist you!
Shadow
"Going down."
One-Horned Oni
We're going to leave the mountain.
One-Horned Oni
The humans let us down, but we have our own way of living.
One-Horned Oni
...You should come with us.
Shadow
"Going down."
Oni Chief
Look! A roof has descended from Heaven! What a sight! It goes so well with the Rajoumon ruins!
Oni Chief
This world is so full of youkai energy that the celestials decided to seal it! This world will soon become a Makai!
Oni Chief
...Hey, you should be laughing too, little satori.
Oni Chief
Or what, do you wanna follow my example and start calling yourself Satori-douji?
Oni Chief
Huh? You thought I wanted to rule the world?
Oni Chief
Of course not. Don't be silly. Why don't you read my mind?
Oni Chief
I guess it's no surprise that you don't know, considering that where you're from is a fair distance from the capital.
Oni Chief
If we cause a huge ruckus like this, those folks will come flying from the capital to play with us.
Oni Chief
I don't expect the plan to create a Makai to succeed. We'll have a battle, then a party, and that'll be it.
Oni Chief
That's how it always goes.
Oni Chief
Don't worry. Those folks in the capital and I...
Oni Chief
...go way back.
Shadow
"Going down."
???
Ow...! Ouch! That hurts...!
???
Stop... That hurts...!
???
Why...? Why are they doing this...?
???
How did it come to this?
???
I used to be a god of the mountain... I think...
???
But now, I'm just a youkai that lives on one.
???
They hate me. Both the humans and the other youkai.
???
I don't think the animals hate me... but I'm becoming less sure of that with every day that passes.
???
...
???
...What should I do?
???
What can I do...?
Shadow
"Going down."
Noble Administrator
The people shall learn Buddhism, but Taoism is ours alone. We shall sleep here until we become immortal.
Shadow
"Going down."
Jewelry Crafter
Hehehe. This might just be one of my greatest creations yet.
Shadow
"Going down."
Sculptor God
Hehe. What a cute haniwa. I've outdone myself.
Invading God
Bow before me, Moriya. This land is now mine.
Wise One
Very well. I shall accompany you... to the moon.
Unfamiliar Animals
Grrrrrr...! Grrrrrrrrr...!
Fish?
...!
Fish?
......!
Fish?
.........!
Shadow
"Going down."
Satori
...
Satori
...?
Satori
Where... are we...?
Shadow
This is where it all began. It's said that this is the place where life first came into being.
Shadow
Tragic, isn't it?
Satori
The beginning of life...?
Satori
I can't see any living creatures...
Shadow
It's right in front of you. You can't see it 'cause it's so incredibly small.
Shadow
Close your eyes and focus.
Satori
...
Satori
...
Satori
There's something faint...
Satori
I can hear a feeble... almost imperceptible voice.
Satori
There are no words. It's like the weak cry of a newborn baby.
Satori
...The sound of a mind.
Shadow
It all started here... Apparently.
Shadow
That tiny, simple lifeform before you multiplied and eventually transformed into a complex creature.
Shadow
They developed higher intellect and richer emotions, created more life, and spread across the world.
Shadow
And then humans were born.
Satori
...?
Satori
What about us youkai...?
Shadow
Hmm, that's not so easy to explain.
Shadow
Youkai aren't usually talked about in this story, but if I had to give an explanation...
Shadow
...I'd say they came from humans.
Shadow
Or perhaps they originated from some other kind of lifeform that flourished before humans did.
Satori
...?
Satori
Wait a second.
Satori
...
Satori
...?
Satori
No, I don't understand.
Shadow
Aren't you supposed to be something of a bibliophile? I'm sure you've read a book from the outside about this, no?
Satori
...
Satori
Well, yes, I have read some books about it, but I didn't read them as a history or anything.
Satori
I thought it was like a fairy tale told in the outside world.
Shadow
Indeed it is.
Shadow
It's a widely believed creation myth called the Theory of Evolution. It's just one of many such myths.
Satori
Why am I seeing all of this now...?
Satori
...Oh!
Shadow
Did you figure it out by yourself?
Shadow
The outside world no longer exists, so the Theory of Evolution has become a thing of fantasy.
Shadow
Well, it was already pretty fantastical anyway since no one could confirm it with their own eyes.
Shadow
Now, you may think that what we've been doing is taking a trip back in time...
Shadow
...through the layers of history inscribed in the strata of this planet we call Earth.
Shadow
But you'd be wrong.
Satori
...
Shadow
Or rather, you'd only be half right.
Shadow
This is a trip down through the strata of your mind. We're excavating your brain.
Shadow
That's why an accurate version of history wasn't reflected in anything that we witnessed.
Shadow
We didn't see facts. We didn't see truth.
Satori
So... we're in my mind? Or is this an approximation of the records buried underground?
Shadow
They're one and the same.
Satori
That's hardly an explanation, but whatever.
Satori
I'm more concerned about why we've come all the way down here...
Shadow
Can't you clearly see my form now? Not just an arm, but my whole body?
Satori
Now that you mention it...
Shadow
The grudges that were possessing you have also dissipated, no?
Shadow
We dug into your brain by peeling off the layers one by one. So we also removed anything stuck on your mind.
Satori
That's an alarming way of putting it...
Shadow
The next stop is the true beginning. An empty world devoid of life.
Shadow
In other words, the bottommost depths of your mind.
Satori
Can we still go further down...?
Shadow
Of course. Why do you think we came all this way?
Satori
Wasn't it to create a Makai? You lied about that, didn't you? Even though you're an oni.
Shadow
I was being serious, so it wasn't a lie. We'll create a Makai some other time.
Shadow
It seems that removing the layers of your brain has dulled your instincts.
Shadow
You'd better understand my intentions if you read my mind... But that ship has sailed.
Shadow
This is where I leave you. Keep descending and take her with you.
Shadow
I'm an arm. My role ends once I let go.
Shadow
You never told me, but I know your goal is to survive. My oni eyes can perceive that much.
Shadow
Now go.
Satori
...Thank you.
Satori
Yes, let's go together.
Satori
...
Satori
...
Satori
...?
???
Ah! Satori!
Satori
...?!
???
I found you!
Satori
...?!
Satori
...!
???
Huh? Are you crying? Why?
???
But you're so nice! What meanie made you cry? Show yourself!
???
...Hm? That's not it?
???
Oh, I get it. They're tears of joy!
???
Hmmm, yeah, that makes sense! I'm also really happy to see you, Satori!
???
...Oh, but I was told we wouldn't have much time to talk like this. Sorry!
???
But that's OK, right? 'Cause we'll meet again real soon!
???
So... yeah! I came here to tell you what you need to know!
???
First off, this might disappoint you, but...
???
...my mind's eye is still closed.
???
We're talking like we used to, but this is just, like, a coincidence or something.
???
It feels like our minds are communicating directly... like we're reading each other's minds.
???
Apparently, it's "the combined result of the fact that we used to communicate this way and a perception bias."
???
That doesn't make any sense to me, though!
???
But it really is strange. It feels like your mind is open to me as well.
???
Hehehe! I wonder why!
???
Now, it's time for the most important part.
???
This is what I really want to tell you...
???
You see...
???
I know that you're really kind.
???
You always think about others.
???
You care about other people more than yourself!
???
That's the part about you...
???
...that I really love!
???
I love you. I've always loved you.
???
That's why...
???
...when I read in your mind how reading everyone's minds hurt you...
???
...it made me really sad.
???
And reading the minds of everyone that hurt you just made it worse.
???
I wish I could've done something to help.
???
But all I could do was read minds.
???
That's why I...
???
No! That doesn't matter right now!
???
That's not what's important.
???
I love you, Satori...
???
So I want to see you again.
???
I want to be with you forever.
???
Sorry. I'm out of time.
???
But... I know you'll be fine.
Satori
...!
???
'Cause you're my big sister!
Satori
...
Lady Satori returned to me after that.
I can't really explain how.
But I did notice something.
This concept of memories being recorded in the layers of the Earth...
...is similar to the notebook, the journal-like book, that the girl who calls herself PLAYER carries.
It's very similar indeed.
...Though, I suppose I could be wrong.
Satori
...
Satori
...
Satori
Let's go, my Anima.
Satori
We've traveled a long time in order to survive and reclaim what we've lost...
Satori
But it will soon pay off.
Satori
I won't let my family, my pets, and my world remain stolen.
Satori
Come on. Clear the path before me, my beloved Anima.
Satori
Our journey is almost over.
I am the Palace of the Earth Spirits.
I have always watched over the Komeiji sisters and their pets who dwell within my walls.
I'll do whatever it takes to protect my family, even if I have to use the traces of thoughts recorded in me.
That is the truth behind the Anima. They are manifestations of the animals' thoughts and feelings.
My words will never reach my mistress. I am a building, after all.
But, well, I'm fine with that. Because...
...I know you will relay whatever she needs to hear.
I'm counting on you.
