Keiki Haniyasushin
Keiki Haniyasushin's Fantasy Rebirth Story
(I managed to get in. Miss Keiki must know I'm here.)
(...How long is this hallway?!)
???
Tread lightly. You're in the presence of a god.
*gasp*
Keiki
Welcome to my humble abode. Mayumi did well to guide you inside.
Miss Keiki!
Keiki
With the Lost Word Incident looming, it's no surprise that you've come.
Keiki
Come, step closer.
Keiki
Closer than that. Don't be shy.
Eep! (She smells like dirt... in a good way!)
Keiki
Are you ready? ...Yes, you must be. You've had more than enough time to prepare.
What are you―?
Keiki
The time has come for you to be remade...
Keiki
From earth and water.
Come again?
W-Wait, I didn't sign up for this!
Keiki
Didn't you?
Keiki
I thought you wanted to become a future idol warrior to fight the Lost Word Incident...
The warrior part sounds cool... but no!
Keiki
You don't say.
Keiki
You'd make a perfect transhuman prototype―a live one, at that. You could resolve the Lost Word Incident in no time.
Keiki
Someone normal like you is actually the ideal candidate. Which is why Reimu and Marisa are out of the question.
Keiki
You're the ideal base to build upon. You're like a seed of life. Ah, I can hear the future sprouting within you already!
Keiki
From you, I could create the next generations! You'll come to be worshipped as the Mother of all life.
I never said I wanted that! Please don't remake me!
Keiki
Aww, if you say so.
Keiki
Although I did think something was off. I didn't have you pegged as the body-modifying type.
Keiki
I'm busy remodeling Mayumi for now, so there's no need to rush. Feel free to change your mind later.
Thanks, but I definitely won't!
Keiki
...Anyway, that's how we here in the Primate Spirit Garden plan to combat the Lost Word.
Keiki
This incident reminds me of the Ama-no-Iwato myth. It's truly terrifying. I can sense the other gods getting restless.
Keiki
But I am Keiki Haniyasushin. My existence predates that of most other deities.
Keiki
...Would it kill you to ask for my help?
Are you kidding? I'd love your help! We all would―
Keiki
You know, in some regions, I'm seen as humanity's creator.
Keiki
In the far west, it's commonly believed that the gods made humans from clay, right?
True. There's a really old epic that talks about that.
Keiki
Ah, the age of clay tablets. They could be freely edited. But once fired, their text was set in stone―literally.
Keiki
My power as a sculptor god is not to be scoffed at. And this incident is a chance for me to prove that to the world.
Keiki
Tell the sages of Gensokyo to ready themselves.
I will!
Keiki
...
Keiki
...You didn't come all this way just to deliver a message, did you? There are plenty of ways to contact me remotely.
Keiki
I could even rig up a makeshift telegraph using one of those data input machines the animal spirits use.
Keiki
So come on, why are you REALLY here? Surely we're close enough for you to tell me the truth.
O-OK... *begins explaining in detail*
Keiki
Uh-huh, uh-huh...
Keiki
Wait... THAT'S the sages' plan?
Y-Yep!
Keiki
...Honestly.
Keiki
They would have me―the sculptor god―become a component in some machine? I'm actually impressed with their insolence.
They said you're the only one they could rely on...!
Keiki
Yes, yes, I'm sure they said plenty of nice things about me. They're just trying to take advantage of an old deity.
Keiki
Are they sure about this, though?
Keiki
They must have realized by now that I'm not like any of the other gods.
Keiki
I'm sure you've noticed that, too.
Yeah, totally...
Keiki
I think it's time for a little recap.
Keiki
In general, gods are nature-oriented beings. Which makes sense since most gods' origins lie in nature.
Keiki
Or rather, their origins lie in how humans PERCEIVED nature. That's why some gods exhibit similarities to fairies.
Keiki
I myself am a god of soil. Soil is everywhere. People can't survive without it.
Keiki
It provides food and the foundations of homes. It shapes human lives. Many family names come from place names.
Keiki
Ancient people created culture from nature. No. It would be more accurate to say gods created culture for them.
Keiki
Culture gods felled nature gods and rebuilt them into cities and civilization. A great revolution fueled by gods slaying gods.
Keiki
But all the culture gods did was refine nature. Pottery, mud bricks, and the like... they all came from mixing soil and water.
Keiki
Even the outside world humans can do nothing but refine nature, no matter how advanced their means become.
Keiki
They could travel to the edge of the universe, but they'd still need gravity, sunlight, and food grown in soil.
Keiki
It's a curse carried by their flesh. A powerful spell woven into their DNA.
Keiki
And that brings us to present day. Humans can't live outside the bounds of nature.
Keiki
But they can survive without gods.
Keiki
We, however, cannot survive without them.
Keiki
So what are we to do?
Keiki
The answer is simple: create humans who will never stop believing in us.
That doesn't sound easy...
Keiki
Teehee.
Keiki
You really have been paying attention to all I've said since the day we met.
Keiki
You're right. Creating such humans is no easy feat. They must, by definition, be immortal.
Keiki
I'm a god summoned by human spirits. They'll no doubt worship me longer than their flesh-and-blood counterparts.
Keiki
But due to the system of reincarnation, those spirits will eventually depart and new ones will replace them.
Keiki
I can't rely on their faith forever.
Keiki
Haniwa are made of clay, and thus, they dent and fracture over time. They need regular maintenance.
Keiki
Making haniwa specifically to fix the others would help to some extent.
Keiki
But making repairs―or any activity, for that matter―takes energy. That goes for all beings, not just haniwa.
Keiki
Spiritual power, magic power, electricity, oil... all energy sources are finite.
Keiki
Producing energy is a huge challenge. You have to find a way to generate more than you use.
Keiki
And the Earth has a limited lifespan. So does the solar system, and the entire Milky Way.
Keiki
Digging even deeper, we find the types of temperament. In the outside world, I think they call them elementary particles.
Keiki
Even temperament has a limited lifespan. I'd say the only thing that doesn't... is light.
Keiki
Impermanence constantly blocks the path to immortality. For that reason, obtaining eternal faith is nigh-on impossible.
Keiki
But through our many conversations, there's one thing I've learned from you.
There is?!
Keiki
Yes.
Keiki
In fact, you led me to a new idea... What if I tried making haniwa as squishy as humans?
You're gonna make squishy haniwa?!
Keiki
Human bodies are fragile, but they're also great at healing, duplicating cells, and adapting.
Keiki
The lifespan of squishy haniwa would be shorter, but over time, they might evolve and adapt to their surroundings.
Keiki
Above all, they would be energy-efficient.
(It sounds like I might be able to stay human!)
Keiki
At the same time, I'll continue researching how to transplant human souls into ceramic bodies!
(Spoke too soon...)
Keiki
This two-pronged approach will provide both adaptability and energy-efficiency.
Keiki
The defense against the Lost Word Incident is the perfect opportunity to test my plan.
Keiki
But don't worry, I have no intention of experimenting on you... yet!
Phew...?
Keiki
Is this... one of the outfits the sages are handing out?
Yep. I think it also represents some kinda contract.
Keiki
Wow, it's been expertly crafted. Holding it up to the light like this reminds me of something...
Keiki
I love it! Could you pass along my thanks?
I sure can!
Keiki
Thank you, too, PLAYER.
Keiki
One day, I'll set humanity free from the curse of aging.
Keiki
I won't let anything stop me. Not even the Lost Word Incident.
Keiki
With water and earth, I'll rewrite any fate.
Costume Presentation
Keiki
Even knowing it risks losing information, you want me to transfer your soul into a vessel and then return it to your body? I don't understand why you don't want to live in an idol's body forever... Fine. If this will stop the incident, I'll help.
