Moon Reverie
Index
Moon Reverie
...
(There's nothing but silence...)
(No. Wait... I think I can hear a machine. It sounds like the buzzing of bees.)
(It's nighttime. I think it's always been nighttime.)
(Then again, that's nothing new to me.)
(This place is just like the Underworld.)
???
Koishi.
???
My adorable little sister.
???
As satori youkai, we possess the ability to read minds.
???
It's a wonderful ability.
???
It's the best.
???
The ability to read minds is the most powerful ability there is.
I know what you mean, Satori.
It really is powerful.
And it might be the best.
But if it was truly wonderful...
You wouldn't be crying.
Being able to read someone's mind doesn't mean you can help them. It just means you'll see their ugly thoughts and secrets.
You may try to use this ability for good, but in the end, you'll just feel empty inside.
Even if you help someone, they'll still hate you. The more Satori saw the truth hidden within their minds, the more she...
Wait... Are you really Satori?
???
You're as perceptive as ever.
Lady Naraka
I'm Lady Naraka. Don't tell me you've forgotten your own sister.
Lady Naraka
Well, Koishi Komeiji?
Lady Naraka
No. I should call you Lady Abyss.
???
This reminds me of the wandering noble plot archetype prevalent in folklore.
???
A hero is raised by animals or peasants, realizes their fate, goes on a journey, and then reunites with their true family.
???
Many folk stories and myths follow this pattern.
???
Notable examples include Moses, Hercules, Ushiwakamaru, Issun-Boushi, Momotarou, and Princess Kaguya.
???
Reading these stories might lead you to believe that your true home lies somewhere else, beyond the horizon.
???
"I'm surely a princess of a faraway land who had to leave the castle for some reason."
???
"My current family must've found me when I was a baby. Perhaps I was floating down a river or left on the roadside."
???
"This isn't where I belong."
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"Surely I'll find my true self somewhere else."
???
But if you thought that, you'd be deluding yourself.
???
All humans share this delusion. It's historical, hereditary, and neurological. It connects literature with psychology.
???
But that stuff isn't important.
???
Not in the slightest.
Koishi?
Wake up, Koishi Komeiji.
Koishi?
The unconscious mind cannot sleep, so you should already be awake.
Koishi?
How many times has this happened now?
...
Huh? Are you... me?
Koishi?
Are you seriously asking me that? Try to remember... No, think again, Koishi.
Koishi?
If you can't think, imagine.
Koishi?
You control the unconscious mind. Contrary to popular belief, the unconscious mind is not the absence of consciousness.
Koishi?
It's a melting pot where ephemeral and primitive thoughts rise and fall, appear and disappear.
Koishi?
The primordial sea where life first came into being was probably like that, too.
Koishi?
This world isn't a story. But stories can become worlds.
Koishi?
Compared to other people, your journey to recover your memories will be much more chaotic.
Koishi?
It has already begun, and as you progress, you'll probably end up finding a story in unconnected lines of text.
Koishi?
...Tch. It seems I'm too late. My words are becoming incomprehensible.
You could say that again. I've got no idea what you're talking about.
Koishi?
I can't keep this up much longer. The connections I found are nowhere near enough to sustain me.
Koishi?
Maybe it's impossible no matter how many times this repeats...
Are you talking to yourself? When are you going to start making sense?
Koishi?
I'm talking to you as well as myself, but these words are mostly for another person.
Riiiiight. If you say so.
Koishi?
Usually, words, identities, connections, and sequences of events would all convey meaning.
Koishi?
But not this time. The necessary conditions have not been met.
Koishi?
All meanings are nothing but a fantasy. Something only has meaning if you think it does.
Koishi?
That's why stories don't have any inherent meaning. Only when they are read is meaning created within the reader...
Is that really OK? It sounds like you're relying too much on other people.
Koishi?
I don't know...
Koishi?
I've reached my limit. If I stay here any longer, my own ability will consume me.
Koishi?
That would trap me in here with you in every practical sense. I'd rather not think about what might happen then...
Are you leaving?
Koishi?
Yes.
Koishi?
If you happen to meet me again, it means you've entered another repetition.
Koishi?
Though you can never be sure.
The first stage of the world's end is distension.
It can be likened to the new moon phase of the lunar cycle.
Professor
This is the end of the world. The beginning of utter ruin.
Professor
But what is an end? It's not so easy to define.
Professor
Anyway...
Professor
Welcome to my lab, old-fashioned youkai of the unconscious mind.
Professor
Your designation is "Koishi Komeiji," isn't it? Normally, it would be impossible to find one of you. I must be incredibly lucky.
Professor
*cough* *cough*
Professor
Sorry.
Hello! Who are you?
Professor
Ah, right. I suppose I should introduce myself. Call me the professor.
Professor
And I'm terribly excited right now.
Professor
I must thank my past self for not uncovering all of the multi-dimensional neural network's mysteries.
Professor
The Taoists are trying to control the network by adapting the techniques they use with ryuumyaku.
Professor
And while that could work in theory, it simplifies the network a bit too much. It seems my hypothesis was correct.
I don't really get it, but I'm happy that you're happy!
Professor
Thank you. Rediscovering youkai like you can often lead to breakthroughs in my research.
Professor
Now, I know it's possible to map dreams and history between the inner and outer universes.
Professor
This is because psychology can be categorized as literature. Hmmm... I think I've come up with a new invention!
Professor
This is all thanks to you, Koishi. Thank you again.
Ummm, but didn't you say the world was ending or something?
Should you really be thanking me?
Professor
Oh, that. Well, I can't really do anything to stop it, so I've decided not to worry about it.
Professor
The first stage of any world's death is distension.
Professor
The universe has been expanding since the Big Bang, but when it expands too far, space and time bloat hideously.
Professor
This world is slowing down. It's becoming tedious.
Professor
That alone is a death sentence for those with youkai genes like you and I.
Professor
It won't be long until oni vanish entirely, and vampires become just another type of bat.
Professor
Eventually, it'll take light an eternity to travel one Planck length. There will be no going back from that.
Professor
So, until then, we've got no choice but to endure the decelerating spacetime by overclocking our own lives.
Professor
It's time for us to evolve into kaiju, a new type of youkai.
Professor
And then we'll migrate to Kaiju Island...
The second stage of the world's end is rupture.
It can be likened to the waxing crescent phase of the lunar cycle.
Soldier
Rupture is the second stage of the world's demise, where all symmetries break down one after the other.
Soldier
That's because the spacetime distension decreases the average energy level of everything in the universe.
Soldier
The four fundamental forces... Or was it five? Either way, those forces break up into many more types of forces.
Soldier
It's like how the super unified force, the only force present at the universe's inception, broke up as the universe cooled.
Umm, so what does that mean for us?
Soldier
Well, first off, it would be impossible for humans to survive in such a universe.
Soldier
However, more types of fairies would come into being as the universe would only become more hospitable for them.
Soldier
And that would continue until the very end.
The third stage of the world's end is exudation of blood.
It can be likened to the first quarter phase of the lunar cycle.
Warrior Shrine Maiden
Exudation of blood is the third stage of demise, where all particles break down into their fundamental components.
Warrior Shrine Maiden
Differentiating matter from energy is no longer possible.
Warrior Shrine Maiden
Conventional beings won't be able to maintain a physical form. I wonder what that means for the people of Hourai.
Warrior Shrine Maiden
Can you still call them immortal if they don't have bodies?
Maybe they can keep on living as souls.
Warrior Shrine Maiden
That would depend on what their souls are made of...
Warrior Shrine Maiden
Hmm, I suppose the same could be said for divine spirits. I'll have to discuss this with someone wiser than me.
The fourth stage of the world's end is putrefaction.
It can be likened to the waxing gibbous phase of the lunar cycle.
Lunar Princess
Putrefaction is the fourth stage of the world's demise, where everything decomposes into a single slimy mess.
Lunar Princess
The universe will be united as all things transform into a single material, with its only parameters being position and volume.
Lunar Princess
That sounds pretty brutal. Surviving might be hard unless you can manipulate eternity and the instantaneous.
Are we all gonna become one? That doesn't sound very fun.
Lunar Princess
Yeah, that's a hard pass from me. I'd rather not become an ingredient in some cold primordial soup.
Lunar Princess
Then again... I think I've heard Nirvana was supposed to be something like that.
The fifth stage of the world's end is discoloration and desiccation.
It can be likened to the full moon phase of the lunar cycle.
Dragon Palace Princess
Discoloration and desiccation, the fifth stage of the world's demise, marks the beginning of the age of perfect darkness.
Dragon Palace Princess
Observation becomes impossible. This affects particles and waves as they cannot reflect unless they're observed.
Dragon Palace Princess
With spacetime extended to its limit and the universe's heat extinguished, trying to observe anything would take forever.
Dragon Palace Princess
It's practically the same as nothing existing at all.
Huh? But I've lived just fine until now, even though people can't observe me...
Dragon Palace Princess
We'll have to make a decision soon.
Dragon Palace Princess
I shall assist you however I can, Master.
The sixth stage of the world's end is consumption.
It can be likened to the waning gibbous phase of the lunar cycle.
???
...
???
...Hm?
???
I didn't expect to find anyone floating around in a place like this. Who are you?
Huh? Can you see me?
???
Well, not exactly.
???
I think I intuitively knew someone was there because I've been a sagacious spirit for a very long time.
I wish I could do that. I'm Koishi Komeiji.
???
I see. So you have a name, huh? That makes sense.
???
This place is arbitrarily called "consumption" because it's the sixth stage of the world's end.
???
You must love tedium to stay in such a dismal and lonely universe like this.
I'm not here by choice!
???
Oh, is that right? I should've guessed.
???
The only one who'd willingly wander around here is that terrifying sage known as the Brain of the Moon.
???
That said, beings like me also come here to look for materials to build Senkai.
???
Speaking of... I've just found a precious conceptual sacred bone! I've got to go investigate. See you.
...
......
What was I doing here again?
The seventh stage of the world's end is dismemberment.
It can be likened to the last quarter phase of the lunar cycle.
Brain of the Moon
Yes, that's right. This is the seventh stage of the world's demise. Dismemberment is a fitting name for it.
Brain of the Moon
This single universe will break down into infinitesimally small mini-universes from which a new universe will rise.
Umm...
Can you take me with you?
Brain of the Moon
What do you mean? Are you saying you want a ride on my ship?
Brain of the Moon
On my Torifune?
Yeah... Is that OK?
Brain of the Moon
I don't wish to be rude, but letting someone on board who is not a part of my plan would be careless AND dangerous.
Brain of the Moon
It would mess up the equation.
Brain of the Moon
Besides, are you sure you want to come with me?
Brain of the Moon
There's no point in hitchhiking if it brings you away from your destination.
Brain of the Moon
I'm pretty sure we both want to go in different directions, no?
Hrmmm....
I dunno!
Brain of the Moon
Hahaha...
The eighth stage of the world's end is reduction to bones.
It can be likened to the waning crescent phase of the lunar cycle.
Conductor
All right, everything seems to be in order. Aaaaaaall abooooard. The train will soon depart.
Conductor
When the world's end reaches the reduction to bones stage, all that remains is a conceptual frame.
Conductor
There's nothing left, and nor should there be.
Conductor
Is there anyone yet to board? This is the final call. The last train will soon depart.
Ah! Wait for me!
Conductor
It's not like there'd be any phantoms left anymore, but it would feel wrong not to follow proper procedure.
Wait for me...
Conductor
...
Conductor
...
Conductor
Aren't you going to board the train?
...
No. I'm staying here.
Conductor
...
Conductor
I see.
Conductor
All right then. The last train is departing.
Conductor
Mind the closing doors.
...
...
I have to find Satori.
The ninth stage of the world's end is parching to dust.
It can be likened to the last night of the lunar cycle.
...
...
The world's ashes are all that remain. They are the sole indication that a world used to exist here.
But they, too, will disappear before long. There will be absolutely nothing left.
...
Huh?
Is this... a new world?
Oh, right. I'm back here.
Lady Naraka
How was it, Lady Abyss? Did you discover anything?
Lady Naraka
Or did you not see anything at all?
Satori!
Lady Naraka
I can't read your mind. So tell me. How was your journey?
I didn't learn anything.
I still don't know why the world is ending or who caused it.
I didn't even learn how I feel about all of this.
But I know the journey itself wasn't fun.
You weren't there. I didn't get to meet Orin, Okuu, or any of my friends.
It seemed pretty pointless to me.
Lady Naraka
Hmm...
Lady Naraka
That's about what I expected.
Lady Naraka
I can't read your mind, so I cannot appear within the microcosm of your mind in a visible form.
Lady Naraka
That has never frustrated me as much as it does now. I wish I could hug you.
Lady Naraka
My dear sister.
Satori...
I don't know where home is from here, but I wanna go back.
I'm tired from all this wandering about. I want to rest for a while.
I wanna read books with you again!
Lady Naraka
...
Lady Naraka
I'd like that, too.
Lady Naraka
Let's go home, Lady Abyss. I'll show you the way.
Lady Naraka
But before that...
Lady Naraka
Can you please gouge out your mind's eye? It's beginning to open.
...?
What?
Lady Naraka
The ability to read minds is the most powerful ability there is. If you lose that eye, no one else will have that ability but me.
Lady Naraka
And it will benefit you as well. It will ensure that your mind will never be read by another me.
Lady Naraka
The eyes are a window to the mind. So, shutting that window forever will create the perfect psyche-lock.
Lady Naraka
You and I will continue to be the most powerful beings in existence.
B-But...
I think that might hurt.
Lady Naraka
So what?
Lady Naraka
I'm sure you can endure a little physical pain―
No. That's not what I meant.
I think it might hurt you, Satori.
I don't remember it all that well...
But I'm fairly sure you cried when I closed my eye.
You've always genuinely cared about other people, Satori. When you see someone in need, you always try to help them.
But they despise you just because you can read minds. They don't even consider how that would make you feel.
Um, how long ago was this again? I can't remember.
Anyway, you tried to hide all of that from me 'cause I could also read minds.
You stopped crying and tried your hardest not to think negative thoughts.
That always bothered me.
I realized that I was the one who stole your peace of mind.
With me being able to read minds, too, you could never take a moment to rest. Not even within your own mind.
You couldn't keep any secrets. You could never be honest with yourself.
Lady Naraka
...
You're kind and strong, so I knew you'd keep on punishing yourself for me.
That's why I decided to close my eye.
What you're asking me to do now is basically a repeat of what I did back then.
And my reasons for doing that haven't changed.
You don't have to be kind, Satori.
You don't have to be strong.
I'll still love you all the same.
All right. I'll do it.
Lady Naraka
Wait―
Huh?
???
Sup. You've been staring too hard at the back of your eyelid.
???
You're just as I remember you. You lose sight of everything else once you get something in your head.
Marisa?
You're the L80 Koishi Komeiji, right? I should write that down.
Did you save me?
Marisa?
Nah, nothing as grand as that. I basically just woke you up from a nap.
Marisa?
It was sheer coincidence that I happened to find you while exploring with my refound connections.
Marisa?
You were lucky that I found you when I did. I was exploring through a doll, but I couldn't have stayed there much longer.
A doll?
Marisa?
Yeah. From one of my old friends. A magician. She was really smart.
I wonder if I'm something like a doll.
Marisa?
...?
Marisa?
Maybe. I guess you could say the same thing about me and Reimu―
Actually, never mind. Forget I said that.
Marisa?
...
Marisa?
Sure. Whatever. You're the one who brought it up.
Marisa?
Perhaps I found you because we formed a duo in the past. Coordinating with you was hard, but it was also pretty fun.
Marisa?
Anyway. I've got stuff to do. I'm guessing you're gonna go look for your sister, right?
Th-That's right!
Marisa?
Good.
Marisa?
See ya.
Marisa?
Don't get lost again.
...
(There's nothing but silence...)
(No. Wait... I think I can hear a machine. It sounds like the buzzing of bees.)
(It's nighttime. I think it's always been nighttime.)
(Then again, that's nothing new to me.)
(This place is just like the Underworld.)
Koishi
...And that's what happened. Did you get all that?
It sounded like you got trapped in an infinite loop!
(How did she manage to escape...?)
Koishi
Now that you mention it... it was kinda like that, huh?
Koishi
I wonder why. Have I forgotten something...?
(Koishi's trying to think! I hope we figure it out...!)
Satori
Koishi, it's time for the meeting about the Lost Word Incident. Orin and Okuu are waiting for us.
Koishi
Oh, right! I was looking forward to that!
Satori
Gosh, Koishi. Meetings aren't meant to be fun...
Satori
That said... I'm honestly looking forward to it, too.
(Oops. I should probably leave them to it.)
Satori
Koishi.
Koishi
Yes?
Satori
I know I said this before, but... thanks for coming back.
Koishi
Hehehe.
Koishi
I'm glad I'm back, too, Satori.
The collective unconscious.
It is often explained as something that connects all humankind at the fundamental level. But that is misleading.
It merely refers to the shared context of animal instincts, bodily structures, and cultural structures that define humanity.
But no one believes in it anymore. It has become a thing of fantasy that connects all sentient beings via the Underworld.
Lady Koishi is a youkai girl who randomly wanders the breadth of the world outside the Palace of the Earth Spirits.
And I am her imaginary pet, the Flying Green Falcon. I watch over her eye, which remains hidden beneath its lid.
