After a few minutes of walking, we managed to see in the distance what appeared to be a village with quite a few houses surrounded by a wall of thick wooden poles. We could also see several people inside the village wearing traditional Japanese clothing.
It seemed to be a rather quiet place. There were many stalls, people walking the streets and children running around, but as much as I wanted to go for a walk and take a look at the place on my own, I was in no condition to even walk. Ah... I wonder if I'll ever be able to win a battle without ending up in such a bad state.
The more we walked, the more I was surprised to see the place. It really looked as if I had traveled hundreds of years ago. And as much as it was located in a place as dangerous as Gensokyo, the people seemed to live quite well here. Although come to think of it... I didn't see any youkai in this area. Maybe they are forbidden to enter this village.
After walking around for a while, we couldn't locate any place that looked like an infirmary or something similar.
"Wow... it seems like this village doesn't have any place to treat injured or sick people." Hina muttered somewhat wearily.
"Now what are we going to do?" asked Michitsuju disappointedly.
"Maybe we should ask someone..." Hina said as she looked around.
As Michu and Hina were talking, a girl with two pigtails in her orange hair wearing a somewhat strange kimono and a yellow apron came running in the direction we were. She was carrying a stack of books in her hands and didn't quite look where she was going.
"Hey... why did you come running towards me-" Hina said as she saw the girl running towards her.
The girl crashed into Hina by accident, knocking all the books she was carrying to the ground.
"Ouch..." muttered the girl sitting on the ground while rubbing her head.
"Ah... hey, why don't you watch where you're going? Hina said as she tried to get up from the ground.
"I'm really sorry, I was in a bit of a hurry, I have to take these books to my store." Said the girl as she stood up.
Hina helped pick up some books from the floor.
"Excuse me... one question. You live here, don't you?" Hina asked as she helped her pick up the books she had thrown away.
"That's correct miss, I work in an exotic bookstore in this village." Replied the girl.
"OH... really? Well, in that case, do you know of any place where they can take care of our friend? Hina said while pointing at me. "He got into a fight with someone and got somewhat injured."
"Hm... I'm afraid not. The only place I know of that treats sick or injured patients is in Eientei. But if you have nowhere to stay, you can stop by my store in the meantime."
Hina and Michitsuju looked at each other and nodded.
"Okay, I really appreciate it." Hina said as she smiled.
"Okay, then follow me, my store is a few meters from here." Said the girl as she started walking.
After a couple of minutes of walking through the village, we came to a small alley where the girl's bookstore was located.
From the outside it looked like a small house, somewhat dilapidated and with a sign above the door that read "Suzunaan",
The girl rammed the door since she was carrying the books in her arms.
"Phew...come on in."
We proceeded to enter the bookstore.
It was a not very big place, but filled with shelves of books, a desk and a few pieces of furniture.
There was also a lot of dust on the floor and on the shelves.
"Sorry for the mess, but as you can see, only I work and almost live here hehe..." Explained the girl with a nervous smile. "By the way, my name is Motoori, Kosuzu Motoori, nice to meet you!" She exclaimed.
"Nice to meet you Motoori, my name is Hina Kagiyama, one of the residents of the Youkai Mountain. And these two are Akumu and Michitsuju." Hina said smiling.
"I see...hm hm." Motoori muttered "And what brings them all the way from Youkai Mountain?"
"Well...the truth is that we are on a little trip to Eientei to ask the princess or her assistant some questions about a map we found." Hina explained as she looked around the store.
"A strange map...hm." Motoori muttered as he thought. "Would you allow me to take a look at it? I have the ability to be able to decipher books written by youkai, maybe I can interpret that map."
"Mm... okay." Hina nodded.
Hina placed the backpack on the ground and started looking for the map.
"This this one, here." Hina handed the map to Motoori.
"No doubt this is a very strange map..." Motoori muttered as she carefully inspected the map. "Try as I might, I fail to recognize much of it, although there are certain locations that look very similar to Gensokyo to me."
"That was exactly what I said, hmph." Michitsuju said while pouting.
"Yes... we came to that conclusion when we first saw the map. We think it has to do with Gensokyo in its early days, since it looks quite old." Hina replied somewhat hesitantly.
There was silence for a few seconds as Motoori continued to inspect the book.
"Oh, by the way. You can leave your friend on that couch over there to rest for the meantime. I know there's not much around here but make yourselves at home and find somewhere to settle in hehe." Motoori said with a chagrined smile.
"Alright, thank you very much anyway." Hina replied politely.
Motoori inspected the book some more for a few seconds.
"Wow... I'm able to decipher books written by youkai and the like, but I can't figure out the shape to this map. Motoori said somewhat frustrated as she scratched her head. "Where did you guys find it to begin with?
"Akumu was the one who found it, during that time I wasn't with him. But from what I understand, he found it in a large magical library located in the basement of the Scarlet Devil Mansion." Michitsuju said as she stood up from the couch where I was lying.
"In the Scarlet Devil Mansion huh...? Motoori muttered while thinking. "In that place lie books that even I don't know about, it's no surprise that such a mysterious book with an indecipherable map is part of that book collection."
"I wish I had been there to see it for myself." Michitsuju said.
"I guess we will go on our way in search in Gensokyo to find someone who can help us with this mysterious map." Replied Hina as she walked around the store.
"I understand. I'm sorry I wasn't much help, but I hope you find what you're looking for hehe." Motoori said somewhat apologetically.
"Oh, no worries. Rather, we really appreciate your hospitality." Hina replied with a smile.
"By the way, at the school infirmary you could consult for things to treat your friend, though I don't know you can borrow them." Motoori said.
"Ah? School? Where?" asked Michitsuju somewhat confused.
"That's correct miss, there is a school in this village that children and some youkai attend." Motoori explained.
"If you are wondering how to get to it, you can walk a few meters in the direction of the main entrance and there you can see it located in a corner with a sign."
"Okay, thank you very much." Hina said.
"We'll be back in a few minutes, stay here and don't even think about moving from there, hmph." Michitsuju said as they both walked out the door.
After hearing Michu slam the door shut, everything changed in the atmosphere. I felt like even my thoughts could be heard out loud from how quiet everything was.
I did nothing but remain on that couch leaning back looking at the wooden pillars on the ceiling.
Ah...I've been having too hectic of a life lately. Constantly having to fight and being on the verge of death several times already... it's not something that I think I can handle for too long…
But well, I made a promise. And both Michu and I, we are going to leave this place at some point whatever it takes.
Although... once I do, I would go back to my usual monotonous life. And... I feel like I would miss this place. And Hina...
Ahgh! I don't know what's better or worse anymore! I just hope my family is doing well. Before arriving here, I had heard on the news about a possible worldwide event that was going to compromise the security of nations.
"Hey, are you okay?" said Motoori who was still sitting at her desk across the room. "I heard you had a tough fight with someone before you came here."
"Ah... that."
"We ran into a green-haired woman in the Sun Garden and she started attacking us out of the blue."
"Oh my... don't tell me you mean Yuuka, she's a pretty scary youkai around here."
"I think that was her name, Yuuka Kazami or something like that."
"And how did you make it out of there alive-?" she asked somewhat worried.
"You're a human, aren't you?
"It's true that I am human, but I was granted a power thanks to an ancient goddess of Gensokyo." I said while looking at my hands.
"I see... It's not very common to see a youkai give part of her power to a mere human, she must have seen something in you that led her to make that decision."
"Hey, is something wrong? I've noticed you being very quiet since you came." Motoori asked somewhat curiously.
"Oh! Sorry, I didn't mean to leave you talking to yourself." I immediately replied somewhat apologetically.
"Don't worry, you seem to have a lot of things going around in your head."
"Yes..." I sighed. "Since I came here I've had to worry about a lot of things at once. And ever since I had that fight, I've been intrigued with something that happened."
"Would you mind telling me what happened?"
With some effort, I leaned forward and sat down on the couch.
"I don't quite understand what the power is that was given to me. She supposedly gave me a fraction of her power which consists of being able to control energy and electricity, but I feel like there's something else I'm not seeing at the moment..."
"It sounds like a somewhat complex and abstract power if you get down to analyzing it..."
"There are things I can't quite figure out. If I'm only supposed to be able to manipulate electricity, why am I also able to make use of floating projectiles that come out of nowhere?
"Do you know about the combat system in Gensokyo? Motoori asked as she stood up from her desk.
"...The only thing I've been able to notice, is that any person or being that encounters me, tries to finish me off by using magic projectiles while shooting them out of the air." I replied trying to remember everything that had happened so far.
"As you may have noticed by now, here in Gensokyo things are not like in the outside world where you come from."
"Here we have a system for ending disputes known as Danmaku battles. In theory, it is a non-lethal combat in which a limited amount of Spell Cards are available to each combatant. This is to maintain the balance between the more powerful Gensokyo beings and the youkai or humans. Since the latter wouldn't stand a chance against the true power of a god."
"Spell Cards...-?
"That's right. Spell Cards can physically manifest as a card containing a user-defined attack pattern." "These usually bring with them a name, which, when spoken, gives way to the attack. Releasing the projectile pattern toward the opponent."
At that moment I started to recall the mysterious card that appeared in front of me during the battle against Yuuka.
Motoori's description matched what happened. But how was that possible?
"One question."
"Go ahead."
"Where do the Spell Cards come from? I understand that everyone has different cards with different patterns." I asked with intrigue.
"These mysterious cards are somewhat complex to explain because of how abstract they can be." "In my opinion, these are nothing more than the physical representation of the thoughts and intentions of their users." "Many make use of ordinary objects as a way of combat. For example, knives, vegetables, ofuda seals and so on. Others make use of magical projectiles such as bullets, lasers, energy, yin-yang orbs. There are even those who make use of other objects as a means to create these beautiful patterns. Such as swords, bows, books, dolls, trains and many more."
"It seems that anything can be used as a means of combat in this place..." I muttered as I thought.
"That's right." "These can reflect the soul of the one who makes use of them." "But you will understand all of this when you know who you really are and where you want to go." Motoori exclaimed as she pointed at me.
Where... I want to get to? I always had as a life purpose to be able to have an ordinary life. You know, get a job, raise a family and... I guess nothing else. But since I came here, I feel like I got a purpose that was worth fighting for, literally. For the first time I feel like I can do something for someone, and somehow it feels... good. I never had friendships close enough to feel that satisfaction of helping a loved one. For the first time I feel like someone cares about me, and I can't turn my back on them.
But well, first I'll have to work hard to develop these strange powers further and help Michu get out of here. Although... come to think of it, I'm kind of lazy to have to do that. But it's my only option, so I can't back out now.
Motoori managed to see that I smiled a little.
"Heh, I think you're determined to reach your goal, aren't you?"
"Yes..." I said assertively and full of determination.
"May good fortune be on your side. There are beings here who are capable of defying the natural laws that govern the material world as you know it, so it won't be an easy road."
At that the door to the shop burst open, causing a thunderous noise.
"Ack!" Motoori exclaimed as out of fright she threw the books she was carrying to the floor again.
"WE'RE BAAAAAAAAACK!!!"
Michu exclaimed as she came through the door carrying some medical utensils.
"Don't slam the door like that!" Hina said annoyed as she stood behind Michu.
"Hmph, don't tell me how to make use of my emotions." Michitsuju said while pouting.
"Sorry for the delay. We managed to get some items to treat your injuries." Hina said as she walked towards me with a first aid kit.
"The schoolteacher told us that we couldn't take them with us, so we forcibly borrowed them hua hahaha~." Michitsuju said in a proud tone.
"You stole them..."
"You stole them..." Hina and Motoori muttered.
"Heh, why are you guys looking at me like that?
Hina sat next to me with the medicine cabinet as she opened it and took some things out of it.
She took out some creams that apparently neutralized the pain.
"Hold out your arms" Hina said as she opened the bottle of cream.
I pulled up the sleeves of my coat so Hina could rub the cream on me.
It really did hurt quite a bit, it felt like I had broken my arms after falling that high.
"Now the other arm."
After putting on a few bandages, Hina told me to rest for a while longer until I could at least move on my own.
"We'll wait until tomorrow so we can continue our journey." "But anyway, it's already getting dark and I'm feeling a bit exhausted. It happened a lot of stuff today hehe~." Hina said smiling.
"Ahhh..! But I'm still not sleepy!" Michitsuju exclaimed pouting while crossing her arms.
"Don't worry, there are places here in the village where you can spend the night. I have to close the store soon anyway." Motoori said with a chagrined smile.
"Alright. I rather thank you very much for welcoming us here for the time being." Hina said.
"It's nothing. Good luck with your journey!"
Hina with much effort helped me up from the sofa and we walked to the door.
Michitsuju before leaving looked at Motoori.
"Uhm.... T-Thanks for letting us in-." She mumbled as she closed the door.
Motoori waved at her.
"My...what an interesting group of travelers hehe."