"Spells Cards Training - final part"

The Lost Bamboo Forest (迷いの竹林, Mayoi no Chikurin) is in the opposite direction of the yōkai mountain when viewed from the human village. Legend has it that the forest was not originally part of Gensokyo, but was swept away there by a massive tsunami. A long, long time ago, the forest was also known as "The Mound of Tall Grass". Within it is the Eientei mansion. Due to the nature of the forest, it is very easy to get lost. There are no clearings, the ground is mostly flat and indistinguishable, and the bamboos grow rapidly, hence the constantly changing landscape. Mokou lives here and helps anyone who loses their way, while Tewi and the other bunnies can be seen wandering around the forest. It's good, I'm there. I will create my Spell card number five, alone. For those who want to know how I get to these places, I walk from the dojo to this place. Indeed, while they are arguing about my case, I take the opportunity not to stay there, having - obviously - heard enough to make up my mind: Yukari played me and Kasen needs me to solve a personal problem. I grind my teeth so hard that I bite my lip at the same time. It causes me a hell of a lot of pain but nothing that can't be regenerated. Also, I took the opportunity to exterminate the yokais on my way without warning. In addition, the eyes are starting to become more and more splintery. I burst out laughing as I walked deeper into the woods before suddenly fainting. Am I going to pass out? I think I'm falling asleep sweet...

- Zzzzzzzzz!

[ Wake up ! Wake up, the Yokai will kill you! ]

I get up and see a hundred people around me. And when I realize they're just regular yokai, I unsheath it and then rush at them to purge them. Suddenly, I dodge a fiery attack that sweeps them all away, created by the young albino on the back of a phoenix, hands in her pockets. Ignoring him for a moment, I deal with what's left with no mercy on my part until there's nothing left. What an unprecedented situation! I leave two women to find myself face to face with another.

- Good morning ! My name is...

- I know who you are. However, you must not know my name, do you?

- Yes. You are Keine's friend! Glad to see you again anyway.

- You're not very good at lying. What's the matter ? You do not feel well ? Maybe I should take you to the village.

- I felt like... a betrayal. And then I want to make my own Spell Card. I'm on my fifth right now.

- Wow! Can you show me the first four? By the way, my name is Fugiwara no Moukou. Nice to meet you, the Christian bushido.

The what ?!

At the yakitori stand

- It's so good, you know. You are a great cook!

- Roh it's okay! It's nothing ! Either way, squeeze in as much as you want. And then we can talk during this time.

- Enough to ? You can ask me so many questions. It depends if I can answer it.

- When we first met, I found you weird. You come back from a fight against several swordsmen and your clothes are torn with your two swords which are out, and you have nothing. No wounds, no scratches. Tell me, did you drink the elixir of Hourai?

- Eh ? Are you talking about the famous elixir that makes you immortal? I don't think so unless.... I'm still in my twenties physically, I've never gotten sick, and no matter what injuries I get or if I get my head cut off I come back normally.

- These are the effects of this drink. Now you're immortal just like me and that's not necessarily joy. But, since you're a believer, you shouldn't touch that, right? So why did you drink?

- The question should rather be when because I did not touch it in the outside world and in any case I had its faculties when Yukari took me to the forest...

And if it was she who made me drink this? No, that doesn't make any sense. Unless the liquid that I have in my senses, the drink that I had to drink. I suddenly stand up to the point where she gets into a fighting stance before sadly replying:

- I shouldn't have survived the yokai forest. With my non-immortal body, I had to face 32 Okamis that I beat but I fell because of my wounds. The sequel is that I found him in the operating room. Yukari made me drink something three times while the albino doctor treated me. It must be there that....

So my severed head against Mima, my slicing against Konngara, and all my fights... It's just because I remain immortal no matter what. Then, I give her a last look before leaving, except that she grabs my arm and then asks me:

- Where are you going? If it's about what I said earlier, forget it. I don't know if you're really immortal or not. I just wanted to know because it was weird. I hope I didn't say something to you that hurt your feelings.

I reassure her then answer her with sincerity:

- No, you're right. And then I had a modicum of doubt that I was immortal but I immediately brushed it off maybe so I wouldn't be suspicious of her or whatever. Finally, as you said earlier, it's better to check anyway to be fixed.

And if so, then I will make the necessary decisions. Yukari, Kasen, the questions I ask myself, and now this... I smile at him tenderly:

- Tell me, do you want to help me create my fifth spell? I found an idea and it will be on an element. In exchange, I will answer all your questions and without trying to run away and lie.

Reluctant at first, she begins to think and then gives her answer:

- First we go to Eientei, then for three days I teach you what it is, understood?

- It looks fine to me. Besides, it's the best way to know the truth. When are we going there?

- Let's finish our dishes and then we move!

- Okay, okay!

We then go to Eientei without suspecting that the border yokai is already there. Along the way, we avoid the traps of Udonge Tewi: a 3000-year-old earth rabbit who likes to play pranks and is responsible for setting traps that block our way. Then we find ourselves in front of Reisen, a moon rabbit who has sharin...I mean eyes that can drive someone crazy. Between us four, we arrive at the castle; to the house where I will get my answers.

Eientei (永遠亭 lit. "House of Eternity") is the name of a large old-fashioned Japanese mansion hidden deep within the Bamboo Forest of the Lost. It has corridors that lead into the far reaches of the sky. It was created by Eirin Yagokoro for Kaguya Houraisan. Here we are ! I let the residents pass then go with Moukou to the living room. Luckily, the doctor is there, except that a person in a pink and red outfit with long black hair greets Moukou. Feeling that the serious things begin, I dodge - without wanting it - the hands of Yukari which leave the breaches. Then, Moukou and the famous princess argue at the moment so that Eirin gets angry and we all have a hard time. A few minutes later, I find myself with the two people because of whom I have this body, finally, it is rather thanks to them. On the other hand, why do I tremble when I see them? Concentrate ! I bite my lip though... Well, might as well give it my all.

- Good evening ladies, or good morning! If I'm here, it's to know if you made me drink the elixir of Hourai yes or no. Besides, I was put on the voice. By who ? I'll let you guess but in no case, I would like you to hurt him, please!

I bow to them while continuing:

- Thanks a lot you two ! I will make good use of it henceforth, and better than if I had known earlier.

Soothed, I stand straight then join two furies who are fighting without paying attention to what is said behind. In addition, a soft voice challenges him, so that I turn around: it is the doctor. This one presents itself on the name of Yagokoro Eirin. So, after Yukari leaves, I spend a lot of time in this place getting to know them, then undergo special training with Moukou for firebending, although Kaguya interrupts us each time for them to fight to the death. . I tried to separate them but it kills me several times, while causing new painful sensations. One day, I got fed up.

- Moukou! Kaguya! You will immediately stop your bullshit!

- She started it! Says Mokou.

- No it's her! Kaguya replica.

- How long are you all going to blame each other?

- Tell me, offers the princess, why don't you join us?

- In addition, adds Mokou, I have three things to teach you.

- For example, they say attacking me with their combined spells, don't intervene in matters that don't concern you!

It hurts extremely! My body is disintegrating; my survival is close to zero. However, I think I understand what firepower is, finally I now understand what fire is. It is literally life. God, I'm sorry I tried to kill myself. Now I'm going to calm these two hotheads. My head emerges from nothingness followed by the trunk, and my limbs; my hands grab their heads, crushing them to the ground, creating an ocean of fire followed by a real geyser that burns them to the point of melting them.

- Well, I think I managed to find the fifth spell.

The immortal trio fight each other all day and then the next day until a year has passed since their apprenticeship began. Ishiha Kenpyri is now 1024 years old and lives in Eientei with Eirin and Reisen whom he helps with the care and distribution of medicines, with Tewi, where he "tests" the traps of the latter, with Moukou to discuss everything and nothing or fight with Kaguya who he plays video games with. Everything seems to be going well in Gensokyo and nothing has happened, at least to the samurai's ears. In the meantime, humans fall into it, but - instead of getting killed - slaughter the yokai before returning to the outside world. Matara Okina, who is in another plane of existence, notices the problem. Also, Yukari appears to be heading to Makai when she discovers an army of demons surrounding her. Too bad for her, she finds herself decimated within the breach. Then, her body stops moving that she understands the situation: She is surrounded by two people, one of whom is wearing a hood and the other who is laughing in her face:

- Welcome to Makai! On the other hand, I expected a more elaborate plan from you. This is disappointing.

This time provokes in her a simple mocking grin, always keeping an imperturbable air.

- Angelos Enoikiasi. The death of your lemure should have signaled the end of your attempt to dominate Gensokyo and the world. But as they say, a psychopath like you can't stop.

- My friend, immobilize it!

The individual twists the Yokai's body remotely until she explodes into pieces, except the real Yukari watches it all from her own abode, while Ran takes notes. So she says:

- You just made a big mistake.

It's been a year since I started working on my spell cards.  I leave Eientei with Mokou who accompanies me to the human village.  This time, Yukari does not accompany me at all.  I wonder if everything is okay.  I don't know why but I have a very bad feeling.  Mokou, meanwhile, doesn't seem to have much to fear.  And then, my blade does not flicker.  Speaking of her, Eirin lectured me, supposedly I should treat her well.  However, Ishiha never offered herself on it.  I should check just in case.

- Are you okay, Kenpyri?

- I have a bad feeling

- Say rather that you are worried about the yokai of the borders.

- .... That makes two good answers.  Are you a diviner now?

- Stop making fun of me or I'll leave you here!

- Okay, okay.

- GOOD.  I don't want to lie to you but you and her are like me and Kaguya with less mutual hatred, and more mysterious.

- What do you mean ?  I questioned him intrigued, wanting to know more about his analysis.

- You and her are made to complement each other like the sword and its scabbard if that speaks to you.  However, the problem is that you yourself do not know who is the sword and who is the scabbard, rather, you are too focused on the role of each of us that you forget the fact that you are complementary.  Sorry, but you're going to have to think a lot about that if you want to see her again.

She's right.  Even if it doesn't go with the back of the spoon, it just put the point on the thing that has been bothering me since I arrived in Gensokyo

, no , since before.  And I now know where it comes from.

- How can I trust someone I haven't seen since I was 12 in the worst way?!  Yukari and I were childhood friends.  She always supported me even when I asked her nothing, a little too supported even.  I've wondered many times if she's manipulating me, after all that's her role as a yokai.  But at the same time, I wanted to trust him.  And that's where it got me!!

I carve out my heart so that the blood spurts out.  I grind my teeth in pain then spit out all this:

- Even if I try to relativize and be positive for all that she has done, the thing that I feel to the point of running away in me all these years is my anger against her.  Yes I'm angry because after stopping me from killing myself and coming into my life, she disappears when my mother dies and....

!  Cuddly !

- Do not worry !  It's going to be fine..., she relieves me, didn't you feel alone at the bottom?  You had to drool and know very hard stuff but to still be here in front of me and regardless of his reasons, you are a badass.  Have faith and you will overcome this pain, so you will be stronger than any of us.  Interested in Christian bushido!

I nod my head as she holds me in her arms.  Then, closing my eyes, I finally see my heart but it remains chained by black things filled with hatred and anger... So that's what God and Mokou wanted to warn me about.  To say that I have kept this in me for too long this grudge in me.  Damn... Here I am shedding tears.  How long has it been since I cried like this?  Too long I would say.

- I'm sorry.

- For what ?

- Because if I'm in this state, it's because I kept too much hatred in my heart and it's not the healthiest.

- I can understand.  Just because I like killing myself with Kaguya doesn't mean you have to follow my example.

- I agree with you.  I will tell him what I feel on the heart and if possible grant him forgiveness.

- It's a good plan and if you need me, you know where to find me.  Oh and not a word to Kaguya otherwise you're dead.

I give a last goodbye on these more than reassuring words.  Arrived in the village of humans, I see Keine who accompanies me home with whom I spend a little more free time and also help.  But when she's not there, I use the means to create sixth Spell Card.  I already have the name and how I'm going to go about it but I'm missing the sign.  I choose between human, heart, and memory.  Thinking about it, these three remind me of my relationship with Yu past, present, and even future.  So it's decided, it will be on the memories.  For the heart or the love it will be for my last word.

- Kenpyri, you have visitors!  Warns me Keine, who prepares the meal.

I wonder who it could be.  To my surprise, I see Yukari, Ran, Chen, and a weird blond in a purple outfit.  I feel like I saw it somewhere, but where?  Alright, I must be dreaming.  So quietly, I sit ready two while letting them start the discussion.  I observe their expressions, and those of Uku remain very suspicious, as if he has something to hide, and Yukari who seems to be as usual except when she sees me where she turns to another person.

He is a Ningen Yokai.  This creature has the strengths of a human and not only the physical without having the weaknesses of the latter.  On the other hand, spiritual attacks work on him.

-Kenpyri?  This one speaks to me.  Do you have something to say?

What to do ?  I sense that something is wrong with him.  But I wouldn't want to arouse suspicion.  Hehehe, I have an idea:

- Yu, do you want to come to the guest room?~

It's for a good cause... Sorry.  The worst part is that it works!  We head towards it together then lock the door after forbidding the others to disturb us.  Once alone, I show him my fifth spell card: Sign of memories - Under the suns of budding loves.  This attack consists of immersing the opponent in a memory where he met his first friend or love because for me it is with a capital A. Happy, I smile at him before bowing to apologize but also to tell him  what's on my mind:

- Yukari, I couldn't bear it very well that you left at 12 that I secretly developed a hatred against you that I then fled within myself.  When you saved me from my attempt to commit suicide, you did a lot for me afterwards, even a little too much to the point where I wondered if I was being manipulated that you weren't using me.  But at the same time, I tell myself that before that fateful day, I indirectly used you as a screen and the source of my hatred.  I was stupid, and I made a mistake.  I will understand if you are angry with me, Yukari.  And I'm sorry about that.  Now, I forgive you for leaving, for coming back and taking me there in spite of myself since thanks to that I made friends and I was able to see you again.  I am nevertheless frustrated that I do not have my answers to my questions, finally it remains a big word because I will know sooner or later.

She doesn't say a word, then puts down her fan, while giving me a most delightful, even passionate smile.  This one takes the opportunity to push me towards her, but I have already snuggled up in her arms and closed my eyes, just like before.  Then she opens a gap above my head just putting her hand in it.  Suddenly, several things come back to me: the fact that I met a rather suspicious person, whose name is Angelos, and that he cheated on Uku who almost ran over him and died.  I notice her look quite surprised then look her straight in the eyes and this intensely;  it shines with a darker but more vivid glow at the same time looking at me.  She even licks her lips while tweaking my memories, unless... No, no, no, no, no, no, and no!  I see myself with her naked and older for our first time.  Yet this remains impossible!  Also, I see us both kissing in the moonlight and this well before I was twelve years old... Good blood from .... Without forgetting now or even a few months where we have done it several times or even us  we went further.  To say that I thought nothing had happened.  Could it be an illusion or reality?  She whispers in my ear these words: Try and you'll see~ And then your body seems to already have the answer.  Hearing this, I put my lips on hers and she responds with more passion.  My hands roam over her body she does the same with mine.  It is so good.  It reminds me of the first time she pulled me out of the water... I had stayed in her arms looking at her straight in the eyes, from our first kiss in an alley and on the cheek, the second in the light  moon ;  only more chaste caresses and embraces and not like today even if this sensation on my skin fills me with joy.  Fortunately and delighted with this moment together, she caresses my hair with tenderness;  which causes more shivers by whispering to me:

- You see.  That's why I walked away, at least one of the reasons I did.  And also, for the fact that I erased all this from your memory, so that you would not regret it later;  may it never mess up your life.  As much as I like to drive you crazy ~ Seeing you suffer it breaks my heart, you don't know how much.  Pyri, I saw how your clan sank, I even saw your ancestor Ishiraiki and you look so much like him, except when I saw you for the first time, I had a strange feeling;  I wanted to silence this impulse, bury it from the depths of my being.  Then, I contented myself with following you, observing you.  Your mother lectured me several times.  But I didn't care.  Despite everything you thought about yourself, I thought you were invisible or just too stupid.

I do not understand everything she says to me even if the fact that her lips are close to mine is more telling.  It resembles the fragrance of the most beautiful roses, even the one called Yukari has many thorns.  Nevertheless, I dive, much more or less with awareness.  At that time, when my faith was wavering, I let myself be seduced by his charm, or drawn into his mad plans.  And now we share that same space.  This space just for us.  My hands play with her cheeks, while she plays with my cheeks.  I find myself licking my lips as well so that it comes to bite them as well as the tongue.

- Yukari, I confessed to him, I think I love you much more than necessary, much more than a friend.

She goes into raptures, letting go of my neck before telling me, the red reds:

- Me even more Kenpyri.  If you knew how much, you would have such terrible and pleasant nightmares~

We laugh at these words and continue our activities.  I'll spare you the details;  Simply put, it's when two long-separated lovers make up for lost time.  The next day, we are huddled together, when I remember something very important.  So I look at Yukari who nods.

- So, what are you going to do?

For the moment, I am not in a state to make a decision.  I need rest and time to think.

- I'll focus on my health first, then talk with Yukari and clear things up.

This one - who wanted to ask me questions - ended up saying with a smile:

- You really are a badass.  Okay, you cracked but there is reason.  Despite everything, you don't let yourself down, and stay focused on your goal.  I'm going to promise you one thing: if that old witch or anyone ever hurts you, they'll have to deal with me!!  You're my brother now, and it's non-negotiable since I kidnapped you.  Hahahahahaha!

Yuugi and I laugh while drinking sake with her.  On the other hand, I promise you that I will hold you more than twenty bottles.  The way back looks eventful for me.  I completely forgot that I can't handle alcohol as well as she does.  And the worst is that she makes fun of me, even if it remains with kindness.  I end up falling asleep on the way, Suika who remains early at the moment.  Once at home, she drops me in the room then puts on a blanket before going to sleep.  When I wake up, I find myself in a dark and completely creepy place.  Then comes - in the moonlight - a demon whose appearance reminds me of Kokushibo from demon slayer in the manga.

His six red eyes do not indicate my death, and his saber made of flesh rejoices to pierce me.  Yet he waits.  And no it's not the real Kokushido but the one who chose his appearance, I know him well.  It's about me, rather the other me.  The dark side that I have been hiding for one thousand and twenty three years since I was born.  He has no Yuugi, Suika, or Kasen to help me.  There is also no Yukari to come see me.  God still remains to him despite the fact that I am so miserable.  And my Ishiha blade, it comes to me even in my dream.

- You're not giving up.  How many times will you understand?  Your existence and all your actions are in vain.  You no longer have anything in the outside world;  Yukari destroyed everything in you.  And yet, you persist in advancing until you crawl if necessary.  Alright, I'll remind you how vain hope is.

If there's one thing I've learned in life, it's that you don't respond to the provocations of the devil.  As for my faith, it's time to put it to the test by being more not than ever.

- On guard!  Let's scream as we rush into each other.

I managed to create my latest: Sign of Love - The Heart of Divine Mercy.