Touhou: I Became a Butler of the Scarlet Devil Mansion

Flame of Hope (1)

The battle continued with a relentless intensity. Each movement was driven by a determination that surged through me.

My blade swung with precision and power, and I felt an unusual sense of focus as if I had tapped into some hidden reserve of strength.

Reimu, too, was not holding back. She deftly dodged my slashes and parried my thrusts with just her foot.

Her movements were fluid and controlled, a testament to her years of experience.

As I lunged forward with a powerful strike, Reimu backflipped gracefully to evade my attack.

In response, she hurled homing amulets at me.

I slashed at them with precision, sending the amulets spiraling away harmlessly.

But I didn't let up.

Keeping the pressure on, producing slice projectiles with each swing of my blade.

The air around us was filled with the sound of clashes and the glint of steel.

Reimu raised her palm, conjuring a protective barrier that absorbed my attacks.

Undeterred, I leaped higher and tried to shatter the barrier with a powerful slash.

It pushed me back, but I landed gracefully and continued my relentless assault.

But Reimu wasn't one to be underestimated... and I knew that.

I have to pin her down!

"Blood Sign: Tendril Chains!"

Crimson chains erupted from the ground, their tendrils following Reimu's every movement. She flew and dodged while launching homing amulets at me.

I adapted, directing the chains behind me to intercept the amulets, but Reimu wasn't done.

She vanished and reappeared behind me, forcing me to act instinctively. I directed the chains to protect my back.

With a triumphant smirk, Reimu took out an amulet, and it shone brightly, blinding me momentarily. "Tch!" I muttered, rushing toward her, slashing her.

"Got you!"

Just then Reimu's body transformed into amulets, forming a star that unleashed a barrage of amulets toward me.

Instinctively, I slashed through the amulets, but some grazed me. As I cleared the last of them, a blinding light erupted behind me.

I spun around, only to find Reimu encircled by glowing orbs. She smirked confidently. "Spirit Sign: Fantasy Seal!"

A torrent of luminous globes hurtled toward me, and I realized I had no means of escape.

Panic set in as I struggled to move, but it was futile. I was frozen, unable to avoid the impending onslaught as if I was sealed inside of something.

But then, my crimson stopwatch shone a brilliant red, and everything around me seemed to rewind.

I was back to the moment when Reimu's amulet had shone brightly. It was as if time itself had shifted.

A bewildering sense of déjà vu washed over me.

"A time loop?"

Reimu appeared equally perplexed, muttering, "Weird... Did something just...?"

Seizing the opportunity, I launched a barrage of slice projectiles toward her. Caught off-guard and still disoriented, Reimu was grazed by the sudden attack.

"Hey! What just happened?!" Reimu demanded, clearly baffled by the sudden turn of events.

I couldn't help but give her a knowing smirk as I swiftly assumed a battle stance. Reimu, however, seemed to grasp the situation as she too readied herself for another round.

Round two had begun, and we clashed once more, our movements a blur of speed and precision.

Reimu's tactics were becoming more unpredictable and challenging with each passing moment.

As she teleported in front of me, she launched a barrage of amulets and needles, catching me off guard.

Needles!?

I managed to block the needles with my blade, but as I attempted to leap back, a blinding light illuminated my path. I realized too late that I had triggered a hidden barrier trap.

"Eh?!"

"Looks like you stepped on it!" Reimu taunted.

"I didn't know about this!?"

"That's why you shouldn't let your guard down!"

Jewel Sign "Orbs of Light, Cast into Shade!"

Yin-yang orbs materialized around Reimu, glowing brightly before they shot toward me with incredible speed. I deflected one, sending it crashing to the ground, but to my dismay, it rebounded and rushed back at me.

"You can't be serious!?"

As the relentless orbs closed in on me, I quickly assessed my options. Evading them seemed nearly impossible, so I decided to take a more direct approach.

With swift, precise strikes, I deflected as many orbs as I could, sending them careening in different directions.

Despite my best efforts, a couple of orbs grazed me, leaving burning trails on my skin. The pain was sharp.

Suddenly, an idea struck me. Instead of merely deflecting the orbs, I concentrated my energy into the Crimson Blade and redirected it into a single, powerful slash.

With all my might, I struck the incoming orbs, causing a chain reaction that sent the rest of them scattering in all directions.

The maneuver surprised Reimu, creating an opening that allowed me to dash toward her.

She attempted to form another barrier, but I was too close.

With a fierce swipe of my blade, I managed to land a hit on her, sending her stumbling backward.

Panting heavily, I took a step back and watched as Reimu regained her composure. She chuckled, "Surprisingly, How did you break into my trap?"

I tried to catch my breath as I responded, "I guess I'm just full of surprises today."

Reimu smirked. "That you are. But don't think for a moment that you've won. We're not done here."

I wanted to overcome her with my own strength. Even if landing a hit seemed unlikely, I couldn't afford to give up.

After all, I was the butler of the Scarlet Devil Mansion. I needed to return stronger; failure was not an option.

A spark ignited in my blade as I took a stance, and a heated flame enveloped my grip, reminiscent of Lady Remilia's crimson flames.

Reimu's eyes widened, and she smiled. "A flame, Then it's time to bring mine out as well!" Yin-yang orbs floated around Reimu once more.