Scarlet Red Gods: a TOUHOU PROJECT fanfic

·˚CHAPTER 6 . ༘ SHANGHAI, HOURAI !

Alice Margatroid sat in her workshop, surrounded by an array of dolls and magical artifacts. The afternoon sunlight streamed through the window, illuminating the dust motes dancing in the air. Despite the tranquil atmosphere, her mind was anything but peaceful. A sense of unease had settled over Gensokyo, a quiet disturbance that tickled at her senses like a faint whisper.

Ever since hearing the rumors about the Scarlet Devil Mansion's ley lines destabilizing, she felt an unsettling pull. It wasn't just the magic itself; it was the implication of forgotten gods and ancient pacts unraveling. Alice had always kept a cautious distance from the chaotic energies that often seeped from the mansion, but this time was different. Something compelled her to investigate, a nagging instinct that she couldn't shake.

"Is it time for a visit to the Scarlet Devil Mansion?" she mused to herself, brushing her fingers across the cool surface of one of her dolls. "Or would I be better off leaving this to the shrine maiden and the witch?"

She glanced at her assortment of dolls, each one a masterpiece of her craft—animated, delicate, and imbued with magic. They had never failed her before, and with a sigh, she decided they could serve as her eyes and ears in the mansion. After all, if there were forgotten gods stirring, she wanted to be prepared.

"Let's see," she said, her voice steadying as she conjured a few of her dolls to life. They stood at attention, awaiting her command. "I need you to gather information from the mansion. Find out what's going on and report back."

The dolls nodded in unison, their expressions blank but attentive. With a flick of her wrist, she sent them off into the world, feeling a surge of confidence. They would blend seamlessly into the mansion, unnoticed and unobtrusive, and bring her the information she needed.

As she waited, Alice's mind drifted to the familiar figures she had crossed paths with over the years—Marisa, Reimu, Patchouli, and even the enigmatic Remilia. Each had their own ways of dealing with crises, but it was the chaotic energy of Marisa that always intrigued her the most. There was a spark about the witch that drew Alice in, even if she often found herself exasperated by Marisa's reckless behavior.

But even that chaotic energy couldn't be tamed without proper caution. If Marisa's involved, things will surely spiral out of control, Alice thought, a small smile tugging at her lips. She appreciated Marisa's boldness; it was something she lacked. Instead, she was often the cautious observer, the one who planned ahead and preferred to manipulate the strings from a distance.

Alice began to clean up her workspace, her mind racing with possibilities. She had to consider what could happen if the gods were freed—what would that mean for Gensokyo? Would it be chaos, or something worse?

The dolls would take some time to gather information, and while she waited, she felt restless. It wasn't in her nature to sit idly by, especially with a potential crisis brewing. She decided to visit the barrier at the edge of the forest, a place where the energies intertwined, hoping to glean more insight into the disturbance.

As she stepped outside, the air felt charged, almost electric. The sky hung low with ominous clouds, and Alice's instincts told her she wasn't the only one sensing the shift in the air. The world seemed to hold its breath, waiting for something to happen.

With each step toward the barrier, she felt the weight of the gathering energy, and it made her heart race with a mix of anticipation and trepidation. Would she find Marisa and Reimu there? Or would she stumble into something far darker than she anticipated?

Upon reaching the edge of the forest, Alice surveyed the landscape, watching as the winds picked up, rustling through the trees. The barrier shimmered faintly, pulsing in time with her heartbeat. She focused her magic, drawing it in, letting the energy flow through her and connecting with the ley lines beneath the earth.