A Stay in Gensokyo

Chapter Sixteen - Entrance to the Underworld

Waking up in the middle of the night, at times you'd think someone or something disrupted your sleep. As if some unknown being is peering you way. That's how I felt as I groped my way towards the bathroom. Nothing but silence fills the house as I flick on the dim lights and stare into mirror.

For some reason, I don't look like myself. I look much older as if I've matured but my complexion is that of someone younger. Like a woman who can afford only the finest makeup, coupled with the works of magic. This isn't me.

"Who... who are you?"

I ask, reaching my hand out. She smiles back before someone grasps my outstretched arm.

"Now now...~"

Someone whispers into my ear, almost soothingly before letting out a single breath. Looking at the mirror once more, Remilia's standing by me. With one arm around my waist, her other hand gently strokes my cheek.

"What are you thinking about?"

"Why, why are you here..?"

Better yet. Where exactly is here? This isn't home, this isn't Alice's. It's far from that, it feels sinister. As if lurking in every corner is a monster just waiting for an opportunity.

"Why else? To check on you, of course. Aah, such lovely eyes you've developed...~"

Eyes..?

Staring at the reflection, the shape of my pupils contract slowly before forming slits. Blood then seeps into my iris as the colour brightens into a crimson red.

"..."

Unable to utter even a single word, my hand subconsciously moves towards the side of my neck. It's as if I already knew. Knew that I've already been caught.

A bright liquid falls between my fingers and dribbles down my neck from two open wounds.

Not knowing how, when or why, she simply stands there staring dotingly. Like one would at their beloved... pet.

For some reason, that's the only word that fits. Not a servant, but a play thing. And a play things existence, is to satisfy their Master.

"Ahh... Yuuki."

Staring at the mirrors reflection is me, with not even an ounce of emotion, not even sorrow. She resembles an empty husk. A soft tune tickles my ear, as her hand brushes through my hair as if to console.

"Don't look that way. It's okay... I'll take good care of you, hehe.~"

...

Soon coming to once more, unable to express even shock. I lay in bed staring into nowhere, perhaps just in attempts to rest from such an awful nightmare. Looking about at the room I've become accustomed to, it very well seems like I'm back where I belong.

"..."

"Urgh... feels like I've been hit by a truck."

A sharp pain almost knocks me out as I try piecing my memory together; the more I think about it, the more realistic it was. It's to the point where I question just how much of it was real. It was a nightmare, yes, however, it felt like a reality. Close to lucid almost as if it were a prediction of the future.

"Just how much of an influence will she have on me?"

Shaking my head before closing my eyes, I recall Reimu's words in hopes they'd comfort me.

With my throat parched and my stomach seemingly empty, it soon groans before I'm greeted by a soft voice. A similar call to that of an innocent cat.