Epilogue: Border Side

Somewhere beyond the Netherworld, in a strange old mansion, a man lies unconscious upon a bed. A door opens, and a girl with blue eyes and wavy blue hair comes inside. Wearing a pink dress with blue/black trim and a hat with a sun insignia on the top, she walks in quietly with something in her hands. It is a tray with a bowl full of hot soup that smells strongly of herbs. Floating behind her as she walks is a trumpet.

"..."

The smell of the soup wafts into the man's nostrils. Slowly, he opens his eyes and sits himself up. As he looks at himself, he realizes that he is wrapped in bandages.

"Are you feeling better now?"

He turns toward the voice and blinks at the blue-haired girl.

"You were pretty messed up out there. Why were you wandering the Netherworld alone? And they call me crazy..."

"Netherworld?"

She puts down the tray on a small table beside the bed.

"Here. I suppose that humans need food, don't they."

"Humans?"

The blue-haired girl stares at him for a moment. Then suddenly, she starts laughing.

"You're a funny one!"

"Funny," he repeats.

"Anyway, you better eat or you might die or something. I'll come back after my performance. Can't be late for my own events~"

Without another word, the girl waves cheerily at him before closing the door. The man finds himself alone in the room. Alone with soup, at least. He stares at the dish for a moment before shaking his head. It seems unappetizing, for some reason. He forces himself up and heads for the bathroom.

"..."

After locking the door behind him, he carefully arranges his long black hair until it looks neat and acceptable. He wears his white long-sleeved shirt over his bandaged chest, leaving it unbuttoned as an afterthought. For some reason, it feels more natural. Then, he slowly stares at his left arm. He raises his right hand, and with his fingernails, he tears open a large wound. Blood slowly drips out from the injury.

"Looks like it worked," he says to himself. "This incarnation survived the transfer without too much damage this time."

He starts to chant words in an ancient, forgotten tongue. The droplets start collecting into his right hand. A knife made of crystallized blood and ice is formed. He takes the weapon and pockets it. Then, he smiles.

"Time to welcome myself to Gensokyo."