Loading User Commands:
[X] Strike with Hakurouken.

---

Cold. It feels so cold. And weary. So tired. Should just go back to sleep.

"..up!"

Head hurts. Someone is being loud. Too loud.

"ake.. up!"

Just won't quit. I don't want to -

"Wake up!"

Ughh... stop shaking me. I'm awake. I'm awake already.

I'm awake.

...

Vincent slowly opens his eyes. He blinks curiously at his surroundings. Where is this? All around him are dead trees and swampland. Everything is enveloped in gray fog and darkness, and it takes a few moments for his eyes to adjust. The sun shines high above him, but the thick mist turns its brightness into an eerie glow, not unlike a bad moon. Huh? A bad moon?

"Very good, little human~"

Someone ruffles his hair fondly.

"After you finish up here," she says. "Come to the ritual site. There are still a few others who might interrupt the sacrifice."

He turns around quickly, but the owner of the voice is already walking away. A cloaked figure he doesn't recognize steps into the thick fog and vanishes before he can respond. Suddenly, his eyes are drawn to something larger. A silhouette of a gigantic cherry tree towers over him. Its huge branches are leafless and barren, yet it glows an eerie purple as he watches. Hundreds.. no, thousands of wispy things are swirling around it.

"What.. is that?" he manages.

"Clang!"

Something metal hits the ground. Vincent turns around. A long, dangerous looking sword lies carelessly. Someone is standing a few yards nearby. A familiar face. He sighs in relief.

"Youmu? Is that you?"

The half-ghost doesn't turn around. Puzzled, he starts walking closer to her.

"Hey! What's going on? Who was that just now?"

"..."

Still no answer. Something doesn't feel right. He starts running toward the girl.

"Are you okay?"

Vincent grabs her shoulder gently. She slowly turns her head. Then, the half-ghost grins.

"You're back," she whispers.

"Back? When did I -"

He doesn't finish the sentence. Crimson. His eyes are immediately drawn to the crimson. The bright red contrasts harshly against the green and white. The half-ghost starts to lose her balance, but he catches her in his arms. More crimson starts to stain the ground.

"Youmu!" he cries out.

The half-ghost continues bleeding from a large stab wound in her stomach. The amount of blood that is flowing out is alarming. This is most certainly a fatal blow. Who could have done such a horrible -

"W-what the -"

Then, he notices it. In his other hand is a weapon that is only too familiar to him. His longsword forged from blessed steel looks exactly as he remembers it. Except for one thing.

It was dripping blood.

He drops the weapon as if it burns. Did he just -

"I-I'm going to get you some help!" he cries. "Just hang on! Everything will be -"

The half-ghost raises her hand and covers his mouth.

"Good to see you again, Vincent."

She is smiling at him. Even in this dire situation, she smiles. He says nothing and forces a smile back. Slowly, she puts her other sword in his hand. She wraps her hand around his as she tightens his grip around it.

[ ] Go after the cloaked figure.
[ ] Stay with her.
[ ] Custom