Epilogue: Forest Side

Vincent yawns and stretches as he walks along the path. It is nice to travel using his own legs once in a while. He could never get used to all this flying business that is so popular in Gensokyo. Walking on two feet really is best. Besides, he still has a lot of time before they get back. He might as well visit this "Kourindou" that Komachi talked about the other day.

"..."

Unfortunately, that visit may have to wait. He suddenly stops in his tracks and stares at the sky for a moment. Then, he turns toward the bushes.

"It isn't polite to stalk from the shadows."

"..."

A girl with short green hair steps out. Her eyes are blue-green, and a pair of antennae poke out of her hair. She wears a white short sleeved shirt and a pair of blue pants. Upon her back is a black cape that is red on the inner side. Her clothes are full of strange emblems and insignia.

"Are you the ghost hunter of Hakugyokurou?" says the girl.

He nods slowly. She sighs and relief and steps closer.

"My name is Wriggle Nightbug. And I need your help."

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."

Epilogue: Scarlet Side

"How do you find the tea, Lady Yuyuko?"

"It's quite delicious," she says. "I do enjoy a cup of tea with good company~"

The ghost princess smiles brightly at Grey.

"Such a polite and handsome servant! If the vampire wasn't looking, I'd take you home with me right now~"

He clears his throat.

"I appreciate the offer, but I must respect my contract."

"Ara? How disappointing~"

Grey bows politely before returning to Remilia's side. The vampire says nothing as she stares into her own cup quietly. The guest from Hakugyokurou just maintains her enigmatic smile, as if it were a mask. The atmosphere becomes heavy for this tea for three as silence fills the room.

"So~"

"..."

Yuyuko puts down her cup and looks straight into the vampire's eyes.

"It is quite rare that you would invite me to your home. And rarer still that you insist that I come alone. How curious~"

Remilia puts down her cup and grins.

"I thought that I would be a good neighbor and have you for tea."

"Indeed. And your unscheduled visit the other day?"

"Good neighbors help each other with the trash."

"I see. Well, I can't deny that I appreciate the help. It is good to know that Hakugyokurou has neighbors that it can count on~"

"We are all neighbors in Gensokyo, aren't we?"

An awkward moment of silence passes between the two. Without warning, both of them break out into laughter. A shiver runs down Grey's spine. It takes a couple of minutes for them to recover. Yuyuko takes another sip of tea. Then, she looks up at the vampire. She isn't smiling.

"Why did you call me here?" she says coldly.

Those eyes make Grey swallow uncontrollably. He suddenly becomes aware of how dangerous this girl is. After all, the ghost princess can invoke death at will. However, Remilia seems completely composed. She even manages a business-like grin before speaking.

"Good neighbors do favors for each other, don't they?"

"What do you want?"

The vampire puts down her cup.

"I need to borrow the sword that terminates delusions. Of course, I also need someone who can use it. Apparently, only those of the Konpaku family can wield the blade, or some silly rule like that."

She smiles at the ghost princess.

"Now I wonder... should I bring that half-ghost? Or perhaps, I should bring the ghost hunter? Both seem to have sufficient ability to use the weapon."

"..."

For the first time this afternoon, Yuyuko looks visibly shaken. She says nothing, but the smile on her face looks pained. Remilia grins at the ghost princess' hesitation. She pulls out something from her dress.

"Well, I know that you would have difficulty choosing, so I brought this."

The vampire holds out something in front of the ghost princess. It looks like an old coin made of gold. The insignia of the raven is engraved upon it.

"Why don't we let Fate decide?"