Hundred Night Blade (A Magical Girl Quest)

InfiniteDaze · Oct 14, 2019

Though the sun may rise
And the petals may wilt
We lived trapped
Where the Night never ends

At the end of a worn out dirt road, just as soon as one had gotten used to the thumping sound of travel, lied a village. It wasn't much, in fact it could be described as a village just like any other. It was almost too similar.

If one were to travel along this village, then they must take heed not to pay too much attention to it. Stare at the faces of the villagers, going about their daily lives in old and used kimonos, for too long and one may find old friends or relatives that they'd thought they'd never see again. The wooden and thatched buildings could lead the way to the streets of one's childhood. The food the impossible taste of one's parents.

Of course, if one were to chase after all of these things, they'd soon find that the village would consume them until they became just another face.

This was the village of the lost, of the things that had been forgotten.

And it was in this village that a new traveller arrived. Black hair tied up in a ponytail, dressed in bright pink robes, the only thing that separated herself from being the picture of an elegant maiden was the tense air around her and the sword on her waist.

She paid little mind to the village itself. It was just a distraction for her real goal: The only thing that distinguished the village of the lost.

Sitting at the very back of the village was a mountain that was impossibly tall. It's peak vanished into the sky above, touching the heavens themselves. It was neither made out of stone or dirt, but it was a mountain. And of course, it had a history.

Hidden in the whispers was a legend, and one the woman followed to the very letter.

First, ignore the village and walk to the end of the road and into the path leading to the mountain. The timing has to be right, between the hours of when the sun is about to be eclipsed by the mountain and when it's rays still shine bright.

Secondly, think about who you are trying to go to, take as many steps as there are syllables in their name, and then take a turn at the fork that doesn't exist.

This was after all, the final resting place for the souls who wanted to be forgotten.

Soon, as the women traveled down the path in front of her, the sound of a clanging noise could be heard on the wind. It scraped against her ears and made her heart pound with the rhythm, but she kept walking only to eventually reach a beat up old shrine at the end of the road.

With a sigh, she walked to the broken door and opened it just as the sizzle of burning metal against water reached her ears.

Swords and metal tools littered the room, but that was about all one could say was in the shrine, save for what was at it's very heart. Floating above a green spectral fire was a man with no legs, only whispers. His skin was ashen grey but the yellow robes still stood out vibrantly against the drab shrine background.

"Ahem." The women coughed.

"Huh?" The blacksmith looked up before rolling his eyes and getting back to work. "Oh, it's you."

"Indeed." She nodded, "I think you know what I'm here for."

"Same as the last dozen times I take it." He grumbled, "You've been coming here for years and I keep telling you, the answer is the same."

"My sword is incomplete." She said blandly, "And you won't fix it."

"Oh that sword's perfectly complete, ain't my fault that you can't use it properly." He paused, "Or that you can't use it at all."

"How shameful. Isn't it a blacksmith's duty to take responsibility for the things he makes?" The women grabbed it's sheath and held it out, "I've held this thing for many years, even have developed my swordsmen ship to the point of art with it, and yet it is still not complete. It doesn't even have a name."

"Ah yes, a name." He replied, his tone dripping with sarcasm. "How truly, vitally important."

"For all that death may have taken from you, I regret the most that it didn't take that attitude." She glared, "We both know that the sword has a spirit, for it and I are bound by an agreement, and yet how could it fully develop without even an identity?"

"In case you haven't noticed, for the umpteenth time, I live on the far side of the place where you call home." He grunted, "And not even fully at that. Even if you were to find the soul of my original ripple, he could not give you what you seek. So for what reason do you have to visit a reflection like me?"

"Answers."

"Answers!" He barked, "I'm a blacksmith! Young lady I make tools, not solutions!"

"But you're the only lead I've got." She sighed, placing the blade back on her waist and sitting down. "For me, who doesn't even have a name, I can't live in either here or the weighted world."

"...." There was a minute of silence, save for the occasional pound by the ghost's hammer before he spoke up again. "Listen, every tool has a purpose, and that sword is no exception. If you know how to use your tools, then that might lead you to the solution."

Clang. Clang. Clang.

"And I don't mean using it like with those fancy arts. You know and I both know the concepts that sword is made out of." The blacksmith continued to work, not looking up even once. "To use it is to fulfill the concepts, but how you do so is up to you. All you need to do is invoke that little agreement you have between you and it."

"...Will it answer?"

"Of course." He replied immediately. "If it didn't then you'd be free to disperse me. You on the other hand… well, will you answer?"

"Mmh…"

The blacksmith turned to the women. "Ah, looks like it's time. Please, never come back again."

"I make no promises."

"Hahaha. You cheeky-"

"-BRAT!" A thunderous voice boomed the young woman out of her sleep. Hastily she looked around, eyes still getting used to the fluorescent lights above her, only to sigh in relief as she realized the shouting wasn't directed at her.

A moment later she winced as, at the very front of the office was a young man, hunched over and shaking as a bigger older man's face turned redder and redder.

"YOU YOUNGER GENERATIONS ARE ALWAYS GETTING WORSE!" The old man roared, grabbing a stack of paper and jamming it into the shredder. "HOW WILL YOU ANSWER FOR THIS CRAP YOU CALL A WORK LOAD?!"

"I-I'm sorry sir."

"WHAT WAS THAT?!"

The young man instantly crumpled to the floor and pushed his forehead against the carpet. "M-MY APOLOGIES!"

"Hmph…" The older man took a deep breath before a smile that promised to steal any joy appeared on his face. "You know Satoshi, you've been a real mess here at the office huh? But, see, I'm a gentle soul. I still remember my roots as well, so rather than firing you I'll be lenient in this case. How about I let you off with a pay dock? About… thirty percent of your salary sounds good, right?"

"T-Thirty percent?!" Satoshi the poor office worker's voice shook.

"Oh?" The older man's smile faltered before he stepped on the younger employees back, driving him farther into the ground. "Do you have a problem with this?"

"N-NO SIR!" The younger man responded, "THANK YOU FOR YOUR LENIENCY SIR!"

"Good good…" With a sinister smile, the boss took his foot off the employees back and helped him off the ground. "Now, get back to then."

"Y…" Satoshi gulped, his eyes wet. "YES!"

And with that he dashed off to his cubicle, out of sight.

A moment of silence passed through the office before the employees proceeded to ignore what just happened and get back to work.

"Finally up huh?" The woman looked up to find the tired smile of her coworker. "You managed to catch some sleep for quite a while, lucky you huh Momohime?"

"Um, yes…" The black haired woman, with her long hair tied up and her gentle eyes still looking worn out tried to give a smile. "I-I'm sorry Chiika. I, I can do some of your work if you want?"

Idly she dusted off the tight, plain black cloth of her office uniform before giving an envious glance at how her much taller coworker's uniform always looked so clean and wrinkle free.

"Nah, it's fine." Chiika waved before running a hand through her short, brown hair. "Don't want to put you through any more hell. We're in overtime already after all."

"Oh, yes that's right…" Momohime looked at her computer monitor as it turned on and glanced at the clock. "...One in the morning?!"

"Yep." Chika rotated her shoulder, "And the workload is only starting to lighten up. End of the quarter is coming up so their really starting to grind our asses."

"Ahahaha…" They were supposed to get off at eight though. "Any idea when this will be done?"

"Not any time soon that's for sure." Chika quickly looked around before leaning over to Momohime. "Psst, you want to go on break and get some coffee at a new cafe down the road?"

"I don't know if we can…"

"Nah I got this." She waved dismissively, "Our boss is a real sucker for a cute face. Course I'm in uh, desperate need of skin care-"

Internally, Momohime commented that it was more like a desperate need of proper working hours.

"But if I head to the bathroom and put some makeup on, I guarantee I can get us out of here in like, twenty minutes."

"Still…" Momohime glanced in the direction of Satoshi.

"Ah. Yeah." Chika winced, "It's terrible, but it is how it is. Can't speak here though. Besides, do you really want to work through that just after you wake up?"

Momohime slowly glanced at her pile of work and- Oh. Oh my that's big.

"...Please."

"Thought so." Chika stood up, "You can time me if you want. Over twenty minutes and the coffee will be my treat."

Momohime looked around, unsure of what to say. "Good luck?"

"Heh, I won't need luck."

"Oh my goodness that was so lucky." Chika cried desperately as she grabbed onto Momohime's shoulder while they walked out of the office building and into the cold night.

"There there." Momohime patted her friend's shoulders.

"How was I supposed to know he was having trouble at home?!" The brown haired women shouted, "And- And then his wife called in the middle of our conversation and- and-!"

"Shh." The smaller of the pair tried to soothe her, "It's alright. At least you got that break right?"

"Yeah…" Chika's face brightened up, "Yeah! Half an hour break whooo!"

WIth a laugh, she detached herself from Momohime and did a quick skip in the street before taking a deep breath. "Ah, fresh air. I haven't been able to relax like this in forever."

"Well we still get holidays…" Momohime paused, "Officially."

"And you bet I'm going to spend those the first chance I get." A firm nod, "But seriously! I can't ever get a break! Damn that company, it's totally black!"

"Ahhh~!" Momohime cried, rushing over to her coworker. "Ssh. What if someone here's you?!"

"Pssh please! It's not like I've shouted the name out loud." Chika waved, "And every time I think I get the chance to relax it gets taken away from me! Seriously! Like, just the past month alone!"

The taller of the two wrapped an arm around Momohime's shoulder, "There's like, this park I used to walk through on the way to work! It's between the train station and the office but it's out of the way so nobody really goes through it, relaxing right?"

Chika shouted before Momohime could even respond, "NOPE! Next thing I know some weirdo shows up in the middle of the park and begins playing make believe or something! Every! Single! Day! Can you believe it?! Get a job am I right!?"

"Ah, haha…" Momohime laughed weakly, "M-Maybe he's not all that bad."

"Yeah- no. Momohime, sweatie." Chika turned to stare the mousy girl in the eyes. "He's one of those delusional heads. You know, when magic and magical girls suddenly became real and a bunch of people suddenly got it in their head that we're living in an anime or something. You can't trust those guys with anything."

The older office lady gasped, "Why they might see you as a cute, naive heroine! Think of what they might do to you?!"

"Chika…" Momohime goraned, giving her a look. "Come on."

"Why they might do- This!"

A sudden shriek sounded through the air as Chika suddenly began a fierce tickle assault against Momohime's sides.

"Ahahaha! S-Stop stop!" The poor girl cried.

"Never!" The brown haired woman cackled. "I've got you now princess!"

"I told you not to call me thaaaaaaat!" With a panicked struggle, Momohime desperately looked around trying to find a way out. Suddenly, her eyes locked on to something and she pointed in its direction. "Oh! Look! A shrine!"

"Huh?" Chika blinked, stopping her deadly assault. "Well would you look at that…"

Hidden between two buildings was a stone arch and tiny steps that lead to a small little offering box, sitting beneath the gaze of a fox monument. The air was incredibly peaceful, a gentle breeze occasionally blowing through the two women's hair as they drank in the atmosphere. It almost felt like they were the only two in the whole world, like they had wandered into a secret hidden from the very busy streets of Tokyo they were wandering before.

"It's awfully well maintained." Chika noted as the two stepped between the gates. A low rumble trembled against their skin. "Do you think someone takes care of it?"

"Well, someone has to right?" Momohime asked.

"Yeah but I don't think I've ever seen this place before…" Chika sighed, "Most of the shrines in the city have been taken down. Save for the ones that are for the traditions, nobody believes in the old shinto ways. Specially with you know, angels."

The smaller girl blinked, "Do you believe in it?"

"What? Me? Nah. I'm a firm believer of facts and the fact is that Gaea is real and christianity was the truth, or at least some very bad misinterpretation of it." She pushed a lock of her short brown hair out of her eyes, "My dad though, my dad always was a devout. Even after the war and all the chaos, he never let go. Then the old fool had to go and kick the bucket…"

"Oh." Momohime blinked, "I'm… sorry."

"Oh, you don't have to be sorry, it's got nothing to do with you." Chika shook her head frantically before sighing wistfully, "It's just how life is, you know?"

"Ah, that's…" Black eyes turned to gaze at the offering box. "Do you want to pay respects?"

"...I guess it can't hurt." She shrugged, reaching into her wallet to pull out a coin. "What about you? Got any wishes?"

"Wishes?!" Momohime stepped back before waving her hands, trying to look anywhere but at Chika, "N-No, no! I've got nothing like that!"

"Eh? Really?" The brown haired women gave a sly smile, "Not even a wish from when you were younger?"

"That's...!" Blood rushed to the smaller girl's face as she coughed. "It's, it's embarrassing…"

"Oh ho ho?" Chika laughed, "Come now, come now, we're friends aren't we? Unload your black history onto me!"

"Don't put it like that!" Momohime shouted, sweating from the heat. "Well, it's just…. Iwantedtobeamagicalgirl!"

Chika blinked, "...Huh?"

"I wanted to be a magical girl." Momohime explained, looking away from her companion. "And it wasn't just when I was a kid. When I was fourteen, when I was sixteen… I remember having the desire to be a magical girl. They seemed so cool you know? Like something out of a manga."

The black haired woman gulped, "Then one day I guess the desire just started to fade away… And of course now that wish is impossible since I'm twenty three."

"Too old to awaken." Chika nodded, placing a hand on her shoulder. "...But just young enough that you aren't a christmas cake yet."

"Eh?!" Momohime's eyes went wide. "C-Chika!"

"I'm a year older than you and neither of us have boyfriends!" The mousy girl cried, "Ah~! My time is almost up! Damn that company!"

"I-I don't think it's their fault!" A beat, "Mostly! Not Entirely! ...Maybe."

"Aw…" Chika swooned before hugging the girl, "You'll marry me if the time comes right?"

"Eh?! Chika! Chika stop laughing!"

But she didn't stop and soon Momohime found herself laughing as well.

Eventually the two settled down before pulling out coins and tossing it into the offering box. The wind blew through their hair as they clapped before bowing in silence for a few seconds.

Chika was the first to break the silence, straightening her back and beginning to walk away. "Wew! I think I'm feeling refreshed! Come on, the coffee is my treat remember?"

"Right." Momohime smiled as she straightened up as well.

There was a small rustling noise in a nearby bush that caught the young woman's attention. Her skin began to get goosebumps as she looked around the shrine before a white fox popped out of the bush and stared at her.

"Huh?" Momohime blinked, rubbing her eyes.

The fox was gone.

"That's strange…" She muttered.

"Hey~!" Chika cried from out of the shrine. "Are you coming or what?!"

"Oh! Yes!" Momohime turntailed and began to run out of the area, "Wait for me!"

From a top the shrine, amidst the moonlight, the fox appeared again. Idly, it watched the retreating figure of the girl before giving a yip of curiosity.

Truly, an interesting sight…

The caffeine helped, but ultimately it still took Momohime until around four for the stack of work to blissfully vanish away. By the end of it all, her eyes had once again begin to have bags under them and a look of complete exhaustion had descended upon her.

In her half-awake, dead tired brain, she thought that if a painter were to make her a portrait of herself in that moment, he would probably call it "Lady Death" or something similar.

Still, she did have enough energy to make it out of the office building alive. All she had to do now was to go home and sleep… for about three hours before she had to wake up and prepare for work again.

Daylight? Nature? What is that? It's all fluorescent lights and paperwork for her.

Man, what even is her life at this point? Why was she living like this again?

Oh, right.

The reward of money and the not-so-subtle threat that the company will ruin all future prospects she has if she were to quit.

Yep, welcome to adulthood…

Momohime stopped dead in her tracks, zoning out and staring into space as she considered the path ahead of her.

So the train station was five minutes away but if she took the path that Chika told her then it'd take a few more minutes but she'd still make her train right?

With an exhausted nod she tiredly began to walk through the city streets. Keeping an eye out for the path Chika told her about. Just had to go this way and…

Momohime blinked as she stopped walking. This was the path Chika told her about but, a group had formed in front of the walk way. About five or so people blocking the path ahead. Before she even knew what she was doing she was walking up to them and looking over their shoulders.

"Just give us a moment." A police officer held the group back. "It won't take us that long."

A man at the front of the group grunted. "It'd be faster if you just let us walk through."

"Well, new city policy." The officer groaned, "Something about a law pushed by MGs and the Counter Force guys. Have to take every incident we get called in for seriously."

"Peh, Counter Force." The man grunted, "What good are they anyways? Bunch of boot lickers if you ask me…"

The people around him didn't bother to agree or disagree but they did mutter something.

"Um," Momohime turned to one of the people next to her. "What's happening?"

"Hm?" The person, a teenage girl, took their earbud out of their ear. "Ah, yeah, so ya know. There's this creepy dude who always hangs around here so the police have to shake him off. Only now he's actually sleeping here and the police have to drag him away. Like, totally gross if you asked me."

"Ah." The black haired woman nodded. Maybe she should just go back to the main path…

Suddenly, a jolt of pain shot through Momohime's head like a bullet, causing her to grunt before placing a hand on her head. Ow ow ow...

"Oi~! Trash!" A sharp faced police man from farther in the back yelled as he pulled up a man from the ground. The guy was dirty, and he had cuts and bruises all over his body. "Wake up!"

"Huh…?" The man mumbled, "Officer Tarou?"

"Yes it's me!" The officer roared, "We meet like this, again! What have I told you about being a public nuisance?!"

"But…" The dirty man mumbled off hazily, "My power…"

"I don't care if you've got the powers of an angel, you're a disgrace to the city and my name!" The police officer threw the man back onto the dirt in a harsh thud. "Pick yourself up and walk with me to the station!"

The pain in Momohime's head began to grow more and more. Like the ringing of a gong, slamming into her brain at every second. The air she breathed began to turn foul and wrong and her eyes struggle to look at the sight in front of her.

"You know…" The man spoke from the ground beneath him. "My parents, they kicked me out of the house today. Called me a useless, good for nothing, freeloading trash. They beat me, cut me, anything to force me out. But I know that no matter how much they yell, that I have a potential power inside me."

"I don't need to hear any of this useless drivel-" The officer began only for the man to continue.

"And you do too, you know?"

Chills ran down Momohime's spine as she fought back the urge to vomit bile. Suddenly, as the man lifted his head up, she noticed. Oh she noticed. How could she not? There was a horn now, that wasn't there before. It was hard to focus on but she could see it. And his eyes.. His eyes had changed to those of an inhuman, red slitted monster, just brimming with insanity.

The man's voice continued but to Momohime's ears the words didn't belong to him alone. "Allow me to… bring it out."

The thing flourshied his head back and shouted words that weren't words. "SPIRIT POLLUTION - SAVAGE BLOODLUST!"

Cost: 150 HP

600 - 150 = 450 Remaining Health

"H-Hey!" Momohime cried through the pain. "Hey look out!"

But it was too late. From the man's wounds and mouth came a thick, red ooze that didn't look right on the world. As if someone had painted on the canvas in a different color.

"Huh?" The sharp police officer grunted, "Listen kid I don't know what you're going on about but- grk!"

He didn't even move as the ooze shot towards him, pouring into his mouth at frightening speeds. The police officer's body began to spasm as the procedure happened, and yet all Momohime could do was look on in horror.

"Oi! Tarou!" The second police officer called, "You alright?!"

"Su-Suzuki…" The man groaned as the ooze finished shoving it's way inside him. "You…"

"Hm?"

"You're a police officer right…?" Slowly, Police Officer Tarou turned around to reveal the same eyes of madness the thing on the ground had. "Then WHY THE HELL DO YOU LET YOUR DAUGHTER FOOL AROUND SO MUCH?!"

The group of people around Momohime shrieked as with a brutal war, the police officer pulled out his baton and began charging at his fellow worker. There was a solid smacking sound as Suzuki fell to the floor followed by the vicious, ear grating sounds of beating.

"HahAhAHAHAHA!!!" The thing laughed as it got off the floor. "YES! YES! UNLEASH YOUR POTENTIAL! HAHAHA!"

Fear locked inside of Momohime as she tried to move, only to find her legs were still frozen in place. The chill only grew as the thing began to look towards the group of people that included her.

"You…" It growled in both delight and anger. "DON'T LOOK AT ME LIKE THAT!!!!"

The man in front of the group went red in the face. "I don't know what you did to that officer but-!"

He didn't have time to finish as the thing jumped off the ground, dashing towards him with a maddening cackle. The sound of something tearing against flesh pierced her ears and blood soon began to drip from the man like a river.

There was a second before the girl next to her screamed. Soon everyone around her was screaming as the all began to run away backwards. It was all for not as in an impossible leap the bloody thing leaped over them, eclipsing the moon before landing on the ground just between them on the main road.

It looked back at them with a mad smile before indescribable nosies of anger escaped its mouth. It ran towards them again before it grabbed each of the group members and tossed them back into the park behind them. It didn't seem to care for Momohime however, as it just plowed into her leaving her tossed on the ground in between the roads.

For a few minutes the pain in her body was overwhelmed by the pain caused by an outside force, leaving her in agony on the ground. Struggling with all her might, she lifted her head off the ground only to see the thing hold a bloody claw up in the air as it looked over someone's body.

"Hey, hey." It sneered, "I want to test something. Just a question really, I promise I won't hurt you if you get it right."

"R-Really?" The person on the ground groaned.

"Really really." The thing flaunted it's claws. "What does this look like to you?"

"A, ack, A regular hand?"

...Huh?

"Bzzt! Wrong!" And with a maniac laugh he dug the claw into the person lying on the ground. Momohime winced as the shriek of pain sent ripples through her body. "Oh man oh man, they really can't see it huh? How can I show off my power if no one can see it huh?"

But, what? The thing…

Drip.

Another drop of blood splashed on the ground.

Slowly, Momohime looked down only to realize it was coming from her leaking nose.

"Ahh… Ah…" Her voice threatened to scream, and yet no sound would leave her lips. Slowly, painfully, she pushed herself off the ground and back on to her feet.

The thing didn't seem to care for her, she was still stuck in that alley way between the park and the main road. All she had to do was walk out that way and… what? Call for help? She already saw what happened to that police officer.

That thing wasn't human. So, a magical girl? But where would you even find a magical girl….

...She wished she had the power to do something, but she was just Momohime.

Her mind wracked and rumbled with thoughts, trying to find the solutions as more people began to fall victim to the thing. And in that haze between her thoughts, the words of someone from a dream floated into her head.

"If you know how to use your tools-"

Her body began to walk on it's own. Taking a step towards the thing without her conscious will. Blandly, the thing looked away from the police officers and towards her. "Oh, you. Well you don't look that fun to play with but if you're going to try and stop me-"

"-Then that might lead you to the solution."

"I.. I…" But Momohime didn't say something. She must be crazy, walking head first into danger like this on the words of mere dream. Yet something compelled her to move forward. The words continued, this time louder, consuming all her thoughts.

"All you need to do…"

"...Is Invoke." She finished, and the moment the word left her lips something changed. In front of her eyes, a Sword wrenched itself into existence. It's size and length hurt her eyes but it's style was unmistakably that of the old tradition.

"That…" The thing shouted, "What is that Sword?!"

Momohime didn't answer. She stared at the blade, transfixed. It called to her, compelled her to reach out and touch it's hilt. With shaking hands she began to oblige, listening to it's voice as she reached out to grab it-

And suddenly, she was no longer in control of her hands. It reached out to the blade but once it had a grip on it, it refused to let go. Momohime tried to move her body, to do something at all, but it wouldn't budge.

"Hahaha! This- This will be fun!" The thing brandished it's claws, "HAhaHAhaHA!"

"I am the one who will bear the curse." Her body intoned, closing her eyes against her will.

She could feel the thing getting closer and as it drew near-

Ripples. She felt the wind billowing against water in her very soul. Engulfing her, changing her, transforming her.

"HERE I CO-" The thing yelled, changing before it blinked. Momohime was gone. Both mentally and physically. Her body was no longer standing where she had been.

Slowly, the thing paused, before giving a yelp of shock as a cut formed on it's cheek. The blood, fresh and flowing.

"You-!" It looked around frantically, only to suddenly hear calm steps echoing through his head like a gong. It's anger boiled it's blood and it turned around to see… A women. Wearing a pink kimono and armor, with her black hair in a small ponytail held together by a bright flower hair pin.

And a small dribble of blood on her Sword.

Without even a trace of shock or confusion, she opened her eyes. "Awaken, Magical Girl Demon Blade."

The newly proclaimed Magical Girl took a deep breath before looking around and speaking with a gentle, soothing voice. "The wind in my hair, the weight on my feet… I see, so this is the world on the other side of the mirror."

A sharp click of her tongue shot through the tranquil atmosphere as she regarded the thing in front of her. "It is such a shame that it was someone with such a face that warranted my calling."

"Huh?!" The thing shouted, "You calling my face ugly?!"

"Ugly is not the word I would use for it." She simply dismissed, "Rather, I believe the more apt words would be 'The face of a filthy pig that had been defecated on by a cow'."

"YOU!" The person she just insulted roared, "I don't care if you're a MG, I'm still going to beat the crap out of you! In fact, that just makes it al the better!"

"Go ahead, you're welcome to try." Demon Blade went into a stance with her blade. "Really, such an idea is truly the height of genius."

Outwardly, the Magical Girl was the picture of calm, collected coolness.

Inwardly Momohime was freaking the fuck out.

"AHHHHH!" She uh, thought really loudly. "WHAT?! WHAT?! I'M A MAGICAL GIRL!? DID I REALLY JUST SAY THAT?! HELP! HELP! I CAN'T MOVE MY BODY!"

"It would be wise of you to keep quiet." Demon Blade growled in a whisper.

"Eh? Eh?! You can hear me?!"

"Of course I can hear you, you're in my head." Momohime's head nodded against her will. "This isn't your fight. It's mine. Just keep quiet and it'll all be over soon…"

Magical Girl Demon Blade locked eyes with her enemies. "And thus, my blade shall exorcise your demons."

With that she…

[] Charged at the thing, ready to parry it's claws at any moment
[] Swiftly tried to get behind it
[] Write in

AN: This is really just an opportunity for me to have fun, cut back, and stretch my creative muscle. Readers who are new to the system this is running on can currently just treat this as an ordinary narrative vote, with stats to help operate as a guide. If you'd like to learn more you can either ask around or look at the other quests in this setting.

For those who know me from my other quest, I'll be working on this the half a week I don't spend working that one.

Important thing to note: Under this post is your character sheet. Completely new to this quest is the Arts system. If you check the weapon tab then you'll see that your weapon has an HP bar of it's own.

Casting Arts will lower the blade's HP. If it hits zero, the blade breaks. And yes, the enemy does in fact have Arts of his own.

If you know what characters this quest is using expies of then congrats but it probably won't be relevant. Let's have fun together, okay?

InfiniteDaze · Oct 18, 2019

Demon Blade's feet slowly began to move as she and the thing made eye contact. Her stance at the ready as the two of them circled around, waiting for the other to attack. A low, inhuman growl escaped the thing's throat, savage and primal. It brandished its claws.

"That stance…" Demon Blade began, "Are you perhaps a fighter?"

"Feh! This is just the power that was sleeping inside me!" It cackled. "Well?! What do you think?!"

"...I was right." The magical girl sighed, "There's no way someone like you could be a fighter."

"Huh?"

There was a pink blur, a rush of wind, before Demon Blade's feet drifted into a stance directly behind the thing.

And in a single smooth motion she kicked him in the back and onto the floor.

"Your movements are crude and undefined." She continued, "With all the grace of a feral hog, and less strength than one as well."

"GAH!" The thing pushed itself off the ground, face caked in dirt before it lunged directly at its assaulter. Claws slashed through the air in a wild frenzy. With barely any acknowledgement, Demon Blade simply turned her body before… kicking him in the back again.

Internally Momohime winced.

"STOP DOING THAT YOU AIR HEADED BITCH!" It cried, picking itself off the floor before flying into a rage.

"Air headed bitch?" Demon Blade tilted her head, "Interesting way to put it. But I must say, the fragrance of the air in my head is the fresh breeze of spring, but the air in yours is as wasteful and dirty as a gale from below."

"...Really?" Momohime asked herself. "Please don't say things like that with my mouth."

"What?" The magical girl blinked, "I thought it was an apt comparison."

"I have no idea what is going on but-! Um!" There was a pause. "T-Take this more seriously please! A lot of people got hurt!"

"Oh, yes." Demon Blade paused, glancing at the bloody bodies on the floor. "...Right."

"Don't tell me you forgot?!"

"I was busy." She glanced at the police man who had just finished beating his coworker into a bloody pulp. "That man… hm."

"Yeah! HEY! OFFICER TAROU " The thing shouted, pointing at Demon Blade. "This girl just tried to proposition me for compensated dating!"

"W-What?!"

"For an underaged girl… THAT'S ILLEGAL!" The officer shouted, no hint of logical thinking in his eyes as he charged at Demon Blade with the spirit of a bull.

"I-I may be kind of small but I'm still an adult…"

"Puberty wasn't kind to us, huh." Demon Blade brandished her sword before readying to strike the-

"WAIT! HEY! NO!"

The magical girl's Sword faltered at the last minute, the officer's body not pausing as it slammed into her. It wasn't truly enough to hurt her but it was enough to throw her off balance, which was made abundantly clear as mad laughter and tearing reached her ears.

???: 100 Base Damage +N/A Dice = 100 Total Damage
Demon Blade: 75 Base Resilience +3 Dice = 78 Total Reduction

22 End Damage

Demon Blade: 150 - 22 = 128 Remaining Health

Rend Applied! Total Damage: 50
Demon Blade: 75 Base Resilience +20 Dice = 95 Total Reduction

0 End Damage

A scream pierced out into the night as the thing's claws tore through her flesh. Blood splattered onto the earth, the scent of rust that was beginning to fade once again filling the cold air.

"Argh!" Demon Blade grunted, pushing the police officer away before jumping as far away as she could.

"Pain pain pain, oh why does it hurt so much…" Momohime cried.

"Calm-"

Rend Applied! Total Damage: 50
Demon Blade: 75 Base Resilience +11 Dice = 86 Total Reduction

0 End Damage

"Calm down." Demon Blade told herself, wincing.

"H-How am I supposed to calm down?! I'm bleeding out and- and I can't even move my body!"

"Not bleeding. He just, rendered our flesh."

"Is that supposed to make me feel any better?!"

"Can you please just go to sleep?!" The magical girl hissed at herself. "This wouldn't have happened if you just kept quiet!"

"You were going to slice that man down!"

"I'd only hurt him enough to knock him out." Demon Blade claimed, "Striking with the dull edge of my Sword."

"Does… Does that thing even have a dull edge?"

Demon Blade glanced at the Sword.

Its edge gleamed in the moonlight.

"...Maybe."

"Please please please let this all be a nightmare." Momohime wept internally.

"I'd rather go back to sleep as well…"

"HEY BITCH!" Demon Blade turned her attention from her wound to the thing only to find him holding up two trees up in the air. "SUCK ON THIS!"

With a laugh he tossed the plants at her. Dirt flying everywhere onto the park ruins.

Demon Blade grit her teeth. "...But it seems that's not to be the case. If he wants to play like that, then I will end this charade."

Her feet moved and without even thinking she jumped into the air. Faster than the eye could see, her blade moved. The first tree broke in two, a clean split down the middle which let her soar through the air uninterrupted. For a split second her foot made contact with the other tree before she lept off it and as high into the air as she could.
The moonlight reflected off her blade. Quietly, she slid it into her sheath as she began her descent towards the earth.

Time seemed to slow down.

"Blade Art Number #1."

Slowly, the world began to change and words echoed from her lips.

"Thousand Cranes..."

Her body vanished, hidden in the breeze. The thing shouted in shock, looking around but it was too late. Without a sound, Demon Blade manifested behind him.

There was no hesitation, not even a second for him to turn his head around. In a flash, the demon Blade spilled blood.

Cost: 250 HP

Misty Slash: 400 Base Damage +N/A Dice = 400 Total Damage
Misty Slash-

"S-Stop!" Momohime cut in just as the executioner's blade was about to strike the killing blow. "You've done enough! Just leave him be!"

The Sword faltered, Demon Blade flinched. "Even after all he's done?"

"Even, Even then." The young woman declared. "I don't care if this is some messed up dream or reality. I… I won't be a murderer."

"...Very well." Demon Blade sheathed her Sword. "If that is your wish."

Thing: 45 Base Resilience +N/A Dice = 45 Total Reduction

355 End Damage

The Thing: 450 - 355 = 95 Remaining Health.
Muramasa's Blade: 500 - 250 = 250 Remaining Health

"Ugh…" It groaned. Blood splattered on the ground. Off to the distance, the police officer collapsed to the ground in a dull thud.

"Hmph." Demon Blade let out. "And what do you suppose we do now?"

"Huh?"

"Don't tell me you didn't think about that." The Magical Girl sighed. "He's still someone who lashed out in a bloody rampage. Even if we spare him, he might just do so again in the future."

"..."

"So, I repeat, what shall we do - Momohime?"

"I… want to talk."

"Pardon?"

"I want to talk to him." Momohime clarified. "I want to know why he did what he did. I'm… not someone who could help. But even still... I want to talk."

"Heh?" Demon Blade muttered. "Why he did what he did, huh? I can guess the answer but I suppose you should know as well."

"W-What?"

"Prepare yourself." The folds of her kimono bent to the ground as she placed a hand on the thing- No, the man's back. The claws and horns had faded away like a trick of the light. Slowly, Demon Blade closed her eyes. "And Goodnight."

"Eh?! Ah-"

Colors blinded her view and consciousness faded.

Momohime didn't open her eyes.

As light as a feather, a young woman floated down into the unending sea.

Further.

Further.

Her gentle descent seemed to be unending, the sea bottomless, but slowly the haze of the dream lifted the veil from her eyes.

The sea vanished as the light poured into her sight. She was standing, since when?

"Where…?" She mumbled, only to feel the phantom touch of someone placing a hand on her shoulder. Groggily, she turned around only to find herself looking at a reflection of herself.

No, saying it was a reflection of herself would be too vein. Wrinkles, eye bags, and every other blemish seemed to be gone from the face in front of her. Like staring at an almost perfect version of herself-

It would be unbecoming of the woman to say she didn't feel a pang of jealousy.

"Are you finally awake?" The perfect her asked, "I'd rather not see what'd happen if you were to lose yourself behind someone else's horizon."

"Who…?"

Her reflection sighed. "Just relax, you're dreaming."

Dreaming-?!

And suddenly the world seemed to snap back into consciousness for her. The colors surrounding her growing to an unreal vividness.

That was right- There was that thing in the park and- Her!

"Truthfully I didn't expect you to actually be able to follow me here." The women noticed the other details. The pink kimono, the hair pin, and… That Sword. "It's the first time I've done this as well… There are some things you truly can't experience unless you're on the other side, huh?"

"Where are we?" She glanced around desperately. Outside the window, the sunlight's rays pierced through the windows, but it was wrong. No distinction between morning and afternoon, constantly flickering. Various papers with unintelligible words appeared and disappeared, and flowers bloomed and wilted throughout every passing glance.

The laughter of children hauntingly echoed down the halls.

"An elementary school…?" The women wondered, only for her reflection to sigh.

"It'd be best not to get yourself Lost." Elegantly, she moved to a door that the women just now noticed was in front of her. "Come on, let's walk."

"Hey! Wait!"

The two walked into the room and the door shut behind them. The outline of everything was vague and blurry, but in the center a spotlight shone down upon a young boy surrounded by faceless children.

"Wow Kyousuke!" An indistinguishable voice shouted. "You got a perfect on the test again!"

"Yep!" The boy beamed at the children. "It was totally easy!"

"Can you help me?" Another voice asked, "Mom said that if I get good scores she'll buy be any video game I want!"

"Hah! Sure thing!" The boy flapped the paper. "Understanding this stuff is a breeze."

"Kyousuke~!" Suddenly, the children vanished and the outline of a woman appeared in front of the two. "Sheesh, what have I told you about bragging?"

"Eh? But Sensei~!" The boy whined, "I was just telling the truth!"

"Listen Kyousuke." The teacher leaned down, "You're a very gifted child. I'm sure that you have the potential to do anything you want to do. Okay?"

"A gifted child huh…" THe boy muttered, smiling down at his test scores.

Suddenly, they were gone.

"What… was that?" The women finally spoke up.

"A memory." Her reflection answered, "From long long ago. Faded and worn. Weather it was the truth of what happened that day or not, that is what the man believed happened."

"Just… how…"

"We don't have time." The woman could only stare as the version of her in a kimono walked to a corner of the vanishing classroom and opened a broom closet. "Well? Are you coming?"

There wasn't anyway to comprehend it, but the moment her reflection stepped into the broom closet she was gone.

"W-Wait for me!" The woman shouted, dashing to the closet and shoving herself in. And then- She found herself stumbling onto the classroom floor.

No, this wasn't the same classroom. The presence of children had vanished, and the style was different too.

At the front of the classroom, the boy stood once more. He was older, about 14 or so now. The grin on his face hung on with swagger, and his posture oozed confidence.

In front of him was a desk, a face man behind it holding up paper. "Well Kyousuke, I've read your files. You said you wanted to go into… magic?"

"Yeah." He replied, "It's a new field and all that. Sounds absolutely awesome."

"Are you really sure about this? Not much is known about it…"

"I mean, it's magic. New discoveries are being made everyday with it!" The boy waved his hands excitedly. "Did you hear?! They even recently discovered that the planet is alive!"

The main sighed, "Yeah yeah, I heard. Been all over the news. Still, it's going to be a hard task if you aren't an Awakened."

"Relax," He jabbed a thumb into his chest. "I've got potential."

"Heh. Your grades are good, I'll give you that." The shuffling of paper. "Well, if you say that's what you want to do, then give it your best shot."

And then they were gone.

"Magic huh…" The women looked at a calendar and saw the date. Raccoon the green, owl. She sighed and shook her head. "Everyone was obsessed with it back then weren't they?"

"Why are you asking me?" Her reflection commented, walking to the door of the classroom. "This way."

"I'm following." The woman replied. Without any pause, the two stepped out the door and into another hallway. The pink robes of her reflection shifted as the two turned around to find the boy pressed against the wall, a couple years older. The door was only slightly open, a crack of light peeking through.

"Yes hello? Is this Kyousuke's parents?" A female voice asked. Faintly the two could see the outline of someone holding the phone beyond the crack in the door. "It's his teacher. Your son wanted to study magic right?"

Some nods and hms were heard behind the door. "Well, that's really the thing. Grade wise he's… decent. Slacks off a lot during class. Does he attend a prep school of some kind?"

A beat. "No huh..."

The woman glanced at her reflection, a sinking feeling in her gut.

"It's complicated." The voice continued, "Only the best colleges are offering a magic study program right now. Expensive and stuff, you know? Quite frankly if he doesn't raise his test scores… He should just give up already."

Lights flickered around them before going out completely. The boy vanished. The women's skin went on edge as she heard a haunting yell echoed through the halls.

"We're close." Her reflection informed her. She didn't say a word in response. Silently the two walked down the halls before suddenly they weren't in school anymore. A house stood in front of them, and the woman flinched as a resounding slap echoed in the world around them.

A much older version of the boy stood in the doorway, his cheeks a scorching red as a women who looked similar to him stared him down. "Really?! I worked hard to get you into a decent college and this is what yo do?! Drop out after a year?!"

"Mom…" He looked at his hands, downtrodden. "The school was holding me back. I could do so much better."

"Are you still holding on to that little magic delusion of yours?!" She glared at him coldly.

"I can do it! I really can!" He complained, "I've got the potential! With just a little bit of effort-"

"It's been years! When the hell are you ever going to do that?!" With a sigh, the women moved to open the door. "Just… get inside."

The two vanished, leaving the women alone with her reflection.

Silence stayed between the two as her reflection turned around. The women soon followed after, only to find she was standing in a park. A very familiar park.

The boy, now a man, stood in the park. Posing and shouting.

"Ew. What's that guy doing?" A teenage girl commented from the side.

"Ugh, just ignore that creep." Her friend responded. "He thinks he's some kind of magical warrior or something."

"Bleh. Gross!" The other girl responded, "Deluded freaks like those are getting around everywhere these days huh?"

"You bet. Makes me glad I'm not one of them!"

The man laughed as the two vanished, "Just ignore them Kyousuke. You've got what it takes. All you have to do is act on it…"

"HEY YOU!" A familiar police officer shouted. "WHAT HAVE I SAID ABOUT CAUSING A DISTURBANCE!?"

"Ah! Officer wait!"

The man vanished. A word didn't even need to be spoken as Momohime turned around and looked back at the house that appeared.

The world around her began to rumble and her breath hitched. The man was lying on the ground as an older man began to pound into him.

"Waste of space!" He shouted, "I gave you that allowance to go get a job and you spend it all on that crap of yours!"

"A-ck!" The man coughed, trying to form words.

"SHUT IT!"

A fist slammed into his face once more.

"You said you were going to out job hunting but all you do everyday is make a damn fool of yourself in that park!" Pound, rumble, slam. "Why the hell is a useless piece of trash like you our son huh?! Do you know how the neighbors look at us now, huh?!"

Slowly, the man tried to escape only for his father to grab hold of him tightly and hit him once more. Weakly, he turned his head to the doorway where the women from before stood once more. "Mom…"

With a simple "Hmph." the door slammed shut.

"Trash." The dad began straightening his back, "You ain't no son of mine. Get the hell out of our life."

Everything flickered and the woman let out a scream as the world flickered to black, the scenery vanishing around her until the only thing left was a shining spotline where the man laid on the ground.

His voice echoed from every and nowhere.

"It's cold…" He mumbled, "The rock hurts. Bugs are crawling on my legs… it smells."

Blearily he opened his eyes. "This park is the only thing I have left huh?"

Silence was the only thing that answered him.

"Why did it turn out like this?" He muttered. "I… I have the potential. I'm a gifted guy. Just a little bit of effort and I'll be great!"

Slowly, the world began to grow hazy.

"Magic. Magic. Magic." He muttered in a mantra, "Take the potential inside me! Blossom! Awaken! Please! It's the only thing I have left!"

His body weakly drifted off to sleep as his thoughts shouted.

"If I tapped into my potential-!" He thought with all his energy, "I'll turn my life around! I'll show you! I can't let it end like this! Awaken the magic inside me! I'll prove it to the world! Please! PLEASE!"

Halfway through slumber, a voice reached his ear.

"Well, if you're so sure about that~! HAHAHA!"

And with that, the memories came to an end.

The woman flinched as the blackness gave way to lights of every color. Sand that wasn't sand crumbled beneath her feet as she turned to the endless sea in front of her.

"What… was that?"

"I believe I already told you the answer to that."

"But I." The women shook her head. "It's sad but, that didn't explain anything! Why was he that monster we first met."

"Oh, that." Her reflection sighed, "I believe you'll find your answer there. We're close to the horizon."

"The Horizon?"

"Separating the mind and memories from the world of dreams." Without a care, she walked into the sea. Or rather, on. Impossibly stepping onto the water, her kimono not even an ounce wet. "It's time we end this and make our leave."

"If...if you say so…"

Hesitantly, the girl began to follow. If she had a stomach, it would've learched right now treating water like a solid. After a while of walking, she finally decided to ask a question that had been weighing on her mind. "Um, just who are you anyway?"

"Hm?" Her partner turned black. "I'm the one on the other side of the mirror."

"Like… an inverted version of myself?"

"No, now you're just taking the metaphor too seriously." The girl waved. "We have our differences, but we are one and the same. You can feel it yes?"

"I.... don't know." The women replied, "This is all so forigen and, I only thought I was myself."

The reflection paused, "I suppose that's true in a way. You are Momohime, after all. I on the other hand, am Magical Girl Demon Blade."

"Then- am I a magical girl?"

"Hmph." Demon Blade gripped her blade, "While Momohime might be Magical Girl Demon Blade, Magical Girl Demon Blade is not Momohime."

"Uh… huh?" The woman blinked. "That's some way to think about it."

"It's not like I have all the answers you know." The woman in the kimono raised a bitter smile. "In fact, you probably have more answers then me. All I know is that I am Magical Girl Demon Blade, and that we are one and the same. That and a few things I've learned in my years dreaming."

"Such as?"

"Such as that." The reflection pointed to a blurry outline in the distance before walking again. It was only when it came into view that Momohime gasped.

Halfway beyond the Horizon was a monster. The size of a human, but with skin as red as blood. A familiar horn and claw were spouting out from it, and it's face was a mere mockery of humanity. Beneath where it reached, the water turned red as poisonous dark veins stretched over the line.

"Hey~! Hey Kyousuke!" It cried, laughing over the man's sleeping body. "I know that's not all the potential you've got in there! Come on! Let it out! Let it out!"

"What…. what is that?!" The women gasped.

"Well, I can't say for sure, but it seems to be our monster." The magical girl replied, glancing at the corrupted water. "I see… that poor fool. He thinks that thing is actually drawing out that vague idea of potential in him."

"Eh?" Momohime took a closer look at the red splotch before taking a step back. Waves of hate and anger boiled beneath its surface on a scale she had never seen before. One wrong move and she would be drawn in it.

"Hmph." Demon Blade's arm went to her Sword. "All that thing's doing is just drawing out the anger in his heart. He has power yes, but…"

"It's, self destructive?" Momohime guessed.

"That's one word to describe it." The magical girl smirked, "Drawing up all the anger in his heart before making him burn it out. Talk about a shitty deal, but I guess he did want power."

"Well, then we have to do something right?!"

"...I can try, but I cannot guarantee his safety," her reflection stated. "Or if it will actually work."

"Um, that's…" The woman gulped before stealing herself. "If you can help, then I think you should at least try."

"Very well." The world rumbled as she unsheathed her Sword. "I shall bring this dream to an end."

And with that she was gone, running off into the distance. Her feet tapped against the water before she leapt over the corruptive fluids and into the air. Without even a sound, she descended from the sky before stabbing her blade right into the monster's heart.

"W-What?" It groaned.

"Be gone or my blade shall devour you." She simply declared.

"Screw off you human bitch!" It replied, "Do you think I'm just going to let the perfect Contractor go free?!"

"And do you think my Sword will let you free if you don't drop the contract?"

"I WILL TEAR YOUR SKIN OFF BEFORE-"

The magical girl didn't listen, and the demon blade was drawn before it sliced the monster in half.

"Leave." She ordered. "Now."

"Tch!" It groaned in pain. "Fine, whatever. This isn't fun anymore. I'll just find another contractor after I reform myself! We'll meet again!"

And with that, the monster pulled the pieces of its body back together before vanishing over the horizon. The corrupted water boiled for a minute before it began to fade.

"Exorcism complete." The magical girl nodded, sheathing her Sword. Slowly, she turned back to Momohime. "It's time for you to go."

"Eh? Go where?" The woman blinked, looking around.

"Where else?" Demon Blade pointed in an unknowable direction. "The place beyond the reflection… it's time for you to wake up."

"Ah, but-"

"Hopefully you never have to see this side of yourself again." The two of them began to float, their body fading away. "Goodnight, Momohime."

Momohime tried to shout as her surroundings faded from her vision but soon she found herself weighing too little for the words to come out.

Soon, the colors invaded her vision, and she drifted away.

The sunlight drifted into Momohime's eyes as she woke up. Somewhere in the distance, the don of a water fountain knocked, and a strange scent brought her to reality. Slowly, she lifted her head up and glanced around groggily.

Uh… was she still wearing her clothes? Did she crash as soon as she got home?

Idly she opened her phone to check the time and- "9 AM?!"

It was at that moment several things hit her at once.

The first was that oh god she was late for work.

The second was her sudden alertness made her realize that this wasn't her home.

And finally…

"Ack!" She coughed, her head hurting like someone had smashed a hammer into it repeatedly. A vile, nasally noise escaped her throat as she continued on with a coughing fit. Dimly, she heard the sound of a door opening and someone entered in the corner of her vision.

Before she even had the chance to react, they quickly paced up to her and grabbed her head in their heads. Blearly she met their eyes and vaguely realized it was a woman before she forced something down her throat.

It was small and- was that a drug?

"Relax." The women said soothingly. "It's a medicinal pellet. Your body needs to heal."

"W-What?" Momohime got out as she took in the woman in front of her. She was an inhuman beauty, curvy in all the ways Momohime wasn't. An orange kimono wrapped her skin which was pale as the moon. Idly, Momohime thought that this woman was probably the one who they used as the definition of a traditional japanese beauty. If it wasn't for her silver hair and her, her- "Fox ears?"

She had to blink to make sure she was seeing things right, but they didn't vanish. The women in front of her most definitely had two large, fluffy fox ears at the very top of her head. Suddenly the other details came into Momohime's focus. The tail that swished ever so gently, her eyes that weren't quite right…

"Ah, I see you're fully awake." The woman giggled, "I would advise you not to look at my features so much. I apologize for having to show this form to you when you still need rest but I felt you needed some kind of explanation, especially after the events of last night."

"Last…. Night?" Momohime asked before memories came crashing down at her. "The man, the park, the- the-"

"Yes yes." The fox lady stroke her head gently, "Don't try and force it, let your memories flow naturally…"

"What even happened?" She asked, "Was that, a demon?"

"Demon?" Her caretaker(?) raised a hand to her mouth. "That's quite a funny way to put it. Tell me, do I look like a demon to you?"

"Eh?" Momohime blinked, "Wha- No! Of course not!"

"But I must inform you that we're the same kind of creature." She smiled gently, "Ah but where are my manners? I am a Kongiku, the local kitsune assigned to the area."

"Ah, Momohime… Momohime Tsukigami." The office lady smiled weakly. "Wait- Kitsune?!"

"Quite." The fox lady nodded, "I must say, it gave me quite a shock when you and your friend barged into my shrine."

"Your… shrine?" Weakly, Momohime stood up and glanced out the door. "This is…"

Even though she was here just last night, Momohime couldn't help but feel like there was something different about the shrine. After everything that went down last night, she just couldn't look at the place with the same eyes again. Especially considering who was standing right next to her.

"Normally we have measures to prevent regular civilians from noticing this place's existence." Kongiku continued, "But yet it seemed that you somehow managed to bypass the protection charm on it. Thank you for your offering though, it was kind of you even if I can't grant your wish."

"Ah, I didn't really wish for anything though…" Momohime sighly spoke before shaking her head. "Wait, then the fox I saw-?!"

"Wasn't me." The kitsune declared to Momohime's confusion, "Well, that was me, but it wasn't. Her name is Yon, and she's my contractor. Say hi by the way."

"Eh?" Momohime glanced around before finding a sleeping fox on the ground. "N-Nice to meet you Yon!"

Idly the fox opened one eye before giving a small "Yip!" of acknowledgment.

"I must say you're getting used to this quiet fast." Kongiku giggled.

"Ah, well…" The office lady sighed, "I, I don't really know what's going on so I'm kind of just going with the flow…"

"I suppose that's fair enough." The kitsune nodded, "But that does allow me to explain some things, if you will?"

Momohime nodded and Kongiku began. "We, both me and the creature you encountered last night, are beings who fundamentally don't exist. I suppose it would be easier to say that we are ideas given thought? We are distortions of the truth itself, a bewitching mystery."

The office lady gasped as she realized what the lady was saying. "You don't mean-"

"Yes. In this land known as Japan, we are called the Youkai. Though there are several names for those who know our existence overseas." Her orange kimono folded as she took a bow. "We come from the land of dreams, where nothing exists. Ideas and stories… they all get distorted with every ripple and occasionally they find themselves attempting to become the truth. The world you live in is quite tempting you see."

"Ah…" Momohime let out a noise of understanding. "So, you're like Baku?"

Kongiku made a face. "That is… an oversimplification. Baku are Youkai yes, but they're usually quite content to stay on the other side of the mirror. Youkai like that creature and I however, desire to truly be in the weighted world. Unfortunately, it is not so simple for us. Unlike you who traverse our realm in your sleep, we struggle to take one breath of this world on our own. As such, we make contracts with the dreamers close to their Horizon. In exchange for giving us a connection to this world, we grant them our power and do our best to fulfill their wish."

"Then…"

"Yes." Kongiku nodded, "The man you met last night had also made a contract. As far as I can tell, the specific Youkai he made a contract with was an Amanojaku. Evil spirits, they've been cropping up a lot lately. Amanojaku specialize in bringing out the worst of people and are quite wicked so you should consider yourself lucky you didn't get seriously hurt."

"Eh, but last night I…" Momohime tried to remember the blow she took to her side last night, but the memory was like that of a dream. Phantom. Idly she placed a hand on where she remembered the tearing of flesh, but not even a scratch was on it. "That's right, she was the one who took the blow…"

The Magical Girl, Demon Blade.

"I confess I was not able to make it until after the chaos had settled." Kongiku looked away sadly, "I am… not fit for combat. After I was alerted that an exorcism had been performed, everyone was lying on the floor. It was only then that I noticed your body's condition, an allergic reaction to seeing and hearing things that don't exist for the first time. The symptoms are quite common… Ah, my apologies. I went off on a tangent. Do you mind recalling the events for me if they won't trouble you?"

"Ah, yes…" And slowly, bit by bit, Momohime recalled the events of last night. From the time she transformed, to when Demon Blade fought off the creature personally. "...And then, I was floating… and I found myself here."

"Oh my." The fox lady gasped, "That is quite the tale I will admit. To think you were a magical girl and yet still were able to perform such an advanced exorcism..."

"It was a surprise to me too." Momohime glanced at her hands. "But, I wouldn't say I was the magical girl."

"Yes, well, this is an abnormal situation I will admit." Kongiku sighed, "It's complicated, but as a defining rule us Youkai don't… coexist well with Magic. If what you're saying is true… If a Mahou user was able to use Hougi…"

"Hougi?" Momohime asked.

Kongiku waved the question away. "That is not a topic I should be discussing. Still, I find myself unsure what I should do here… I cannot find any trace of you being just a normal human who has been dream-touched and as such I… I'm afraid I must inform you that you probably have a contract with a Youkai as well."

"Eh?!" Momohime looked at herself as if it was a forign entity, "But- but I don't remember-!"

"...It is rare but occasionally dreamers won't remember making their contract." The kitsune explained, "Still, in this case there is some stuff I must give you."

"Huh?" Momohime let out as the dainty woman walked to the back of the shrine. There was a muffled sound of something being shoved before she walked back out with a… cardboard box and handled it to Momohime. Slowly she opened the box only to find a stack of books and… brochures? "This is…"

An awkward laugh escaped Momohime's lips as she read the titles.

The Ministry of Japan's Official Guide to the Night World, second edition.

So you've just contracted a youkai? Things you should know.

Government Opportunities For Contractors Seeking Employment.

"In recent years," Kongiku began, laughing lightly at Momohime's expression. "There have been an increased number of Youkai crossing the border and making contracts. As such some… regulation has been put in place. What you hold right there is the standard informational packet we give to new contractors like yourself."

"So…" Momohime looked between the books and the Kitsune. "You're a government worker?"

"Why yes." She giggled. "Officially, Yon and I are employees of the PR department of the ministry, though weather that stands for Public Relations or Paranormal Response depends on who you ask. Not that you'd be able to find any trace of us on a regular paper trail of course. Most of the government is… unaware of our existence. We could only get this off the ground due to those in power who have been touched by the other side."

The office lady glanced at the box before sighing and closing the lid. "Shouldn't I know about you? If Youkai are so prevalent…"

Truthfully, Momohime was more wondering how much taxpayer money went to fox girls.

"Ah, yes, about that…" Kongiku made a sullen face before she pulled out… a news paper. "I believe that this should make things clear."

Momohime's eyes turned to one of the open pages before gasping at the headline.

GROUP STABBED IN ALLEY WAY! POLICE OFFICER ATTACKING HIS FELLOW WORKER!

Last night already had an article? No it wasn't much but… even with the short blurb they gave of the incident, every word sunk in her gut as her nerves stood on end.

"I was so scared when he pulled out that knife." One of the victims, a teenage girl says. "Before I knew it he was already charging at us and stabbing. Luckily he was kind of crazy so he didn't stab anywhere vital…"

…

"I don't know what came over me." Police Officer Tarou comments, "He shoved this weird pill in my mouth, I think it was a drug of some kind? Next thing I know everything becomes this weird haze… If that's the state of the youth of our society, then I think we should regulate substance abuse more."

"No…" Momohime let out before tossing the newspaper away, "No! T-That's not what happened!"

Stabbing? Drug abuse? That poor man was being pinned for so many crimes he didn't do! Sure he went on a rampage but…

"I'm afraid that this is the official story." Kongiku told her sadly, "I'd like to tell you that this was just a cover up but… In truth, when those who have no connection to the other side come into contact with a Youkai of some kind this is what happens. Their memories twist and alter into something more… befitting of reality."

"I…" Momohime's hands shook before she stared Kongiku in the eye. "Then what about that man, Kyousuke?!"

"After you exorcised the Youkai and revoked his contract…. Well, his memories changed as well." She sighed. "You must understand, the weighted world rejects us. Even if he has to face charges for crimes he didn't commit… That is the truth that this world has decided."

"That's… That's terrible."

"Yes." Kongiku nodded, "But in the end, he was the one who made the deal with that Youkai, and thus this is his responsibility to bear. Of course, I would like to move on from this topic, if you don't mind?"

"..." Momohime gulped, "Please."

"Very well." The kitsune nodded before handing her another small box. "These are medicinal pellets to help with your body's recovery. They should also help increase your… I suppose I should say your immune system so that if you ever do encounter another Youkai the reaction won't be as bad. Now they should be taken twice a day, twelve hours apart…"

"Do you have a prescription note?" Momohime shyly asked. Without even blinking, Kongiku pulled out a small piece of paper and handed it to her. Yeah, um, this looked legit.

"We have doctors for this sort of thing, of course." She nodded. "On that note, you will have to give your body some rest. About half a week or so is the recommended amount."

"Ah, um, I have work-"

"Not to worry." Kongiku pulled out another paper, this time a letter. "We've already, ah, convinced your office to let you take your sick days."

Having worked in that terrible company for long enough, Momhime shivered. What did they do to make those guys submit?

"Now, here's my business card." Kongiku continued, "And I should inform you that if you encounter another oddity of this sort around the area please inform me of it right away. Oh and I wouldn't mind if you just came for some tea."

"T-Thank you." Momohime bowed, picking up the boxes. "Um, I guess I'll be on my way then?"

"Take care now." The kitsune nodded.

Slowly and hesitantly, Momohime picked up all the stuff, took her box, and walked away from the shrine after giving another quick donation. In a haze, she barely even noticed when she got on the train, or when she got off the train, or even when she got back to her apartment.

"Free time huh…" Momohime muttered to herself as she stared at the box on her table. "It's… been a while."

She couldn't even remember the last time she had any chance to do a hobby. Her office had always kept her up late so she didn't even have time to decorate her apartment. It was barren and empty, with only the minimum of furniture.

But now, Momohime didn't have to go to work today. She didn't even have to go for several days.

"I, I guess I should do something huh?"

Of course, finding something to do after doing nothing for so long was a challenge in and of itself…

Pick (2) Options

[] Look Through the Packet of information
[] You're a magical girl? Seriously? Maybe? Experiment?
[] Try and find information on mythological Youkai
[] Maybe you can get in contact with Chika? (It's a pipe dream but it's a dream)

+5 EXP Awakened The Demon Blade
+10 EXP Defeated Kyousuke
+15 EXP Exorcised The Amanojaku
+5 EXP Welcome to the Night World

Current EXP: 35

-[] Spend EXP?

AN: Originally this fight was supposed to go on for at least another update but... Mechanical imbalance and also the fact that Demon Blade was fighting someone who was both drunk off his own power and had literally never fought before a day in his life. It wasn't a fair fight by any means necessary.

Speaking of Mechanical Imbalance, some patches have been applied to Demon Blade's sheet.

-Misty Slash has been nerfed to only dealing 400 Base Damage per slash.
-Divine Moon has been buffed to 800 Base Damage.
-Armor Pierce has been upgraded to Juggernaut on Divine Moon.
-For some reason the Arts had levels. This has been removed.
-Reinforced Steel added to the shop.
-Weightless abiities have been fully revealed
-Misty Slash has been confirmed to not smell like Mint.

In regards for the rest of the update... Welcome to Hundred Night Blade. The sun has only just set and It's going to be a long night.

InfiniteDaze · Nov 30, 2019

The Ministry of Japan's Official Guide to the Night World, 2e was a… well, it was a very special book. Special not in the sense that it was amazing or some masterpiece of literature, but more the kind of special that you wouldn't want to be seen with. Like a weird oddball uncle that no one invites to the family reunion that somehow shows up anyways.

Firstly, it claimed to be written by someone she was pretty sure was long dead. Not just decades or centuries ago, but a millennium ago. Did this just so happen to be an ancient treasure unearthed like a magical tome?

Absolutely not. The book was written in 2013, just a scant five years ago. Just because that felt like lifetimes ago didn't mean it was actually a lifetime ago!

Secondly… It was confusing. When Momohime picked up the book, she expected a generic, dry, and technical guide on whatever mess she found herself drawn into. Instead, the book was written entirely in poetry. Very symbolic and metaphorical poetry.

"Beyond the Horizon lies an ocean unseen." Momohime recited from the page she was on. "The ocean is wide, but the ocean is not deep. Those who swim in it's waters eventually grow weary and vague. The Land begins to call for them. Scattered in the ocean are messages in a bottle, vestiges of ocean wanderers. They follow the trail until they too, must cross their horizons."

The office lady paused, putting the book down, leaning back on her couch, and staring at the ceiling. Slowly, she put all her thoughts into one final word. "...What?"

She glanced at the title of the chapter. "Where do Youkai Come From?"

"What?" She asked again, pressing a hand against her head. A headache born not from her illness. "I… don't really…"

What?

Momohime hesitantly reached over for the second book on the table. So You've Just Contracted A Youkai? Things You Should Know had looked remarkably unprofessional when she first saw it, mainly because it looked less like a guide book and more like a, um, what were they called? Light Novel…?

Regardless, it reminded Momohime a lot of the manga she read when she was a young girl. There was a chibi drawing of a kitsune on the cover along with various other Youkai. Hesitantly, she opened the cover of the book.

"Beyond the horizon lies Knowledge lost-"

Momohime slammed the book shut with a groan. Idly she considered doing something else with her day and then idly remembered she didn't actually have anything else to do.

She could unpack her things? The boxes of stuff she had after she moved into this apartment two years ago had mostly just been collecting dust. Mmh, no… She didn't even recall what was in them.

Momohime let out a sigh before picking up the book again.

"Hey, don't just slam this book shut like that!" Uh, What? "It was a joke I swear!"

Was this book psychic?!

"I'm not psychic." It lied, "While I can predict a possible future, in this case my talents are not necessary. You most likely have picked up this book after failing to parse through the Youkai dialect in rampant use throughout the book. But have no fear! This guide book has been written to help guide your human mind through the ins and outs of the Night World. Written and illustrated by me, Yumeko Houshi, writer of the currently running (as of the time of this publication), and award winning weekly manga Shoujo Sengoku!"

Momohime did a wild double take as she reread those words. She vaguely recalled such a title starting up back when she was starting to wane off manga a long time ago. The first chapter was… Ah, she couldn't remember. Um, she thought it was alright?

"Why am I, a mere mangaka, in charge of writing such an important book?" It was a good question. "Because no matter where you go in the Night World, all the roads lead back to me. Every Youkai, Every Onmyouji, and most certainly every Hanyou all are intertwined in my fingers in some way or another."

A chill ran down Momohime's spine as she read those words. There was something about them that she couldn't put her hands on, almost as if the book itself had a deep curse woven into its page. Which was almost impossible, as the book was most certainly a mass produced book that was printed in droves. And yet, the woman couldn't shake the feeling that the text was staring back at her.

Then she read the next line and almost stumbled from where she was sitting at the sudden whiplash.

"Sorry for scaring you like that~! It's okay, I'm most harmless!"

"Please…" Momohime begged, "Pick a tone and stick with it."

"Now on that note, a couple of disclaimers!" The text cheerfully read before turning into a dry and bland tone that was almost certainly written by someone else. "The following guide book is written with the knowledge that it could become outdated at anytime. The Night World has been going through rapid changes ever since the introduction of magic. Yumeko Hoshi and the governmental office of Japan are not liable for actions based on outdated information found in these books. Furthermore, this is only a guide to the Night World of Japan. Certain actions described in here are not applicable in the Night World of foreign nations. By reading this book, you hereby acknowledge these things and take full responsibility for any actions you take."

Automatically Momohime's hands went to sign on the dotted line except no, there wasn't a contract to sign.

"And now with that out of the way, on to the first chapter!" The office lady flipped the page only to see Dangers Of Being A Youkai Contractor written in big, bold letters written at the very top. Her eyes drifted downwards to the actual contents of the chapter before she winced at how icy the tone had become. "I'm going to have to be serious here. This needs to be addressed first. I don't care if you read this book to the end or drop off halfway, whatever it is read this chapter. This is not a joke."

Momohime gulped, for a second she didn't know if she could but her eyes betrayed her and she started reading again anyways.

"In the modern day we have people who have 'awakened' with magical powers. You, my dear reader, are very much not that." Er, technically… "If you're reading this then you've most likely made a deal. A very, very dangerous deal. I can not describe what a Youkai truly is, not in words that any sane person would understand. All you need to know is that the powers bestowed upon you are not a gift, and most certainly not your own. What you have is a Contract."

Though she didn't really want to, Momohime's hands flipped to the next page. Every word sent a chill down her back and her hair stood on edge as she continued to read.

The next words read as if specifically for her.

"You might not remember the contract you made. That's understandable. Usually they are made in our sleep, when your mind draws close to the border of reality." It spoke softly, "But it's contents are usually quite simple. Youkai target people who wish for something. Escapism as we know it. In exchange for granting such wishes, humans become an anchor into the weighted world… Apologies, a connection into reality for them."

"Escapism…" Momohime Glances at her hands.

Did she have a wish? Long ago she dreamed of being a magical girl yes but that dream died long ago. Those days were buried underneath the haze and monotony of daily life. Momohime couldn't even really remember what she was like back then.

So, why was such a wish being granted now?

"This is a warning. I beg of you, if there's one thing you take away from this book, let it be this: Get a long with your Youkai partner, and anchor yourself to this world." The words rang in Momohime's head like a gong. "If you fail to do such a task, and I apologize for my inability to put it any other way, then you will lose yourself to the Night. More than you already have that is."

"R-Right…" Momohime slowly closed the book and put it down. "That's, um, that's enough of that."

The office lady didn't know how she was going to sleep tonight with those words stuck in her head.

"But still, getting along with the Youkai huh…?" Momohime mumbled to herself, staring into the beige walls of her apartment. The woman wasn't exactly sure what she should do next if she was totally honest with herself. Magical Girl things? Was she really a magical girl? Demon Blade said that Momohime was Demon Blade but that Demon Blade was not Momohime- "Argh!"

A soft thud echoed through her apartment as Momohime grabbed he head before collapsing on her side. The gentle furniture cushioning her fall. The office lady whimpered, "This is making my head hurt…"

Lazily, she grabbed a pillow from the couch and slammed it into her face. It was an old friend, one that had accompanied her through many nights where she had just crashed on the first sof thing she could find when she got home. When was the last time she actually got to sleep on her bed? Did she have one? It had been so long…

"Urk." Momohime let out as a thought struck her. "Oh yeah, work…"

Who was she kidding. Her? A magical girl? Even if she did now have the power to transform, she still had bills to pay. After this short break she'd show up at the office again before probably getting treated a bit harsher by her boss and then she would get swamped with work again….

Momohime just didn't have time to go out and do magical girl things. Probably wouldn't ever. What would she even do?

...Um, what do magical girls do again? They like, transform and like, solve problems, and stuff. Was there a guide book on this? Something on the internet? No, wait, Momohime didn't have a computer. She had a phone though didn't she?

Groggily getting off the couch, the office lady reached for her purse before shoving her hand in and digging around. A couple minutes passed before she felt a familiar device in the palm. In a moment of triumph, Momohime gave an 'aha!' before yanking out-

A flip phone.

The office lady blinked owlishly. Was this really her phone? It felt familiar but, well, seriously? This wasn't even the latest tech when she was in elementary school, let alone a decade later. She could recall using it yesterday but somehow this still surprised her. Momohime shook her head to clear away the confusing thoughts before hitting the power button. There was a beat of silence before... nothing happened. The power was dead, making the device useful in the same way that a brick was useful as a paper weight.

"...Well, that was a bust." She plopped the flip phone on the table and groaned. That was it, she was out of ideas. None of this felt real to her at all. The only thing that prevented her from thinking this was all a product of her sleep deprived mind was the newspaper describing the events of last night and the things Kongiku had told her. Maybe she could transform? Test some things out? What was her transformation phrase again?

Think think think…. ah!

The office lady stood up and hesitantly, she recalled the words from last night. "I-I am… the one… who shall bear the curse?"

No no no that wasn't right. Maybe she should put more feeling into it? Okay let's try it like this!

"I am the one who shall bear the curse!" Momohime exclaimed, striking a pose. "Awaken, Magical Girl Demon Blade!"

A beat of silence echoed throughout the apartment and a grand total of zero magic happened. Slowly, heat began to rush into Momohime's cheeks as she hid her face in her hand and crouched on the floor.

Oh god, what was she doing?! She was twenty three wasn't she?! Momohime was way too old to be acting like this! What if someone saw her?! That was so embarrassing…!

WIth a sigh of long suffering, she flopped back onto her couch and continued to stare at her apartment walls. Nothing happened either. Was it all a dream? No, she was missing something. A crucial part of her transformation...

The forgotten word left escaped from her lips in Momohime's tired daze. "Invoke."

Suddenly the world in front of her warped as a Sword appeared out of nowhere. A memorizing blade that called out to her. That's right, this was what Momohime needed to complete her transformation. If she just reached out and grabbed the blade-

"No."

In a single instant, Momohime lost control of her body. All of her muscles locked up at once and she found herself a prisoner in her own flesh. Her breathing began to go faster and faster. She wanted to move she wanted to move she wanted to move she wanted to move-

"Call it off." A thought in her head told her, breaking her out of her daze.

H-Huh?

"This isn't the time. Call the Blade off."

"G-" Momohime forced through her own lips, suddenly finding it under control. The words which escaped her lips were covered in oil that forced its way through the stream of her consciousness. "GO AWAY!"

Thus- The Blade did.

For a brief second nothing happened before Momohime suddenly collapsed on the floor in a coughing fit. The office lady's throat felt painfully raw and her limbs felt like jelly, constantly shaking. A drip from her nose grabbed her attention, and Momohime suddenly realized that she had stained her apartment floor with blood.

Weakly, she pushed herself to her feet and stumbled for her purse again. Her voice came out in a muttered daze. "Gotta- Gotta find that medicine…"

Her head pounded in her skull as she pulled out a small bamboo container. With fumbling fingers, Momohime pulled out a small pellet before promptly forcing the drug down her throat. After a few moments, her world stopped being defined by constant agony only to replace by a sudden wave of sleepiness.

"Why am I so…" Momohime muttered, "Should… rest…"

And with that, her consciousness was gone.

Bang. Bang. Bang.

A girl awoke to the constant sound of iron hitting metal. No, 'awoke' was not the correct word to use in this instance. It would be more accurate to say that her consciousness gathered together in a feeling of lucidity. Slowly absorbing the world around her until she could think for herself.

Bang. Bang. Ban-

There was a pause before whatever was making that noise shifted in place. Suddenly, an old, nostalgic voice drew her attention. "Oya oya oya. Seems the Little Flame is finally awake."

Who…?

"Mmh. But not quite. The connection is only half forged." There was a sound of something being stroked before the girl felt the voice call out to her. "Hey, missie. You wanderers have eyes do you not? focus your attention on them and open them."

Focus her attention on her eyes? Why did she have to do that? All she had to do was open them and-

Her vision was immediately colored with the sight of a dirty old shrine that had been reworked into a workshop. In the very center was a familiar green spectral fire and floating above it was an old ghost, his skin ashen grey. He let out a scoff before turning back to the fire. "Of course you would pick it up quick."

She looked around, taking it all in. A sense of deja vu had begun to overwhelm her. The girl couldn't recall ever having been in here before yet instinctively she could recognize the forms and shapes of the various blades that were scattered around. As she tried to say something, her voice refused to work. She thought about how odd this was, and suddenly she could speak.

"Um…" The girl began to mumble, "Have I been here before?"

"Hah!" The ghost threw its head back, "I wish I could say you haven't! No no, I've seen you around quite often enough. First time I've seen you actually lucid though."

"Lucid…?"

"Conscious, awake, whatever you wanderers call it." He continued before pausing, "Speaking of… such a half made work offends my eyes. You better fix that form of yours before I throw you out myself."

"Form…" The girl trailed off before looking at herself before realizing something. She had no body, just a spectral green flame that floated in the air. Was this who she was? No, something was wrong here. She could feel it, deep in her Core("Soul").

"Don't tell me you don't know how…" The blacksmith grumbled before waving a hammer at her. "You have a Name do you not? Throw some of that Weight around already!"

"Name…" That's right, she had one didn't she? Her name was… Her name was… "Momohime Tsukigami."

The world around her grew more solid, it's colors more vivid as Momohime suddenly found her thoughts clearing up. Her body forced itself into existence in this fragile world, her feet touching the ground that didn't exist. The office lady gazed at her hands before pausing and noticing something.

"Eh?" She pulled at her clothes, "W-What am I wearing?!"

Though she couldn't remember putting such a thing on, Momohie found herself clothed in a pink kimono. It was almost identical to the one that her Reflection had, save for slight changes in the patterns intertwined in it's cloth.

"Hmph." The ghost in front of her let out, "Figures you'd be the spitting image of her."

"Her? Who?" Momohime whipped her head around, "Wait, where am I? Last I can remember I mumbled out that word..."

"Aye. She was mighty mad about that." The blacksmith nodded, "What you did was a dangerous thing. Dangerous and foolish. I'm sure she'll chew you out on that herself."

The office lady shinked in on herself, "I-I'm sorry but I really don't know who you're talking about."

"Pfft. Don't know who I'm talking about? Don't try and play the fool to this old man Little Flame!" He stared her in the eyes, "I'm talking about that darned Reflection of yours!"

"Reflection?" The only thing she could think of would be… "Magical Gir-"

A loud bang interrupted her as the fires grew higher. Momohime let out a shriek as the Blacksmith glared at her. "Oya. You should be careful on which names you utter in this realm. Names like those… you'll tear this world asunder if you aren't careful."

"This realm…" Suddenly a quote flashed into her mind, "Beyond the horizon lies an ocean unseen-"

"-The ocean is wide, but the ocean is not deep." The ghose finished with a nod. "I see you are at least somewhat educated on matters, unlike that reflection of yours. Those are famous words in this realm. Why, it's almost to the point that they have some Weight."

"I think I get it." Momohime closed her eyes.

The ocean beyond the horizon.

If this was the place that book was talking about then this realm… was where Youkai come from.

"I'm… sorry." The office lady winced as she glanced at the ghost. "I've never even asked for your name."

The old blacksmith paused, his wispy lower body flickering as if trying to decide on what to say. Finally, he answered. "I suppose you would know me as… Sengo Muramasa("Demon Blacksmith")."

"Eh?!" Momohime gasped.

"Oh don't be so shocked. This old man is merely a Ripple." Seeing the look of confusion that had suddenly appeared on Momohime's face, the blacksmith sighed. "Everything that was born in this realm was the product of something that exists in yours. Us creatures who you know as Youkai, are born from stories and mysteries. Every time you tell these legends, a new person throws in their Weight, causing countless variations of the same story. Thus, us Ripples are created."

"So…" She tilted her head, "You're not Sengo Muramasa?"

"It's pronounced Sengo Muramasa("Demon Blacksmith")." He corrected in a way that Momohime couldn't actually say. "And yes, I am merely a version that someone imagined. Though how long ago that was I can't recall…"

Muramasa paused before laughing, "Oya oya oya. You're much more enjoyable to talk to then your reflection young miss. All that brat cares about is that sword of hers."

"Don't call me young miss. My name's Momohime." The office lady said automatically before letting out a nervous laugh, "My 'Reflection'... have you known her long?"

"Long…. Time works differently in this realm Little Flame. According to her it's been years, and as she has more Weight than me I'm inclined to believe it. For us, seconds pass as years and years pass as seconds. It all depends on how one perceives it." A long suffering sigh escaped the blacksmith's lips, "And for me it has been a very long time indeed."

Momohime shifted uncomfortably, "Have I been problematic?"

"No no, you're a wonderful guest. Even if most of the times I've seen you all you did was just watch, it's much better than that brat." Muramasa waved his hammer around. She comes into my workshop one day and then pesters me on and on about that sword of hers… Bah! It's undoubtedly a Muramasa Blade but that Youkai baffles even me! And for some reason after she leaves she always manages to track me down again!"

"You know I can hear you right?" Momohime's voice interrupted, yet the words didn't come from her lips. There was a small thunk as the sliding door to the work shop opened and Momohime was met with the gaze of her (annoyingly more perfect) reflection. "It's rude to talk about someone behind their back."

"Oya oya. What do you mean behind your back?" Muramasa pointed at Momohime. "You're right here see?"

"...Hmph. Fair enough." Her Reflection turned towards her. "You're looking better. Less wrinkles."

"Eh? Ah!" The office lady ran a hand down her cheek. Certainly, the wrinkles from work on her face were gone but… "I'm sure because this is all just a dream."

"Don't underestimate the medicine of a Kitsune." Her reflection replied, "The fact that you are finally lucid in this realm is a testament to their strength."

"I mean I didn't really need skin care…" Momohime muttered. She didn't care about her looks that much. She was a little plain to be honest.

"You are correct. Such things are merely superficial." Said a woman who had no right to say such things, "Meet me outside, we have something to talk about."

With that her reflection turned to walk back out the shrine, leaving the door wide open. Momohime turned to her host who merely continued his work at the forge. "You don't need permission from me LIttle Flame. This is something you have to deal with yourself."

"Ah!" She bowed her head, "Thank you very much!"

The office lady turned to hustle out the door before gasping at the scenery. It was a beautiful luxurious nature path, something she had only seen in photos. Or rather, it was a view that you could only see in a photo. No matter where she looked, Momohime's eyes were met with a scene that seemed to have been heavily edited to look as eye pleasing as possible.

"It would be best not to get lost in the scenery. Such a thing is dangerous here." Her reflection chimed in, snapping her back to reality(ish). The woman sat on the steps of the temple, idly examining her blade. Momohime sooned joined her, the folds of her Kimono creasing. There was silence for a moment before her reflection spoke. "You know the blacksmith's name yes? Then are you familiar with his legend?"

"Um, a bit…" She fidgeted nervously, "Shouldn't you know the answer to this?"

"Just because we both know something doesn't mean that Momohime is aware of it." The sound of a blacksmith's hammer steadily beat in the background as her reflection held up the sheath of her Blade. "And in this case, you seem to be ignorant about a very dangerous thing."

"The Muramasa Blade…" Momohime muttered as she beheld the Sword. "Is that Blade really-"

"Indeed." Her reflection nodded. "But it is incomplete."

"Um…" The office lady fidgeted nervously, "It seems pretty complete to me."

"You are thinking too much in the rules of the other side of the mirror." And then much to Momohime's shock, her reflection drew the blade. "It's form is incomplete, it's name has no Weight. What you see before you is merely The Legend of the Muramasa Blade."

The serious declaration was underscored by the fact that her conversation partner had developed the face of a goldfish, her shaky hand pointing at the unsheathed Sword. "Ah-Bah-Wah?"

The reflection rolled her eyes before sheathing the Blade. "Yes yes. The legend states that those who draw a Muramasa Blade are driven mad with the desire to shed blood… But in this realm, I can control its bloodlust. Blood can not be spilled in a realm with no life."

Momohime's own eyes flared at her. "But on the other side of the mirror, this is not the case. Know this: If you seek to use my powers, then you must have a will to fight. Otherwise, a life may be cut short unnecessarily. Including our own."

"I-I see…" Momohime looked towards the ground. All of this was so crazy it was all going over her head… After a few moments of silence, the office lady realized her reflection was staring at her. She shifted nervously. "Ah, um-"

"Hm?" Her own eyes narrowed at her, "When you do something wrong you should apologize."

"Eh?!"

"Well?"

"I-I'm Sorry?!"

"Is that a Statement or a question?"

"This Momohime apologizes for any misconduct on her behalf!" The office lady bowed fearfully. Great, not just being bullied at the office but by herself as well. "I only wanted to, um, test things out?"

"Ho?" Her reflection raises an eyebrow. "And what purpose would this have served you?"

"I-I'm sorry but I don't know!" If she was awake, sweat would've poured down her brow. "I just figured that- like- isn't there supposed to be training montage or something."

"Hmph." The bully scoffed, "I have been training for years before you finally invoked the contract. But I suppose that the other side of the mirror contains inspiration for more Blade Arts…"

"Ah." That's right, the woman in front of her was the magical girl. She was still just Momohime. Regular, plain old Momohime.

"Don't look so down. It doesn't suit you." Her reflection let out a deep sigh, "You could serve to have more Steel in your soul. I suppose I will have to fix that myself."

Momohime blinked. "Huh?"

"Did I stutter?" The mousy girl eeped at the sudden glare. "Listen up and listen well. The only thing I care about in this world is completing this Sword. I have searched far and wide in this ocean but I have yet to find an answer. However, the world on the other side of the mirror may contain a hint. Since you are my reflection it is my job to make sure you are prepared for the dangers of the… Weighted World as some people in this realm called it."

The office lady let out a nervous laughter as her reflection stood up and went inside the shrine. Her mind had already begun to connect the dots on what her other self wanted but she refused to come to the conclusion for the sake of her sanity. Suddenly, a sword in a scabbed was tossed out of the shrine and she caught it with a shriek.

"This will do well enough." The demon wearing her own skin nodded, "Now, draw your blade. Our training begins now."

"Ah- Hold on a minute-!" But there was no time as her reflection began charging at her with the Muramasa Blade. Instinctively, Momohime withdrew the sword from its scabbard and the harsh sound of metal on metal rang in her ears.

"Ho? Very nice." Her reflecton's smile grew, "This shall be fun."

Momohime gulped before letting out a burst of nervous laughter. It looked like she wouldn't be getting any rest even in her dreams…

Before Momohime had even realized it, her short little 'vacation' had vanished. Over in a flash. Not that she really did anything. The office lady had spent the entire time trying to parse through the various books she had been given, except the "Official Guide". Momohime had shoved into her closet, ready to never have to deal with that headache again.

Other then that she kinda… lounged around? Momohime was pretty sure she was supposed to do some sort of relaxing hobby but she didn't really have one of those. She definitely didn't nap though. Oh no. Demon Blade wouldn't give her any break as she forced herself to spar with her.

Still, no matter what she did, time still passed, and eventually Momohime found herself waking up at 7 am one morning ready to go to work. 'Ready' was a relative word because each step there increased the looming sense of dread in her stomach. The office lady was right to be nervous, as she soon found her bosses and even some of her fellow coworkers giving her the stink eye as she sat down at her desk. Some however, didn't even bother to look her way, looking so utterly drained that it's a miracle they managed to even show up today. Yes, back to work like always…

"Momohime~!" A familiar voice exclaimed with energy, suddenly wrapping the mousy girl in a hug. "You're back!"

"Wuh- Chika?!" Momohime squirmed in her friend's grip. Gosh, why was she so tall? "Ah! Ah! Let me go!"

"No can do." Chika huffed, "Can't have you disappearing again. You're my only ray of light in this black world."

"Shh!" The office lady shushed her friend before looking around frantically, "Do you have to say that kind of stuff here?"

"Ah come on. You don't show up for work one day and then some strange men in suits come in. Next thing you know the boss is actually letting you use paid leave!" The brown haired woman moaned, "What'd you do, get caught in a government conspiracy or something?"

"Hahaha…" Yes. "No no I, just got a little sick. My, um, doctor said she had taken care of things for me and that I could just stay home and rest."

"Hmm?" Chika grabbed her friend's cheeks before squinting her eyes. "You are looking a lot better… more awake maybe? You don't look like you're going to fall asleep anytime soon."

"I uh," Momohime coughed, " I kind of don't want to take naps anytime soon."

"Whaaaaaaat? But like, you're almost always sleeping when you can get away with it! That's like, your character trait!"

"Hey! Stop exaggerating things about me!" Sure, Momohime got tired easily but she didn't sleep all the time! And she wasn't a princess either just because her name ended in hime!

"Right right." Chika rolled her eyes before letting her fellow office lady go. With an exhausted 'plomp' she threw herself into her swirly chair and let out a sigh. "Well your lucky break didn't end up being so lucky for the rest of us. The boss was really mad, not about you specifically but I think it was just a matter of pride. That well, couple with crunch time coming up… Yeesh. We're in a darker shade of black now Momo. Poor Satoshi's been taking the brunt of it too."

Momohime winced before looking at her desk. Let's see the work that had piled up- "Oh. Oh my."

"Yeap." Chika chuckled, "I tried to help out and did a fair share of your work in my free time but you've uh, you've got until the end of the day to finish that last I heard."

"I see…" The office lady could feel any energy from good sleep and relaxation gained over the weekend seep out of her body immediately. Momohime let out a groan before moving to the first order of priority. "Guess it's Overtime for me huh?"

"When is it not?" Chika laughed bitterly.

Yes. The grand splendor of her life had faded and it was back to dull, grey reality. Work work and more work.

That's just how Momohime's life is.

"Ugh…" The office lady groaned as she stumbled into the bathroom. Her head hurt and there was an awful noise ringing in her ears. "I had almost forgotten what exhaustion felt like…"

The entire day had passed by in a blur from her, yet each minute seemed to bring along with it a new type of pain. Really, it was just like any other day, save for a single highlight where she was personally called up by her boss and was threatened- Er, gently reminded that she shouldn't ever um, "cause trouble for the company" by her absence and sending those guys in suits again. Personally, Momohime didn't think her boss even recognized her. Probably just saw her as another worker drone in a suit.

Well, whatever it was, the sun had set already and day had turned to night. Momohime let out a tired yawn as she finished up her business and splashed some cold water down her face. Had to keep awake, no time for sleep, too much work to do…

And even if she did go to sleep she'd be driven like a slave in her own dreams. The office lady could already picture the face of that sword-obsessed girl in her mind's eye, which wasn't that hard since it was her own face.

"No, even I know the value of good rest."

Hah, like she would ever say tha-

"Gyah!" Momohime exclaimed as she stared at the mirror in shock. Her own reflection had been replaced with her… own reflection? Sorry, Momohime Tsukigami's reflection had been replaced by that of Magical Girl Demon Blade's. The office lady quickly made sure there was no one else in the restroom before turning back to meet her own gaze. "You- Wha- How-"

"Hm." Demon Blade simply let out. "It took me a while to figure this trick out but Kitsune medicine really does work wonders… I did not intend for the 'other side of the mirror' metaphor to be taken literally though. Truly, I must watch what I say in the land of illusions."

"Are you…" Momohime struggled for words, "Trapped in there?"

"Hmph. Of course not." Her reflection's gaze turned to inspect the sheath of her sword. "What you are seeing is merely your mind's projection of me on to this mirror. In essence, I am little more than a thought in the back of your head."

"Ah, I see." That sounded like she was hallucinating. Should she see a doctor about this? "Um, why are you here?"

"Straight to the point, hm?" Demon Blade sighed, "Momohime, when do you leave this drab building?"

"Um, maybe around five or so?"

Her own reflection blinked while she didn't. It was a disorienting experience. "Is it not already past seven where you are?"

"I meant in the morning." Momohime replied shyly, "I have a lot of work to catch up on so…"

"And after you finish?"

"Well then I'd go home, sleep, then wake up and um…" The office lady wilted under the piercing stare of her own gaze. "Go back to work?"

"...The day after that?"

"More work."

"And after that?"

"It's um, it's still work." Momohime shifted nervously, "I have to show up every day after all."

"Everyday? Simply working and sleeping?" Demon Blade clicked her tongue, "That's no good. That's no good at all. I'll never be able to get any inspiration if all you do amounts to nothing."

"I-It's not for nothing!" She protested, "I need the money for, um, food!"

"Food which you rarely ever eat." Her reflection sighed, as if pitying herself. "Such a pointless life. Do you even know what you do for work?"

"I-" And suddenly her voice stopped dead as her mind drew a blank. Work… she had been doing things her mind categorized as 'work' for ages and yet, when she thought about the specifics of her job, it all turned into a haze.

"Thought so." The magical girl(?) sighed, "I suppose if this is your life then I must abandon this avenue of pursuit."

"I'm… sorry." Momohime couldn't meet the gaze of her own reflection. She hadn't just disappointed herself, she had disappointed herself.

"Your worthless apologies are unnecessary." Demon Blade closed her eyes. There was a crack in the ceiling. "Hm?"

"Oh. The company only likes to keep the appearance of being stable. The inside is probably all full of junk from the cut corners and stuff." The office lady explained, "You get used to it."

"Is that so…" Momohime began to walk away from the mirror with a sigh, ignoring the creaking building. Suddenly, she heard Demon Blade shout at maximum volume. "MOVE!"

Days of sparing metally kicked in as Momohime threw herself to the side, moving into a roll as the ceiling suddenly burst open and blood-red brown roots with razor sharp edges pierced into the bathroom. The office lady screamed as they shot towards her, ducking for dear life.

"Momohime!"

"R-RIght!" She cried as the strange root whipped forward. "Invoke!"

The world twisted and the Muramasa Blade forced itself into existence. Her body wasn't her own as more and more roots suddenly forced their way towards her.

"I am the one who will bear the curse."

Gently, the wind blew against water in her soul. In a smooth motion, her Blade was drawn and the sound of roots falling to ground surrounded her like rain.

"Awaken, Magical Girl Demon Blade."

And thus, the bearer of the Muramasa Blade once again walked this world.

Momohime internally sighed as the action seemed to calm down. "Is- Is that?"

"A Youkai." Demon Blade nodded, "It looks like you weren't just exhausted."

Seriously? Here? In her own workplace?!

The magical girl glanced around before pausing and jabbing a specific area by the door of the rest room. A root wriggled and squirmed before dying.

"Hmph. They must be everywhere. We should watch our step." From beyond the door there was a loud noise, as if a crowd was forming outside the door. Demon Blade raised her sandaled foot and-

"WAIT WAIT WAIT!" Momohime screamed, "Don't just kick down the door! What if someone was outside?!"

"Hmmph…" Demon Blade sighed before lowering her foot and opening the door like a normal person. What greeted her eyes was a huge crowd of people, all pouring in from the office building and filling into the tight hallway. At the end of the crowd, a huge man struggled with the door to the stairs.

"DAMMIT!" He shouted, pounding on steel. "WHEN I FIND WHO BLOCKED THESE EXITS I'LL MAKE SURE THEY CAN NEVER GET A JOB IN THIS ECONOMY AGAIN!"

A lady next to him rapidly jammed her finger into the button for the elevator. "Come on come on come on…"

"This is bad…" Momohime muttered, "Everyone probably began fleeing when the ceiling started falling down."

"Judging from the direction of the roots, the youkai contractor is above us." The magical girl glanced around, "And with all the exits blocked, it looks like no one can escape."

"You don't mean-"

"Yes this was probably done deliberately." Demon Blade placed her Sword in its sheath. "Are the exits in front of us the only ones that exist?"

"For this floor, yes." Momohime sighed before wincing. "Please handle this carefully."

"Hmph. I am perfectly capable of dealing with crowds."

With that, the second Youkai incident of Momohime's life began.

[] Ignore the crowd, force past everyone, and push on through. There's places to be.
[] Calmly talk through this. Demon Blade was good with words, right?
[] Write In

+3 EXP Attempted to read a book
+3 EXP Venture beyond the Horizon
+5 EXP Case 2: Roots to ??? Start!

11 + 35 = 46 Total EXP

AN: I apologize for suddenly vanishing. I had decided to join Nanowrimo and my hands deteriorated to the point where I could only focus on that... Good news is I didn't walk away disappointed. Nope. I fucking killed it. Still writing that draft but I met the 50k word goal. Infinite bragging rights forever. Will be bringing my attention back to my quests now that that's done.

Momohime is kind of adorable to write, I'm not gonna lie.

InfiniteDaze · Jan 29, 2021

Momohime liked to think that, despite her tendencies, that she was a very calm girl. Certainly, she was not the kind of woman who would easily lose her temper. In fact, it was quite suspect if she even had a temper in the first place. The office lady would like it very much if she was able to just calmly and peacefully solve any problem that came her way.

Demon Blade was also a woman who considered herself to be calm and collected. However, it was not the sort of calmness that Momohime liked.

The magical girl took one look at the hallway, bulging with people that squished and held together like sardines in a can. To walk through the hallway would be a tight squeeze, even with her admittedly small stature. Thus, the swordswomen came to one simple conclusion: She wouldn't.

With a sigh, she quietly grabbed the office worker in front of her and met their eyes with a bored glare.

They flinched at her sudden grip, "Huh-?!"

"Move." The Magical Girl declared before nonchalantly tossing them behind her.

"H-Hey!" Momohime cried as she watched the poor worker stumble before falling flat on the ground. "Isn't that a bit mean?!"

"We don't have time for this." Demon Blade responded.

"You could at least stand to be less rude about it."

"Very well." She grabbed the next worker in front of her. "Please move."

The poor soul didn't have time to respond before he, too, was thrown behind her without even a blink.

"That wasn't what I meant and you know it!"

"Really?"

"Hah… Just… Be gentle about it I guess…"

The magical girl shrugged before continuing her monstrous rampage, brute forcing her way to the front of the line.

"Move."

"Wha-?!"

"Move."

"Who-?!"

"Move."

"Wait-?!"

Eventually when a stack of bodies began to pile behind her, the officer workers began to wise up and quickly parted to the sides of the hallway to get away from the youkai who were tormenting them. No, wait, that was Demon Blade, who was arguably causing more devastation then the monster attacking the building right now.

With light steps she made her way through the sea of tired and terrified office drones until the magical girl came face to face with the hulking suited man who was still messing with the door.

"Ah?" He cried, turning to the sword wielder. "Who are you? Did you come as a representative for some old culture company? I'm really sorry about this but we'd like to keep working with you-"

"Move." Demon Blade simply said.

"...Huh?" The man lifted an eyebrow before squinting, examining the woman. "Wait… How old are you? Fourteen? Sixteen? How'd you get in this building any-"

"Twenty Three. I work here, a few floors up." Demon Blade calmly declared. Her hands gripped tightly on her blade. The magical girl paused before furrling her eyebrows. What was she even doing down here?

"Ah it was um, everybody's looks were kinda, uh, murderous, so I just took a bathroom break away from the floor?"

"Really. Momohime doesn't need to worry about wastes of space like them." The magical girl muttered to herself before she was interrupted by the boss man in front of her.

"You… work here?" There was a pause before the man out a boisterous laughter. "HAHAHA! You work here?! As if I would believe such a shoddy lie! Do you think we'd let some cosplay wearing weirdo into our company?! Besides, even if you did work here…"

An arrogant grin spread across his face and Momohime suddenly had to fight back against both her and Demon Blade's sudden urge to paint the man's face black and blue. "Don't you think it's a bit rude to talk to your superiors like that?"

"Please please don't get me in trouble…" Momohime cried softly in her head.

Demon Blade sighed. "....I'm a Magical Girl. There's a monster here. It's my job to get rid of it?"

"Magical Girl?! There's someone deluded enough in this office to think she's a magical girl?!" The tired office workers all gave awkward glances as they tried not to acknowledge the sight in front of them. "Besides. What Monster!? It's just a building failure, don't use that as an excuse to go mad with delusion!"

"Building… failure?" The office lady in the magical girl mumbled. "But- But we were just attacked in the bathroom!"

"As expected... none of you can see the youkai." With a sigh Momohime's body stepped forward, giving the man a challenging glare. "I will not repeat this again. Move."

"Heh." The man stared back. "No."

"Very well. If you insist…" Demon Blade burst into action. Before any of the office workers could register anything, her fist exploded into a gut punch. Without even giving him anytime to pause to catch his breath she felt power course through her knee before delivering a devastating kick that sent the man flying backwards before crashing into the steel door. The arrogant boss let out a final gasp before slumping against the door.

"Did you just?!"

"He's not dead." The magical girl simply announced, walking over to him before checking his body. "Surprisingly tough… Well, with that body it would be weird if he wasn't. No broken bones, just knocked out."

She turned to glance around the room. None of the office workers would meet her eyes, all shivering in fear and huddling inwards towards themselves. Her eyes glanced around before settling on one particular youth from the crowd and without any hesitation she pointed him out from the crowd. "You. Are you new here?"

"U-Um, yes? It's my first day..." He glanced around nervously at his coworkers only to find them starting to shy away from him. "What...what do you need?"

"I'm going to open the door. When I do I want you to carry this man out of the building and get him to safety." Demon Blade declared.

"Why me" He groaned only to jolt and wave his hands desperately. "No! I mean, I'll do it- But-!"

"Hmph. Who do you think I could've chosen? The worker to you left? To your right?" The magical girl let out a bitter laugh. "In this room, you are the only person who is guranteed to not murder him on the way out. I can sense the anger, frustration, and madness behind the dead faces of our coworkers."

Demon Blade practically spat out the word. An empty silence rang through the air before she continued. "Pathetic. I like the look in your eyes, so as your senpai, allow me to give you some advice. Leave this job and find another while you can. Don't let your soul be stomped down on like the rest of us."

She turned to the door and proceeded to swing her sword in a series of slices too fast for the eye to see. In an instant, what was once a steel barrier crumbled into a series of sliced chunks that hit the drab floor with a series of thumps. "I have opened the door. Do with it what you will."

The magical girl didn't even turn back, simply walking into the darkness that was the stairwell. "...Lights off." She muttered, before cautiously beginning her ascent up the building.

There was something different about the air in the office building. Or maybe it was just something that Momohime hadn't noticed before? All the office workers had rushed downwards towards the bottom of the building, and yet here she was. Practically alone in the dark. For some reason the stairs felt like they were going on forever. An Impossibly long spiral that just went up and up and up.

Well, despite what she could "Feel" Momohime was relegated to sitting backseat in her own mind. Which of course, gave her all the time in the world to think.

"....Hey, Demon Blade." Momohime shyly began, unsure of how many steps it had been at this point. "About what you said back there-"

The magical girl nodded her head. "Mmh. You're right. I said more than I needed to."

"H-Hey! Don't interrupt me! That wasn't what I was going to say at all!" For once Momohime was glad they shared the same body, she wasn't sure how well she could have handled yelling at the MG after she had done that to her fellow coworkers. "It's just… What you said to that man… Is that what you think?"

She had practically spit on the entire company. Slapped the face of everyone who had ever worked there, including Momohime herself.

"My thoughts and yours are one in the same. After all, Momohime Tsukigami is Magical Girl Demon Blade."

"Huh?"

"Tell me, when you looked at that man, was there not some part of you who wanted to say those words? To warn him before it was too late?" Demon Blade elaborated. The office lady fell silent. "I wonder, just who was that message really for? Him or for the you of times long past?"

Momohime paused before thinking back. Back to when she first got a job here in this office.

"You're wrong. On that at least." Because no matter how hard she tried. "I, I don't remember how I got this job."

The job hunting, the application process, all of it-

She drew a blank.

How did she end up here? What had happened in her life? It was all a blur. Studying at school, then going to college, then getting this job. Momohime didn't know the how or why of anything that had happened in her life. All she knew was that somehow, she had ended up in this office. Working her life away as one of it's faceless little drones. And then that night in the park happened, and here she was.

"...I see." Demon Blade didn't seem to need explanation by what she met. There was a stale pause as Momohime felt the magical girl trying to find something to say. "Then I guess Momohime Tsukigami died a long time ago."

"That's, that's one way to put it I guess." The office lady sighed, "For most of us, real life isn't that colorful. Only those who have magic seem to live a colorful life. Like you?"

"Hmph. Please, life beyond the Horizon isn't what you can call a li-" The magical girl's walking drew to a halt. Momohime felt her body's eyes widen before Demon Blade suddenly got into a fighting stance. "Tch!"

"W-What's going on?!" If she could, Momohime would be glancing around everywhere. Then again, even if she did have control of her eyes, it wouldn't have helped considering the stairwell was barely lit.

"Can't believe I didn't notice!" Demon Blade cursed before suddenly sprinting up the stairwell. "This building, it's weightless!"

"Weightless?" The last time she heard that term was… "Wait you don't mean to say we're in dreamland right?!"

"Something close to it!" The magical girl hissed, "The building is being warped by the perceptions of the inhabitants in it. This endless stairwell is just a result of that. Dammit! How much time did we waste here?!"

"Ah, ah!" Momohime practically screamed in her head. "How do we even get out of here!?"

"Focus your mind! Traveling through weightless spaces won't get you anywhere if you let yourself wander!" Demon Blade instructed, "Try and picture our destination!"

"Where are we going?! I thought we were just heading up!"

"So that's why-!" Her counterpart took a deep breath before letting out an uncharacteristic hiss. "Look decide where we're going and focus on that. It can be anywhere in this building, just don't stop thinking about it!"

Right. Right. Okay. Where were they going? Um, where was there to go? Uh, bathroom, elevator… AH! She couldn't picture anything! She never paid attention to any of the building before! Momohime had always just gone where she needed to go!

...Where she needed to go? RIGHT! Her office! It was one of the higher floors in the building! Remember remember- Why is this such a blur!? Come on! There's got to be an entrance. Right by the elevator should be-

"AHA!" Momohime yelled triumphantly, holding the mental image of the stair door to her office floor in her mind. "I've got it pictured! I'll leave it up to you to do the rest!"

"Understood." Demon Blade simply replied before forgoing stairs entirely, jumping on to the sides of the walls and dashing on their surface. "You couldn't have come up with a clearer path?"

"I'm sorry! No one uses the stairs anymore!" The office lady cried, "I can only picture the exit!"

"That'll have to do." The magical girl climbed up and up and up. It was an infinite spiral of stairs. Born from the monotonous, apathetic, and dull emotions of the workers who practically sacrificed their whole lives to this building.

Momohime knew that if she was just her normal, office lady self, then she wouldn't have been able to escape from this spiral. But with Demon Blade by her side, she could picture the way forward.

And for Demon Blade, that was all she needed.

With a calm breath, Momohime's body slammed the demon blade into the stairway wall. It sunk into the steel like butter, and to Momohime's shock ripples began to splash through the solid surface. A strange feeling, forigen and yet seemingly apart of her burst through her chest, rushing throughout her body and into the Blade.

It vibrated, a feeling of chaos as it's form twisted and writhed in the magical girl's grasp. The magical girl let out a grunt before beginning to run up the stairs once more, the blade creating a tear through the wall like it was merely paper. Behind the wall, was another wall. More older, detailed. Stained.

What it really was.

The energy boiled throughout Momohime's body as Demon Blade suddenly skidded to a halt at a plateau that had decided to manifest itself. There was no exit, but that didn't matter to the magical girl. With a grunt, she swung the Blade in a circular motion. As if merely a piece of fabric, the world around her was seemingly ripped off from the wall until eventually Momohime found herself standing in front of what she internally knew was the door for her floor of the office.

How…? What…?

"Hmph." Demon Blade wiped a rare bead of sweat off of her brow. She glanced at the Blade, and Momohime got the sense that it was growling before it returned to what could only be described as the shape of a Sword. "Needs work."

"What- What was that?" That energy, that power, it was something Momohime had never really felt before. "Was that the power of that blade?"

"...That was just magic Momohime." Demon Blade replied, "I am a magical girl after all."

"...Oh."

Now she just felt dumb.

Demon Blade ignored the surge of embarrassment coming from her other half, "How close is the roof from this floor?"

"Um, we're on one of the higher floors soooo… relatively close to the roof?" If she could, the office lady would physically knock her head as she tried to recall everything. "Why?"

"We'll be scaling up the side of the building. We should be safe from falling into a weightless space outside of this building." The magical girl calmly moved to the door that now appeared before her and attempted to push it open. The steel slab barley even budged. "...Tch."

"Is it locked?" Momohime wondered, her thoughts whirling."No, the handle isn't resisting… It's more like there's something on the other side blocking it from opening."

"I have a solution."

"Is your solution cutting down the door again?"

"...No." Demon Blade's hands drifted away from the handle of the sword. "I have other means."

Momohime would've blinked if she could. "L-Like more Magi-"

The magical girl shuffled a few steps back before bursting into a running charge. With only a short breath she jumped into the air before giving a flying kick that slammed into the door, sending it flying off the hinges with a loud boom echoing through the office hallways. Demon Blade closed her eyes and took a deep breath, her heart racing from the sudden movement.

"...You're doing this on purpose aren't you."

"Of course not. This was simply the most efficient and elegant solution." Momohime's reflection stood up, feeling her counterparts desire. "As a magical girl, everything I do is magical."

"T-That's not what I…" The office lady's reflection faltered before she pouted internally. "But, but that was totally physical force wasn't it?!"

"Magical Physical Force."

"You know what I mean!"

"You can dream later Momohime. Right now we have a job to… do…" Demon Blade began to open her eyes only to flinch back at the sight of the room in front of her. Plant-like roots practically covered the walls, pulsing in a grotesque rhythms akin to the beat of a heart. They were like the veins of a great beast, clawing and fighting for every inch of the office building they could root themselves into. At the edge of her hearing, the magical girl heard the sounds of low moans and shuffles, there was also a prickly feeling, as if something was watching her. Of course, none of this was what really caught her attention. Instead her gaze was focused on the people the veins had gripped into. They hung upside down, wrinkled and pale, corpse-like figures hung out to dry as casually as one would do the laundry. Blood ran down their legs as the roots sunk into their flesh with teeth-like thorns that pushed deeper and deeper into the ashen flesh. "...Well then."

"Why…" Momohime gasped, and if she could, she might have even cried. However despite the sadness wrenching into her gut, not a single tear left her eyes. The face she felt at that moment was not hers, but the cool gaze of the Magical Girl who had taken hold of her body. No, that wasn't quite right. Demon Blade's face remained seemingly indifferent to the horrific sight in front of her. But Momohime could feel the trace of a frown on her lips, her mouth twitching. Sadness and displeasure boiled into one melting pot and the office lady couldn't tell which emotion belonged to who. Perhaps, like the magical girl insisted, they were all her emotions? Regardless of what the answer was, Momohime was forced to witness the grotesque scene, unable to pull her eyes away. "Why would someone do this?"

"Youkai are monsters." Demon Blade's eyes scanned the room around her while she talked. "No, there's a bit more nuance to it. Youkai are born to be monsters. They are the creatures that humans create in order to scare and to entertain. Monsters born to be Monsters."

"But in order to come to this world, they have to have a contract right?" Momohime asked, "Then that means that there's a human behind this… That someone wished for this."

"...Yes, I suppose you're right." The magical girl's eyes grew sharper before she blasted into motion. Her body twisted and turned as the roots around her began to try and chomp down on her like a hungry beasts. Roots from all directions shot towards her, but Demon Blade just kept a cool face as the Blade in her hand began to slice her assailants with ease. Soon the room around her began to recoil as the plants she had dismembered began to wither away into nothingness. Momohime felt her muscles fill with tension before the magical girl gave a dynamic leap through the hallway, her Blade slicing through both the roots and the air itself before she stabbed the roots covering the floor in front of her. As they scurried away from the sudden pain, the swordswoman slammed her feet on to the ground with a thundering boom before quietly taking her sword out of a squirming root. When she looked again a second time, nothing was there. "In that case we need to move as quickly as we can. Whoever called this disaster must've sacrificed a great deal of negative emotions regarding this place."

"B-But what about the people here?" The office lady asked, "We can't just leave them here like this!"

"Cutting them free would take too long. Wouldn't it be more practical to solve this problem at the source?" Demon Blade countered, "And you can't hide anything from me Momohime. The people here are nothing more than blurred faces to you."

"Nothing more then-" Momohime cut herself off. The words baffled her, especially since they were coming from her own voice. Sure, in some way, Demon Blade was right. If she was being totally honest with herself, she didn't know the names of most of her co-workers. But did that really mean she should just leave them here? People she saw everyday? Ones she had worked with for years? Suffered with under the cruel reality of the modern day?

Suddenly, niggling into her head, a spark clicked and her brain charged into overdrive as one connection suddenly made her heart pound in her chest like it was trying to break free of her ribcage. This was the floor that she worked on… And that meant that everyone she worked with was in this situation… which meant…

In the blurred sea of faces, there was one that was clear for her.

"Chika!" Momohime cried in her head, "We have to rescue Chika!"

"Grkh!" Demon Blade physically recoiled, clutching her chest as an intense wave of emotion swept the woman off her feet and into a sea of chaos. "C-Calm down Momohime! She'll be fine if we just-"

"No!" Momohime slammed the cage of her own mind and she could feel a headache beginning to form as the magical girl gripped her head and began to cry in agony. "I can't just abandon her here! I refuse!"

"It's... It's not abandoning he- AHH!" Momohime could no longer see through her eyes as the one controlling her body had to force them shut but she didn't care. She pounded and rattled the inside of her head, doing anything and everything she could in order to make herself known. "S-Stop that!"

"Magical Girl Demon Blade!" The office lady shouted with all the authority she could muster. "This Momohime demands you rescue Chika!"

"Alright! Alright! I yield!" The swordswoman screamed, her voice filled with pain. "Just make it stop!"

Momohime let out a deep breath before calming down, sitting in the silence of her own head. Despite not moving at all, she still felt completely exhausted. Nevertheless, she could formulate one sentence that encapsulated all of her thoughts. "...Thank you."

Her reflection sighed. "I really am troublesome."

Chika's body wasn't at her desk. Momohime didn't know where her friend's body was, but it wasn't at her desk. Demon Blade's eyes scanned the office room as if picking apart the pieces to try and find some clue as to where Chika had vanished off to. Everything was in complete disarray, as if all the workers here tried to get up and run away in a hurry. Paperwork was scattered on the floor and desks, desktop monitors were left running with some outright destroyed by the roots, a dripping sound that Momohime couldn't quite pinpoint idly continued in the background, but there was one very important fact that both the office lady and the magical girl realized at the exact same moment.

"She's not here." The magical girl stated as she casually sliced an oncoming roots. "In fact, no one is here."

"I can see that." Momohime replied. "It's… suspicious in and of itself."

"Suspicious?" Demon Blade quirked an eyebrow, "I apologize, but the only thing I see is an empty room."

"The fact that it's empty is suspicious." The office lady's brain began to work into overdrive as Demon Blade began to move throughout the room. "All the bodies we passed by on the way here are clearly visible, but there's nowhere else for the bodies to be."

"The bathrooms maybe?" Demon Blade pointed out, "That's where we were when this all began."

"Maybe, but I doubt that's the case here. Look at the number of desks." Momohime mentally counted the amount of desks that she knew for a fact to be filled. Five, ten, fifteen, twenty, etc. As far as she could remember, this room had about 50 people working in it at any given time. "We passed by some of them on the way here, but do you really think that all these people went to the bathroom at the same time?"

"From the bodily reactions that I've experienced since you stepped into the night world, I'm surprised those with weight are doing away with waste whenever they can." The swordswoman nodded her head with absolute certainty of her conclusion. Momohime didn't say anything. She really wanted to say something, but she held it in. "What?"

"...U-Um, let's just focus on figuring out what's going on." Was what Momohime chose to respond with. Instead of what she was really feeling, which boiled down to the phrase 'Please don't say stupid things like that again.'

"Hmph. I find that it was a valid observation." The magical girl replied, just in time for Momohime to remember that they were the same person and her real intentions were broadcasted to her regardless of what she actually chose to say. "But yes, let us move on. You know this location better than me, does anything in particular stand out to you?"

"I-I'm going to need you to look around the whole office a little more…" The swordsman obediently followed Momohime's instructions as the office lady took apart every bit of the view. Roots on the walls. Roots. And more roots. It was hard to find an area that didn't have any roots., but the more Momohime looked the more that a pattern started to emerge. They completely covered the ceiling of the room, but as her eyes trailed down they grew more sparse and when compared to the tightly-knit blanket on the ceiling, the gaps in the roots on the ground stuck out like a sore thumb. That is, except for one location on the ground floor that was covered just as much as the ceiling, as if the youkai was trying to smother something to death. In Demon Blade's eyes, this was just another area that had been covered by roots. But for someone who has worked in this office for years, someone like Momohime, this anomaly was immediately suspicious.

After all, that was the boss's desk.

"Demon Blade." Momohime calmly replied, knowing that the magical girl could feel all the focus she was giving to that desk. "Head there."

The swordswoman nodded silently. As the drip drip dripping sound echoed throughout the room, Demon Blade's footsteps slammed into the ground like drumbeats. Momohime could feel the conviction in them, it was her own after all, but she wasn't the only one who noticed. The roots on the ground suddenly burst into life, whipping at her, and Momohime could feel the sheer hostility that filled the air that only grew more and more as Demon Blade marched forward. For her part, the magical girl didn't even bother to acknowledge the aggression, slicing and cutting her way through the onslaught of roots akin to an unstoppable force of nature.

And then somebody threw a chair at her and forced her to dodge as the heavy mass slammed into the desk behind her, causing a loud bang as it crashed directly into a monitor next to her, completely wrecking it into a pile of junk. Demon Blade glanced around the room only to see that the roots that weren't attacking her had picked up various office supplies around the room and held them up towards her threateningly.

"Hmph." She didn't give them a second glance, moving her muscles into getting ready to jump. "Make it rain."

Rain it did. Like a storm of bullets everything from chairs to pencils to even a giant sofa was thrown her way, and Demon Blade began to jump, duck, and weave her way through the office room. Her footsteps rained down on the desks as she forced her way through, jumping off the walls and doing flips to avoid the barrage of office supplies, all while calmly using the Sword in her hands to pierce through any barriers in her path. For some reason, what should be less than a minute's walk somehow felt like an eternity as the magical girl pushed to get even one more foot forward. Momohime was pretty sure that this was going to cause the company a whole lot in terms of damages but at the very least, um, at least it couldn't be traced back to her?

With one final shout, Demon Blade brought down a slice and landed directly in front of the bosses desk. For some reason the roots around her grew still, and only the dripping noise filled the silence. She brought her roots forward to the chair, which was completely covered in roots, and it felt like something hissed at her. "Well Momohime?"

"I'm looking…" Like the rest of the roots, it pulsed grotesquely, but there was something off here. The way it wrapped around the chair, it pushed forward just a bit too much. Like it was wrapping around something- No. Like it was wrapping around someone! "DEMON BLADE!"

"On it." The magical girl replied and her blade blurred into motion, cutting away the roots even as the room physically recoiled in pain. The roots around the chair vanished away into nothingness and the old, aged, withered husk of Momohime's boss revealed itself. Silently, it slumped off the chair and onto the ground. He looked terrible, worse than the bodies they had passed on the way here. He was practically filled with punctures, like some sort of human pincushion, and now that the plugs were gone his body began to spurt out puddles of blood, filling the room with a twisted smell of copper.

"Is… Is he alive?" Momohime hesitantly asked as Demon Blade crouched down to examine the body. She dreaded the answer but also needed to know.

"He's breathing, at least." Her reflection replied, "I can try to stop the blood flow, but the roots may take him back if we just leave him here."

"Oh. Oh Chika…" The office lady hoped her friend was doing alright. Silence filled the room, the only noise between the shuffling of the magical girl's robes was the dripping sound- Wait. "It's been in the background for a while but… What even is that sound?"

Silently Demon Blade drew her blade and held it forward. There was a drop as something landed on it, and suddenly Momohime felt the Sword writhe in joy as it hungrily began to eat a certain red liquid that had landed on it's edge.

The dots began to connect.

Just where did the roots come from?

From above.

What was the ceiling like?

Covered in roots.

What was covered in roots?

Human bodies.

Then the strange red liquid that made the Muramasa Blade cry out in joy could only be-

"Blood." Momohime gasped, before adrenaline coursed through her veins."Demon Blade! They're on-"

"The ceiling!" The magical girl cursed, crouching down before rocketing upward and slicing the roots that existed on the ceiling. As she fell back to the ground, the restraints holding another one of Momohime's coworkers vanished, allowing his body to land on the floor with a thud. Momohime's world narrowed down to a single point. Jump, slice, jump, slice, although her mind wasn't the one who was doing it, she still felt the world turn into a blur of motion. The roots struggled against her but she barely even cared, allowing Demon Blade to do her job while examining every body that fell on to the floor. No, No, No.... It was on the last mass of roots that finally gave way, revealing the sleeping form of her best friend. Demon Blade caught her fellow office lady and gently landed on the ground, placing her on to a nearby desk that had become empty of roots.

"Chika!" The mousey girl cried. Her friend's skin was greyer, with a couple more wrinkles that weren't caused by the stress of overworking this time, but even then, Momohime couldn't help but feel a pang of emotion at how the woman still looked pretty even after being attacked and knocked out like this.

"She's fine." Demon Blade replied, examining the wounds on her body. Idly the magical girl turned away before checking up on the other office workers. "Do you notice something?"

"Um…" Momohime's eyes glanced between the two wounds. it was mostly on their legs, with just a few stab wounds that let blood trickle down. Slowly, lightly. The dots clicked. "Wait, are you saying-"

"Yes. These are relatively tame wounds compared to what your boss has." The swordswoman gestured to the pool of blood. "I don't think I need to tell you what this implies."

"...Whoever the contractor is, they wanted to harm the boss." Slowly the vague image she had of the contractor began to clear up, bringing their silhouette into view. "The boss should've been the first one to leave if he saw the ceiling falling apart and yet he was still in his chair. This was sudden, a surprise attack, aimed at him specifically. He was the one who was specifically harmed, with as many wounds as possible. And the only one who would have such a motive… Would be someone who worked on this floor."

"One of your coworkers." Demon Blade nodded. She glanced around, staring at the remaining roots, the bodies of the victims, Chika, and to nowhere in particular. The swordswoman felt it, that prickly feeling, as if someone was watching her. She laughed. "Hey. Contractor. You can hear me right?"

There was no reply, silence, but she could tell from the twitches of the roots around her that someone was listening in on her. And if that was the case, she had only one thing to say. "If you touch any of these souls again, I'll be sending yours straight to hell. I'm already heading up to where you are in order to stop this madness, so why don't we make it a duel. A fair challenge. What do you say?"

For a moment nothing occurred, but suddenly one of the landline phones cut through the silence with a sudden ringing noise. Demon Blade calmly walked over to it and picked up the phone, pressing it against her ear. Contrary to her previous experience, the voice Momohime heard on the other end of the phone was cool and collected, answering her with no hint of fear or anger in his voice. "Very well. I'll be waiting."

The phone went dead and the magical girl calmly dropped the receiver onto the desk with little regard for the property. She glanced at herself in the dark reflection of a broken monitor. "So, shall we make our appointment?"

"But how? Aren't the stairs too dangerous to go up?" Momohime asked, only to watch as her body marched on over to the balcony and slammed the glass door open, letting the cool night air slam into her face. Momohime felt her gaze look at the side of the building walls before glancing upwards. "Wait- You aren't thinking of?!"

Demon Blade only had one reply for her. "I can scale that."

The night air was chillingly cold. This was something Momohime knew to be a fact, as the only time she left to go back to her house was in the early hours of the morning. Normally, her skin would be getting goosebumps, but apparently Magical Girls had no such problems as Demon Blade was completely fine jumping up the side of the building. Was it magic or something? Momohime could barely feel so much as a chill along their skin as they jumped up balcony to balcony, despite the fact that the only thing that adorned her body was a thin Kimono with some armor.

Really, was this one of the perks of being a magical girl? Her other self was capable of some seemingly superhuman feats, ascending the building in this manner without any fear of falling whatsoever. If Momohime had attempted this, she was pretty sure she would have slipped off the balcony railing and cracked her bones on the streets alone before she could ever manage to jump.

"...I'll be alright if you fall right?" Momohime asked, internally shuddering at the mental image.

"You're going to be fine. Besides," Demon Blade reassured her, taking another leap off the railing, grabbing the balcony above her and beginning to push herself up until she could casually toss herself over the railing and onto the flat surface. She glanced upwards, there wasn't any ceiling above her. "This is going to be the last floor before we get to the contractor."

"Are..." Momohime would've gulped if she had been physically capable of the response, "Are you ready for this?"

Demon Blade calmly tapped the hilt of her blade. "Are you ready for this?"

"Y-You know what I mean!"

"I do." The magical girl nodded, preparing herself for the final jump. "After all, something like this isn't enough to scare Momohime Tsukigami."

"Huh-?!" Momohime began, but her body had reacted faster then her own thoughts as the swordswoman cut through the night air, ascending like an eagle as she climbed the mountain of obstacles in front of her before calmly landing on the roof with a light thud.

The rooftop of the building was practically empty. It was a dirty, stained mess with the butts of used cigarettes crunching underneath her feet. Momohime was sure that nobody had gone up here in a long time, not even the janitors hired to clean this building. If this were any other night, the sheer filth that bathed this roof would've been enough to send her away, but this wasn't going to be that night. No, she could see them, the roots that pierced into the ground, the ones that had caused so much pain and suffering today. Demon Blade's eyes followed them upwards, and they all led back to one source.

"Good evening." A man said as he sat on top of the building's generator. Like every other employee of this office, he wore a formal suit, but there was something different about him. He exuded a sense of confidence, even as his face kept a relatively cool expression. His sharp eyes hidden behind a pair of glasses weren't something that Momohime had ever seen before in her fellow employees. He jumped down from where he was sitting and gave the magical girl a polite bow, but this simple act of subservience belied a hidden sense of pressure that made the office lady internally shrink back in fear. "That was quite the impressive entrance you had there. I would've thought you'd taken the stairs."

"Good evening to you as well." Demon Blade bowed politely, gaze never once leaving his eyes. "And I would, if we both didn't know the inherent dangers of being alone in this building."

"Right, right." He nodded, "I must say, I didn't expect to meet a magical girl of all things tonight. Just like that, all the plans I'd laid so carefully over the past week all went up in smoke. Poof. I guess that's just how my life's supposed to go huh?"

"A week?" The swordswoman cocked her eyebrows. "Given my last experience with a youkai contractor, that's a remarkable amount of patience."

"Yes well it wasn't much, I'll admit. I was quite shocked the first day I woke up and realized the power I now had, but my youkai has a… patient style." The man adjusted his glasses. "It wanted to slowly take root into this building, and so I obliged it. It was quite weak at first, so I simply absorbed the energy of those who hung out by themselves. In the dark corners of the office. Whatever was left, of course."

"Now that I think about it…" When she looked back on her memories of work today, she did remember seeing people who looked like they were about to collapse dead. "...So that was him huh?"

"It must've been quite convenient to be operating in a building where the employees are already at death's door." Demon Blade began to slowly walk closer to the contractor, he didn't budge an inch. "A horrible, horrible convenience, but a convenience nonetheless."

The contractor sighed, glancing away from her. "...Yes. I feel quite guilty about getting them involved, but unfortunately I have already resolved myself. Speaking of, there's one mystery that's still lingering tonight."

His footsteps created a booming sound as he began to walk towards the magical girl. They both stopped, just a few breaths between each other, and Momohime looked up into eyes filled with cold steel. "Just who are you anyways?"

"Pardon me. It was quite rude to begin a conversation without introducing myself." The swordswoman placed a hand to her chest and gave a quick bow with her head. "I am Magical Girl Demon Blade, contractor of the Muramasa Blade. I'd ask if I'd have the honor of knowing who you are, but given the things you've done under the moonlight tonight it wouldn't be much of an honor at all."

"I suppose that's fair." The man stroked his chin, staring into her reflection's eyes. Momohime could see the gears working in his head as he tried to work out if he had seen her before and if the office lady was being honest with herself, she was doing the exact same thing. "Since we're apparently coworkers of this damnable company, I'm just curious to see if you know who I am."

Momohime stared. The blur of faces that was her company once again appeared in her mind. Of course, the chance that they'd met before in this company was slim but if she looked at the clues… He had a grudge against her boss, so he had to have been someone who worked on the same floor as her. But then again, everyone had a grudge against her boss, that barley narrowed it down at all. And that look in his eyes, that determination, for a bunch of corporate slaves, will power was merely a myth. Something that in this world, it's possession would send you straight to hell.

There had to be something else. Maybe a name? Did she and Chika talk about someone this morning? Let's see, she arrived, got tackled by Chika and… Come to think of it someone's name got brought up as well didn't it? And she could distantly link that name to the face of the man the Boss had been tormenting the night she encountered the Youkai. Yes, the more she thought about it, the more the vague image of who this contractor was cleared. As if someone had shown a light into her thought process. The eyes gave off a different feeling, but if she compared the face to the one in her memories then the person who came to mind was-

"Could you be the one known as Satoshi?" Demon Blade asked as Momohime finished that thought. The man in front of her merely sighed and took off his glasses, staring at them with a mixed expression.

"My name…" His face contorted into sheer rage as he crushed the glasses in his hands, the shattering sound sharply cutting through the noise of the city night. "Is not Satoshi!"

"Apologies then." The magical girl indifferently replied in the face of his rage, "It's the only name I know you by."

"It's the only name anyone in this collective shit stain of a company knows me by!" He howled before taking a deep breath and calming down, the anger quickly cooling back into the collected confidence he had before. "But, you are the first one to apologize to me, so I suppose I can let that be. SInce you introduced yourself, allow me to properly do so as well."

The man known as 'Satoshi' took a few steps away from her and glanced at his body. At the roots connected to his limbs that stretched deep into the office building's many floors. "My name is Sahou Rokuki, and the Youkai I've contracted with is what's known as a Jubokko."

"Jubokko…" Demon Blade tested the name on her tounge before shaking her head. "Never heard of it."

"Whereas I've heard all about that blade in your hands, if what you say is true." The newly introduced Sahou glanced at the Sword. "Though it seems… difficult to capture the essence of one such as that."

"It is merely a Sword, nothing more." Demon Blade moved her body into a stance and began to circle around Sahou. "And I'm sure you know what Swords are for."

"Cutting, slicing… Killing." The contractor of the Jubokko nodded, "I suppose that was what we agreed to do. Though after meeting you I feel it's a shame we couldn't get along a little longer. If you truly worked here, I'm sure you understand my feelings on this whole matter."

In that brief instant, there was no lag between Momohime and Demon Blade. Their thoughts were perfectly in synch, and they gave their response in unison. "I understand your feelings but… You hurt our friend, so there's no way we're just going to let that go."

"...To think that something as simple as camaraderie could bloom in this accursed building…" Sahou snapped his fingers and the roots on the ground all began to rush back into his body. The man cursed and screamed as he bent over, pain filling his face as his body began to swell. Suddenly, the shirt he was wearing burst open with a loud pop, and- Oh. Oh my. Bulging rippling abs, muscles that barely fit the clothes that actually remained on his body. It was like he had never missed a day of exercise in his life, starting from when he was born. An adonis, sculpted by the gods themselves. Every breath he took was filled with power, and he soon clenched his fist as the last of the roots retreated into his body. "But I regret to inform you that I'll be taking every last bit of this office to hell with me."

The magical girl's lips twitched. "Do you think of yourself as a martyr?"

The contractor shook his head. "Of course not. This is merely just a grudge. A simple, personal grudge.The only thing I have left in life… By the time the sun rises, nothing shall remain. Me, the walking dead, and the accursed living, even you. All of it will be gone, I swear on my name."

"If that is your oath, then so be it. Now then." The Blade shown in the moonlight. It howled and whistled, sensing the emminante tension about to burst into a grand climax. Momohime could feel the bloodlust born from it's steel, but Demon Blade held it steady while making her declaration. "Our night duel begins."

[] All in. No pain, no fear. His thorns are sharp but your blade is sharper.
[] Light fingers, light feet, light weight. The wind is your guide on this starry night.
[] Write in

InfiniteDaze said:
Will be bringing my attention back to my quests now that that's done.

AN: Well that was a fucking lie lol. It was shortly after the last update that I officially was just burned out on Quests in general. What you've read above wasn't written by me recently, in fact it's actually been sitting on my hard drive since Feburary of 2020, back when I decided that I wanted to convert HNB into a story instead. That uh, didn't work out, and anyways I recently started to update more frequently again and I decided to bring this back because hey, it's not like I've been doing any other writing while waiting for votes in my other quest. So I cut out about 6k~ words and that brings us to right now! We're back, hopefully for real this time! Hopefully my writing style hasn't changed too much in the past year or we're all fucked!

Edit: I've actually gone and changed Momohime's last name from Kagami to Tsukigami. Sorry for the confusion.

InfiniteDaze · Feb 8, 2021

Starlight was burned away by the lights of the city. Demon Blade let out a deep breath as the magical girl continued to hold her stance, staring down Sahou. Their gaze collided and sparks flew. The night air was cold, chilly, and corpse-like in it's stillness. The Swordwoman broke it with a hum, her eyes rapidly moving up and down Sahou's chiseled body. "So that's the kind of fighter he is."

"Are you going to start every fight like this?" Momohime asked. No matter how much she wanted to stare at those abs, this wasn't the time for that.

"This is an important stage of the process. My eyes are simply gathering what information I can, and though you aren't in control, I can feel your unfocused gaze." Demon Blade retorted and the office lady was glad that her physical face was frozen. "This man is different from the brawler that we last encountered-"

It happened in a flash. Her Kimono fluttered through the night air as the magical girl dashed to the side as withered roots shot towards her feet.

"Thought I could get you since you were distracted." Sahou sighed as he adjusted his glasses. "For someone who works in this dull company, you're quite sharp."

"Momohime…" Demon Blade growled and the mousy woman internally flinched. There was no time for idle distractions. Still…

"I don't know how strong you are, but those muscles look quite tough." Momohime declared as she looked over the youkai user with fresh eyes. "If… If you can't let your guard down, then I'll focus while you can't! We need more information right? Then, Demon Blade, this Momohime commands you, lay him bare before me!"

"...Interesting choice of words." The magical girl replied, causing the office woman to splutter. Momohime could feel her lips twitch upwards as her feet began to move. "Then if you insist, watch closely. The wind will be our guide on this starry night."

"The stars were slaughtered by the light of man." Sahou replied as he shifted his legs, raising one in the air. With a weighty step, he slammed it on to the roof floor. The resulting bang shook the building like an earthquake. No, it wasn't an earthquake. Demon Blade's eyes widened as she dashed to the side. With a wild thrash, a pillar of roots pierced the floor she was standing moments ago. "There isn't a path forward for the wind to carry you! The road of life ends here!"

"I can sympathise with where you're coming from, but." The magical girl replied as she danced across the rooftop. In a magnificent arc, her Sword cut through the withered roots in a single slice. She cleaved her way forwards, seemingly unstoppable. "The weight of your burden is not one I wish to carry."

"Weight? You misunderstand." The muscular man punched forward and the roots followed, flowing through the air like water. With a mighty crash, they destroyed the path in front of Demon Blade, forcing the magical girl to begin circling around Sahou. "The only reason this is possible for me is because I have become weightless! The fear and oppression that the company put in me was lifted when I made this contract!"

--That was a lie. Momohime could see that clearly. From his body, to his heart, to the way he fought. The only word that could ever describe it was heavy. Demon Blade however was the opposite. Light fingers, light feet, light weight. The magical girl was drawing on her feelings from her time at the office but… Momohime wasn't Magical Girl Demon Blade. Her words had no weight, because Demon Blade had never personally experienced working in that shade of black.

"That's unfair." The swordswoman replied as she continued her moonlight waltz. "Do you mean to imply that you held any weight in this company either? You who had been floating through life?"

"...I suppose that's true." The office lady sighed. "But at this point, he's going to destroy so much of the roof that we won't be able to reach him."

"Don't worry." Demon Blade declared as she slid to a halt near the edge of the fence, sheathing the Sword. Her steely black eyes met Sahou's as her grip twisted. "What you call weightlessness, is onlyy a single step beyond the horizon. I, on the other hand, have wandered far into it's shallow depths. If you claim to the contrary, then I will merely show you the hollow truth."

The magical girl took a deep breath before time seemed to slow down.

"Blade Art Number 3." Momohime could feel it. The air that was still began to whirl to life, whipping her jet black hair. The storm reached its crescendo, and words echoed from her lips. "Crescent Moon."(Ripples on a Pond)(Ripples on a Pond)

Demon Blade slashed her sword, and the wind followed. Extending from her slice was a swirling, howling, phantom wind. Memories of stormy nights came to Momohime's mind as it pushed forward. Sahou instinctively took a frightened step back before gritting his teeth and stomping his feet. Instantly a wall of roots manifested themselves, only to be blown away by the tornado. Unstoppable, the wind sliced into the shirtless man. Red, crimson blood, staining the dirty cement as Sahou let out a cry.

Cost: 125 HP

Crescent Moon: 200 Base Damage, +N/A Dice = 200 Total Damage
Sahou Rokuki: 35 Base Resilience, +N/A Dice = 35 Total Reduction

165 End Damage

Sahou Rokuki: 800 - 165 = 635 Health Remaining
Muramasa Blade: 500 - 125 = 375 HP Remaining.

And while this was occurring, Demon Blade did not stop for even a moment. Dashing around the roof towards the man's backside. A roar of wind accompanying her as she unleashed another slice through the air, the blade art manifesting once more. Before the Youkai User could try to evade, the art ripped into him, leaving a bloody storm as it tore into his back.

Cost: 125 HP
Crescent Moon: 200 Base Damage, +N/A Dice = 200 Total Damage
Sahou Rokuki: 35 Base Resilience, +N/A Dice = 35 Total Reduction

165 End Damage

Sahou Rokuki: 635 - 165 = 470 Health Remaining
Muramasa Blade: 375 - 125 = 250 Health Remaining

There was a loud sound as Momohime's eyes glanced down to the Muramasa Blade. The Sword, which had once looked so pristine, was on the verge of fracturing. Large cracks formed on it's metal, and the office worker couldn't help but feel like it had become… Brittle. "Um, Demon Blade--!"

"Don't worry." The magical girl replied as she glanced at the sword. "This Jubokko of his isn't the only blood-hungry youkai present tonight."

The Sword quivered with delight at the words and before Momohime could realize it, Demon Blade had already begun to move. With a great leap, she soared through the night sky, her feet landing lightly on the cement. Just light enough that Sahou could hear her feet. Quickly shaking himself out of his painful daze, the man whose thighs were like tree trunks gave a spinning kick. The magical girl ducked, feet sliding under the blow before stopping as she entered the man's blind spot. With one swing, the girl struck.

Muramasa Blade: 50 Base Damage +25 Dice = 75 Total Damage
Sahou Rokuki: 35 Base Resilience +N/A Dice -25 Mahou = 10 Total Reduction

65 End Damage
Sahou Rokuki: 470 - 65 = 405 Health Remaining

Drain: 16 Health Recovered!
Muramasa Blade: 250 + 16 = 266 Health Remaining

Like a starved animal, the Sword sunk its fangs into the office worker's flesh. Momohime felt something, a power that slipped it's way into the blade causing it to vibrate with a wild roar. It seemed to affect Sahou as well, causing him to let out a scream of anguish as the roots around him began to thrash. Not wasting a second, the Muramasa Blade began to lap up the blood it had spilled. Slowly, the cracks began to heal. Not much, but Momohime knew that if she just swung the blade a few more times, if she just spilled more blood, then it would return to its previous condition.

More than anything else tonight, that was a thought that scared her to her core.

"I won't be cut down… that easily!" Sahou exclaimed as he grit his teeth. Slowly, the roots connected to his body began to pump something towards him. A crimson red substance that filled the rooftop with the smell of rust. The lifeblood injected itself into the man's body, and with his shirt off it was clear to see that the wounds were healing. Skin patching itself together again as Sahou whipped the blood off of his cheeks.

Lifeblood Stack Used!
Sahou Rokuki: 405 + 200 = 605
Overheal!

The wounds closed up, but the muscles had visibly gotten weaker. Sahou had now gone from being an adonis to being a mildly muscular man. Momohime tried not to feel disappointed about that, which was easier considering the other side effects of his healing. The man's skin oozed and cracked before, like a sickening cancer, a spike of dried bark spiked out of his back. He panted, clenching his fist. Demon Blade merely sighed.

"You've gone too far to turn back now." The magical girl replied as she pointed at the bark. "Whatever healing method you just used, your youkai is using it to consume you. If you don't surrender now, you'll end up losing worse then just your life."

"...I don't really care about losing my life." The man let out a bitter, hollow laugh. "It's not like I'm really losing anything really. Reality is cruel, you know? I lost my life the very day that I lost my name."

"Is that so?" Demon Blade mused. "But it's not like you can win this fight either. We're already neck and neck, and my blade hasn't broken yet."

Sahou scoffed before letting out a grin. "Figures. Nobody ever really listens to me. Didn't I say it earlier? That my Youkai is a patient one."

"Hm?" Demon Blade let out as Momohime began to ponder. The office worker's eyes scattered around the battlefield as she thought back to the previous few moments. And as she looked at the havoc her battle had caused, she was enlightened.

"Demon Blade look at the ground!" The office woman exclaimed. "He wasn't just destroying the rooftop, he was setting up a trap!"

Like lightning, the magical girl whipped her head around to the battle field. In the chaotic blood rush, she hadn't even stopped to consider what the ground behind her was like. That was a mistake. What used to be dirty cement that had been destroyed from the battle had been sewn up in a layered weaving of the withered roots. From the floor to the fence, where Demon Blade was standing was now the only patch of safe space left. It was akin to infestation, one that she hadn't noticed until it was almost too late. What she could once call a regular office building had been transformed into a Garden of Thorns.

"So you've noticed." Sahou smiled as he took a step back. The roots began to worm their way over towards Demon Blade as she glared at the Youkai User. "How do you like my root weave? Rather than just restoring my muscles, I think that this is the most versatile use of my partner. Don't you agree?"

"...As much as it pains me to admit, I will take responsibility for my own carelessness." The implied 'You too Momohime' was heard loud and clear by the poor office lady. The swordswoman began to take a step back from the incoming roots, only to pause and glance behind her. A shiver went down the magical girl's spine as she saw the same sight closing in all around her. "This is much more complex of a fight then the last Youkai Contractor I faced. It's almost vexing, but I suppose it's only par for the course for those who live in the weighted world."

Momohime had assumed that the greatest threat in the fight would be the enemy binding them. She hadn't assumed that he wouldn't even need to bind them in order for him to trap them.

"...I'm sorry." The mousy woman tried to bow, but Demon Blade still had control of her body. "if I had been paying attention properly then--"

"If you have time to apologize." The pink kimono fluttered as Demon Blade still held her ground. "Then you have time to help think of a way out of this."

"B-But…" Momohime didn't need to say any more as she did the equivalent of a gesture to their surroundings. The roots were everywhere, omnipresent, it was only a matter of time until they sunk into her. They could go for the blow, a jumping strike to pierce the youkai contractor, but he was casually walking away from her now. The distance between the two was getting longer. The word 'if' kept running through Momohime's head. If they messed up, if they missed, if they used that blade art again and he survived the blow, but the Muramasa Blade broke. So many possibilities of failure, but all of them held only one outcome.

Demon Blade remained silent before slowly, she began to take a deep breath. Inhale, exhale. It was a simple act, something that came natural to humans, but she closed her eyes and focused on it before sighing. "You're lucky I'm in control right now. Your head is already filled with anxiety. We'd already be dead if it was just left up to you."

"...Isn't that just a matter of course?" The office lady laughed. "I, I'm not a magical girl. Not like you. I'm just regular, plain old Momohime. The things you do are impossible for me."

"Magical Girl Demon Blade is not Momohime Tsukigami. But you can't forget that Momohime Tsukigami is also Magical Girl Demon Blade. We are one and the same." The other side of the mirror declared. The Muramasa blade quivered in her hands as the swordswoman continued to talk. "I've only stepped into the weighted world twice. Yet even so, I'm beginning to have a comprehension about what it really means to be a magical girl. What magic really is."

"What magic really is…?" Momohime muttered.

Demon Blade nodded. "It's a different sort of power then the ones beyond the horizon use. But it's clear to see why they dislike it. After all, to be a magical girl, to use magic, is to make the impossible possible."

To turn that 0% chance into a 100% chance. It could only be called the act of miracles. It hurt Momohime's head to think about, but the magical girl's words made her slowly begin to understand.

"But I don't think just trusting in blind faith is enough." The office lady argued, though more out of obligation than anything else. "There are a bunch of magical girls who die every day after all."

"That may be so, but--" Demon Blade gazed at Sahou who had stopped to turn back towards them. Their gazes met, and the magical girl spoke to both him and Momohime. "If you don't try, that possibility will always remain impossible."

What was impossible for Momohime, was possible for Demon Blade. The words struck a chord with the office lady. She could tell that they were sincere. The most sincerest words she had ever heard in fact. Because those words are-

"A message from myself huh?" Momohime muttered, pausing for a bit before ultimately, she began to think. "Then, I'll just have to believe in our magic."

Momohime Tsukigami thought back to the past weak. From her awakening as a magical girl to her encounter with the night world. Demon Blade was a powerful fighter, but this was something that only she could do. The memories came, and perhaps it was due to the recent revelation, but in the murky depths of her mind, they began to form a lighthouse.

Kongiku sighed, "It's complicated, but as a defining rule us Youkai don't… coexist well with Magic."

Momohime's reflection stood up, feeling her counterpart's desire. "As a magical girl, everything I do is magical."

The power that tore through the weightless world. That strange foreign feeling, that felt at the same time as if it were a part of her. Which made the Muramasa Blade growl and the Jubokko to thrash and writhe in agony.

Magic. She knew little about it but if she were to put together the pieces of what she had learned these past few days…

The lighthouse guided Momohime to shore.

She found her answer.

"I see, so that's how it is." Demon Blade nodded, a small smile gracing her lips. The roots were getting closer now. Almost beginning to touch their feet. A part of Momohime wondered if Sahou was doing this on purpose in order to drag this out as long as possible. Did he enjoy watching her squirm? No, Demon Blade's gaze met his. The look in his eyes was something else. Something more… judgmental. She didn't give him that satisfaction as the magical girl sheathed her sword and bowed down.

"...Are you just giving up?" Sahou asked, raising an eyebrow. "After all that talk, you're just going to bow your head to me and ask for surrender?"

"I think you misunderstand what I'm doing." The swordswoman replied, not a hint of hesitation in her voice. "I simply realized that in order to get out of this, I don't have to do a single thing. You must have heard me talking to myself. It occurred to her what I really am. Did it not cross your mind?"

"What you really are?" The youkai contractor scoffed. "Life isn't some shonen manga. You may be a magical girl, but you aren't going to suddenly gain a new transformation."

"That's fine by me. I don't need such a thing here." The roots had grown close enough to touch her skin. However, despite the situation, Demon Blade smiled. "All I need to do is trust in myself. Believe in myself. So go ahead..."

The thorns pricked into her creamy flesh. Neither Magical Girl Demon Blade nor Momohime Tsukigami reacted in the slightest as they continued to stare the Youkai Contractor down. Soon enough, they could feel it. Their bodies being drained of their vitality, blood sucked through the carnivorous roots. They waited. A second, then two, then ten. They waited until the moment that it felt like they were going to faint.

Then it happened.

Mahou: +5 Dice, +22 Dice, +16 Dice, +24 Dice, +20 Dice, +5 Dice, +7 Dice, +16 Dice, +10 Dice, +23 Dice = 141 Total Damage

Sahou Rokuki: 605 - 141 = 464 Health Remaining

Bleed Applied!
15 Damage!
Demon Blade: 150 -15 = 135 Health Remaining

"Gah!" Sahou let out as he hurled over, blood spilling out of his lips. The roots instantly removed their thorns from Demon Blade's body but it was too late. His muscular form shook as the roots connected to his body was set alight by a bright green flame. Spreading everywhere, the garden quickly began to turn into an ethereal inferno, one that only the two on the rooftop could see. The roots slammed into the ground as if in pain, the building almost seeming like it'd be crushed at any moment. With bloodshot eyes, the Youkai Contracter reached out towards Demon Blade as he began to shout. His voice hoarse and scratchy. "What did you do to me?!"

"Mahou(Sorcery) is the power to make the impossible possible. While on the contrary, a Hougi( Secret Arts) user who made a contract with a Youkai like you, has their very existence based in the impossible." Demon Blade explained with a smile as she put a hand on her chest. "Because of this, the two powers don't mix. Like matter and antimatter. And as a magical girl, everything I do is magical. My body, or more specifically, my blood is made out of magic. Which means..."

The one who spoke next wasn't Demon Blade, but rather, the one who had thought of this solution. For once, Momohime Tsukigami was able to speak with her mouth as Demon Blade. And the girl had come- To deliver Sahou's fatal mistake. "For a blood sucking Youkai like yours, my blood is akin to poison."

"That's- That's-" Sahou couldn't finish his sentence before his stomach churned and a heaping pile of bile vomited from his mouth. The stench was overpowering, but Demon Blade ignored it as she watched the desperate man try to regain control of his body. "Hah… Hah… That's bullshit dammit! That's so unfair! What the hell?!"

"It is what it is." Demon Blade simply said as she stood up. "Since you've only been contracted for a week, it's understandable that there are things you have yet to realize. The relationship between the weighted world and the night world is quite complex. I don't fully understand it myself, but the things I do comprehend I turn into my weapons."

"Shit! Dammit! Fuck!" The office man cursed, no sign of the calm persona he had at the beginning of the battle. Sahou pushed himself on to his feet, his legs shaky as he shouted. "My roots may not work on you…. but a tree also has branches! I'm already a dead man walking, the spring of my youth has already passed, that's why…"

He put a hand to his chest, nails digging into his flesh as Momohime's eyes widened. "In order to make the flowers grow, I have to sacrifice my life! Puddle of Red - Withered Bloom!"

Cost: 400 HP
Sahou Rokuki: 464 - 400 = 64HP

Lifeblood Stack Used!
Sahou Rokuki: 64 + 100 HP = 164 HP

With a sickening crack, the man's form began to twist and morph. His flesh turning into a dry bark, spiky branches shooting out from this body. The smell of decay and rust hung over the rooftop as he grew, taller and taller until he towered over Demon Blade. He could hardly be called human anymore, his steps carrying a heavy weight that caused the remaining concrete to buckle and crack beneath him. Sahou didn't speak any more, instead he could only let out a wailing cry. In a blow of fury and rage, he swung his wooden fist at Demon Blade. But…

"Too easy." The magical girl declared as she easily evaded her blow, sheathing her sword. "This form you've created was born out of your desperation. Slow and cowardly. That heavy heart of yours, will be your undoing."

"Demon Blade…" Momohime warned, causing the swordswoman to sigh.

"I know, I know." The swordswoman replied as she twisted her grip and dashed into position. Not off to the side of the wooden giant but rather, standing directly in front of it. "Killing is forbidden. A raging storm is a bit too much but the rapid gale should do the trick. Now, let's do this right."

The magical girl took a deep breath before time seemed to slow down once more.

"Blade Art Number 3."

Light fingers, light feet, light weight. The wind was their guide on this starry night. Floating on the breeze, the path to victory was opened.

"Ripples on a Pond…"

Cost: 125 HP

Crescent Moon: 200 Base Damage, +N/A Dice, -25 Holding Back = 175 Total Damage
Sahou Rokuki: 35 Base Resilience, +N/A Dice = 35 Total Reduction

140 End Damage

Sahou Rokuki: 164 - 140 = 24 Health Remaining
Muramasa Blade: 266 - 125 = 141 Health Remaining

Bleed!
15 Damage!
Demon Blade: 135 - 15 = 120 Health Remaining

In one slice, Demon Blade drew her blade. Extending from her blade, the phantom wind ripped forward with a howl. It was weightless, formless. The wooden giant didn't stand a chance. In one breath, it ripped past the back that made up the thing's skin. Blood splattered through the air as the man fell onto his knees. Slowly, his transformation came undone, and Sahou landed on the ground with a dull thump. Like a trick of the light, the roots connected to his body all began to vanish as his body visibly deteriorated, the youkai no longer able to hold the form it had granted him.

"And thus, victory is ours." The swordswoman declared as she slowly walked over to where Sahou had landed. With a delicate hand, she reached out and let a sigh of relief after finding he had only been knocked out cold instead of dying. "Are you happy, Momohime?"

"N, Not yet." The office lady gave a feeling reminiscent of shaking her head and Demon Blade rolled her eyes. "He's still contracted with the Youkai right? I'm afraid… That he might cause more harm with it if we just let him go here."

"So, an exorcism is it?" The magical girl sighed as she placed a hand on Sahou's back. "Then I suppose that this is Good Night, isn't it?"

"Yeah, good night-"

Colors blinded her view and consciousness faded.

Momohime didn't open her eyes.

The young woman found herself drowning in an unending sea. The last time that she was here, all she could do was sink to the bottom until she arrived at her destination.

That wasn't the case now. Experience is the mother of learning and whatever spell the her on the other side of the mirror had cast, it kept her form stable. She didn't need to worry about throwing her weight around and recalling herself. Like a child in the ocean, she had been given floaties.

And so, she swam

Deeper.

Deeper.

Into the shallow depths of the ocean.

Until eventually the veil of the dream lifted. The darkness was replaced with light, and the place that she found herself was-

"A library?" Momohime Tsukigami blinked as she took in the library before her. It was destroyed, books scattered about everywhere as the foundations began to crumble around her. Slowly she picked up a page off the ground and tried to read it. Only, she found that her eyes glazed over the text. The letters were written in animals and the young woman swore that half of it was written in the color grey. What little she could make out of it was pure nonsensical gibberish. Words that individually made sense but when put together failed to make a sentence. And every time that she looked away she found that the text changed into something else entirely. "What… is this?"

"Everyone has a different way of perceiving the world." Her own voice answered her. Momohime looked up to watch as Demon Blade jumped down from one of the bookshelves. "Our memories, our thoughts, our imaginations, the consciousness of those who exist in the weighted world are all unique. It is a matter of course that no two horizons would ever be the same."

The kimono wearing woman trailed her finger across the bookshelf. "Now, I believe the book that we're searching for is… Ah, here we are."

Gently, she took a book so thin it's pages almost vanished in the light off the shelf. Without a single care, she tossed it towards the office woman who caught it with a yelp. "That should guide us forward. Read it, if you will."

"Um, alright…" Momohime nodded as she turned the pages of the book.

"Once there was a mighty tree.
As sturdy as could be.
It looked up at the sky, aimed to grow just as tall.
Believing that nothing would ever make it fall."

The children's book vanished from her hand in a burst of light and suddenly, the library began to fix itself. Demon Blade simply nodded as the books around them began to fly. The magical girl began to march forward and Momohime quickly began to match her pace as she watched the world change around them in awe. It wasn't until one of the flying books smacked her in the face did the young woman realize they had reached the end of the path. The her on the other side of the mirror gave her a flat look and Momohime let out an awkward laugh as she picked the book up.

"But the seed it was born from had grown sick and weary.
And there was no time for the tree to be teary.
Thus alone, it entered the forest.
Realizing now, that it was just part of the chorus."

Again, the book vanished. And suddenly Momohime could hear the chirping of birds in the distance. The pair continued to walk, continued to read, and every time they did the library around them grew brighter. More vibrant. Life once again filling it's forgotten halls.

"The other trees were cruel.
But it obeyed their rules.
If happiness was at the end of it all.
The tree could bear this dreadful haul."

"When they stole its name, the tree didn't care.
A tiny sin was easy to bear.
As it's roots withered and it's sturdy bark dried.
Not one tear, did the tree allow itself to cry."

"One day, with a weary sigh.
The tree looked up, and found it could not see the sky.
'Is this what I've allowed myself to become' it wondered.
Before he realized it, all of his strength had been plundered."

"Day by day, and the tree grew numb.
The pain it felt, on it's tongue fell dumb.
As it rotted away as the other trees thrall.
It received a call."

"His reason, his hope, could take it no more.
The tree it was born from had fallen to the floor.
Yet it wasn't allowed to mourn.
Cowering when the other trees showed their thorns."

"The mighty tree had grown withered and dried.
One might even think it had already died.
Beyond the horizon, a seed landed in his heart.
To find the strength to stand again, it's wisdom it did impart."

"'Take back what you've lost, and once more grow mighty'.
The tree nourished itself on blood, no longer flighty.
As the forest withered away, the only thing it could say.
Was that this forest of thieves, were the ones that must pay."

The library had become alive once more, and as it's thanks, one more book floated over to them. And yet, it's pages were blank. The story had ended there.

'No.' Thought Momohime, with a shake of her head. 'Now it's up to us to write the ending.'

As the duo began to walk forward once more, the library behind them vanished only to be replaced with a familiar sight. Once more had they arrived at someone's beach, the wide sea stretching forward. And growing on that horizon was a withered tree. The two women looked at each other before nodding as together they took the step forward. Walking on top of the water, they navigated through the turbulent waves before eventually arriving at the base of the tree.

But the sight they saw was not one the young woman expected to see.

"It's…" She stuttered out as she looked upwards. "It's eating him?!"

Yes, in the middle of the tree's girth, stood the man who had caused this pain himself. He hung from it's branches upside down, his blood mixing in with the sea as his body was slowly fusing with the Youkai he had contracted with. Still, surprisingly, he was conscious as he lifted up his head. The tears that spilled out of the corner of his eyes were blood red, but Momohime could still see his eyes glancing between the two women before he let out a hollow laugh. "Huh. So we were coworkers after all. Never thought the magic girl was you though… Pardon me, I seem to have forgotten your name."

"Momohime." The young woman introduced herself to the man, for what was probably the first time. "Momohime Tsukigami."

"...Pfft." Despite the situation, he laughed. "They let you get away with that name in this company?! What kind of magic did you pull?!"

"A-Ah! No, it's more um." Momohime fidgeted nervously. "No one really pays attention to me… Wait! More importantly!"

The office lady glanced at her magical girl self before frantically pointing at theYoukai in front of them. "What's going on here?!"

"Isn't that obvious?" Demon Blade replied as she ran a hand through her hair. "The contract they have has been fulfilled. And with nothing to anchor himself to the weighted world…"

The phrasing instantly reminded Momohime of the guide books she had read over the past few days.

"Get along with your Youkai partner, and anchor yourself to this world." She muttered. "Otherwise you'll lose yourself to the night… This was what it meant?"

"Of course things would end up this way." The man simply sighed, even as the rest of his lower body was swallowed by the bloodsucking tree. "The wish that I made was to be able to get back what I lost. The Jubokko already fulfilled it's part of the contract when I managed to restore myself to the state I was in before joining that accursed company. I had planned to go one step beyond and take everyone else down with me but, well, you stopped me before I could go through with it. I suppose I should thank you?"

"Free from the limitations of the contract, the Youkai has now set it's eyes on taking the man's existence for himself." The magical girl explained before turning to meet his gaze. "Tell me, ***** *******, you don't even remember your name any more do you?"

"Right on the money." The salary man nodded solemnly. "My life, who I am, everything feels like it's drifting away from me. No, perhaps it was because I was already this far gone that I made a contract with the Jubokko. It's… far too late for me."

The words pricked at Momohime's skin. Her fist tightened as a feeling began to well up inside of her. "And you're just going to accept that?! You're just going to, to fade away here?!"

"And who are you to say that to me?" He retorted with a chuckle. "It's funny. Maybe it's because you're a magical girl but... As everything else turns numb, my memories of you become all the more vivid. That's why I can say with confidence, that while the company turned me into a hollow human being, you were already empty long before you joined."

"T-That's…" The office lady timidly looked at the ground. She couldn't say anything in response. After all, even she knew that what the man had said was completely true. Momohime turned to look at Demon Blade before suddenly her eyes widened. "Ah."

Ah.

She understood now.

Why his words made her so mad.

Because when she looked at the faded office worker in front of her, it was like she was staring at herself.

Demon Blade shifted her gaze towards Momohime and shrugged. "Mirrors reflect the physical forms of humans, but their souls are reflected in other people."

This was what Magical Girl Demon Blade saw when she looked at Momohime Tsukigami. An empty human, with no past or future. Forever living in the present, working day by day at a company that ground her into the dust. When she looked at the Youkai Contractor, for the first time really looked at herself. And a part of her that she had long forgotten looked back.

"You realize it now right?" The magical girl said as Momohime nodded and turned away from her physical reflection. "What you're lacking. What's needed to sharpen our blades. Go ahead and say it."

For a moment there was silence. A tense one. They were running out of time and they both knew it. Still, Momohime needed the silence to gather her thoughts. And when she was ready, the princess spoke.

"...It's scary isn't it." The office lady began with a sigh. "We complained about how that company was draining us dry, but at the same time it was smothering us. At the very least, we knew that if we could keep working there we would at the very least survive. I… think that in the end, both of us, we were too afraid. Too afraid to try and leave."

The man was silent, but at the very least he was listening, and so Momohime kept talking. "I remember that trick you pulled, the Root Weave. The situation we were in is like that. The path forward was blocked by thorns, oppressive, everywhere. We couldn't strike out on our own, because we knew if we failed we'd truly lose our life."

"There's no point in risking it." The man hung his head. "We have no future. There's no point in trying to live, so the very least we could do is to survive."

A week ago, she probably would've agreed. But, things were different now. She was different now.

"No!" The young woman shook her head furiously. "That's not true! Not in the slightest!"

Because ever since Magical Girl Demon Blade appeared, Momohime Tsukigami had Awoken from that daze.

"I get it now! The thing that was taken from us! What we needed in order to really be alive!" The princess shouted before pointing at him and pouring her heart into her words. "The only thing that we need to have is Courage!"

"Courage?!" The man roared back, only a quarter of his body left. "Are you listening to yourself?! When every road forward leads to pain, you seriously think courage is the answer!?"

"Yes!" Momohime declared. "Don't you get it?! Of course there's going to be pain in the world beyond! But to live your life, you need to face that pain! That's the only way you're going to create a path forward!"

"No way! I-I can't!" He denied as the tree swallowed him up to his head. It's useless! I'm already dead! Living a life now is impossible!"

"If you don't try, that possibility will always remain impossible!" The young woman's words were weighty, striking the man like a gong. "Believe in that magic! That power called courage! Do you really want to die here?!"

The man fell silent as he glimpsed. Slowly, the Jubokko gobbled him up more and more. Momohime's eyes never wavered, staring at him intently even as his face began to be gobbled up into the youkai. It was as the last possible moment, just as he was about to go silent into the night, did he let out a cry. It was weak, the desperate call of someone on the verge of going beyond the horizon. But for the first time, Sahou Rokuki sounded like he was truly alive.

"I-I don't want to die!" His mouth screamed out as he was swallowed whole. "Please! Save me!"

"Of course!" The young woman glanced at her reflection before with an open hand, gesturing at the youkai in front of them. "Magical Girl Demon Blade! This Momohime commands you! Exorcise his demons!"

"Very well, my princess(heart)." The swordswoman drew her sword and smiled. "I shall bring this dream to an end."

And with that, Demon Blade lept towards the youkai and began to slash. Withered bark met bloodthirsty steel as the magical girl assaulted the Jubokko's body. Slicing and dicing, she carved her way through the creature. It writhed and attempted to pierce her flesh, but in this realm the Magical Girl was weightier. Almost untouchable, her assault never faltered. Eventually, the two women began to see him. The man's flesh poking out of the tree.

When it had reached the point that his entire arm was visible, did the young woman move.

"Momohime, wait!" Demon Blade cried, but the princess ignored the carnage around her as she dashed towards the man.

"Sahou Rokuki!" Momohime Tsukigami called out as she stretched out her hand. "If you want to live, then have courage and take my hand!"

The hand twitched, heastiting, before in a jolt of action it desperately grabbed on to her hand. Momohime smiled before with all her might, began to pull the man out of the youkai. Thorny roots dashed towards her feet only to be swiftly cut down by the magical girl. She turned towards her reflection as Demon Blade silently joined grabbed her hand. The two sides of the mirror gave an identical smile in unison before together as one, they pulled.

In one pull, Sahou Rokuki was hauled out of the youkai, collapsing on to the ocean waves. The man took deep breaths, wearily giving a surprised laugh before he closed his eyes. Momohime quickly rushed to check his condition only for Demon Blade to grab her shoulders and shake her head. "The fact that he's still here means he's alive. We have more pressing concerns right now."

The Jubokko went at a wailing scream as it tried to grab on to its former host only for Demon Blade to swiftly cut down the approaching screams. Together, the two girls spoke as one. "Your contract with the man is already complete! There's nothing anchoring you to this world anymore! Be gone from the Light, and return to the World of the Night!"

Desperately, the Youkai tried to claw itself back towards Sahou, but the sea resisted it. The ocean's waves crashing into the tree, ramming it farther and farther back before ultimately, the impossible creature sunk beneath the waves and drowned in the horizon. The duo glanced at each other, waiting for anything else to occur before they decided to say the magic words. "Exorcism Complete."

Instantly, a wave of exhaustion hit the poor office woman. With a mighty sigh, Momohime collapsed on to her feet. Despite this being a dream, she could feel her heart beating in her chest as she shared a glance with Demon Blade before letting out an exhausted laugh. "I-I can't believe I'm alive…"

"That was adequate." The magical girl replied, all though she was smiling. "Your display will serve well as inspiration. Perhaps I'll be able to complete my sword after all."

"Complete your sword huh?" The mousy woman glanced at the man next to her before giving a wistful. Slowly, her hand moved to clutch her chest. "This feeling in my chest… so this is courage huh? I wonder how much I've truly lost, if I was able to go so long without realizing I was missing this."

Momohime paused before glancing up at Demon Blade. "Do you think that if I continue to encounter Youkai Contractors, I'll be able to find out?"

"It's certainly possible." Demon Blade nodded as she sheathed her sword. "Of course, you'd need my help if you wanted to do such a thing."

"T-Then!" The office lady bowed her head at the magical girl. "Please, work with me from now on!"

"...Get up." The swordswoman declared and Momohime let out an 'eep' as she picked herself off the floor. "You fool. You don't even need to ask. We're one in the same after all."

"R-Right!" The young woman held a hand out towards herself. "So, um, does that make us partners then?"

"Right." Her reflection mirrored as she grabbed her hand. "We're partners, forever and always."

To complete her sword. To complete herself.

Among the twisting waves, at the edges of the horizon. Momohime Tsukigami Awoke.

When the office lady opened her eyes, the sun was already rising. She could hear the sound of sirens from the top of the building, flashing lights down below. With a tired groan, she began to wipe the filth off her uniform before pausing and gazing at the man in front of her.

Sahou Rokuki was nothing like he was in the night. His muscles had all but vanished, leaving him as a thin and gangly man with skin as pale as a corpse. The mousy woman stared at the man who had caused last night's destruction before a sigh escaped her lips.

"Well I can't just leave him here." She muttered before walking forward and pulling him over her shoulders. "Come on, let's get you out of here. We can turn in our resignation letters together."

In the midst of the twilight, they walked off together.

"...And that's basically what happened." Momohime finished as she took a sip of her tea.

"My my." Kongiku, beautiful as always, put a hand to her face as she let out a sigh. "To think that you would encounter another Youkai so soon. I apologise, I didn't think you needed any protection but…"

"N-No! You don't have to apologise!" The mousy woman frantically waved her hands to prevent the Kitsune from bowing. "It's no one's fault really! You couldn't have seen this coming!"

"That's where you're unfortunately wrong. It is precisely my job to have predicted this. And for that, the fault lies on me." Her orange robes folded as she let out a sigh. "At the very least, thanks to you, the only thing that we needed to do was clean up the mess."

"Ah, yeah…" Momohime let out as she stared into her tea. About a day had passed since the incident at her office and already things had changed so much. At the very least, Sahou wasn't going to be walking away unpunished. The office lady didn't exactly stick around long enough to learn what truth had been imposed upon him but at the very least, Japan's Paranormal Response team were quick to craft a narrative that made sense with the damage he had caused.

It didn't exactly sit right with her but at the same time, she couldn't deny that Sahou had hurt people. He couldn't be tried on the crimes he actually committed, so at the very least this would have to do.

"But I have to say, to think that your involvement would cause so many problems." Kongiku gave a tired sigh. Though to Momohime, the act just looked like a sensual exaggeration. "The weight of a magical girl is so immense, you're quite a popular topic online you know?"

The young woman blinked as she tilted her head. "Huh?"

"Just think about it. A mysterious magical girl in a kimono appearing out of nowhere, claiming to have come to fight a monster only to vanish just as suddenly." The kitsune waved her arms as she gestured in the air. "I had hoped that your connection to the night would have obscured you but it seems to have only half worked. Memories of your actions are hazy with the details changing every time they're recalled. And then of course there's the people who didn't see you, whose memories are in conflict with the reality of the people who did. This disconnect that you've caused can't be patched up so easily, and it's set the internet a flame with theories. Quite the headache, but nothing you need to be particularly worried about."

Yon, ever the tired fox, gave a flat 'Yip' causing Kongiku to suddenly panic and bow her head again. "Not to say that I'm not grateful for your assistance! If a Stage 2 Youkai were to have manifested, it would've been a disaster!"

"A Stage 2 Youkai? That's…" Momohime tried to recall the guide books she had read before pausing as she realized what the beautiful fox woman was trying to say. "That would be when the Jubokko tried to eat Sahou, wasn't it?"

"That is correct." Kongiku nodded solemnly. "Youkai who have made a contract with creatures in the weighted world are what we call Stage 1. When those Youkai then consume their contractors and take their existential weight for themselves, we call that Stage 2. There is a stage beyond this but that is the greatest impossibility of all impossibilities."

"I-I see…" Momohime stuttered out as she took a sip of her tea, muttering under her breath. "S-So, I still have a lot to learn huh…"

"You'll get used to it with time." The kitsune consoled her. "If anything, you'll have a lot more free time now. With all the media attention your old company is receiving, it won't be long now until it finally goes bankrupt."

"Actually, about that!" Momohime let out as with a fluster she reached into her pocket to pull out a certain brochure. More specifically, the Government Opportunities For Contractors Seeking Employment. "There's actually already a job that I'm thinking of applying for."

She slid the paper forward, gesturing to where she had circled. Kongiku bent over to look at the paper for letting out a sound. "Oh my! Really? You want to be an exorcist?"

"Y-Yes!" The (former) office lady nodded firmly before fidgeting. "I… I don't really recall the contract that I made with the Muramasa Blade. But I get the feeling that the more I learn about myself, the closer I'll be to remembering my wish. And becoming an exorcist feels like that's the best way I can do so."

"Well, certainly, your unique abilities give you quite the talent for it, and having a magical girl amongst our ranks is sure to boost morale. I'm happy it's what you want to do but…" The kitsune gave a nervous sigh as she continued to speak. "For us at the Tokyo Branch, the exam to become an exorcist usually takes place every six months. If you had come earlier I would've whole heartedly recommended it but right now the exam is only two weeks away. While what I hear about Magical Girl Demon Blade's abilities makes me believe she could easily pass, the problem is, well… Forgive me for putting it bluntly but the problem is you, Momohime."

A lightning bolt ran through the young woman as her eyes widened and she leaned back. "E-Eh?!"

"There's a lot of things that go into being a good exorcist." Kongiku wagged her fingers as she began to lecture. "But right now, you don't particularly have the time to train the skills you need. Since this is only the examination for the Low-Ranked Exorcists, you can probably get by if you specialize but you'd need to go through some rather hellish training if you want to get one of your skills to an adequate level by the time the examination comes. Honestly, I'd recommend waiting for the next one to come around…"

Momohime paused to think about it before shaking her head. "No, I'm sorry but I want to become an exorcist as fast as possible. A-And besides, I'm a former black company employee, I'm already used to working until I'm dead!"

"...That is a truly heartbreaking thing to hear a young woman like you say, but if you insist." The kitsune nodded before moving into the back of her temple and pulling out a piece of parchment. Dipping her brush in ink, she began to write. The first word was Physical. "There are three main skills that you need to work on. The first being your physical stamina and strength. Demon Blade already has a good grasp on this but your frame is still weak Momohime. I believe it's important you try and strengthen yourself, but of the three it's not particularly the most pressing."

The second word was Intellect. "The most important skill for an exorcist, above all else, will always be your deduction skills. Not just for problem solving, but oftentimes you will find yourself having to solve mysteries as well. As such, this will play a large focus in your exam. You seem like you've got a good head on your shoulders, but training your intellect is guaranteed to benefit you in the long run."

The third and final word was Night. "And of course, an exorcist must be skilled and proficient in manners regarding the world beyond the horizon. From expertise on how Youkai operate to skill in Hougi, if Intellect was the most important skill then this would be the defining trait of exorcists. Considering your unique situation, I'm not sure how much I'll be able to teach you regarding techniques for yourself, but you'll most definitely find your footing in the Night World to be much more solid."

Kongiku glanced at the paper before nodding and sliding it in front of Momohime. The ink was still wet as the former office lady glanced at the paper. "Pick carefully now, we don't have time to change things half way if you decide you want to focus on something else."

Momohime nodded silently. A minute passed, then two. Without any interruptions, she weighed the pros and cons of each option in her head. Before finally…

She made her decision and nodded. "What I want to focus on now is.."

[] Physical Specialization
[] Intellect Specialization
[] Arts Specialization

Case EXP Round Up!

+3 EXP Get out of the way!
+5 EXP Weightless Escape!
+5 EXP Rescue your coworkers!
+10 EXP Defeated Sahou!
+15 EXP Exorcise the Jubokko!
+3 EXP Regained: Courage!
+5 EXP Life Changing Decision!

+10 EXP Case 2: Roots to Courage complete!

46 + 48 = 94 Total EXP!

-[] Spend EXP?

AN: Why is this update so long? Don't answer that, I know exactly why. Originally this fight was going to be a two parter ending when Withered Bloom was used, but then I looked at the numbers and low and behold Sahou was one-shottable. It didn't exactly feel like a challenge so I just finished the fight here. Second time this has happened if I recall correctly... I'm still learning and experimenting with the battle system so I may make mistakes some times.

To make things clear, this isn't going to be deciding Momohime's specilization forever. An exorcist needs all three traits. This is just choosing the specialization you're going into the exam with. That being said, you still don't know what the exam consists of, so choose wisely~

Oh and in case I haven't mentioned it before. The one who makes these lovely graphics is @Familiar . Give him a hand, the spot light weaknes him enough that he won't be able to escape.

InfiniteDaze · Feb 18, 2021

It was hard for Momohime to believe that her life could change so suddenly. Yet in the blink of an eye, the things that she used to take for granted had been stripped away from her. To be quite honest, the former office worker wasn't sure how to process it. Luckily, she had someone to express her emotions for her.

"We're free!" Chika proclaimed over the phone for the fifth time in the past three minutes. "You hear that Momohime?! Freedom! WHEEEE!"

"I know, I know." Momohime replied with an awkward smile. "It was only a matter of time, really."

With all the constant media attention that was being hounded on her old workplace, it's darkness was quickly exposed to the light. For days, the news had been filled with a constant stream of testimonials. It wasn't long before the company's name had suffocated in the mud. After all, even if the horrible work culture it participated in wasn't anything unique to them, nobody likes to see a black stain on their clothing. And it wasn't like it was a particularly large company either. Faced with the constant battering ram, eventually the dam broke and it did the one thing it could do - Go broke.

"Ah, I feel so refreshed!" Chika exclaimed with a breath of relief. "I've gotten a full night's rest for several days in a row!! Days! And those bastards were even forced to give severance pay as well! Not having to work at all is bliss~!"

"I-Is that so?" The mousy woman replied with nervous laughter. "I've been busy so I haven't been able to relax."

"What?!" Momohime had to pull the phone away from her ear as Chika roared. "Who're the bastards forcing you to suffer?! You deserve this vacation just as much as I do!"

"Oh! No! It's nothing like that, really!" She spoke quickly. "This is something I've chosen to take on myself."

"You trying to find a new apartment or something?" Her friend replied casually. "I can help you out if you want. I have so much free time now I don't even know what to do with it! In fact, we definitely need to meet up sometime soon! Treat ourselves for surviving that hell. Have a girl's day out, you know?"

"Well, um, hopefully my schedule clears up soon!" Momohime cheered, though her voice wasn't really into it. "The thing is…"

There was a sound of deep silence as Chika processed her response. "...Are you serious? You're trying to get another job?! Momohime, you aren't a workaholic right?!"

"I wish I was. Then this might be bearable... " She muttered to herself before shaking her head. Now, how to put this without saying anything about the Night World. "But it's not really anything like a full time job, really! It's more like I'm trying to get my government license in order to practice it? I'll probably still be working closely with the government but I'm honestly not sure about employment status."

"I dunno, this sounds pretty sketchy to me." Chika responded. "If you insist you can go through with it but if they ever start mistreating you, call me up right away! I have power now! No matter who they are, I'll expose their evil schemes and rescue you from danger!"

"Chika!" Momohime whined. "I'm not that helpless… Really!"

"If you say so~" Her friend intoned in a sing-song voice, causing the mousy woman to make an offended noise. The two former office ladies paused before sharing a laugh. Soon however, Chika's laughter died down as she began to speak in a wistful tone. "A job huh… You're right, I should be putting some thought into my career from here. But whenever I think about working the only thing that comes to my mind is, well, that."

That. That suffocating office. That power abusing boss. That slave-driving workload. That stale, stagnating company that gave off the stench of death and decay.

"I wonder what would've happened if I didn't have you with me Momohime. If I had just been there all by myself." Chika continued on as Momohime closely listened. "Or even if I had just continued on like that, wasting my life away. A slave in all but name. It was basically a miracle that we got out of there really, but at the same time it only happened because someone else snapped first. I'm sure that under different circumstances, I could've ended up just like Satoshi-"

"Sahou." The princess interrupted. "His name is Sahou Rokuki."

"Right, yeah, that's what the news said wasn't it?" Her friend sighed. "I'm just so used to calling him Satoshi that I hadn't even realized…"

No one else had. No one else had ever reached out to him. They were all too busy looking out for their own survival.

"I think you'll be fine." Momohime declared calmly. "Sahou was all alone, but he was also scared. Scared of getting hurt. He kept making excuses and that's what pushed him to act the way he did. I think that as long as you can push back that fear of yours, you can shine bright Chika."

The other woman was silent for a time. Finally, she spoke up again, though the black haired woman couldn't see her on the other end of the line, Momohime knew Chika well enough to tell when she was smiling. "Thanks. Really. But when did you become so wise?"

"U-Um! That's…" When she had awoken as a magical girl and begun fighting enemies unseen by the rest of society. "Let's just say that I had a strange encounter with a tree?"

"Ho ho! Playing Coy I see." Chika playfully replied. "Well, I'll leave it be for now, but one day you have to give me the full story!"

Momohime fidgeted. "I don't think you'd really believe me…"

"Hey, if you can believe in me, then I can believe in you. What goes around comes around, am I right?" The other woman laughed. "Yeah, I can feel my heartbeat pumping! I'm gonna strike while the iron is hot and get to work on my future! This time, nothing's gonna stop me from doing what I want! You take care too, alright Momohime?"

"Yeah, you too Chika." Momohime smiled before the line went dead. Slowly, the aspiring exorcist turned around back towards the shrine behind her.

The waters of the lake seemingly rippled as her reflection was replaced by that of Demon Blades. "She seemed nice."

"She's one of the kindest people I know." Not that it was a particularly high bar. "Though I'm worried she might go and do something reckless. She sounded a bit, um, drunk on life."

"The only blade we have to worry about right now is ours." The magical girl declared as she gave her counterpart a look. "Break time's over."

"Right." Momohime nodded before muttering under her breath. "Here we go again…"

Let's turn the clock back a few days.

The week before had been, quite frankly, hell for Momohime. A familiar hell, but hell nonetheless.

With absolutely no time to waste, the aspiring exorcist had quickly found herself plunged into the murky depths of the Night World. Her chosen field of specialization had Kongiku lecturing her from sunrise to sunset. It had gotten to the point where Momohime had spent nights sleeping at the shrine instead of her own apartment. Though contrary to the slave driving company she had worked at before, the exhaustion reminded the former office lady of her hazy memories of school.

This wasn't even mentioning the things that Kongiku had her do outside of her specialization.

"Well, congratulations Momohime." The kitsune smiled as she placed an envelope on the table. "Your application to take the Exorcist Exam has been approved."

"Yay." The young woman exhaustedly muttered as she slumped over, not even bothering to reach for the letter.

Yes, what her benefactor had neglected to mention was that the Exorcist Exam actually had a pre-test application to actually be able to participate in the main exam. The qualification for which was obvious in hindsight but still put Momohime through the ringer. Because of course someone who exorcised Youkai from the weighted world at the behest of the government would have to know about the laws in place.

"How did so many of these laws even get through into our legislature?" The black haired woman complained as she put a hand to her head. "Wouldn't someone have said something? This is all legal right?"

"Of course it's legal. The bills properly passed through parliament after all." Kongiku smiled serenely. "Whether those not connected to the night world noticed them, however, is a different story."

...Momohime decided to ignore the admission that these laws might as well have been written in invisible ink.

"Moving along." Orange robes furled as the fox lady clapped her hands. "With this, I can proudly say that you've passed the first part of this supplementary class. I was a bit worried at first, but you turned out to be a surprisingly quick learner. It was honestly quite a pleasure to teach you."

"Um, thank you very much?" The young woman nervously laughed. "T-Though not to be rude but your teaching method is a bit…"

"Unorthodox?" Kongiku giggled. "True, true. But this was the technique devised by our founder and leader. It works quite well at getting those not accustomed to the night world into the right mind set."

Momohime glanced at the textbooks sitting next to her. They were, coincidence or not, two of the books she had been given when she first wet her feet in the nightworld. The Ministry of Japan's Official Guide to the Night World, 2e and it's sister book, So You've Just Contracted A Youkai? Things You Should Know. Both of which, as it turned out, had to be read at the same time. Simultaneously. Otherwise the first book made no sense but held crucial information, while the second book made a lot of sense but didn't include what she needed to know.

"This all seems a bit overly complex." Her headache worsened as she just thought about it. "Couldn't you have just spelled it out for me to read?"

"Perhaps." The kitsune answered vaguely. The tone of her voice had become one that was familiar to Momohime. One that signified that she had entered another one of the beauty's tests. "But can you tell me just why it was written this way?"

The aspiring exorcist nodded before beginning to think. That was the first rule of surviving the night world. Never ever take anything at surface value. After all- "The Night World is obscured behind layers of metaphor and symbolism. Even when contracted with those of the weighted world, Youkai still speak in this strange manner. I think this is what the second book refers to as the Yokai Dialect?"

At Kongiku's nod, Momohime continued. "In order to properly convey the Night World, the first book is written entirely in this dialect. But because it's so obscure, the second book is written as a guide that one needs to cross reference with the first book. This slowly teaches the readers how to better understand the Youkai Dialect and the way the night world operates. Um, am I correct?"

"Perfectly spot on." The kitsune nodded, a smile blossoming on her face. "I think that we can now go over to the main part of your training, Hougi."

"Right!" Energy instantly shot through the young woman's veins as she jumped, sitting perfectly straight. "That's the Arts Demon Blade uses, right?"

"Yes and no." Kongiku replied. "Hougi, the Secret Arts, is less of a 'power' per say, but more the manipulation of… Hm, I believe that the best way to explain it to you would be to first bring up what separates it from Mahou. After all, you are both a Mahou and a Hougi user. Tell me, do you feel anything different when you use both powers?"

"Anything different?" The black haired woman blinked before putting a hand to her cheek and tilting her head. "Well Demon Blade is the one who really understands how the power works…"

"Correct." Momohime nearly jumped when she heard her own voice speaking in her head. "I am an existence of Mahou in a weightless world. Just speaking my name can tear many of it's pages asunder. However, I put aside that aspect of my existence."

"Put aside?"

"It would be more accurate to say that I neglected it." Demon Blade elaborated. "It was easy, since there wasn't much magic that I could perform anyways. So I focused my aim on the Arts, for the sake of completing my blade. That night when I first walked the Weighted World was the first time I had ever used the Magical side of my Girlish existence. Considering the things that you have experienced, I'm sure you're also qualified to answer this question."

"The things that I have experienced huh?" The fromer office lady asked herself as she thought back to that first week. The only thing that really stood out to her was- "Ah!"

Kongiku remained silent as Momohime quickly began to babble. "Whenever I go to sleep and find myself at the shrine my form is just a ball of fire until I declare who I am! But when Demon Blade users her ability to enter people's minds, for some reason I feel super stable!"

"Yes, that's an excellent example." Her fox ears twitched as her tail began to waggle. "The analogy most often associated with Mahou(Witchcraft) is construction. Something that I find to be quite apt. Mahou users all have affinities in their souls. When utilizing magic, Mahou users gather in energy and then use their affinities as the structure and foundation in order to use their spells. Even their runes and circles are ultimately just another way of taking energy and crafting it into their desired phenomenon. It is, in essence, a very solid power. One that is both supported and, of course, natural."

"Hougi however, is not an act of creation." The kitsune declared with a wave of her hands. "It is a skill, yes. It is a technique, yes. But most importantly, it is an Art. It is the act of painting using reality as your canvas. To turn simple lines into a greater depth. When those with a connection to the realm beyond the horizon use it to cause phenomena in reality, that is what we refer to as Hougi."

The beauty paused to take a sip of her tea before continuing. "If Mahou literally creates Phenomenon, then Hougi metaphorically causes it. No, in this case, it would be more of a simile then a metaphor."

"I… See?" Momohime let out before she ultimately slumped and glanced away. "Actually… No, I um, I don't. It still sounds like magic to me."

"Yes, it is usually hard for beginners to understand the difference at first." Kongiku consoled her. "After all, to your eyes, you can see what looks like the fantastical occurring right in front of you. Now that your body has grown accustomed to it, the fog of the Night World has begun to obscure your vision. In order to properly utilize Hougi, you must learn to see past your own eyes. Which is what you've been practicing for the past week, right?"

"Oh!" Momohime suddenly exclaimed as she glanced at the books.

With a chuckle, the kitsune reached under the table before placing an unlit candle on to the table. "Now, I'm going to demonstrate the usage of Hougi in a way you should be able to understand. Watch carefully, alright?"

The beauty took in a deep breath before waving her hands above the candle. Under her breath, she chanted something Momohime couldn't hear. It was on the third pass around, when the candle was obscured from the aspiring exorcist's vision, something happened. Almost as if the young woman had blinked and missed it, Momohime suddenly found herself staring at a candle that had been fully lit. A bright green flame burning atop it's wick.

"There." Kongiku declared proudly. "Now, stick your finger in the fire."

"...Excuse me what?" Momohime asked as she leaned back. "I-I must have misheard you."

"Oh is that so? Then I shall repeat, stick your finger in the fire."

The aspiring exorcist reeled. "Seriously?!"

"I assure you that it's perfectly safe." The kitsune placated. "Now, stick your finger in the fire."

Did she have to repeat it like that every time?!

"A-Alright…" Momohime hesitantly lifted her hand before slowly beginning to approach the blaze. Grimacing, the young woman took the plunge and shoved a finger right into its core. Seconds passed as she waited for the pain to come. Only… "Huh?"

"You can see it now right?" Kongiku asked as she began to stroke the flame. "That the fire lighting this candle isn't real."

"It doesn't burn." Her eyes widened as she began to examine the candle closer. "The wick isn't burning, the wax isn't melting. I don't even feel any heat coming from the fire."

"And for the final step," The foxy beauty reached into her bountiful kimono before pulling out a pair of glassless frames. With a smile, she handed them to Momohime. "Please put these on. They'll allow you to see clearly."

"See clearly?" The black haired woman parroted before slowly dawning the frames. Suddenly, as if merely an illusion, both Kongiku and the flame on the candle vanished. "Woah!"

"Don't worry, I'm still here." The vixen's voice rang clear in her ears. "These Frames have been enchanted using Mahou. Many would find it to be a useless device but for those connected to the Night World, it allows one to gain the perspective of those whose visions aren't clouded. As a manifestation of Hougi myself, naturally I'd disappear from view. But please, focus your attention on the candle."

Momohime's eyes glanced back to the now unlit candle on the table. For a moment, she wondered just what it was she was looking for before she realized it. "It's still glowing?!"

"Quite so. As if the candle was lit, we bask in it's glow." She heard Kongiku intone. The former office lady yelped as suddenly, the candle was lifted off the table by something she couldn't see. "And as if someone was there, the candle began to move on its own. Ah, you can take off the frames now."

The aspiring exorcist quickly took off the glasses only to find Kongiku holding the candle, an amused smile on her face. Momohime gave her a look. "That's not funny!"

"Oh don't pout." Kongiku struggled to contain her giggles. Pout? Who was pouting?! Momohime didn't pout! "You see now what I mean right? Hougi users paint over reality with metaphors in order to cause phenomena to happen. But in the end, we're still restricted to the 'likes' and 'as'. That is to say, like Youkai contracts, Arts need a specific object in the weighted world for the technique to hold. We call this the 'anchor'."

"Now for Youkai contractors like Yon." The fox in question lifted her head upon hearing her name. Momohime watched as it trotted over to the table before plopping it's head down upon her lap. "Your first Art is something that the Youkai gives you as part of the contract. Typically it's anchored in the users themselves. For example, the Savage Bloodlust of the Amanojaku user. 'As if his rage was contagious, his spirit polluted the world around him. Or the Withered Bloom of the Jubokko 'Like a mighty tree, he stood steadfast'. Though I will admit that you are a… special case. I've never heard of someone starting with two Arts before."

"Three." Demon Blade corrected, though only Momohime could hear her. "I've created three blade arts during my travels."

Momohime quickly relayed the magical girl's words, causing Kongiku nod thoughtfully. "I see. All of her Arts were something she devised herself? That's… unusual."

"Is there something wrong with creating Arts?" The young woman asked.

Kongiku chuckled. "No, no. Like I said, just unusual. For a Youkai Contractor that is. But the night world is wide, and there exist those who have no contract and focus their efforts on perfecting their Arts instead. In a sense, Demon Blade seems to be more like them than your average Contractor. The ones who we call the Onmyouji."

The kitsune paused before suddenly her eyes widened. "Ah, I see now. So that's what she means by seeking 'Inspiration'. Yes, this is an excellent time to move into the second part of Hougi."

With a swirl of her fingers, the fire on the flame began to flicker. "Unlike the practitioners of Mahou, Hougi users aren't limited to the Affinities in their souls. As long as one has the understanding of a concept, one can utilize it in their art. They are the ink to the anchor's paint brush. This well of colors that can be drawn from are the latter half of an Art, it's 'Attributes'. Take the candle in front of you for instance. Right now, I've only given this Art the element of 'Light' but if I were to add the 'Flame' attribute..."

Her fingers snapped, and suddenly Momohime could feel a burning heat in front of her. The smell of smoke filled her nose as melting wax hit the basin with a splotch. "Only now does it correlate to the phenomena of 'a lit candle'."

Kongiku waved her hands, snuffing the candle out. "It sounds quite simple no? But the truth is, having enough understanding to truly comprehend an attribute is quite a difficult task. Many spend days, weeks, months, and sometimes even years studying one specific element. More often than not though, it comes simply from life experience. This is what Demon Blade seeks when she wants inspiration. Although a more accurate word for it would be 'Enlightenment'."

Though she couldn't see it, the aspiring exorcist could feel her counterpart nod her head silently.

"Youkai however, are made up of attributes." The kitsune continued. "Sometimes, you may find, there is very little difference between an Art and a Youkai. I am like a painting, my body composed of many different colors in order to give the illusion of the being known as 'Kongiku'. Most humans also have an unconscious understanding of attributes, which forms their personality. By gaining a connection to the Night World, your memories, your thoughts, you become the paint that fills your palette."

Yon gave a tired sigh before rolling over on Momohime's legs. Idly, the aspiring exorcist began to stroke the fox's fur, and she responded in turn by snuggling up to her. An exhausted smile appeared on Kongiku's face. "And of course, there's the backlash. In the world of ever shifting tides, there's little holding one back from painting the medium. The weighted world however, has a disdain for such a fluid power. To cause a phenomenon without constructing something is unnatural. One has to push against the world itself to dye it in their colors. For simple Hougi like what I displayed, the cost of such is physical exhaustion. But the works which can properly be called Arts take a toll on their users' health."

"In our case, the Muramasa Blade is the one taking the brunt of it." Demon Blade grunted. "The mixing of Hougi and Mahou cause it to become unstable. Too much of this, and it shatters."

"...H-Honestly this is a lot to take in all at once?" Momohime replied, scratching her cheek. "I think it's going to give me a headache if I think about it too much."

"Well, intuitive understanding will become instinct with time." Kongiku smiled. "And of course, the clock is striking now. From this moment onwards, you're going to be spending the rest of the week learning how to cast Arts."

"Eh?!" The aspiring exorcist exclaimed. "Now?! Already!?"

"But of course. After all, you have one major weakness." The kitsune pointed at Momohime, looking her dead in the eye with all due seriousness. "You've been talking to Demon Blade throughout this conversation, am I right? And when Demon Blade takes over, you're still conscious. But during that time, you can't speak, am I right?"

"That's, that's right." The aspiring exorcist nodded. "Demon Blade has control over my entire body. I can't really do anything when she's active. Is… that bad?"

"In certain situations, it could be fatal." Kongiku declared. "For instance, if you figure something out and need to tell someone, you have to first tell Demon Blade and have her relay the message. During hectic and tense moments, this delay could cause injury, death, or even something much worse. Simply put, your inability to act is a major burden. Luckily, it also coincides with the basics of all Arts. It is what allows me to be here in this very room with you even though I don't exist. The projection of the self."

Standing up, a fox tail trailed behind the woman as she moved a mirror over to the room. "Now, I believe from what you say that Demon Blade already has a good understanding of the principle-"

"I've figured it out." The magical girl in question interrupted as she took Momohime's place in the reflection. Both of the women in the weighted world jumped as her voice entered the room. "No, to be more accurate, I've figured out a variant of it. But I feel very little need to project myself into the waking world. Right now, being the other side of the mirror is enough to satisfy me."

"Hm…" Kongiku muttered as she leaned in closer to the mirror. "So you're the magical girl in question. It's a pleasure to meet you, Magical Girl Demon Blade."

"A pleasure." She nodded in response. "But I do believe that the one who you should be focusing on is Momohime and not myself."

"Yes!" The kitsune nodded before turning over to Demon Blade's other side. "Momohime, for the next week you will learn how to project yourself into the weighted world in one form or another. Failure is not an option."

Kongiku's eyes narrowed and Momohime felt a shiver go down her spine. "If you fail to do so then I will revoke your right to take the exorcist exam. Do you understand?"

"I-It's a bit sudden but I understand." Suddenly every second seemed to tick against the aspiring exorcist's skin. "But, um, I don't really know where to start?"

"That is not a problem." The fox lady smiled as she glanced at Demon Blade in the mirror. "I'm your teacher, and I'll help to guide you through this. A unique situation requires a unique method, after all. For starters, I have an idea that requires Demon Blade's cooperation to implement..."

Now, the present.

Tick tock.

Sitting in a dark room was a certain woman in a Kimono. Her eyes were closed, her body sitting perfectly still as she sat in seiza. Fragrances of incense entered her nose as she breathed in deeply. The Muramasa Blade sat on the floor, it's bloodlust sealed behind several talismans. In this moment, Magical Girl Demon Blade was the embodiment of serenity.

Momohime, the girl inside her, was a different story.

"AH!" She screamed again as she tried once more to project herself. "C-Come on…!"

The swordswoman opened her eyes before mummering under her breath. "Not even close."

"Why…" The aspiring exorcist moaned. Ever since the day Kongiku had declared her ultimatum, this is where she had found herself spending most of her time. The training was simple in theory. While Demon Blade was in control, she would sit in this stagnant room and meditate. All Momohime had to do was project herself on to reality, and the training would be over. "But that doesn't explain how I'm supposed to do such a thing!"

"I already told you, I can't guide you." The magical girl replied. "We have the same color, but different shades. You will have to figure out a method that works for you on your own."

"But I can't figure anything out on my own!" Momohime cried. "I'm slow and dull and-"

"Calm yourself." Demon Blade instructed, not moving a muscle. "You aren't going to get anywhere if you panic."

"Right, right." Momohime took a moment to collect herself before she sighed, or she would have if she could move. "Sorry this is just… Getting to me."

Uncaring to her feelings, the clock was marching forward. She could do nothing to fight time as she was forced to sit here in this dark room. The aspiring exorcist felt a gnawing sense of anxiety form within her stomach while the rest of her cares drifted away. A prisoner to her own body, Momohime felt a sense of weightlessness. With no way to interact with the world around her, did she even qualify as being real?

"Quit that dangerous line of thought." The magical girl sniped. "If you continue to deny your own existence, you'll never go back to who you are."

"It's not like I was denying who I was." Momohime replied. "I was just, contemplating the nature of my existence at the moment. Is this what several hours of sleep paralysis feel like?"

Her counterpart merely closed her eyes. "I wouldn't know. I don't sleep. I dream."

"How do you even stand it?" The former office lady asked. "Aren't you bored sitting in this room all day?"

"...It is not like I have much time to spend in the waking world." Demon Blade shifted and Momohime was startled by the sudden sensation. "This training session has also made me aware of my own limitations."

Eight hours. That was how long each session of training had to be. Enough time for a good night's rest before the magic holding the girl together ran out, causing her to vanish back into the world of the night as if she were a mere fading dream.

"I only have one purpose. To complete the sword." The magical girl declared. "Whether I'm living a fulfilling life is not something I have to care about. That is your job. You are the heart, so you must beat."

"I'm the heart huh…" Momohime muttered before falling silent. Eventually, the two women returned to their meditation.

They made no progress that day.

It was with only two days left, that Momohime asked something out of idle curiosity.

"S-So, I've been wondering." She timidly began. "Why are you so obsessed with completing the Muramasa Blade anyways?"

Demon Blade refused to say anything for a few seconds before she ultimately spoke. "...Because I broke it."

"Huh?!" Her counterpart shouted. "You broke it?!"

"No. To be more accurate, you broke it." The swordswoman accused. "What little memories I have of the weighted world have long since faded away, but I've always held the vague impression of the night we made our contract."

"Why didn't you say so?!" Momohime exclaimed, causing Demon Blade to wince from the sudden headache. "Do you remember what our wish was?!"

"No. That's why I didn't think it was necessary." The magical girl replied. "All I remember is that whatever our wish was, it ultimately shattered the Blade into its current state. Not long after was when I became lucid in the Night World."

"Speaking of," Momohime began as she gathered courage in her stomach. "If I'm the heart, like you say, and you're also Momohime Tsukigami… What does that make you?"

"There's no answer I can give that would satisfy you. I am Magical Girl Demon Blade." Her reflection declared. "I don't bother to think of such things. It's rather pointless when I can always feel the weight of my existence."

"...But I can't." The black haired woman voiced the thoughts wiggling in the back of my head. "Surviving the youkai attacks, taking the exorcists exams, this is all only possible because of you. Because of Demon Blade. Momohime Tsukigami isn't needed, after all."

"Is that what you think?" Demon Blade asked slowly. "I suppose it only makes sense that the both of us would feel ephemeral."

"Huh?"

"Being a Magical Girl will never be able to replace being Human." The swordswoman replied cryptically. "I never can and never will be able to replace you. My name carries weight, but you are my counterbalance. Your heart is heavier than you think, Momohime."

With that, the day ended. One more day was left. The young woman could feel the gluttonous beast inside them begin to grow. Anxiety, frustration, the emotions all started to melt her from the inside out. It was only because Demon Blade was controlling her breathing did Momohime not fall victim to a panic attack.

Instead, unable to focus her mind on anything, she continued to ask herself questions.

"How did you come up with your Arts."

"I simply held an impression of a given subject and deepened my understanding before incorporating it into my blade."

"Do you have any friends?"

"I don't need to support anyone other than myself."

"Do you think Humans have a core self or are we all constantly in flux?"

Demon Blade opened her eyes. "An odd question to ask. I didn't think you were much interested in philosophy. In an age where the study of souls has become a science of its own, could you not find the answers yourself?"

"Y-Yes but… I want my own answer." Momohime replied. "The only way I'm able to answer the question is if I find it in myself but, I'm unable to come up with an answer."

"You…" The magical girl angrily sighed. "Isn't this the exact reason that you've been having trouble all week?"

Momohime's eyes would've widened if she could. "Did you figure something out!?"

"Why am I the one being enlightened here?" Demon Blade asked herself before facing her counterpart. "Did you not listen to what the kitsune said? In order to utilize Attributes, one must first have gained a deep understanding of the concept. The projection art you are trying to utilize is one that'll put Momohime Tsukigami into the weighted world. Of course you would be unable to use it if you don't understand yourself."

The words hit the aspiring exorcist like a lightning bolt. She couldn't say anything in response. "Ah…"

"You've been living in a daze for too long." The swordswoman clicked her tongue. "The attributes make up the personality of Momohime Tsukigami. Your personality is made of your memories. Your memories form your sense of self. But your haphazard life has merely formed a haphazard identity. There is nothing for you to latch on to. Your ink has run dry."

"I understand but…" Momohime was fundamentally, an empty human. Her heart had long grown numb. It felt impossible for her to suddenly set it ablaze.

"Tell me." Demon Blade pressed a hand to her chest. "Was it not because you didn't want to live like this that you decided to become an exorcist?"

Despite the numbness, her reflection's words cut into Momohime. It stung, striking directly at the raw part of her heart.

"To answer the question from earlier." The magical girl continued on. "Whether the self has a core or is constantly in flux doesn't matter. You are who you are in the moment. Who you were in the past or will be in the future doesn't matter if you can't be yourself now. An empty human will not be an empty human forever. By living life, one will naturally fill themselves up with emotions."

Momohime didn't respond. After a while, her reflection sighed before returning to her usual pose. "Ask yourself just who you are, and the answer will show itself."

The final day.

Every hour now was precious. If the aspiring exorcist didn't figure out how to project herself before the exam tonight, she wouldn't be able to take it. Her dream would end right there.

But, that wasn't what she was thinking about.

Just who was Momohime Tsukigami?

An empty human being. That's what she felt like. A few weeks ago, she'd have said that it's all she ever was.

But the memories of her encounters with the Youkai Contractors swirled in her mind. Demon had been the one to fight them off, but Momohime had been one to dive deep into their minds and follow the trail of their memories. It was her that had ordered the magical girl to exorcise their demons.

Ever since Demon Blade had entered her life, that empty human being had begun to feel alive. The embers of courage had begun to spark inside her once more.

"So then why do you want to become an exorcist?" Demon Blade asked her. "If you just wished to complete yourself, all you need to do is live your life. The numbness would naturally fade on its own with time. That's just how humans are."

"Maybe that's true. But that's not the kind of person Momohime Tsukigami is." The young woman declared. Her reflection remained silent, but she could feel it urging her to go on. "I am not unique. Maybe an extreme, but there are people like me everywhere. That's what I've learned from my encounters so far. Those Youkai Contractors who have allowed themselves to become weightless. Empty. And I… I can't allow anyone to live life like I have! I want to save them! I want to save myself!"

A stone was dropped into the lake of her heart. Ripples formed on its surface, stirring the stagnant waters. Slowly, the princess dipped her numb hand into the water. Her memories, thoughts, feelings, it soaked the hand and burned the skin with a boiling heat.

"The ink has been prepared." The magical girl declared as she closed her eyes. "My sword is my paintbrush. How about you?"

"My paintbrush is my sword."

"Then we shall ask again. Who is Momohime Tsukigami?"

There wasn't enough for a full painting. A masterpiece was asking for too much. But at the very least, she could write her name.

"This Momohime desires a life with meaning. I am no swordswoman, I'm not intoxicated with victory, but my Will is fire." The princess intoned. With a gentle hand, she scooped up the water from the lake and used it to wet her brush. Taking her pen, she began to write. "Who am I? Gaze upon this Momohime's works and you shall know. I am Momohime Tsukigami."

Demon Blade's eyes didn't open, but Momohime could see her. She glanced around the dark room before smiling. "Ah, I actually managed to do it!"

"Then, congratulatio-" Demon Blade began only to stop herself. Slowly, an amused smile appeared on her face. "It seems that things didn't go as well as you hoped."

"Eh?" The aspiring exorcist let out as she glanced through her reflection's vision. The body of Momohime Tsukigami didn't stare back at her. Like the first time she had entered the world beyond the horizon on her own, the young woman had become a spectral flame floating in the air. If she squinted, then she could see her face in the flame, but other than that her body was completely formless. "Eh?!"

"Well, for someone like you, this was probably the best we could hope for." Demon Blade ran a hand through her hair. "Though, it should certainly work for that kitsune. Regardless, now that you've accomplished the art of projection, my presence is no longer necessary. I'll take my exit now."

"Wait a minu- te?!" Momohime tried to shout, only to find herself suddenly shot back towards her own body as Demon Blade canceled the transformation. A sense of deep exhaustion ran through her as she collapsed onto the floor. Her entire body was sore, like she had pushed against something with every essence in her being. At that moment, merely existing felt indescribably heavy. Still, the reality of what had just occurred hit her, and Momohime laughed. "Demon Blade you jerk. Did you have to leave me to bear the cost on my own?"

The last of her strength was used to roll herself on to her back. Slowly she stared up at the ceiling before smiling. "I think I'm going to take a nap."

With that, Momohime Tsukigami closed her eyes and entered into a pleasant dream.

By the time that Momohime had woken up, the sun had already begun to set. It wasn't long before the time for the exam had begun to approach. With deep breaths, she tried to calm herself. Mentally preparing as best as the young woman could.

"How are you feeling?" Kongiku asked as the two women began to close up the shrine. "Hougi usage is quite exhausting, especially for a first timer."

"I'm feeling better now, really." Momohime replied before patting the pouch that now sat on her waist. "The medicine you gave me really helped."

"Don't rely on it too much." The kitsune warned her. "It's better to let your body build up stamina on its own rather than relying solely on medicine."

"Got it." The black haired woman nodded before pausing. "Hey Kongiku… Did you know what I needed to realize in order to use Arts the whole time?"

"Maybe I did. Maybe I didn't." A cryptic reply came from the vixen's mouth, but the smile on her face gave the answer. "Regardless, I think the result turned out quite well. Though it did take you a bit longer than I expected. Waiting until the very last minute, you really know how to tease a lady hm?"

"D-Don't say it like that!" A burning red dyed Momohime's cheeks as she looked away.

Kongiku giggled before shutting the door close. "I'm just getting you to relax a bit. You're so tense right now. Are you having any second thoughts? Waiting until the next exam is still in the cards."

"No." The aspiring exorcist shook her head. "I'm a bit worried since I've only been preparing for two week but that's about it. This is something I have to do, so I'm going to face it head on."

"Very well." The youkai nodded. Yon quietly plotted down next to her side before giving Momohime an approving look. "Then let us be off."

Contrary to the young woman's expectations however, they didn't make a move to exit the shrine but rather to go deeper into it. The group made their way behind the building and Momohime gasped at the sight before her. Even though they were in the middle of a concrete jungle, the path behind the shrine was unmistakable that of a dirt road going through a forest trail.

"It's like we aren't even in Tokyo anymore." The former office lady said in awe as Kongiku led her forward.

"Our founder and director specializes in the attribute of 'direction'." The kitsune explained as they continued to walk. "All the shrines belonging to the PR department in the city are set up with these paths. Usually, they'd lead to our headquarters, but right now the angle was adjusted to that they'd instead go to where the exam is being held."

"Where is the headquarters anyways?" Momohime asked, staring at the trees. For some reason the leaves looked off. Like they were green, but too vivid to be reality.

"Why, it's in Tokyo but it isn't. There are many paths leading to it, but only one road to exit." The fox lady tilted her head before pausing. "Unless you mean the actual physical location of the building. It's about thirty minutes away by train, give or take. Though I hear that most of our employees enter through shrines like mine rather than take the train."

"Really? Why's that?"

"If I recall correctly from our latest workplace survey the answer was…" Kongiku tapped her chin. "'Having to pay the train fare when I can get there faster is a pain'. You should always try to save money where you can, right?"

"Oh right, money…" Momohime's face instantly paled as a realization dawned on her. "Oh, oh no."

"What's the matter?" The kitsune gave her a concerned look. "Are you feeling unwell?"

"No, I just, um, It just hit me what will happen if I fail this exam." The former office lady gulped. "I'll be unemployed for the next six months."

She wasn't some young kid who could just do what they wanted while letting their family take care of them. Momohime was a respectable adult who had to pay for things like food and rent. The money she had saved up so far could probably last her the duration… Maybe… About three months? One?

"I can't fail this." Momohime declared, fire burning in her eyes. "I absolutely, without a doubt, can not fail this."

"I'm glad you understand the importance of the secular world." Kongiku giggled. The black haired woman glared at her benefactor. It wasn't funny. "That kind of attitude will serve you well as an exorcist."

"Are you sure you can't tell me anything about the test?" The aspiring exorcist asked. "Even just a little hint?"

"Sorry, but that's something I cannot divulge. Just trust in your skills, and you should know what to do." The kitsune paused before exclaiming. "Ah, there is one thing I can tell you though."

"What's that-" Momohime let out, only to bump into someone. "Oh I'm sorry- Huh?"

Her eyes glanced at the person she just ran into only to shiver as she realized that it wasn't even a human being. It was merely a black silhouette that even turned to face her as it phased through the former office lady's body. A chill ran down Momohime's neck as her head quickly glanced around her surroundings. The forest had faded, once more they were back in the city, but it wasn't the Tokyo that she knew.

There wasn't any human in sight. Merely a sea of the black silhouettes, all walking down the streets with a blank stare. She couldn't read any of the signs, the letters had been replaced with sprawled scribbles with heavily distorted pictures. The cold night air caressed her skin and the scent of steel and smoke filled her nose.

"Shocking isn't it?" Kongiku replied. "The only thing I can say is that we've almost arrived. The meeting place is just up ahead."

With wide eyes, the aspiring exorcist slowly nodded as she continued to walk down the streets of the distorted city. It wasn't until they took a turn did Momohime realize just where exactly they were. A massive series of crosswalks lied before her, devoid of the people who usually filled the plaza. From here, she could see the train station, a familiar dog statue, and of course, the towering building with the words '109' blazing into the air.

"Shibuya?!" Momohime couldn't help but exclaim. "But, but we were nowhere near Shibuya!"

"Shh." Her kitsune guide placed a finger to her lips. "That's something that'll be explained soon. Let's meet up with the main group now, alright?"

Standing in the center of the plaza was a group of kitsunes dressed in a kimono like her guide's. They chatted amongst themselves as they formed a crescent. Kongiku quickly moved to take her place in the formation as Momohime followed her. Next to each of them was a group of about 35 other people of all ages and genders. It took Momohime a few seconds to realize just who exactly they were. Some were glancing around the place in wonder, others kept themselves busy.

The other examines.

"If it isn't Kongiku~!" The kitsune next to her guide, and just as beautiful, smiled as they exchanged greetings before she turned to look at the mousy woman. "And this must be the so-called magical girl that you mentioned before."

"It's not so called." Kongiku replied coyly. "She really is a Mahou user."

"Well if she is, I'd prefer if she kept that weight to herself. I'm a delicate maiden, you know?" The other kitsune joked. "I'm already exhausted as is having to deal with my candidate. He's a good kid but a bit… much sometimes. High schoolers, you know?"

"I've had the pleasure of not having to deal with any of those myself yet." Momohime's benefactor scowled. "Personally, I'm not a fan of involving kids in our problem. A seed needs soil to grow. Grains of sand will not serve as an adequate substitute. It is only when they've bloomed should we admire their beauty."

"We are farmers, not gardeners. And starving ones at that." The aspiring exorcist's eyes widened as she quickly realized the kitsune had fallen into the Youkai Dialect. "But at the very least, our crops grow better than some others I could name. Haven't you heard the news? You aren't the only one to bring in a unique examinee."

"Oh?" Kongiku raised an eyebrow. "Do go on."

"There's a Hanyou among us tonight." Momohime blinked as Kongiku let out a gasp. "Quite the skilled swimmer, if what the crows say is true. Apparently those dawdling fools down in Kawasaki couldn't properly test her so she's taking the Tokyo exam. And the less said about those brainless harlots from Ginza the better. Really, what were they thinking? Bringing in a-"

A gong resounded throughout the street, causing the two kitsune to fall silent before standing up straight. Kongiku turned to glance back at Momohime before whispering. "It's starting."

There was no grand declaration. It was merely a woman walking out from the 109 building to meet the group. The only thing that really signified her entrance was the howling of the wind. Still, despite this, there was something about her that drew everyone's gaze. As if she was just meant to be there.

The woman in question was similar to the kitsune that stood next to her as attendants. She wore a bright pink robe that showed off entirely too much skin for Momohime to feel comfortable looking at her. Light blonde hair was tied up into a trail that descended down to her waist while the top of her hair had the familiar fox ears. Although on closer inspection, the aspiring exorcist realized that it was merely a stylized hairdo rather than the genuine articles of the kitsune. Her eyes were heavy with eyeliner and her eyebrows had been meticulously trimmed, but other than that it didn't seem like she was wearing any makeup whatsoever.

One of her attendants stepped forward before glancing at the group in front of them. "Declare yourselves and pay respects to the director."

One by one, the kitsune descended upon their knees before giving a deep bow. Even their fox partners bowed their heads.

"Kongiku pays her respects." Momohime's benefactor declared as she followed suit. It wasn't long until the entire crescent had bowed, leaving only the test takers to stand and glance amongst themselves. Eventually, the kitsune attendant who had given the order nodded before returning to bow at her master's side.

The woman at the center of it all stepped forward. Everyone waited with bated breath. Thoughts raced through Momohime's heads as she tried to figure out what kind of personality she would have.

Then, she spoke.

"Yo! I see we've got a fine group of applicants this time. Nice night we're having right?" Her decorated eyes sparkled with life as she gave a laid back life. "You don't have to do anything fancy like the kitsune here, that's just something they like to do. I used to try and get them to stop it, but that was too much of a pain so I just let them have their fun."

One of the attendants at her sighed gave a completely, totally, 100% respectful cough.

"Oh you know it's true." Her master teased before turning back to the applicants. "I suppose I must introduce myself. Some of you know me, and some of you probably don't. I'm the founder of the Japan's PR department and also its current acting director. By day I'm the award winning mangaka Yumeko Houshi but in the world of the Night, the name I go by is Abe no Seimei."

The name felt heavy, as if it alone could crush Momohime's soul entirely. Of course, the aspiring exorcist recognized it as the name of the legendary Onmyouji, born and dying in the Heinan period at the end of classical japanese history. Yet here someone stood, claiming to be that very same person.

"I've not contracted with a Youkai, as some of you are no doubt thinking right now." Momohime's eyes widened. The woman's gaze seemed like it was staring right through her. "I can assure you that as I live and breathe, that I am the same Abe no Seimei from 900 years ago."

"Does that mean you're like, super old?" One of the test examinees called out. A young boy with obviously dyed blonde hair wearing a hoodie. Everyone turned to face him and Momohime gulped as she noticed the twitching eyes of the kitsune Kongiku was talking to moments before. "What? It's a valid question!"

"You know it's rude to ask a lady her age." Yumeko (Seimei?) replied with a light laugh. "But if you must know I recently turned 37 this year."

"Wow…" The boy gasped. "You really are old."

"Excuse me!" With a low growl, the kitsune next to Kongiku suddenly stood up before marching on over to where the boy was gripping his arm like a snake. "Please pardon me while I discuss something with my candidate here."

"You're excused." The Director declared with an amused wave.

"Ow! Ow! Hey!" The boy cried as he was quickly dragged down the streets and into a corner. "I get it!"

He quickly disappeared and everyone tried not to stare. A very audible smacking sound echoed through the city, causing Momohime to wince. Under her breath, she could hear Kongiku mutter the words 'A bit much huh?'. It wasn't before long that a very irate voice reached her ears. "You rude little-!"

With a wave of Yumeko's hands, the corner that they disappeared down rippled before vanishing entirely. A stunned silence fell upon the crossing as the examinees slowly turned their attention back to the amused lady.

"Well, that amusing little distraction allowed me to demonstrate something you've no doubt figured out by now." She stated as she began to wave her hands. "The exam isn't being held in the Shibuya of the weighted world. Nope! I've created a little replica of the city so that you can go buck wild as much as you like! Allow me to formally welcome you to-"

"The exam for tonight is quite simple. In order to pass, you must exorcise the youkai holding this space together and escape." Yumeko continued as her attendants brought out three paper envelopes. Painted on each were three symbols. A chain, a kunai, and a pair of headphones. "Inside each of these packets is a piece of paper that will guide you to one of the examiners. Each of the examiners will have a trial prepared for you. Pass, and you will be rewarded with a hint. From that point on, you can take the trial of another examiner or you may spend your time trying to exorcise the youkai."

The director reached into her robes before pulling out an origami bird. Suddenly, it began to flap and flutter on it's own, flying around Abe no Seimei's head. "Of course, there are failure conditions. If you have not managed to escape by the time the sun rises or if you are judged to be in no condition to continue the exam, then you shall be returning home empty handed. We don't give out participation trophies you know?"

"Furthermore, every hour or so we will be unsealing a Youkai throughout the city." The Onmyouji said as she raised a paper talisman. "I assure you, they're nothing you don't have the skill level to handle. But keep in mind that the longer you spend dealing with them, the less energy you have to focus on passing the trial or escaping."

"A moment please." Another young man spoke up, though this time a bit more polite then the one before him. He was quite a thin man with long black hair tied up in the same style as the director. More eye catching however, was his outfit. A long black cloak covered his shoulders, concealing a pure crimson suit and the sword that sat upon his waist. "This one is just wondering, what is the difference between each of the packets? A mere symbol is not enough to go on."

"Well I was going to just let you pick whichever you felt like but." Yumeko put a hand to her cheek. "I suppose that would just be random guessing now wouldn't it? Very well, I'll answer. Pay close attention now, got it?"

The kitsune lifted the first envelope at her Master's gesture. "'The chain of the beast is not to cage it, but to bind it.'"

The second. "'The gear of the past makes up the machine of the future.'"

And finally, the headphones. "As for this one… Well, I don't have anything to say really. That guy is just an old fashioned, out-of-date, hipster. Forgotten tunes that refuse to go silent with the final note."

She paused before turning back to the one who asked the question. "Is that good enough for you?"

"This one has found it sufficient." He nodded.

"Good good. Now then." Abe no Seimei nodded as she turned to the examination. "If you've found any meaning from those words, then line up one by one. When you get to the kitsune, state your name before requesting which trial you would like to undergo. And with that!"

Yumeko snapped her fingers. Suddenly all the blank television screens came to life, displaying a large countdown that began to tick downwards.

"The Tokyo Branch Exorcist Examination will now begin." The director declared before winking. "Good luck and good night!"

With that, she walked off back into the 109 building before disappearing from her view entirely. Kongiku stood up from where she had knelt before turning back to Momohime and giving her a smile, though it was a bit bittersweet."I can't help you anymore. You're on your own from here."

"T-Thank you for everything, I mean it." The black haired woman bowed. "We haven't known each other for long but you've taught me so much!"

"You can raise your head." Her benefactor laughed. "If all goes well, then we're going to be working together as partners in the future."

"Yes!" Momohime nodded her head firmly. "I'll make sure to pass!"

"Then I'll leave it up to you." Kongiku declared before walking off with the rest of the kitsune into the distance. It was only when she vanished from view did the aspiring exorcist really feel like she was on her own.

But there wasn't time to waste thinking about those kinds of things. Momohime had an exam to take.

"Yet again, another choice of three." Demon Blade muttered as the princess thought about which trial to undergo. "These kitsune really do seem to like that number."

"Do you have any idea which one I should take?" The young woman asked herself.

"No. I don't particularly care which one you undergo." The magical girl replied. "You may choose what you wish."

Momohime nodded at the words before making her decision.

The one she wanted to go with was…

[] The Chain
[] The Kunai
[] The Headphones

+30 EXP Met Yumeko Houshi(Abe no Seimei)
+10 EXP Write Your Name

4 + 40 = 44 Total EXP

ShadowAngelBeta said:
Post it now I'd say?

Unless you know he's going to be done tomorrow.

But if the eta is several days out or unknown, then the old version should probably be gone with.

AN: The point. It's too valid. And with that, we raise the curtain on the Exorcist Exam!

Literally busted my ass all the way down to Shibuya for this. Turns out, Shibuya is pretty boring, all things considered. That's why I need to make the place exciting myself! Yeah! Good luck everyone!

InfiniteDaze · Mar 5, 2021

The decision wasn't exactly an easy one, but it wasn't one that Momohime spent too much time worrying about.

She felt Demon Blade nod her head. "I suppose that's as good a choice as any."

The aspiring exorcist nervously began to walk towards the kitsune at the center of the park. A feeling of dread sinking into her stomach with every step she took. Doubts raced through her head, causing her train of thought to skid to a halt. Was she about to pick the wrong choice? What if she got to the trial and was completely unprepared?

"Calm yourself." The magical girl said softly. "Such thoughts will only serve to rust your blade."

"I get that but…" Her reflection muttered before shaking her head. "No, you're right. I'm going to do this. This Momohime has to do this!"

Her stride picked up pace until she practically ran into the line in front of the kitsune. Her foot tapped nervously against the ground, but it wasn't with impatience. It was more akin to a ritual, something to hype herself up. Getting her body moving and her heart pumping as her fellow examiners received their packets.

Before she even knew it, Momohime's turn approached.

"...Iseko Soushuu..." The purple haired girl in front of her spoke tiredly as she yawned. The aspiring exorcist wasn't really paying attention to her, but she did note that she looked way too young to be taking this exam. "...The Chain."

"Examiner confirmed." The beautiful fox girls announced as they passed her the respective envelope. "We wish you luck and happiness."

"Mmh." Iseko nodded before walking away, leaving the former office lady at the very front.

Alright, it was time to do this! She could do this!

"Um, Momohime Tsukigami!" The former office lady shouted way too loudly as nervous energy filled her body. Horror immediately filled her face as she avoided the other's gazes. Oh this was so not good. With a quieter voice she continued. "T-The Headphones?"

"Momohime Tsukigami…" One of the kitsune giggled as she glanced over at a list in her hand. Her finger trailed down the paper before she blinked. Dread filled the aspiring exorcist as the vixen leaned over and showed the sheet towards the kitsune next to her. Her office worker instincts instantly kicked in, as she recognized a superior co-worker when she saw one.

"Is there something wrong?" The black haired woman hesitantly asked.

"It's nothing. Just a naming mix up." The higher ranking fox girl spoke calmly as she handed her the packet with the headphones on them. "You're the Momohime yes? Examinee confirmed. We wish you luck and happiness."

"Alright." Momohime nodded as she quietly took the envelope out of her hand and scurried away from Shibuya crossing. After that amount of public embarrassment, she needed a quick time to gather her thoughts.

"Then if you need a distraction, I shall assist." Demon Blade chimed in. "Why is it that you picked the Headphones in particular?"

"It wasn't really anything special…" The aspiring exorcist admitted. "It's just that of the three, it was the trial that seemed the least dangerous."

A chain? A kunai?

They were both weapons, signifying something dangerous. Momohime wasn't exactly afraid of fighting and combat, especially not after the previous two youkai incidents she had encountered. Still she wasn't the kind of person who would willingly hurl themselves into chaos if she could help it.

"So you say, but is that not the entire point of this exam?" The magical girl countered. "If you were so truly afraid of danger then you would not be here. Were you not the one who declared that to live life you have to face pain."

The aspiring exorcist sighed. Sahou's face flashed in her mind. Not the muscular adonis she met on the roof, but the withered man she brought out of the building. "That's true. Apologies. It's… Hard to change so easily."

"I wonder if that's truly the case." Her reflection simply said. "Perhaps it was mere curiosity that drove your decision. Or maybe it was just a mere whim. Regardless, I don't believe your choice was out of cowderice."

Momohime blinked. "You really think so?"

"I believe so. What motivates a person is rarely clear, so I suggest you not spend any time needlessly worrying." Demon Blade declared. "Do we not have an exam to take?"

"Oh! Right!" Momohime exclaimed as she hurriedly opened the envelope and pulled out- "A piece of paper?"

It was a simple parchment, the kind that felt rough to the touch. There were no instructions on it, no directions. Instead the only thing there was a simple arrow drawn in ink. It pointed forwards.

"I guess we just follow this?" The aspiring exorcist cautiously said as she began to walk forward. The streets of this 'Weightless Shibuya' still sent a shiver down her spines. Paths that led to nowhere, signs never meant to be read. It was dirty, but more like someone simply put a filter on the place then any true dirt and grime. Momohime glanced down at the paper again. "Ah!"

The arrow, without any warning, had changed the direction it was pointing towards. Demon Blade let out a hum. "So the envelopes serve as a compass, I see. It appears that for this level of examination, they don't expect you to be an expert at navigating weightless space. How fortunate for us."

Momohime's eyes widened as she followed the paper into a back alley. Flashes of textbooks appearing in her head. "Oh I get it! Since the streets are all scrambled, the paper serves as a conduit to guide the mind towards the destination! Wait… Doesn't that mean without it we'd be completely lost?"

"Worse than lost." The verteran dream walker commented. "We'd be unable to reach the trial at all. Forever trapped wandering through ever shifting roads with no destination in mind."

The black haired woman shivered before a thought came to her. "Then on the other hand… Could we simply arrive there if I just focused on the paper? Yeah, like how we escaped the weightless space in the office building!"

Demon Blade didn't even need to say anything. The aspiring exorcist felt positively giddy as her two weeks of craming the basics of the night world kicked in. Holding the paper in the air, Momohime's eyes focused on the arrow. Unlike last time, she didn't know where she was going. But she did know the direction. Common sense dictated that she would need to go through a lot more turns to navigate these backstreets.

Luckily, common sense didn't really apply any more.

"Believe in the path in front of you." Her reflection instructed as the alleyway rippled in front of her. "This realm isn't so weighted that you can't influence where you're heading."

"This paper is guiding me to the end of this path." Momohime declared. It wasn't a statement of fact, it was the creation of fact. It was guiding her forward, so all she needed to do was go forward right? With a confident stride and her head held high, the former office lady made her way through the tainted city. There was no big change, no special effect, as naturally as if the path had always led there, she stepped out onto the main street.

The arrow pointed at a building and Momohime knew it was her destination. Mostly because of what it was. An awkward laugh escaped her lips. "Why am I not surprised?"

The building stood tall above her. Huge yellow pillars were connected to it's entrance, a giant circular disc with the words "No Music No Life" written in cartoony red font placed on top of it. It's name was burning in bright neon that cut into the night. It was, of course, Shibuya's one and only Tower Records.

From the looks of it, Momohime wasn't the only one slapping her forehead. As more and more examines emerged into the main street, the black haired woman observed them rolling their eyes or giving a light groan. After all it was entirely too obvious that the symbol of the headphones would lead to Tower Records of all places.

But of course, Momohime couldn't stand around forever. Nervously, she began to follow everyone inside of the building. The fresh breeze of AC practically slapped her in the face as the aspiring exorcist looked around to find the building… surprisingly normal. The CDs and DvDs being sold were, of course, completely unreasonable but other than that not much had changed in the weightless space.

"Hey, you made it." A man spoke, grabbing her attention. One look and the first thing that came to Momohime's mind was the word 'carefree'. With a slouched back and loose fitting suit, he didn't give the impression that he was taking this seriously at all. One of his hands adjusted the black sunglasses that obscured his eyes while the other caressed his unshaven beard stubble. "There's like, what? One, seven, twelve of you here? Seems like I've pulled the short end of the stick this time."

He paused, waiting to see if any more people would show up. When no one else entered the door, he finally continued talking. "Alright listen up because it'll be a pain to explain this more than once. The name's Odo, Ryuu Odo, and the task I have for you guys is simple: Find me a specific song."

There was a brief mummer of confusion before Odo raised his hand. "Before you all start complaining, shut up. From this floor all the way up the seventh floor there's going to be a bunch of instruments all scattered about. One of them on each floor will have a piece of the song that you need. Bring the song here and play it, and you pass. Easy enough?"

Momohime couldn't help but think that that was… a very poor explanation. Hesitantly, she raised her hand. "E-Excuse me?"

The lackadaisical man instantly glanced over her direction and gave a wave. "Shoot kid."

"I'm… Twenty three."

"Yeah that's what I'll tell the cops." He flippantly replied. "You gonna ask your question or not?"

"Right! How do we know which song is the right one?" The mousy woman asked. "You aren't… giving us a lot to go off of?"

"Of course someone asks that." Odo groaned as he threw himself into the chair behind him. "Lemme ask you this, what's your favorite genre of music?"

Momohime paused as her mind drew a blank. "I… don't really listen to music?"

"Really? Not even like jazz? City pop?"

What? "No I… don't know what those are?"

The examiner put a hand to his forehead. "God I should fail you on the spot. Who here knows what city pop is?"

Out of the over a dozen people here, only three of them raised their hand. Momohime swore that Odo's sunglasses were going to pop off. "I swear you guys get worse and worse every year. Well to answer your question miss jailbait-"

"I'm Twenty Three!"

"And I'm in my late thirties. You're a kid either way." The examiner continued without missing a beat. "Just go with your gut. Keep your ears open, and you'll be sure to find it. Ya dig? But ah, make sure not to listen too carefully. Get distracted and pick the wrong instrument… Well, I'm sure It'll be happy."

WIth that, Odo snapped his fingers. The door to the stairs swung wide as the elevators opened simultaneously. "Take your time, I'll be chillin down here. Don't bother me with pointless shit and have fun."

As if to announce that he was completely done with this conversation, he quietly put on a pair of fancy headphones before kicking his feet onto the counter and closing his eyes. Momohime blinked, waiting one second. Then two. By the third, it had utterly apparent that yep, he just didn't care any more.

Some of the other examines began to filter into the elevator. A veteran of awkward rides, the aspiring exorcist instead opted to take the stairs. Fluorescent lights blared into her eyes as she walked upwards, coming to a stop at the first door she saw.

"Floor 1 - Classical." Momohime read as she tried to glance through the door's window, only to find it blacked out. "I guess this is it huh?"

"Be on your guard." Demon Blade warned. "A youkai is a youkai no matter the shape. Benign they may be, but harmless they are not."

The black haired woman nodded. "Should I hand you control then?"

"I'd recommend against it, personally." Her reflection replied. "We don't know how much time going through the trials will take us, and I cannot stay in the weighted world forever. Draw the Blade only when it's necessary and never more than that. Besides, this is your exam Momohime."

With a solemn nod, the aspiring exorcist pushed open the door and stepped inside.

That was a mistake.

What was once a hyper-modern shopping building in the midst of Shibuya had inexplicably been transformed into a gigantic concert building. Chandeliers illuminated the room, hanging from the ceiling that stretched past the limits of Tower Records exterior and seemingly into the sky. The floor was slick and glassy, in any other circumstances it might have been a pleasure to be here. Right now however, the moment Momohime walked inside she instantly had to clutch her head as the most intense migraine she had ever experienced hit her all at once.

The room was filled with many classical instruments, from the grand piano that took center stage to the cellos that stood waiting in the stands. Even the walls were plastered with enough old european instruments to take up nearly the entire room. There was enough here to form an entire orchestra, or on paper at least. In reality, an orchestra was formed by the instruments all combining their sounds together to create one full, melodic piece. However in this concert hall, each and every instrument played their own tune with no care for the others. An orchestra only had room for one soloist at a time, a memo none of them had gotten.

To a listener, well…

"I think I'm going to be sick." Momohime moaned as she tried to pull herself back on her feet. Her ears felt like they had been set on fire. Her brain could only handle so many thoughts from so many notes played in so many ways. With shaky legs, the aspiring exorcist stepped forwards as other examinees entered from the elevator.

"I admit that this is… Ear grating." Demon Blade growled. Her own reflection was drowned out by the solo symphony. Impressive since she was a voice in Momohime's head. "Does that bum really expect us to single out a specific song in this mess?"

"He said to um, keep our ears opened and go with our gut?" The aspiring exorcist closed her eyes and listened closely. The songs blended together into a thorny tidal wave that bashed into her skull. "Euk, nope!"

"I confess, I don't think I'll be able to assist you here."

"It's not your fault." She sighed. "I'll just… walk around a bit. See if I can find anything."

When one listened to good music, time flew by in an instant. When one listened to bad music, time slowed down to a crawl. For Momohime, listening to this cacophony buried time six feet under. She agonizingly made her way through the floor as she tried to get her thoughts in order. There was no physically possible way that she could differentiate one tune from another, so instead she tried to search the room itself for clues. Luckily, she was able to find one thing.

Under each instrument, there was a small plaque and short description of what it was. A hurdy gurdy, once favored by a king who lost his hand and could play no more. A baroque flute, phased out once the more modern flutes were designed. No matter the instrument however, the story was always the same.

"One day, someone put it down and it was never picked up again." Momohime mumbled to herself as she gave a quick glance at the instruments in question. They preened at her attention, playing louder, sharper. Instinctively, she stepped back. "Demon Blade…"

"Forgotten tunes that refuse to go silent with the final note." Her counterpart recited. "That was the phrasing used for this trial, was it not?"

Black eyes narrowed. "So that could only mean that these instruments are Youka-"

"Hey!"

Her instincts kicked in. Before she even realized what she was doing, her feet spun around and her fist slammed into something. No, rather, it was some one. With a groan, he fell to the ground. Momohime looked on in a horror before she quickly knelt down and tried to help him up. "I'm sorry! I'm sorry! You just startled me! I-I didn't mean too-!"

"Talk about one hell of a blow!" The young boy, the rude one from Shibuya Crossing Momohime realized, groaned as he dusted himself off. Now that she looked at him closely, despite the dyed peach blonde hair whose black roots were still visible, he didn't exactly give off much of a punk attitude. More a… childish sense of style. Not that Momohime really knew what was stylish. The high school kid quickly readjusted the headphones over his ears (an idea Momohime wished she thought of earlier) before letting out a sigh. "Though I guess it is my fault for suddenly spooking you."

"No but that doesn't make it okay for me to just attack you!" The mousey woman protested. "I really don't know what came over me!"

"It's fine. I'm fine." He sighed before placing his hands on his hips. "Look, you're the chick who's kitsune was talking with Kouyou right?"

Momohime blinked. "Kouyou?"

"The one who dragged my ass out during the explanation of the exam." The boy let out another groan as he rolled his neck. Now that she was looking closely, Momohime realized she could still see a faded handprint on the kid's cheek. "Holy hells she was pissed. Chewed me out for so long I missed the explanation for the actual exam itself."

"Oh, then um yes." The young woman nodded nervously. "My name's Momohime Tsukigami."

"Mmh. Name's Kei Kagami." The newly identified Kei held out his hand. For some reason, they were completely covered in wrapping, a second layer going up his jacket and seemingly binding the cloth to arm. Momohime tentatively shook it. "You mind telling me what we're actually supposed to be doing? There's this weirdo at the counter downstairs who wouldn't respond to anything I did and everyone else I've seen so far seems to be, well…"

He pointed at the other examine on the floor, who was shuffling across the ground. "Well, they all look like that."

The man's eyes were glassy. Like a puppet being pulled on strings, he shuffled across the concert hall slowly. Making his way through the stands as his head slowly nodded to a beat only he heard. Momohime's head quickly whipped around the floor to glance at the two others who had started here. She was certain that they were all lucid when they exited the elevator but now their presence was only physical.

"When did that-" The aspiring exorcist began, only to be interrupted by a loud note that reverberated through the concert hall. The shambling daydreamer had taken a seat at the grand piano at the center of the concert hall. Slowly, he played a note on the key. And then another. Soon he was haphazardly playing a melody that overpowered the other instruments in the concert hall. It was in the major key, but with a somber darkness to it that lurked underneath.

Momohime couldn't help clenching her fist and taking in a hiss of air. A fact that Kei seemed to agree with as the two slowly pressed their backs against the other's, silently scanning the room around them.

The melody grew faster, hungrier. It's notes and phrasing taking chaotic twists and turns that the song itself couldn't take. Soon enough, the man had degraded to just slamming his fists on to the piano keys. No rhythm at all, and yet it was still somehow building to a crescendo. When the peak finally arrived, the piano decided to add a new instrument.

Crunch.

A sickening sound.

Momohime watched in horror as the lid of the piano flew open, turning into a giant jaw that chomped down upon the poor man's arms. The once harmonious melody had turned into the nightmarish sound of bone and flesh being ground down. Blood dripped down onto the floor the coppery scent filling the air as bile threatened to escape her stomach. It was only when his arms had become no more than stubs did the man's mind return to him. A horrible scream of pain reverberate throughout the concert hall as the instruments came to life, their own music adding to the symphony of nightmares.

The scarring scene lasted for a brief few moments before two girls folded into existence next to the man. No, they weren't girls. Their bodies were flat, made of neatly folded paper that was just shaped to look like a person. They quietly smashed their fists into the piano before grabbing the poor man. For a brief second, Momohime stared into their blank, faceless paper gaze. They pulled out a piece of paper and slapped it onto the armless man's forehead. As if the scene was just a mirage, they vanished.

It wasn't hard to tell what just happened.

He had failed the exam.

And of course, in doing so, had left a very angry piano monster running around the concert hall. The rest of the instruments soon joined in, rising from their places with hollow holes that sharpened into eyes. Broken strings acted like a wild mane as they growled and howled their own forgotten tunes.

Momohime's breath hitched as the piano turned towards them. Drool escaped it's open jaw. It let out a mess of notes similar to a bark as it charged through the concert hall, straight towards them.

Kei clicked his tongue before biting down upon his thumb. "Invoke!"

A spectral hand formed into existence, slamming itself down on to the piano with a loud thud. It squirmed and howled underneath, calling the other instruments to join it's hunt. By this point Momohime realized that she was never standing in a concert hall, with cultured and sophisticated music. No this had always been nothing more than a den of beasts.

"Momohime-"

"Right! Invoke!" The princess called, and the Sword appeared. Demon Blade quickly took control of her hands as she unsheathed it's steel. Wind gently blew against the water of her soul. "I am the one who shall bear the curse. Awaken, Magical Girl Demon Blade."

The youkai let out a cry at the sudden burst of magic, flinching away from the swordsman. Kei however, only wiped the sweat from his brow as he stared at Demon Blade with wide eyes. "Holy crap… What the hell is a magical girl doing here?!"

"Taking the exam." She replied before turning her gaze to the impossible creatures that surrounded them. "I thought that to be obvious."

"Like hell that is!" The high schooler retorted. "Where the hell did the girl I was just talking to go?"

"I'm still here!" Momohime cried as she projected her flame body onto the world. "Demon Blade is just sort of like my… reflection?"

Kei's eyes darted between the flame and the swordsman so fast the aspiring exorcist was worried that he would go cross eyed. Before he could even say anything though, a high pitched laugh interrupted him.

"Kakaka! You're still bound by the laws of the weighted world if mere logic is enough to keep you down big bro." A little girl forced herself into existence, floating behind the high schooler with a leisurely laugh. Her hair was jet black, stylized in an old fashioned bob cut. Pale white skin was contrasted by a bright red skirt, though the thing that grabbed Momohime's attention the most was the absurdly smug grin on her face as she poked at the blonde boy's head. "They're the same person Ob~vi~ous~ly~!"

"Oh shut up!" Kei yelled back, his cheeks dusted red. "They have magic mumbo jumbo going on! You can't blame me!"

"Not taking responsibility ain't cool ya know!" The strange girl grinned before floating in front of Demon Blade, giving an upside down wave. "Still, it's cool to have a magical girl in the Night World! Though you look familiar for some reason… Have you run into a ripple of mine before?"

"...Perhaps." The magical girl sighed. "If you are who I think you are, then the ripples you've caused are quite numerous."

"Kakaka! But of course!" The youkai laughed before standing on top of her contractor's shoulders. "I am the Queen of the School Yard after all! The one and only Toilet Bound Hanako-san is here to give her shining debut!"

"Get off!" Kei yelled, trying to shake the child off. "Queen of the School Yard my ass, you're a two-bit creepy pasta at best!"

"Um, not to be rude but…" Momohime nervously glanced at the encroaching instruments from hell. "I think we have other problems to deal with."

"True. We'll put off the pleasantries for later." The swordsman quickly took her stance before glancing at the other contractors. "I trust you two can handle yourself in a fight?"

"Who the hell do you think you're talking to?" The contractor replied as he raised his fists. "We wouldn't be here if we were just pushovers."

"What big bro said!" Hanako lifted up her hands and Momohime watched as they sharpened into elongated nails. Her eyes twisted into dark voids as trails of blood ran down them. "No matter how many enemies there are, those who hurt my friends will suffer hell."

Momohime tried not to think about how creepy that sounded and instead focused her attention on the nightmares that weren't on her side.

The first act of the infernal cacophony had ended. Now, the fight was on.

[] There's too many. Attempt to Escape the room
[] Focus on destroying all the instruments
[] Write in

AN: We have approached the territory of "Honestly I don't actually have a reference image". If you see any sheets without reference images from this point on, please use your imagination.

InfiniteDaze · Apr 2, 2021

The grand piano was a rather unnatural beast. It's lid slammed up and down while the pearly white keys acted like fangs, clattering together in it's mouth. Drool slobbering down it's lips as it struggled to break free of the spectral hand that had grasped it's form. Unfortunately for it, despite being a creature straight out of a horror movie, a greater nightmare was now praying upon it.

"Come here you~!" Hanako screamed with a manic laughter. Her spectral body shot like a bullet through the air before her claws sunk into it. With absolutely no hesitation, the urban legend began to tear the instrument apart. It desperately struggled to fight back, but that only served to fuel the girl more as it fell apart piece by piece. The piano didn't bleed for it had no flesh, but what escaped it's lips was definitely a melody of pain.

Hanako: 285 Base Damage +N/A Dice = 285 Total Damage
Grand Piano: 200 Base Resilience +N/A Dice = 200 Total Reduction

85 End Damage

Grand Piano: 1100 - 85 = 1015 HP Remaining

Shred!

Base Resilience: 200 - 4 = 196 Base Resilience

Hanako: 285 Base Damage +N/A Dice = 285 Total Damage
Grand Piano: 196 Base Resilience +N/A Dice = 196 Total Reduction

89 End Damage

Grand Piano: 1015 - 91 = 936 HP Remaining

Shred!

Base Resilience: 196 - 4 = 192 Base Resilience

"More! More! Cry more!" Hanako cheered, her lips smeared a bloody red as the wood began to splinter. "Playing with you is so much fun! Kakaka!"

Demon Blade was unmoved by the sight, immediately dashing at the string instruments surrounding the group. The Muramasa Blade glinted in the light. Before the demonic hurdy-gurdy could even react, steel began to carve into it.

Muramasa Blade: 150 Base Damage +20 Dice = 170 Total Damage
Strings: 125 Resilience +NA Dice = 125 Total Reduction

50 End Damage

Strings: 210 - 50 = 160 Remaining Health

The swordsman clicked her tongue. "Tough."

Strings flailed through the air as the beastily instrument recovered from the pain and quickly tried to consume the magical girl once more. Or at least it would have if it wasn't for the bandaged fist slamming into it. The hurdy-gurdy fell to the floor, playing it's final note before shattering into pieces. Demon Blade's eyes quickly appraised the young fighter, his hands surrounded by a light mist that left the lingering scent of rot and filth in the air.

"Um," Momohime spoke as her flaming eyes glanced towards the young girl who was still toying with the piano. "Is she alright?"

"Hanako's the manifestation of a ghost story, what did you expect?" Kei grunted. "But I think we can leave the piano up to her. Doesn't look like it's going to escape any time soon. Not that I particularly want to be in this room any longer as well. What the fuck is going on?"

"I… have no clue. I think this is part of the test?" The mousy woman admitted. "Though I didn't expect it to be so…"

She didn't need to finish, the young boy quickly got the point as he nodded with a sick look. That scene with the piano was probably going to haunt her dreams for a while. Shivers would have crawled down her spine just thinking about it if Demon Blade wasn't in control of her body at the moment.

"Hold your bile in for a little bit more Momohime." The magical girl in question stated as the instruments grew closer. "We've got more problems then that-"

"GAH!" A scream echoed through the concert hall. The group whipped their head around only to find one of the instruments had wrapped it's strings around another Examinee's arm. It tried to pull them in, but whatever daze they had been in was quickly wiped away as they struggled to break free. Not helping his case were the violins joining in, each chomping to attack their free limbs.

"We need to-" Momohime began to shout only to be suddenly interrupted by Demon Blade jumping out of the way as the rest of the instruments lunged at her.

"I'll take care of the ones here." The swordswoman grunted before turning towards her fellow Youkai contractor. "Kei, was it? Your strength is sufficient. It may seem like a selfish request but can you handle rescuing the other examinees?"

"Of course!" The blonde grunted. "And if the ones over here get too much for you then head towards Hanako. She's a brat but there's no doubting her strength."

"I do not expect to need assistance but very well." Demon Blade nodded. It sounded like a solid plan in theory but… Momohime's thoughts were interrupted as the magical girl turned towards her. "If you're worried so much then go with him. I will not fault your will on this."

"Eh?" If she had eyes right now, she would've blinked. "Are you serious?"

The blackhaired woman pointed a finger at herself. "You'll both be right here and over there. If things get bad, I'll know about it at the speed of thought. There's no time for doubts, so just go."

"Right!" The flame vibrated up and down while Kei nodded, the two of them blasting forward towards the examine who was suspended by string in the air, looking in horror as the instruments began to nibble at his skin. Momohime glanced at her partner before turning back towards the instruments. "Do you have any ranged attacks?!"

"I've got the spectral hand but if I release that then the piano will be over us in seconds!" Kei cried as his sneakers squeaked against the polished concert halls. "What about you?!"

"Demon Blade is the one with all the Blade Arts!" The aspiring exorcist cried. "This projection is the only Art that I know!"

"So you're useless?!"

"I'm sorry!"

"Nevermind! I got this!" The foul order grew stronger as the boy thrusted out his hands. "Just gotta hope I make it in time! Deathly Bound!"

Cost: 100 HP

Kei Kagami: 1200 - 100 = 1100 Remaining Health

The bandages around Kei's clothes began to throb and thrash, as if something was trying to break free. White cloth slowly became a rotting, scaly green that crawled down his arms and onto his hands. Flesh morphed and cracked, and Momohime couldn't help but flicker as the high schooler's hands stopped being well hands but instead became reptilian lizards heads, jaws opening to reveal sharp fangs as the slits in their fleshy yellow eyes bead across the room. Kei leaped through the air, and the slimy tongues of the lizard heads flickered in and out as he brought them down on the violins.

Privacy Invasion: 285 Base Damage, +N/A Dice = 285 Base Damage
Strings: 125 Resistance, +N/A Dice, -31 Armor Pierce = 94 Base Resistance
191 Total Damage

Strings: 210 - 191 = 19 Health Remaining

Chomp. With jaws of steel, a loud cracking sound causing a distorted screech to pierce through the air. Instantly the strings stopped digging into the examine's skin, dropping them to the floor. Kei didn't even pause for a moment though as the scales creeped up his throat and engulfed his head. Soon enough, the boy's head had become a near identical lizard head to the one on his hands, a gurgling sound escaping its throat as it chomped down on another violin. Momohime glanced from the three headed lizard monster to the monstrous but still human-looking little girl.

...Which one was the Youkai and which one was the contractor again?

No never mind. That was a topic for when they weren't in the middle of a fight. Momohime forced her luminescent body through the air before hovering over the dazed examinee. A woman, now that she looked closely. One whose brown hair was tied up into a ball behind her head, filled with sharp metal needles and pins of various sizes. Her outfit was reminiscent of a green kimono, but with various cuts that made it look like a cosplay outfit or street wear instead of formal clothing. The projected flame quickly leaned inwards before squeaking. "Are you okay?!"

"I… Yes." The woman shook her head before reaching into her hair and taking out two needles. With a flick of her wrist, the metal shot through the air, crashing directly into the wrecked violins that Kei had left behind. Although their size was small, the remains of the instruments cracked on impact, leaving behind one final note before collapsing onto the floor. "Thank you for the rescue. That was… Deeply disturbing."

"This entire concert hall is horrifying." Momohime had to agree.

"Kh! Kh!" Kei chirped out in a language only understandable by his lizard brain brethren.

Strings: 105 Base Damage +N/A Dice = 175 Total Damage

INTERCEPT!

Privacy Invasion: 285 Base Damage, +N/A Dice = 285 Total Damage

110 Difference, Privacy Invasion wins

Privacy Invasion: 110 Intercept Damage, +N/A Dice = 110 Total Damage
Strings: 125 Base Resistance, +N/A Dice, -31 Armor Pierce = 94 Total Reduction

16 End Damage

Strings: 210 - 16 = 194 Remaining Health

One of the remaining violins launched it's strings forward, only for it to be caught in the jaws of Kei's lizard heads. With a wild yank, the nightmarish instrument flew forwards only to be smacked with a solid punch- Uh, Headbut- Momohime didn't even know what it was at this point. It didn't do much to the thing, but it stunned it long enough for the needle woman to get back on her feet and launch another needle at the third violin, ending it's tune and leaving the last violin of the section on it's lonesome. Two flame eyes, two human eyes, and six lizard eyes all turned to glare at it.

It let out a high pitched tune that sounded suspiciously like a whimper before retracting all of it's beastial qualities and falling on the floor. The three aspiring exorcists all looked at the now normal violin that sat there on the floor as if trying to become a dust magnet. Momohime was the one who spoke up first. "Is… Is it playing dead?"

"Khhhheeeep." Kei let out as he began to revert back to a human, the scales retracting down his neck until it was only covering his jaw. "Seems so."

"Well unless it's going to try and sneak attack us-" Four lizard eyes, four human eyes, and a burning gaze all glared at the instrument. It quivered before they all relaxed. The examinee that they saved bowed her head towards the two. "Then I think we can relax for now."

She quickly whipped her head back up and brushed her bangs out of her eyes. "My name's Saki Onoda. It's not really like me to make such an uncool entrance but y'all- Er, the two of you really saved me there."

"It's nothing really." Momohime spoke before her flame grew brighter. "Wait! The other examine-"

"FUCKING HELL!" A voice roared through the concert hall, clear even among that cacophony that was the noise. Everyone quickly turned to see the other examine on the floor, a burly man dressed in black leather with an unshaven beard, pull a flute out of his chest and toss it to the floor. He raised one of his tree trunk-like legs and it began to vibrate before turning into a car wheel, slamming into the poor instrument and grinding into dust. The rest of the woodwinds, buzzing through the air like insects, all began to shoot towards him but he already began to ride on out of the concert hall as the sound of an engine could be heard. "Goddammit fuck this floor! I'm trying another one!"

The door slammed shut behind him.

Momohime slowly bobbed up and down in the air before closing her eyes only to find Demon Blade's open. The Muramasa Blade slicing through one of the woodwind insects like it was made of butter. Things on her end were going…

"The situation isn't critical." The magical girl declared as she dodged string after string of attack. "Though my blade isn't sharp enough to slice through these youkai cleanly on their own… Hmph. Blade Art Number 3. "Crescent Moon."(Ripples on a Pond)

Cost: 125 HP

Crescent Moon: 200 Base Damage, +N/A Dice = 200 Total Damage
Strings: 125 Base Resilience, +N/A Dice = 125 Total Reduction

75 End Damage

Strings: 210 - 75 = 135 Remaining Health
Muramasa Blade: 950 - 125 = 825 Remaining Health

Demon Blade grunted as the stormy wind left her blade. The instruments took the brunt of the art but still stood tall. The swordsman used the intervening time to launch another gust of wind before her feet shot backwards as she tried to gain distance. "Once this exam is done we're going through another bout of training. My current skill with the sword is… insufficient."

The way her reflection growled out the word was sharper than anything the mousy woman had ever heard her say. If she could, her body would have shivered, but instead she just snapped open her flame eyes and let out a nervous laugh. "Um, Demon Blade is having some problems but I think she can handle herself for a bit longer."

"And of course Hanako is having way too much fun with Mozart's Academia Nightmare over there." Kei grumbled.

"Mozart's Academia- Eek!" Saki screamed as she turned towards the sight of the bloody little girl tearing chunks out of the grand piano in the center stage. At this point, Momohime had begun to pity the poor thing as it struggled and failed to escape the spectral hand it was under. Every time it tried, Hanako just took that as another opportunity to shred more of its body into pieces. A terrified, countryside ridden dialect escaped the fashionable woman's lips. "That certainly ain't gonna leave mah head for a while!"

She paused before hastily covering up her mouth. "I-I mean!"

"Ya get used to it." Momohime let out a bitter drawl as she nervously chuckled. "At the very least, you didn't have to see what came before it…"

"While we're all being all buddy-buddy, can someone tell me what the hell we're supposed to do here?!" The high school boy growled as he glanced into Momohime's flame. "In case you forgot, I missed the instructions!"

"Well they wouldn't have done you much good." The seamstress sighed. "All we were told was that one of the instruments here would have a piece of a song. That and to 'listen carefully and go with our gut instinct'. Fat lot of good that did…"

"Oh right!" Momohime perked up, trying to ignore how one of Kei's lizard head-hands used it's slimy tongue to snatch a flute out of midair and begin chomping on it like it was an afternoon snack. "Saki, would you please tell us what exactly happened to you?"

"Well it's a bit hard to explain but…" The woman waggled her hands. "I was following the instructions, right? Listen closely and all that? Then suddenly one of the instruments stood out from the crowd, and I swear on my needles it was playing a song I hadn't heard since I was a child! I began to reminisce and enjoy the song- Next thing I knew the thing and it's friends were trying to bite my limbs off!"

The remaining violin in question let out a sad note that almost sounded like an apology. No one listened to it.

"I guess we can assume the same about the others who got caught in the daze.." The aspiring exorcist muttered to herself as she recalled the examiner's words. "Then when he said to not listen too carefully to the instruments what he actually meant was that they have a lure."

The songs of the muted ensemble were hypnotic. Playing old and forgotten tunes, they lured humans to play them. And the moment when they were satisfied they devoured their players. Though for some reason, Momohime herself hadn't been affected by it… Was it because she was a magical girl?

"I do not believe I had anything to do with it." Demon Blade spoke over their connection. "Whatever the cause may be, it's best we see it as a blessing in disguise for now."

"So, what?" Kei spoke up. "We gotta try and figure out which instrument here isn't a nightmare monster out to eat us alive? I can barely hear jackshit and that's not just because I have headphones on!"

Momohime glanced around the concert hall, trying to see if there was some hidden instrument hiding in a corner somewhere. After a few seconds of fruitless effort, she shook her head. Although lacking a neck, it was more of a little wiggle-waggle in mid air. "At the very least, I doubt any of the instruments attacking us is the correct one. Even if it was, we aren't going to find it in this cacophony."

She listened in closely to the ensemble once again. Nothing stood out to her, nothing but the absurd racket as the instruments fought for dominance over her ears. The princess came to a decision. "The forgotten orchestra likes a conductor. Their torched wish to be played has created a symphonia of chaos. That is why, this Momohime believes we must bring their final performance to an end."

"...I agree." Saki nodded as she pulled a needle out of her hair. "Listening to this any longer will make my ears bleed. I'd have preferred to cremate them, but as Youkai, I don't think their bodies will really burn anyways."

"I'm cool with beating these fuckers down." The remaining exorcist nodded. "So what's the game plan?"

"Meet back up with Demon Blade." Momohime ordered. "Sticking together will prevent us from being overwhelmed. After that, keep fighting until the concert is over. Understood?"

"Yes ma'am!" The two shouted before charging over towards where the magical girl was. Momohime didn't follow them, instead closing her eyes and letting her presence flicker out of existence. When she opened them and found herself carving through one of a violin, her reflection was waiting for her.

"...While assistance is appreciated, it's not strictly necessary." The swordsman spoke. "I can handle myself well enough."

"Ahaha." Momohime laughed nervously before collecting herself. "But I think it would be best if we saved our energy? I can feel how tired you are already."

"...Perhaps you are right." The magical girl muttered. "Exhaustion. What a strange feeling."

"We'll take a break after this." Being a black company slave, she knew full well the importance of saving her energy. "For now, let's just focus on defeating the orchestra."

"Very well." Demon Blade spoke. "That I can do."

Momohime didn't know exactly how long it took for the demonic orchestra to finally be put to rest, but it was exhausting work. A lot of it boiled down to the repetitive task of dodging and weaving. Demon Blade nimble on her feet and the attacks from the ensemble were fairly simple to predict. The ones that did hit her… Well she couldn't even feel most of them and the one she did stung as much as a bee. That didn't mean she particularly wanted to get hit though, so Kei served as an excellent destruction as having a rampaging lizard brained high schooler chomp through your ranks was very noticeable. Most of the actual fight itself boiled down to Saki and her just finishing off the instruments that the lizard boy didn't manage to completely destroy.

Demon Blade: 300 - 4 = 296
Muramasa Blade: 700 + 201 = 901

On the bright side, she was able to cause enough pain and suffering to satiate the Muramasa Blade's bloodlust enough that it had begun to heal. At least until the very end of the battle.

"Gah!" Hanako suddenly cried as she attempted to grab onto the rampaging nightmare piano. "No no! Stay still will you! I'm almost done tearing you to pieces!"

That was, patently, not the right thing to say to the creature as it struggled more. Squirming and biting before eventually, the worst outcome happened. It slipped free of the spectral hand it was under.

"Get back here!" Hanako cried, but it was too late. The Grand Piano had already begun to run rampaging, limping all the while but still slobbering as it hungrily approached the group of exhausted exorcists. It was starving, the appetizer of flesh that it had earlier only serving to make it roar as it let loose a chorus of diminished notes. Demon Blade clicked her tongue, Muramasa Blade glinting in her hands as she charged forwards.

Saki's hand immediately shot towards her hair as she brought forth another needle, this time with a peculiar green thread wrapped around it. "Hardship Memories - Broken Needles!"

Cost: 100

Saki: 500 - 100 = 400 Remaining Health

"Blessings be upon you!" The woman prayed, the needle glowing for a bit before the seamstress flicked her wrist. The needle shot through the air, piercing not into the piano monster, but into the flesh of Demon Blade herself. The magical girl barely even felt the pin prick, but whatever art Saki had used began to affect her. It was exactly as she had said, the needle was a blessing, a prayer, and Demon Blade knew exactly what it did.

No matter how fast the creature acted, the first move would always be hers.

"Much appreciated." The black haired swordsman nodded. "Now then. To bring this performance to it's finale, Blade Art Number 1."

Demon Blade vanished into the mist. Out of sight, but not out of mind. The grand piano didn't have any time to comprehend where the magical girl had gone before she was suddenly right behind it. The Muramasa Blade growled, hungry for life. And so, she carved. "Misty Slash."(Thousand Cranes)

Cost: 250 HP

Misty Slash: 400 Base Damage +N/A Dice = 400 Total Damage
Misty Slash: 400 Base Damage +N/A Dice = 400 Total Damage

800 Collective Damage

Grand Piano: 158 Base Resistance +N/A Dice = 158 Base Resistance

642 End Damage

Grand Piano: 295 - 642 = 0 Health Remaining

Muramasa Blade: 901 - 250 = 651 Health Remaining

In two slices, the deed was done. The demonic piano stepped forward a few more steps before letting out a sad little lick and collapsing in on itself, falling into shards of broken instrument.

The magical girl took a breath before placing her sword in its sheath. "I believe that with this, we are done."

"...Alright, I'll admit it." Kei spoke with wide eyes as his transformation came undone. "That was awesome!"

"Hm, that Art was…" Hanako trailed off before her grin split wider than a child's ever should. "Hahaha! I've never had a cursed swordsman for a friend before!"

"I'm just relieved that the fight is over." Saki mumbled as she plopped down to the floor, exhausted. "I'm freakin exhausted y'all."

"...Sorry that I wasn't able to help out that much." Momohime apologized as she projected herself back into the building.

"Don't humble yourself." Demon Blade shook her head. "You can take pride in my achievements. We are reflections after all."

"But doing that is a bit…" It didn't make her feel like she was contributing was the problem. Even if the sensation was there, she wasn't the ones making decisions.

Before her moping could be continued, there was a sound. The sound of an instrument, causing every exorcist in the concert hall to freeze as they all glanced towards the source. Only to find… The violin that had decided to play dead and promptly forgotten about floating up into the air. Their bodies tensed, ready to fight, but the instrument didn't even seem to care for them as it floated up to the center of the stage and began to play.

The tune was different this time. A gentle melody with neither the rush or ferocity of the symphony that had preceded it. At the same time however, it was a rather lonely piece. Filled with melancholy and nostalgia for days long past. The exorcists in the room closed their eyes and listened, knowing that this was the song piece they were searching for.

Eventually it came to a close, the melody drawing out it's final note before the violin did the closest equivalent it could of taking a bow. Burning flames erupted around the wood, and it peacefully accepted it, falling to the ground as gray, cremated ash.

"...The heck was that about?" Kei asked as soon as it was burned away.

"Tools exist to be used." Saki declared as she stood back up on her feet. "But they also have souls, and in this case, desires. The instruments here… if I'm understanding this right then they're kind of like a Shami Choro or a Koto Furunushi. Instruments that grow old and forgotten without the proper burial rights are transformed by their grief into wild beasts. My guess is that any of the instruments in this room would do. The problem was simply that they all wished to be heard at the same time but refused to cooperate with each other. By removing the other instruments, the violin was able to play it's solo and ascend to heaven… Or however that works for Youkai."

"You seem to know quite a lot about this." Momohime commented, causing Saki to give her a grin while patting her needle filled bun.

"The Youkai I'm contracted with is the Hari Kuyo, the festival of broken needles, which is all about giving your thanks to the needles you've worked with. I guess that makes me kind of an expert on this subject huh?" The seamstress explained before wagging her finger at the two. "That's why ya gotta make sure to respect your tools, aight?!"

"You can contract with festivals?" The mousy woman heard the high school boy mummer, but it didn't surprise her that much. Someone had thought about the idea, and it was widespread enough that it tried to breach through into the weighted world. Youkai were already formeless, weightless entities. Trying to box them into the concept of 'living, sentient creature' was a fool's errand.

"We should probably get moving soon." Momohime spoke up, glancing towards the exit. "We're on a time limit, remember? I haven't kept track of how long it took us to get one of the song pieces but we still have the rest of the exam to go through."

"Breaks are allowed though, right?" Kei spoke up. "I gotta go to the bathroom."

Hanako snickered, and the boy blushed bright red before waving his fists. "Oh shut up!"

"The bathroom is my domain! Ka ka ka!" The little girl in the red dress laughed. "Enter if you dare!"

....The flame ignored the comedy routine happening next to her before turning to her fellow exam taker. "What about you?"

"Haha! Yeah, uh, about that…" Saki trailed off before letting a sigh. "Really sorry, but I'm going to call it quits here. I thought I was prepared for the exam but well, my prayers didn't exactly work out for me that well. Plus I honestly don't think I can keep going. I am wiped. I just don't have the energy that you kids have."

"We're twenty three." Momohime and Demon Blade said in unison, causing the seamstress to go bug eyed.

"That was you?!" She shouted, and Momohime was lucky her pout was hard to make out through her flames. Why did everyone think that she was so young? "Jeez, remind me to call you up to go drinking some time! Ah, wait a moment."

With a flourish from her hair, Saki pulled out three needles. Two with red string, and another in green. Softly, she bent down and prayed, invoking her art once more. The needles glowed with her blessing before the seamstress stood back up and handed them to Demon Blade. "Here, these should serve you well."

Cost: 300 HP

Saki: 400 - 300 = 100 Health

"A-Are you alright?!" Momohime cried as Saki's face began to pale. "You shouldn't strain yourself for us!"

"Nah, It's alright. If I'm going to drop out here, might as well help the ones who saved me pass instead." She waved before gesturing to the needles. "The green one is for action, the red one is for reaction. Got that?"

"Thank you." Demon Blade nodded as she pocketed the needles. "Your sacrifice is much appreciated."

"Man, when you say sacrifice it makes sound way more dramatic than me quitting like a chicken." Saki scratched her chin. "I'm just going to train harder and hopefully make it through on the next exam. Hopefully we'll be coworkers someday!"

"Yeah." The flame grew brighter. "Good luck!"

"Same goes to you!" The seamstress cried before raising her hand into the air. "I withdraw my candidacy!"

Instantly, the two paper girls were once more by her side. Saki gave one look at them before giving her fellow exorcists a wave. At least, it seemed like she was about to before one of the origami humans smacked a piece of paper on her forehead. "Ow! Didja have to be so roug-"

And then, as if she was never even there, Saki Onoda was gone.

"...Right then. I'm going to take a leak, I think I saw a bathroom downstairs." Kei waved. "What about you Momohime?"

The aspiring exorcist thought about it before letting out a sigh. "I think I'll follow you downstairs as well. If the other floors are like this, then I think I'll be getting a lot of use out of a pair of headphones."

To think this was only the start of the Exorcist Exams. Momohime was beginning to feel like this was going to be a long night.

"You think this counts as stealing?" Momohime asked as Demon Blade examined a pair of headphones in front of her. "We don't have to pay the examiner right?"

"I believe these headphones are nothing more than an illusion created by the weightless space. Solid, believable illusions, but illusions nonetheless." The magical girl replied as she placed the headphones on her head. Momohime could feel the weight on her ears and wow, that was soft. They fit snugly around her head as well. She was definitely going to buy one of these once the exam was over. Er, after she got something to use them on of course. "I believe these will do. No cord either, so it won't hinder us in a fight."

"Huh?" Momohime's flame squinted as she looked at it closer. "Then how are you supposed to use them?"

"The box says something about 'bluetooth'?" Demon Blade replied, giving her a questioning look. Momohime shook her head, the term wasn't familiar to her either. "Then I suppose it doesn't matter. It's a convenience for us at the very least."

There was a loud banging sound as Kei kicked open the door to the men's restroom and walked back on over to the pair. "Alright! I'm done!"

"That took a while." The magical girl raised an eyebrow. "Perhaps you found your business more work than you expected?"

Momohime was lucky that her body was currently a spectral green flame otherwise she'd be burning a bright, hot red right now. "Please stop saying stuff like that with my mouth!"

"Er, gross. But also yeah." The former office lady shot the boy a scandalized look and his face immediately dyed crimson as he began to wave his hands. "No! No! Not like that! I just had Hanako check on something for me!"

"Oh?" Demon Blade replied. "Do tell."

"You know how she's a toilet spirit right?" The blonde elaborated. "I used that to have Hanako scout out all the floors in the building so we know what we're up against."

"That's great!" Momohime cheered.

"I know right?! It's like the best idea I've ever had! What they say about genius occurring on the toilet was true!" That was not a sentence she needed to hear. "We've got this trial in the bag!"

"Pfft, hahaha!" Someone laughed, and it took the trio a minute to realize it wasn't coming from them. Their gazes all turned towards the stairwell where a man in his early twenties walked out. "Sorry, I just heard something so astonishingly foolish that I had to laugh."

One glance at him and Momohime instantly knew what kind of person he was. Messy ash gray hair paired with mocking silver eyes, the only thing he was missing was a smug smirk. Not because he definitely wasn't doing it, but because it was hidden behind a strange device that covered his mouth. A screen, with a line that showed the sound vibrations of every noise that came out of his mouth, connected to a pair of dials on his ears. The rest of his outfit wasn't quite as outlandish, a pair of black shorts and a black jacket, unzipped to freely show the white undershirt beneath that utterly ruined whatever image he was going for with the scantily clad anime girl emblazoned on it.

Momohime uncomfortably turned her gaze away. There were some outfits she didn't know how people wore in public.

"If we're mistaken, then feel free to correct us." Demon Blade declared before narrowing her eyes. "In return, we'll teach you something as well. A lesson in attitude, that is."

"Demon Blade!" The aspiring exorcist hissed. "Don't fight with the other examinees!"

"If it were against the rules, then mister Odo over there would be stopping us right now." The swordsman gestured to the examiner who didn't even budge from where he was leaning back behind the counter. "But you're right, I don't wish to get into pointless fights."

"Neither do I. It's just pitiable after all." The man shook his head while clicking his tongue. "You idiots don't even understand how to pass this trial. If you're just going to flounder around like that then give up now."

He reached a button on his ears before his voice was filtered through a synthetic autotune. "DuMb aSS!"

"Alright you nerdy bastard!" Kei shouted, taking a step forward. "If you're so clever then why the hell are you on this floor, huh?!"

"Because I've completed the trial. DuH!" The ashen man declared, causing the aspiring exorcists to freeze. He began to walk to the counter, and the lackisdaisl examiner slowly adjusted his shades. "I'm turning the song in."

"What?! Bullshit!" The high schooler shouted. "There's no way you finished all seven floors that fast!"

"Did you actually think the song was split into that many parts? FuCkINg NoRMieS." He scoffed. "What kind of song could be split into seven? Let alone one you'd have to play like that? It'd be totally impractical for this exam."

"Oh?" Odo spoke up. "As far as I'm aware, the one on the seventh floor hasn't been defeated yet."

"I took one look at him and figured it out." The cocky man scoffed. "Not that hard when it's so blatantly obvious like that."

The examiner grunted, lips twitching upwards. "If you're so sure then let's give it a listen."

"Oh I'll let you listen alright." The man reached into his jacket pocket before slamming his smartphone onto the counter. "I've got it recorded right here. Don't want any LeACheS to piggyback off of my hard work."

"Why you…" Kei growled, only for Demon Blade's hand to shoot out and trap his arm in a vice grip. The young boy looked at her and the magical girl only shook her head. He grit his teeth and began to kick at the floor as Odo plugged his headphones into the smartphone and gave it a listen.

"Hm." Odo hummed. "There's a bit of improvisation here?"

"Yep. Thought it would give it a bit more FLaRe." The gray haired man spoke. "I call it 'Wanderings of a Mind'."

"It's my song you know."

"A cover then?"

"...I'll allow it." The examiner declared before holding out his hand. "Give me your packet."

With a flourish that was entirely unnecessary, the cocky man took his packet out of his pocket and handed it over. Odo looked it over a bit before pulling out a stamp and speaking. "Raizou Magari, Pass. The hints written on the paper. I'm going to guess by your outfit you want the Kunai next?"

"Right on the money." Raizou grinned, causing the examiner to nod before pressing something and handing the paper back to him. The cocky man gave his thanks, turning to leave Tower Records only to pause right before leaving the building. He gave the trio a side glance. "I'd help you out, but I'm not the kind of person who listens to ear grating things. LaTeR!"

"Then leave jackass!" Kei shouted, before fuming and turning to his partners. "Can you believe some people?! Complete pencil dick energy! I bet he's the kind of guy who tries to cancel people on twitter."

Momohime stared, trying to understand the incomprehensible nonsense coming out of the young boy's mouth. "E-Excuse me… what?"

"He's got that sort of vibe you know?" The blonde high schooler continued. "Like he thinks he's a chad, but is really just a virgin loser."

"Yeah!" Hanako cried as she popped in upside down through the ceiling. "You said it big bro! He's not bad enough to go on my enemies list, but that guy was a total jerk! Though you're a virgin too!"

"You didn't need to add that last part!"

"I-If you're in high school you shouldn't be having sex!" Momohime cried. "That's just, it's just wrong! Wait until you're older!"

"Or save it until you become a wizard!" Kei's youkai contractor popped in. "That way I'll be able to use magic too!"

"Oh just quit it already!" The blonde shouted before turning to the magical girl. "And I'm not serious, sorry. You'll get the jokes when you're older."

"Didn't you hear me when I said I was twenty three?!" Momohime shouted for what had to be the fifth time this week. This was getting old real fast.

"Seriously?! I thought you were fourteen! You're a magical girl and everything! Those girls aren't older than eighteen!"

Momohime paused, and was glad for the fact that flames didn't have tears to cry.

"Puberty was not kind to us." Demon Blade sighed. "But enough with the chitter chatter. Hanako, what can you tell us about the floors above?"

"Well… I want to say there's about three more that haven't been cleared. The good news is, none of them have as many instruments as the concert hall! The bad news is that they're all stronger than those guys." Hanako danced in the air as she plopped herself on Kei's shoulders. "There's the seventh floor but that guy is seriously tough so we shouldn't go there just yet!! The fifth floor is super boring and has about three or four enemies. Then there's my favorite floor! It also only has one guy but it's on, guess what, the third floor!"

"You serious?!" The high schooler's eyes widened. "And it has a-"

"Yep!"

"Alright!" He shouted before turning to Momohime. "There's a super powerful Art I can do that'll make this floor a cake walk! We gotta go right now!"

"Ka ka ka! Silly big bro! Did you forget already?" The bobcut girl laughed. "If you use that Art now, I'll be out of the fight for hm… I want to say the rest of the trial?"

"So it's a choice between clearing a floor without taking damage and handicapping Kei, or going through one with moderately tougher enemies and not trying to get hurt is that it?" Demon Blade asked before turning towards her reflection. "Which one do you think we should go with?"

"Um, well…" Momohime thought before nodding. "Well I think we should go with…"

[] Floor Five - Ska
[] Floor Three - Jazz

"We're doing recollection already? Well alrighty but y'all better be grateful for this."

+3 EXP Find Your Way
+10 EXP Met Ryuu Ondo
+8 EXP Met Kei Kagami/Toilet-Bound Hanako
+85 EXP That's a lotta Instruments
+8 EXP House aint got shit on us
+3 EXP Met Saki Onoda
+3 EXP Met Raizou Magari

4 + 120 = 124 Total EXP!

-[] Spend It?

*Kei's sheet has been updated.

InfiniteDaze · Apr 30, 2021

"I think we should go with the fifth floor." Momohime quickly decided before turning to her fellow exorcist. "I appreciate the offer, but we should focus on conserving our strength to endure through the exam. If using that Art takes you out for the remainder of the trial then it should be used near the end."

"Got it, got it." The highschooler nodded before rolling his shoulders and turning to the examiner. "Hey are there any vending machines here? I can go for an energy drink after having to deal with the first floor."

Odo replied without even looking up from the desk. "They accept payment in yen."

"Who the fuck keeps yen on them anymore?!" Kei shouted. "I only have credits!"

Momohime blinked. Credits? What's that?

"Me." The examiner waved. "And be glad it's just yen. I've met some Youkai who don't accept payment in anything but mon."

"Um, I should have yen in my wallet." The green flame spoke up. Surprisingly however, it was Demon Blade that interrupted her next.

"There's no need to spend any money right now." The magical girl declared before pulling out a bag. "We have this, remember?"

"Ah! The medicine Kongiku gave us!" Momohime bobbed up and down in the air. "Um, will it really work though? It's supposed to restore… energy… Oh I get it now."

"Yes, it should serve as an adequate pick me up." Demon Blade replied as she popped a pill in her mouth and swallowed. Hey wait a minute, did she just take medicine without consulting Momohime?! It was her body too! If the swordsman heard this complaint, she merely ignored it as she opened the bag towards Kei. "Would you like to partake in some?"

"Er, no thanks. I'm good." Kei and surprisingly Hanako both leaned back as their faces scrunched up. "If it's anything like what Kouyou uses, I'm going to stay well clear of it."

"Your loss." Demon Blade shrugged before making her way to the stairs. "Now come along, the time for idle chit chat is over."

"We're taking the stairs again?!" Kei complained, though dutifully followed the magical girl as the group began their ascent. "It's on the fifth floor!"

"Yes?" The swordsman asked. "It's only five floors."

"Just ignore his whining." Hanako chimed in as she floated ahead. "Big bro was really weak when we first contracted!"

"I was moderately fit." Kei's protests were summarily ignored, leading to a rather comfortable silence until the blonde decided it was a good idea to face where Momohime floated in the air. "So… You're old right?"

"...I'm an adult?" The former office worker responded, giving him a confused glance.

"Same thing." The young boy waved. "Just, do you have any idea what the hell ska is?"

"I'm sorry, but no." Momohime's ethereal body swayed. "It's my first time I've heard of it either. I think it's got to be a music genre?"

"Pretty sure all the floors are music genres." Kei jabbed his thumb at the Jazz floor as the group passed it on the way up. "This is the trial of the headphones after all."

"Excuse me?" The spectral flame gave the closest it could to a blink. "The trials have names?"

"Nah, it's just something I came up with because it sounded cool." The high schooler admitted. "I mean I wouldn't be surprised considering it's Youkai we're talking about, but I think someone would've said something if that were the case."

"...How much do you know about Youkai anyways?" The aspiring exorcist asked. "N-Not that I'm doubting your abilities of course! It's just that I'm fairly new to all of this so I've been desperately cramming the text books but they're-"

"-Confusing as all hell?" Her fellow human nodded in shared sympathy. "Can't say I'm an expert either, I contracted a few months back when I graduated middle school. Most of my time has been spent just getting a grip on Hanako's abilities."

"That's still more then me." Momohime glanced away. "I only learned to project myself like this a few hours ago."

"Seriously?" Kei gave her a weird glance. "Demon Blade looked like an expert when it comes to arts though!"

"I've spent years honing my blade while Momohime lived in the weighted world." The magical girl in question spoke without looking back. "It was not until two weeks ago was she drawn into the Night World."

"Two weeks?!" Hanako's contractor shouted, head whipping from Momohime to her reflection and back again. "Magical Girls really are something else huh…"

"It's honestly a shock for me too." The girl in question muttered before spotting something through Demon Blade's eyes. "Looks like we're here. Everyone, brace yourself!"

The gang quickly crowded around the entrance, careful not to open it just yet. Both humans adjusted the headphones over their ears, just in case. The staircase remained dead quiet, but if it was anything like what the first floor was like that was just a prelude to a dreadful symphony. Some form of soundproofing? At times like these Momohime didn't know whether to be grateful for her ears' continued safety or curse that she couldn't hear if anything was happening on the other side.

"Excellent point." Demon Blade nodded along with her thought process before turning to face the floating Youkai. "Hanako, can you phase through the door before we enter?"

"No can do!" The bobcut girl denied. "Only reason I was able to scout ahead earlier was because big bro was taking a dump! Toilet-bound spirits can only travel through toilets! Ka ka ka!"

"...I suppose we will have to go in blind then." The swordsman's grip on the Muramasa Blade tightened as she glanced at the door in front of them. "Everyone, stand back."

Momohime suddenly felt an intense wave of deja vu assault her. "Wait you aren't thinking of-"

The flame couldn't finish as the blade was unsheathed in a blur. Before she could even take a breath, Demon Blade swiftly began to hack at the entry in front of her. Momohime's voice was swiftly cut down along with the door as it fell to the floor with a loud thump.

"Of course you are." The former office lady grumbled while her fellow contractor held the opposite reaction.

"Coooool." Hanako and Kei let out in unison.

"Doesn't appear to be any ambush waiting for us." The magical girl kicked down what remained of the door before entering the room with no hesitation. Unlike the big spacious halls of the first floor, what greeted them was instead a cozy little cafe with a single stage. The instruments were already there, a group of four brass instruments floating in the air in a mock up of performing a show. The music though, was the biggest change from the muted symphony. Instead of the oppressive, overpowering sound of tens of instruments playing different tunes at once, they were all playing the same thing. And in Momohime's opinion it was… "So banal."

"I wouldn't put it like that." The magical girl's reflection protested weakly, but she didn't disagree. If Classic was ear gratingly chaotic then Ska could only be described as mind numbingly boring. All four instruments played the same tune, the same harmony, over and over again with no change in rhythm. "At least it's peaceful I guess?"

"I'm not sure if that's a good thing or a bad thing." Kei replied as he surveyed the cafe. "I guess we just split up and look for clues? I'm cool with just ambushing the instruments too though."

"I don't want to get into a fight we'll regret. Who knows if the condition for clearing the floor is the same as the Classic section." It probably wasn't, given how polar opposite the fifth floor was turning out to be. But then again, there was little else here too… "Ah! There's a person over there!"

Sitting tucked away in the back corner was a bored man, idly tapping away at the table as he jotted something down in his notebook. Somehow, he had yet to notice the group's presence, which was slightly worrying considering what happened the last time Momohime saw an examiner get trapped in a trance. As loud as she could (Which wasn't that loud since being a flame didn't come with lungs), Momohime cried out to him. "Um! Excuse me!"

"Huh? Oh." The man yawned as the magical girl and her reflection approached him. "'Sup. You guys here for the exam too?"

"Ah, yes." Momohime nodded, giving a side glance to Kei and Hanako who had begun to… Empty out the cash register? "We just arrived on this floor so-"

"You're wondering if I know anything. I gotcha." He sluggishly nodded. "Well, you see those instruments on stage?"

Momohime blinked before turning to where he was pointing. "I see them."

"Yeah, well, they exist."

There was a beat of silence before Demon Blade raised an eyebrow. "...Is that all?"

"It's the most I've managed to figure out." The man pointed at his notebook before picking up a piece of paper and waving it through the air. "There's a 'menu' you can pick up over at the counter. It's a hint for sure but I've spent the past ten minutes just sitting here trying to figure it out."

Momohime floated to where the paper was. "Excuse me, can I see that?"

The man silently shrugged before holding the paper in the air and turning back to his notebook. "If you manage to figure something out then let me know, kay?"

The aspiring exorcist bobbed in the air before turning her attention to the paper.

TODAY'S MENU: SKA

Special offer for every fourth customer!

Key: C

Time: 4:4

Saxophone: (1+3+5) = 4

Trumpet: 8 - 8 = 16

Trombone: 4 + 4 = 2

Horn: REST

...What? Momohime barely knew what she was looking at. Math? Numbers? No that couldn't be the case, but what it was supposed to be was flying over her head right now.

"Confusing isn't it, miss Hitodama?" Closing his eyes, the man took a deep breath and listened to the performance. "The answer has got to do with the instruments but thinking is just… so… tiring…"

The ethereal flame let out a sudden shriek as the examinee's head suddenly crashed into the table, a loud bang echoing through the room. Demon Blade's hands instantly shot forward as she rushed towards the man's side, letting out a sigh before turning towards Momohime. "It's fine. He merely passed out--m?"

Despite the fact that her magical girl self held control of her body, Momohime felt a shiver crawl down her spine and her hair stand on end. Her intuition was screaming at her as the atmosphere grew thicker. Together as one, swordsman and exorcist turned towards the stage once more. Something had changed since they had looked away, no it was obvious what it was. With each instrument playing the same harmony, it was incredibly too easy to not notice one slipping away.

"Demon Blade…" Momohime muttered worriedly as she surveyed the cafe in the places where her eyes couldn't see.

"Get ready." The swordsman simply said. "I have the feeling that the time for investigation is over."

All of the instruments had turned towards them, save for the missing saxophone, lost within the cafe. Demon Blade's grip on her blade tightened as she placed herself into a ready stance. In the corner of her eyes, she could see it. The glint of metallic brass, weaving in and out through the sea of chairs. Yet every time Momohime thought she could find it, the instrument was gone.

No, her eyes couldn't find it, but her ears could. It was covered by the song of it's companions, but the Sax's own tune wasn't gone. Faint it may be, but at the same time it was growing closer with each passing second. It was almost as if it were toying with them, building towards something as it waited for the crescendo. But what? If it wanted to attack her it could've done so the moment she entered the room- No, that wasn't the instrument's style. Even though the ones on the first floor had also gone on the offensive, they lured in their prey first with their songs. And the person who had heard the song the most was… It clicked.

Momohime's mind raced as instinct and logic blurred together, sharpening her intuition as she began to hunt the hunter. Where it was, and where it was going, it was all becoming clear to her. All she needed to do was wait for her cue. One. Two. Three.

"Now!" She screamed, Demon Blade already on the move, kicking the man out of his chair and knocking him to the floor as a blur of brass shot up from the floor. The saxophone lunged through air, it's presses flapping in rage as it crashed back down, sinking into the wood as if it were water. Momohime grimaced before turning towards the examinee. "We need to get him out of here!"

"On it." The magical girl exclaimed as she picked up his limp body before turning to the other contractor in the room. "You two! Catch!"

"Huh--woah!" The high schooler shouted as Demon Blade tossed the man towards them. "How do you expect me to catch a living person!?"

"Ka! Ka! Ka! Don't worry big bro! I got it!" Hanako shouted, only for the swordsman's eyes to catch sight of something chasing after the body.

As if.

Muramasa Blade: 200 Base Damage, +50 Dice = 250 Total Damage
Brass: 210 Resilience, +N/A Dice = 210 Total Reduction

40 End Damage

Brass: 1300 - 40 = 1260 Remaining Health
Muramasa Blade: 651 + 10 = 661 Remaining Health

The Muramasa Blade swung forward, it's steel crashing into the dirty gold of the saxophone. Sounds of blood lust rang through the air as Demon Blade sent the instrument flying back towards the floor. The instrument barely regarded it as a scratch, but it still paused to do the equivalent of glaring at her. Rust and stains began to corrode its exterior as a high pitched note cut through the previously quaint cafe. Suddenly, an unseen drum began to beat through the room. The instrument's keys began to press at an alarming rate, the song coming from it's bell a battle cry that rallied it's fellow band members together.

"It changed its tune…?" Momohime muttered to herself as Hanako caught the soaring man in the air.

"Gotcha!" She cried before the toilet bound ghost turned towards the aspiring exorcist. "What now?!"

"Um." The flame glanced at the ruins of the door her reflection had cut down. They hadn't heard anything from the outside so… Oh, Momohime hoped she was right about this. "Get him out of the room!"

Hanako shot towards the door, her tiny frame carrying the fully grown man with ease. Unfortunately, the brass instruments took offense to that as the trombone popped out of the ground, attempting to hook Youkai's feet with it's slide. "Ah! Nope! Big Bro help me out!"

"You can do it yourself you lazy ass!" Kei snapped back but dashed forward to his partner's defense anyways. "Fuck it! "Privacy Invasion!"(Deathly Bound)

Cost: 100 HP

Kei Kagami: 1100 - 100 = 1000 Remaining Health.

The scent of metal was tinged with the scent of rot as the high school boy's hands once more cracked, stretched, and morphed into grotesque lizard heads once more. Their teeth gripping onto the trombone's slide, his muscles bulging as he fished the brass instrument out of the ground before locking his other hand's jaw around it's bell. Dirty yellow fangs sunk into the trombone as it began to corrode.

Privacy Invasion: 285 Base Damage, +N/A Dice = 285 Total Damage
Brass: 210 Base Resilience, +N/A Dice, -53 Armor Pierce = 157 Total Reduction

128 End Damage

Brass: 1300 - 128 = 1172 Remaining Health

"Thanks!" Hanako cheered as she flew out the door and dropped the slumbering examinee on the ground like a sack of potatoes. Despite the chaos, the man didn't stirr from his sleep, but Momohime's attention was focused elsewhere.

Namely, at the trombone that thrashed and struggled in Kei's grip, changing tunes as a more frantic and energetic melody escaped from its bell. Somewhere off stage, a guitar joined the fray as the music that initially seemed so static began to turn frantic.

"Again?" Momohime asked herself before turning towards her reflection. "Can you attack the Saxophone again? I need to check something."

"Understood." Demon Blade declared as her Sword began to cut through air, slicing towards the instrument. The saxophone attempted to dodge and weave through the swings, only for the swordsman to change her trajectory at the last moment as the clanging of metals joined the festivities once more.

Muramasa Blade: 200 Base Damage, +51 Dice = 251 Total Damage
Brass: 210 Resilience, +N/A Dice = 210 Total Reduction

41 End Damage

Brass: 1300 - 40 = 1219 Remaining Health
Muramasa Blade: 661 + 10 = 671 Remaining Health

With the rattling of battle, the instrument's corrosion began to fade away as it seemed to… calm down? Momohime found it a bit difficult to ascribe emotions to the faceless instruments but that's what it seemed to do as the melody it had been blasting in her face transitioned back into the calm chords that blended together with the rest of the instruments.

Demon Blade nodded before turning back to Momohime. "Are you satisfied?"

The flame nodded before wavering, mentally going over the information in her head. Going from the top of the menu, the special offer could be referring to the fact that only one of the four instruments held the song part they were looking for. Momohime was still trying to figure out what the numbers meant but since they were dealing with song… Could 'Rest' be referring to the musical note? When taken into account the fact that the instruments swapped tunes back and forth whenever they were hit, then could it be that they had to align the instruments with the menu? "If that's the case… This Momohime is a bit uncertain, but I think I have something?"

"Then you better hurry up and tell us!" Kei shouted as the trumpet tried to bash his head in, causing the trombone to escape from his grasp before attempting to stab through his chest with it's slide. "It's like the faster these things play, the more aggressive they are!"

The aspiring exorcist blinked. Faster? No, they were playing more but these instruments weren't going any faster. This wasn't anything like the chaotic cacophony of the classical floor. They were all playing in synch with each other, keeping to the beat--

"The time section!" She exclaimed. "I get it now!"

"Is that so? Then give the order and I shall follow." The swordsman nodded. "Whatever the consequence, I'll bear it for you."

"...Thanks?" Momohime smiled before shouting as loud as she could. "Everyone, listen up! The answer to this floor is--!"

[] Insert Answer

AN: Smallest update yet, also the worst update yet? Why? Because the puzzle here is gosh darn terrible. I know it, and you'll probably know it once you start trying to solve it. But the beta and I have been bashing our heads against this thing for like three days now and we just decided to toss it out there. We are willing to make adjustments based on player feedback though. Give it a shot and tell us what you think.

~~This most defenitly isn't us giving up we are respectable QMs who would never do such a thing no sir.~~

InfiniteDaze · May 29, 2021

"The answer to this floor is--!"

Twenty minutes later, two tried fighters, one sympathetic youkai, and a depressed flame spirit exited the fifth floor.

"I really thought that was it…" Momohime muttered to herself.

"There there." Hanako patted the flame spirit, though the exorcist trainee was a bit confused as to how she could actually feel the young girl's hand touch her projection. "It was probably better than anything big bro would have thought up!"

"Don't just diss me right after we cleared the floor!" Kei shouted spiritedly, although from the way he slumped against the wall he was just as exhausted as the rest of them. "We're just lucky that we somehow managed to clear the puzzle anyways by luck."

The flame sighed. "Honestly I'm not even sure what the puzzle was."

Hanako and her countracter both looked at each other before speaking in unison. "Probably something stupid."

"It matters not what the question was, merely that we found the answer." Demon Blade spoke as she popped another medicinal pill in her mouth.

"Please stop eating pills like they're senzu beans, that's my body you're messing with." It was as if someone force fed her coffee! Sure the black broth was something you used for the occasional pick me up, but you wouldn't like it if your boss forced it down your throat so you could stay awake another hour or two! Wait, Was that an oddly specific example? Momohime could vaguely recall such an incident from her company days.

The former office lady's thoughts were interrupted as a loud gong sounded throughout the building. The ticking time of a clock causing the walls to vibrate as the sound shook Momohime to her very core.

"...The hell was that?" The blonde let out, causing the swordsman to swallow the pill before her eyes narrowed.

"Does anyone know where the nearest clock is?" Demon Blade asked.

"Uh, let me check." Kei reached into his jacket before flashing his smartphone. "This work for you?"

The magical girl squinted her eyes at the screen before sighing. "I see, so an hour has already passed."

An hour had passed? Honestly this night felt a lot longer than that, but the way Demon Blade was saying it felt like there was something important about the time-

"Ah!" Momohime exclaimed. "The youkai! They've released the first youkai!"

"They what!?" Kei exclaimed.

The exorcist trainee looked at her fellow contractor before remembering what happened during the opening. "It was part of the rules for the exam! Every hour or so they'll unseal a youkai and release it into the city!"

"Goddammit Kouyou! I've missed all the important shit!" No, it was your own fault for making her mad in the first place. "Wait, a minute, this is youkai we're talking about right? How can they just be walking around without a contractor?"

"Kakaka! Don't be silly big bro! If they're walking around without a contractor it's because they've already devoured them and become a stage 2 youkai!" Hanako laughed as she spun in the air. "Though the master of night and day is running this exam, so it could just be Shikigami."

"Shikigami?" Momohime blinked. She knew the term from mythology, but she wasn't sure how exactly it applied to the night world.

"Oh yeah it's this cool trick Onmyouji came up with, sort of a pseudo contract." Hanako nodded. "Was it something about sacrificing some of their weight to create a binding for youkai to temporarily exist in the weighted world without causing a contract? Eh, I'm not really sure on the details but I've heard some of them can get really strong! Like the big guy on the seventh floor!"

"We can discuss this later. Right now we have a more pressing matter on our hands." Demon Blade interrupted. "This is only the first trial of the exam and we've already been here for an hour."

"...And we don't know how long the other trials will take." Momohime finished her reflection's thoughts. "Furthermore, there are two floors left to complete the song."

"Yeah but Hanako and I can take out floor three no problem." Kei countered. "it might take a few extra minutes but we can get the job done real quick."

"Yes but that'll leave you handicapped for the rest of the trial." The flame argued before turning to the toilet spirit in question. "By the way, how strong is this um, 'Shikigami'."

"Like I said, he's probably the toughest thing here!" The bobcut girl said. "I'm sure with your Blade Arts you stand a chance but it's going to be a tough fight!"

A tough fight huh… Did they even have to risk it? There were only two floors left. It could just be a fifty-fifty chance on which one had the remaining song piece. Well, as much as she'd like to believe that, Momohime couldn't deny the truth. Memories of the conversation between the examiner and that silver haired man flashed. What was that he had said when Raizo was turning in his answer again?

"As far as I'm aware, the one on the seventh floor hasn't been defeated yet."

"The seventh floor is the key to this trial." The princess declared as she made her decision. "We need to get through this fast and decisively. We might be able to swing around towards the third floor on the way down, but if anything goes wrong then we only serve to lose time. And if it helps, we might not even have to fight it. Our track record might not be the best but this Momohime is confident that we can figure out the crucial clue of any puzzle."

There was a moment of silence as everyone turned to stare at Momohime. She fidgeted nervously as her flame wiggle waggled through the air. "That is um, if it's alright with you guys."

"If that is what you wish, then I have no objections." Demon Blade nodded her head silently, though she did glance at Momohime before giving her a small smile.

"Well it's not like I've got any other plans." Kei scratched the back of his head. "Sorry but I've kind of been following you guys for this whole exam since you two seem to actually know what's going on."

"Kakaka! If Big bro is in then I'm in!" Hanako cheered. "It's a shame I can't show off my full power but oh well!"

"Then it's decided!" Momohime nodded. "To the seventh floor! Hurry!"

Every let out a cheer in their own way, including the crumpled man on the ground who was still sleeping soundly. "Gahehehe…"

Had- Had he been here this entire time? And he was still asleep?

"Careful not to trip." Momohime thought to Demon Blade as the gang began to climb the staircase upwards as fast as she could. She was sure the examiners would take care of him. Probably.

Moving as fast as they could, youkai, contractors, and a magical girl climbed to the very top of this modified dreamscape of a Tower Records. It wasn't that far from where they had been, but it was still two more floors higher before they finally managed to see the door with the simple words written on it. "Floor Seven - Karaoke"

No sound could be heard from the room, but for some reason Momohime could feel a strange chill engulf the air as they stood outside of the metal door. The music felt hostile, tearing at the listener's ears with jagged edges before they even heard the first note.

Demon Blade moved to cut down the door only for Kei to raise his hand and bend over, gasping for breath. "Wait… Give me… A moment…"

"For an aspiring exorcist you sure are out of shape." Demon Blade commented, causing the teenager to glare.

"Fuck off! We've been fighting for an hour and you're a magical girl! Do you know how hard it is to keep up with you?!" Kei shouted. "And you're the one who keeps popping those medicinal pills!"

"Are you sure that you don't want any?" The swordsman offered, holding out the bag.

The blonde stared at it with trepidation before his partner finally floated over next to him and promptly kicked him in the head. "Oh stop being so stubborn big bro!"

"Ow! Fine! Give me that!" Kei grumbled. Though despite his attitude, the Magical Girl simply obliged as she passed him a pill. He took it down in one gulp before sighing. "Oh. Oh wow! I'm feeling better already! Are you sure this is kitsune medicine?!"

"Well." Demon Blade put the medicine back who knows where. "Kitsune are notorious tricksters."

The high schooler blinked before raising his fist in the air. "Kouyou!"

"Um, save your new energy for the fight." Momohime chimed in before turning towards the door. "I have a feeling we're going to need it."

The magical girl stepped forward. By this point, Momohime already knew what her reflection was going to do. A single stroke, and yet another door was broken down. However, as if noticing their presence. Whatever sound was being played came to an abrupt stop. In front of them, was just a room full of pitch black darkness.

Cautiously they put their headphones back on and entered, walking past the threshold and into the darkness. The room was cold, a creeping chill that curled down their spines. The only thing they could do was keep walking forward, ready to fight at any moment. And then-

A spotlight shined, illuminating the center stage as they heard a deep, bass voice speak. "Lemme tell you a little something."

On the stage was a man- No, it was a figure shaped like a man and dressed like a man but it fundamentally wasn't human. Beneath it's suave suit was a body of machinery and wires, slick, smooth, and shining from the light. With its presence, a low hum echoed throughout the room, resonating deep within their body as it lifted it's head and stared them in the eye. It was only then did Momohime realize what she was looking at. Was it an instrument? Yes, it was, but it was twisted and distorted more than even the nightmare piano. For the only thing that resembled its natural shape was its head. A boxy, metallic cage with dials surviving as it's eyes.

"A microphone…" Momohime whispered out, and immediately the creature whipped it's head at her before lunging into the darkness. A fuzzy static rumbled in her ears before the flame heard it's voice from behind her.

"You better run, run, run, here I come." It sang, but there was no emotion in its voice. Nothing human about it as it whipped back it's head before unleashing a high pitched scream directly into her ear. "NOWHERE TO ESCAPE UNDER THE SUN!"

Fear Applied!

Momohime shrieked, loudly. The sound ripped through her mind, causing her projection to collapse, sending her straight back to her own body. She had no control, couldn't move, couldn't cover her ears, couldn't get that voice out of her head! The static was overwhelming, scraping at the inside of her skull. A piercing buzzed that defended her ears and left her alone in the darkness.

"Get a hold of yourself Momohime!" Her reflection thought, but she couldn't. On the inside, where Magical Girl Demon Blade couldn't control, Momohime Tsukigami wasn't shaking. A gnawing feeling had been jabbed into her heart, infecting her from the inside and out and paralyzing her very thoughts. "Tch! It's no use! She can't hear me!"

"The hell was that?!" Kei screamed, flailing in the dark. "Hanako what's going on?!"

"Kakaka! Someone sacrificed a lot to make this Shikigami!" The youkai grinned. "Make sure your headset doesn't fall off big bro! It's attacks have some pretty nasty effects!"

As if on cue, the spotlight reappeared in a different location. The microphone man stared back at them, as if taunting them to try again. There was a bit of static before it spoke, a faux-cocky voice coming out in a sing-song tone. "I'm ready to go anytime I'm feeling the flow."

Silently, Demon Blade took a stance. The Muramasa Blade growling in her hands as she stared at the creature in front of her. There was only one thing on the magical girl's mind. Momohime still deaf to the world around her, fear staining her heart even as Demon Blade controlled her breathing. A burning heart lit the candle, smoke clouding her mind. In response to the Shikigami's taunts, Magical Girl Demon Blade had only one response.

"Very well, my blade will exorcise your demons."

The creature in front of her, the twisted microphone distorted into a mockery of it's own singer. For daring to defile her princess, she would cut it down where it stood.

The final battle for the trial of the headphones had begun.

[] Bash in it's skull!
[] Lure the creature out.
[] Write in

AN: If you're wondering what happened to the puzzle... Don't. Just don't. Trust me it's not worth it. There's an explanation in the thread but it's really not worth looking up the answer too. Also haha managed to get the update before a month had passed at the last minute! Considering how small this update I really could've written this anytime but I've actually been really busy for the past month. Not with anything actually important though, just been writing my ass off with other stuff. Speaking of, I do in fact have a patreon now! Yipee!

Anyways to make a long story short, the exorcist exam really needs to be shortened up so the other trials will probably not be as long as this one. I want to at least finish it this year you know?! What? It's my fault for not writing more? Uh, hey look a boss fight!

Scheduled vote count started by InfiniteDaze on May 12, 2021 at 4:39 PM, finished with 10 posts and 5 votes.

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[X] Floor Three - Jazz
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- Brutehunter2541
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Hundred Night Blade (A Magical Girl Quest)

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