Loading User Commands:
[X] Custom

---

"Flying is faster you know. Already tired?"

"Not really. I just think that we should be a little more cautious."

The apprentice wizard walks along a worn path in the Forest of Magic. The sun shines brightly over him as it approaches noon. Upon his shoulder is a tiny girl that could fit on his palm. She slowly opens her parasol to shade herself from the sunlight.

"Say Yukari, why did you reveal yourself back there?"

"Hmm?"

"Wasn't that a little dangerous?"

"I suppose it was, but I thought it would be fun~"

"Fun?"

"Don't think about it too hard. Just think of me as your partner."

"Partner," he repeats. "Why does that make me feel even more uneasy?"

"Because you aren't stupid."

He stops in his tracks and frowns hard at Yukari. She giggles a bit before shaking her head.

"That is a normal reaction to me, unless you don't think I'm dangerous?"

"You are definitely dangerous, Yukari. I have no doubts about that."

She covers her mouth with her fan mysteriously.

"That makes us a good match, then. You are quite dangerous yourself, Grey Wizard."

A few minutes pass in silence as he collects his thoughts. He couldn't deny what Yukari said. His power seems to be exceedingly dangerous, and his affinity for magic is far greater than any normal human. Perhaps that is the reason why magicians and other powerful beings seem interested in him. Waking up with a knife at your throat isn't exactly normal, after all.

"She said her name was Sakuya."

"Hmm?"

"Why did she react like that? She fled as soon as she realized that you were with me."

"Oh, who knows? The folk of the Scarlet Devil Mansion tend to keep to themselves. Quite a secretive group, even among the other inhabitants of Gensokyo."

She smiles wider before continuing.

"I wouldn't worry too much about her. The elemental magician informed us that they can keep their zone stable now. Besides, they recruited some new talent recently."

"That butler fellow?"

Yukari nods.

"We should worry about our own trouble."

~~~

Grimnír carefully walks around a large tree. It looks little different from the others, aside from the fact that has been frozed solid within a large block of ice. Then, he looks around the area.

"She isn't here," he says.

"Who are you looking for?"

"Sakuya and I met someone here earlier. Some ice fairy named Cirno, I think. She said something strange, though I don't really remember now."

"If it's that Cirno, then she probably went around freezing things randomly again."

"Sakuya said the same thing earlier."

"Besides, why would anyone want to freeze a Youkai tree?"

[ ] Return to Eientei.
[ ] Pass by the Human Village.
[ ] Wander around in the Forest of Magic.
[ ] Custom

Loading User Commands:
[X] Use 'Option' (Type: Yukari). [Unknown]

---

"This is my problem, and I'm not letting anyone else get hurt because of me."

"Wait, what?"

"Wounds from my weapons can heal. Don't worry. I'm not planning to kill you."

"So you're going to attack me because you don't want to hurt me?"

Sakuya shakes her head as she walks closer. Grimnr quickly prepares himself. He doesn't understand her motives, but he isn't going to stand around and let her transform him into a human pincushion.

"There are some things that a trip to Eientei can't cure," she whispers.

This isn't the first time something like this happened to him. He remembers other similar encounters. When he first met Yukari, she tried to kill him in his dreams. Alice seems to have a violent side as well, as he had observed first hand during their training. And Marisa? The scary part is that the black-white doesn't seem to have any sense of caution at all, whether it be for herself or any other person. This doesn't even include the encounters with Wriggle (?) and those crazy fairies.

What the heck is wrong with the girls in Gensokyo?

"What the hell," he mumbles once more.

The chief maid stops walking. A dozen knives materialize around her.

"Could use a little help this time, Yukari," he whispers to himself.

No answer. Oh wow. He curses as he creates another spell shield. Several of the knives smash hard against the barrier. However, he doesn't feel twelve impacts. Perhaps only seven or eight of them hit his shield. Then, his eyes widen in horror as he realizes that the other knives are bouncing chaotically against the ground and the trees. They are moving too fast! He gasps as he turns his head. One of the knives is flying straight for his -

"..."

Grimnr slowly opens his eyes. Eh? The knife is gone. In fact, all of the knives are gone. He looks around, confused. Sakuya also seems surprised. Then, without warning, several tiny holes form around the chief maid. In the next moment, knives shoot out of the gaps toward her.

"Ugh!"

Sakuya barely dodges the projectiles. One of the knives gets too close for comfort. A few of the hairs from her bangs are sliced neatly off.

"What was that?" she cries out. "How did you -"

"Use your laser now!"

Suddenly, he finds his arm already stretched toward at the chief maid. A small beam of light and heat shoots out from his palm. Sakuya leaps backward to dodge the attack. Her eyes narrow angrily at him. Then, he realizes what he just did.

"W-wait, I didn't -"

Another gap opens up to the right of the chief maid. A familiar beam of light shoots out of it, heading straight for the chief maid. Sakuya barely avoids it. The attack grazes the side of her skirt, burning off a small portion of fabric.

"You," whispers the chief maid darkly.

"Oh, did we miss again? How careless~"

Grimnr jumps in surprise. Hovering beside him is a small and familiar figure. The tiny Yukari smirks confidently as she covers her mouth with her fan.

"Yukari? Aren't you supposed to be at Youkai Mountain. Why are you with him?"

"Isn't that obvious?"

She lands on his shoulder and takes a seat.

"This human is my friend."

Grimnr raises an eyebrow at the gap youkai. Yukari just glances at him and winks. Then, she turns back toward Sakuya. She closes her fan and points it at the chief maid.

"This form might be weaker, but I won't let you hurt this Wizard."

Sakuya grits her teeth. In the next moment, both of her hands are holding knives.

"What are you plotting this time? Is this another one of your schemes?"

"Not at all. I'm just looking out for my friends. Is there something strange about that?"

The gap youkai smiles at her.

"But then, why are you here?" she asks. "Remilia never mentioned anything about the trident wielder. Did she send you out on a secret errand, I wonder~"

"..."

Sakuya's expression turns cold.

"Stay out of it. This has nothing to do with you."

Without another world, the chief maid vanishes. Grimnr waits a few seconds, but she doesn't reappear. He sighs loudly. That didn't really go as planned.

"Hmm..."

He turns to the tiny girl sitting on his shoulder. She smiles gently at him, but she doesn't say anything.

[ ] Return to Eientei.
[ ] Pass by Alice's cottage.
[ ] Pass by Marisa's house.
[ ] Wander around aimlessly.
[ ] Custom

Optional:
[ ] Talk to Yukari about something. (Specify)
[ ] Use an item. (Specify)

Loading User Commands:
[X] "Yes, I know how to fight."

---

Sakuya stares at him thoughtfully.

"Say, can you defend yourself?"

Grimnír pauses to think. After surviving Alice's training and Marisa's extra lessons, he can safely say that he can hold his own against the dangers of Gensokyo. At the very least, he should be able to defend himself until he can flee to safety.

"Yes, I know how to fight."

She smiles at him cheerfully.

"It's been a while since I've met an Outsider with such confidence."

Without warning she vanishes. He blinks in surprise. Three knives are floating in mid-air in front of him. He quickly chants the spell commands for a barrier. As soon as he has it up, the knives fly straight at him, smashing themselves hard against the spell shield.

"Damn it! What the hell?"

"Interesting."

He turns toward the chief maid's voice. She seems to be flying several feet above him. A dozen knives materialize beside her, each aimed toward the ground. Grimnír curses as he strengthens his shield. As expected, the sky immediately drizzles blades and steel. He closes his eyes to maintain focus on the barrier until the attack is over.

"Ugh..."

He looks up at Sakuya. She nods at him with a smile.

"You are not bad with defensive spells. However, you will need more than a barrier if you want to survive."

Grimnír frowns hard at her.

"I offer to help you, and you try to kill me? What the hell, Sakuya?"

She pauses for a moment, biting her lip. Then, she slowly descends, landing a few feet away from him.

"I need to gauge your ability," she says. "The man with the trident is dangerous. If you are unsure of yourself, then you better head back."

"That doesn't make me feel much better."

Sakuya sighs sadly. A few knives materialize in her left hand.

"Thank you very much for bringing me this far, but I won't risk taking you if this is your limit. This is my problem, and I'm not letting anyone else get hurt because of me."

She starts walking closer.

[ ] Use barrier. [Defense/Earth]
[ ] Use laser. [Heat/Light]
[ ] Use gate. [Defense/Unknown]
[ ] Use 'Option' (Type: Yukari). [Unknown]
[ ] Use an item. (Specify)
[ ] Flee from the battle.
[ ] Custom

Loading User Commands:
[X] Hide Yukari in your pocket. Tell her to stay quiet.

---

"Just enjoying the ride~"

Grimnír scowls at the miniature gap youkai.

"A-are you nuts? What are we going to do if she sees you?"

"Ara? Now that is a problem. What are we going to do, I wonder~"

Grimnír covers his head with his palm as he stares at the tiny girl. She pulls out a tiny fan to cover her mouth. Surely, she is enjoying this.

"I have half the mind to -"

"Oh, she's looking this way~"

"W-what the -"

He looks up to see Sakuya still staring at the forest with her back against them. Yukari giggles quietly at his reaction. He frowns hard at her.

"That isn't funny..."

"O-of course it isn't, fu fu fu~"

Grimnír sighs to himself as he plants his palm upon his face.

"Nevermind, I won't ask. Just stay hidden in my pocket, alright?"

"Our little secret?"

"Yeah, whatever."

She winks at him before disappearing into his front pocket. The pocket vanishes from sight as well, though he can tell that she is still with him. Well, she might come in handy later on, but he can't get used to carrying her around like this. She isn't some kind of item, after all.

"Hey, Wizard."

Sakuya turns around and walks closer to him.

"Have you noticed anything weird?"

He shakes his head quickly.

"It's peaceful, isn't it? Besides that ice fairy, we haven't encountered anything strange or dangerous in the Forest of Magic."

The chief maid nods grimly.

"Exactly. The Forest of Magic is never this peaceful. It's as if all the fairies and youkai have left or gone into hiding."

"... sorry, I don't get it."

"If my guess is right, we must be getting closer."

"Closer to what?"

She stares at him for several seconds, as if appraising his ability.

"Say, can you defend yourself?"

[ ] "Yes, but I'd rather not."
[ ] "Yes, I know how to fight."
[ ] "Yes, I can crush my enemies."
[ ] "No, I'm just an ordinary human."
[ ] "No, my magic is still weak."
[ ] "No, I dislike violence."
[ ] Custom

[X] Status
Alice - B
Yukari - B
Marisa - B
Wriggle - C

[X] Inventory
A neatly handwritten note. Alice wrote it.
A short pamphlet. "A Draft of Spell Card Rules"
A small sack. It can hold a lot of items.
A long walking stick. It looks sturdy.
A hooded cloak. It can cover your head from the rain.
A set of gray robes. It has many pockets.
A small pouch full of mushrooms. Maybe Marisa knows what they are used for?
A beginner's magic book. "Basic Magical Theory and Simple Applications"
An ornate silver bracelet. Engraved on it is a serpent biting its own tail.
A spell card. "Logos Sign 「Calculated Risk」"
(5) Several blank spell cards. You can inscribe spells on them.
A small calling card. The name "Yukari Yakumo" is written on one side.
A large syringe from Dr. Yagokoro. It is filled with a luminescent blue substance.
A small unmarked envelope. Yukari was in it.
An empty syringe. Dr. Yagokoro said that its tip made from lunarian silver.
A mysterious spell book. "Theoretical Boundary Binding and Intervention"
A strange untitled book. Patchouli lent it to you.

[X] Option
A miniature version of Yukari Yakumo. She is hiding in your 'front pocket'.

Loading User Commands:
[X] Custom

---

Two figures soar across the Forest of Magic: a silver-haired girl in a maid uniform and a young man with gray robes and a walking stick. Their search remains fruitless. The man turns to the girl with a frown.

"This isn't working," says Grimnír.

The girl sighs heavily. She gives him a sad smile.

"Let's take another break," says Sakuya.

The two land under the shade of a great tree. The sun shines brightly above. It is nearly noon. Grimnír leans with his back against the tree to think. There is something strange about what she had said.

"This weapon that you mentioned," he says. "Would it happen to be the legendary spear Gungnir?"

"Why would you say that?" she says carefully.

"No reason in particular."

"..."

Sakuya stares at him carefully. There is something very cold about her eyes. He turns away and clears his throat.

"W-well, if you don't want to tell me, then that's fine too. Let's just forget I asked."

She shakes her head and sighs once more.

"It isn't the Gungir," she explains. "The Scarlet family owns several strange and wonderful artifacts. In fact, the trident he carries isn't very special at all. Not to ordinary humans and youkai, anyway."

"Then why do you need it back?"

"..."

The chief maid turns away and says nothing, ending the conversation. Grimnír shrugs as he seats himself on the ground. Flying is more draining than he expected. Might as well have a good rest before wandering around the Forest again. He takes a glance at the sun once more.

"I'm gonna miss lunch," he says idly.

"That would be disappointing~"

"..."

He slowly turns toward the voice, which seems to be coming from the front of his robe. Grimnír stares blankly, unable to react. Her pink and purple dress and long blonde blonde hair are unmistakable. The head of a tiny girl pokes out from his front pocket. Of course, the front pocket was certainly not there before. She gives him a wink as she motions for him to stay quiet.

"W-wha-what the hell?" he whispers angrily.

"Just enjoying the ride~"

He looks up to see that Sakuya is still distracted with her own thoughts. She hasn't noticed mini-Yukari yet.

[ ] Throw Yukari into the woods. This is no time for games!
[ ] Toss Yukari into your sack. You can't let Sakuya find her.
[ ] Hide Yukari in your pocket. Tell her to stay quiet.
[ ] Let Yukari sit on your shoulder. She can pretend to be a doll.
[ ] Have Yukari sit on your head. Act like she isn't there.
[ ] Tell her to fly beside you. No need to hide anything.
[ ] Custom

Wizardry

In another place, someone steps out of a strange purple door. She takes a moment to dust off her clothes and hair. After straightening her cape and antennae, Wriggle Nightbug starts walking down a small path. As she goes deeper into the forest, the plant growth gets thicker and wilder. The firefly girl does not pause as she steps into the darkness. Soon, only a faint glimmer of light shines from above. Then, she stops.

"I've come to collect your report," she says.

Something glints in the shadows. It is a strange grin in the darkness. As she turns to face it, it begins to grow wider. She immediately notes that there is nothing good-natured about this grin. Without a doubt, this grin is full of malice and deceit, and its owner even more so.

"We have waited warmly. We have much news for your Master..."

A pair of white gloves clap excitedly from the darkness.

"But where shall we begin? Oh, such a difficult choice~"

Wriggle shakes her head.

"I have no time for games. How is the operation at Youkai Mountain?"

The clapping stops.

"Youkai Mountain is in chaos. Oh, wonderful chaos! The tengu and kappa have all but taken arms against the Hakurei maiden, and the negotiations with the Moriya folk are progressing smoothly."

"And Hakugyokurou?"

"The hellcat has almost completed the ritual. I must say that the preliminary results have been extremely entertaining. We should hear from her success this evening."

"Noted. And how about the Scarlet front?"

The grin grows wider.

"There were some complications over the past few days, but nothing too difficult. Our agent has successfully infiltrated the Scarlet Devil's home during the confusion."

"Eientei?"

"They are still incapacitated, as we predicted. Without the moon princess, they will be only a minor inconvenience."

Wriggle pauses to think.

"This report is acceptable. I shall return with Master's next orders."

"Always a pleasure~"

She turns around and prepares to leave. However, the voice from the darkness calls out once more.

"Forgive our indiscretion, but there is one more thing that we must mention."

"... speak."

The grin chuckles softly to itself before speaking.

"We have noticed a certain ice fairy moving about..."

"Master already explained that the idiot is nothing to worry about."

"And that is exactly what puzzles us," it whispers darkly. "You see, we have discovered that the ice fairy's meddling has already hindered our operations at least twice in the past week. Her movements are very much suspect, and we believe that she may prove to be a threat."

Wriggle shakes her head.

"Like Master said before, we only need to focus on the operation. There is no reason to waste time and resources on that idiot. Do you understand?"

"Of course. Forgive our indiscretion."

The firefly girl returns the way she came. She closes the purple door behind her, and it soon vanishes from the path. The grin in the darkness chuckles softly to itself.

"Now I wonder," it says. "Were the orders to ignore the ice fairy from the Master, or yourself?"