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Fear

Fear. An emotion that inflicts one with weakness. Though Fear may sound useless, it is much needed as a barrier to prevent too many risks. Fear saves lives as it awares beings around them. The one who manages Fear is called Nahumar...At least that is what the first humans called him.
Nahumar's description can only be summed up as the very accumulating mass of fear. No real shape at all. Even when one would see his true form, they would immediately die from the surge of fright and shock. Among the other emotions, Nahumar was the youngest of them all, but the most powerful. His manipulation over fear itself is capable of using whatever the enemy is most afraid of and make it reality. If I have to say what Nahumar acted like, no one would believe me...
He is kind and gentle. He would fight when there is reason and to protect anyone he cares about. He is not power hungry at all.
Yet the humans hate him much. No matter how common his sight can become, his very presence makes the villagers throw rocks at him and cuss him out.
Nahumar's power may be strong, but his use of making a physical body that is more suitable for the public is all but lackluster. Without the ability to make a proper pigment, his body is covered in a shadow black tone with smoke and tendons from his back. Only his face is more human than the rest of him.

Every day, Nahumar would sit at his shrine and decide what to do. Some days, a small rabbit would come over to talk or play with him. Ochiba is her name. It is through Ochiba that Nahumar has a reason to protect the forest more so than ever. His parasites have taken the form of said rabbits with purple fur in order to approach and not frighten the others so much.

If you were to ask me... "Does Fear have a Fear?" I would respond with 'How redundant...but yes.'
Nahumar has only one true fear. One person...
Yukari Yakumo. The Gap Youkai.
This Youkai alone made the former Deity shutter in fright. Her Manipulation over Boundaries. The gaps she makes. And most importantly...the ability to see Nahumar for who he really is and without even showing a sign of weakness. I never could see this Yukari person in reality, but if I did, i would ask what he looked like.
Nahumar is Powerful, Possibly beyond Phantasm. However, if Yukari could make HIM shake....then it is quite obvious that she could be a possible god.

Nahumar...


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"Hm? So you are the famed beast of fright? My my, why are you in such a sad mood?" The mysterious woman announced inside of Nahumar's very safe haven. The Mare.
"Who are you?! Show Yourself!" Nahumar shouted. His voice echoed through the black, misty void. A woman in pink and white, with long golden hair and a parasol slowly came into his vision.
"How? How are you able to see my true self?" Nahumar asked.
"That is not important. What is important, is that I have a proposition for you." The woman replied. Nahumar did not like this at all. No being at all could live once they have seen his true form. A creature -------------------------------.
"Speak your tongue, and watch your mouth." He said. The woman closed her parasol and opened a strange gap with two ribbons on either end for him to look into.
"Gaze your eyes upon a work in progress. A place where creatures like you and me could live with humans as they live with us. A world where your power will be put to good use, instead of tossed aside." The image displayed a very familiar mountain that has escaped Nahumar's grasp many times. A woman in red and black. The various creatures almost lining up to enter, from east to west. Nahumar did not believe her.
"How do I know this is not some kind of trap?" he asked. The woman gave a chuckle.
"Are you scared of me, Nahumar?" his eyes widen in shock and with such fright.
"H-how do you-" he was silenced as the woman opened another portal. Showing his siblings already getting use to the human like forms that were far better than the old ones and waiting outside the entrance to the new word.
"They also wish to go. You can trust me, being of Fear. What you should ask is...do you want to be forgotten? The Humans have outgrown the need for your kind to guide them by the hand. You should move on and be apart of the new world." She closed the gap once more, turning her back to Nahumar. Nahumar shifted into his normal self. The mist fading to reveal the bell shrine he had for some time as a place to escape. The trees surrounding it gave closure.
"I-if i go...may I take this shrine with me?" To which Yukari bluntly said...
"No. There will be a new one when you enter. We can not just move such a broken shrine like that."
Nahumar looked back at the shrine. Sure the wood was broken and the bell was cracked, but it was there for the being.
"I will miss you, Mare." he whispered under his breath, walking to the woman whi put a fan over her face to cover her nose and lips.
"I will go. No sense in being forgotten when Fear literary keeps human judgement in check." The woman grinned as she opened a portal to where his siblings were.
"Perfect. See you on the other side..."

Since that meeting...I feel as if god came down and told me about heaven.
Was it right?
Were the Humans in the old world still alive?
Why did they leave the gods?
and...Who is this woman exactly?

--------------------------------------------

The start of Gensokyo was a bit rough at the beginning, but once the rules were made and everything had a place, it was the start of something new.
Overtime, a large village for Humans was created in the near center of the land. For the three emotions, Hanalli started with the Human Village. Sorina took the secluded and dangerous Mountain.
Nahumar was given his choice once more by the mysterious woman. Either he could be located somewhere to the south or deep in the forest of magic. For Nahumar, he had to make a new Mare. He chose the darkest part of the forest to reside. A bell shrine was created, but was far bigger than his own. Almost as big as a house.
"Oh, do you have a mortal form?" the woman asked, watching Nahumar glance over his new home.
"Yes, but it's not as wonderful as your body." he replied with a small flirt. The woman smirked at the compliment.
Nahumar changed his body on command, showing his shadow black body up to his neck while the rest was a human pigment. Dark white hair, yellow eyes. He looked menacing. His lower half emitted the same smoke like aura he used for his body.
"Hmm...I think you will need something to wear. If a Human saw you like that, they would surely die of fright." the woman pulled out from a portal, a long white jacket. One to cover his body from neck to ankle. Upon trying it on, he was pleased. His tendons burst through the cloth, leaving no holes.
"This feels great. Thank you." the woman shook her head, opening a portal for herself.
"No need to thank me. You should save that for the group. Now I must be off, apparently there are some Oni left in the outside world that have not entered Gensokyo yet." and with one motion, she was gone in a flash.
This was it. Nahumar had his shrine and new life. This time, he was alone. He looked at his tendons and had an idea. He tossed a small blob of black energy out as he thought of a shape. A bug with a portion of his hallucinating power to drive humans who were not brave enough. It came alive. The creature approached Nahumar and looked at him like a newborn chick.
"A young parasite. Perfect." he said, creating a few more. Enough to fill the darker parts of the forest around him. Their mission is to ward off humans and other Youkai who were too scared.
This would lead to a part of his life where the humans spread a rumor of greatness if you could reach the Heart of Fear.
Many tired. All failed. Not one person or creature was able to reach the center of the dark forest. Either frightened or lost, they failed each time. It wasn't until one day, a mysterious woman decided to take the challenge herself. A gypsy named Mizzeri. She was just a normal human who wanted to know why there was such an aura deep in the forest.
She passed her fears and braved through the harsh visions to where she came upon the center. She described the heart as-
"Passing through the darkness, the area is light once more. The trees are gone and only a large shrine with a bell stands before you. A creature of energy so vast, his voice sends a shiver down your spine. He calls his land The Mare...."
-----
"Oh? The first human to make it into The Mare, and it's of a female specie? My my, you must be brave indeed. Tell me, what is your name?" Nahumar presented his land, walking down the steps from the bell. The woman looked into his eyes.
"I am Mizzeri. A Gypsy who came here to best your challenge!" she called out, revealing a sword. Nahumar raised his hand.
"There is no need for Violence. Clearly you are the most brave for facing my Parasite's visions and illusions. I do not sense any magic in you, so you have earned the right to ring the bell before you and say what you are no longer afraid of." Nahumar stepped aside, letting his arms direct her up the stairs and to the bell. The large bell was of metal with no design. The woman's reflection made her smile in appreciation of the challenge. She looked down at Nahumar, placed her hand over the bell, sending a low and reverberating gong throughout the forest to the edge. Carrying it was her voice that said.
"I am no longer afraid of other people. Their taunts and hurtful words do not phase me no longer. I am proud to be who I am, and this is proof of my courage. I am no longer afraid." her eyes watering by the sheer joy of letting her heart speak of her greatest fear, now gone from her body. The bell slowly silenced and so did her fear. The parasites crowded around the woman, enveloping her in a shroud. The last words she heard from Nahumar was...
"Tell the people you do not fear anymore about this place. Tell them that they too can cleanse themselves of one grand fear if they make it to The Mare."
-----
"And when you ring the Gong, you can cleanse your body of the greatest fear of your life. Whether it be death or loosing a loved one, he can cure it. You must prove to him your bravery first." The challenge has been told time and time again till it was soon shortened to a simple idea.
Nahumar only had three humans in his life who completed his challenge so far at this point, but then an incident would occur.
An incident where Nahumar forced people to be scared and come to the Mare. The Red and White who would teach him a lesson...and the mysterious blonde woman of unknown strength who gave him the idea...






On that night, The Youkai Mountain had the scent of lesser Youkai quaking in fear over something...

Reimu Hakurei arrived sometime at sundown near the base of the Youkai Mountain. The reports claimed that various creatures of all kinds were frozen in place, silent and overall frightened beyond belief.
"What is going on this time?" The Miko questioned as she hovered around the base. She flew up a bit higher, catching a familiar Tengu.
"Yo Reimu! You here for the news too? Rumor has it that the Misfortune Youkai is behind it. I do not know if it's true but go slow. Who knows what might pop out." she warned the miko before heading off on her own.
"Looks like I got some sort of lead..." She thought, flying above the river and looking for any signs. Suddenly, some weird purple fairy creatures popped out and started to attack Reimu with bullets of Danmaku. Being on the first level, it's obvious that there was no challenge. Easily dispatching them with a single shot of her charms for each one, they retreated.
"Odd...Fairies never looked like that." She commented.
Moving onward, she spotted a familiar person, spinning with glee.
"Oh the Misfortune tonight! So plentiful! It's a real dream!" she suddenly stopped.
"If it isn't the Hakurei Priestess. Didn't think you would be back here again." it was obvious that Reimu knew this Youkai before hand. Her Hina Doll like attire and braided hair that was tied just under her chin.
"Hina. Are you the one behind this incident? I really wanted to just sit down and enjoy a good afternoon with a book." Reimu asked. Hina laughed.
"Oh of course not, but maybe if you fight me I could give you a better direction." she grinned. Reimu sighed, pulling her cards out.
"Anything to solve this case early." and the battle.... Ended?

"Shoot! And here I learned a new card..." A sobbing Hina disclaimed.
"Changing your spinning pattern from left to right is not considered a new spell card. Anyways, where is the source?" Reimu asked. Hina pointed in the general direction.
"The Forest of Magic. The energy that is not mine spread through the mountain and made the Youkai here in a Misery like state." And off she went.
"Whoever is behind this owes me a few hundred yen. I can't just keep flying around on a goose chase all the time."


'A Youkai of Darkness is having the time of her life tonight.

Reimu soon reached the edge of the Forest. Upon entering, she was greeted by a passing person on a broom.
"Marisa?" she wondered. Never the less, she had to follow her. Maybe Marisa knew the way to the source? However, Reimu was then intercepted by black moth like bugs which fired their own danmaku at her. With the ease of movement, she simply dodged each one and dispatched them with her talismans. One spider like being started to shoot a web design in her direction to try and slow her down. It too fell to her talismans with ease.
"What are all these creatures? They are not fairies, that's for sure." Reimu stated. Just then, a small girl in black attire and a single red bow appeared.
"Oh? If it isn't the Priestess. Have you come to play in the dark?" She asked.
"Rumia! Are you the one causing this fright?!" Reimu called out. Rumia giggled.
"No. I did not do this. Although it does give me a chance to have some human flesh from frightened villagers." Her mouth drooling over the idea of eating flesh. Reimu heard enough and pulled her cards out.
"You will not eat any flesh, and i will see to it that this event will end before the morning sun." Rumia turned around once.
"Is that so?" she asked, beginning her barrage of danmaku.
Her patterns were more or less the same since the first time they fought. One wave interweaving with another. As it turns out, she had a new trick up her sleeve. Pulling out one spell card, Rumia sent forth two large orbs above her that acted like eyes.
"Eyes of the crying shadows!"
Teardrop like Danmaku fired from the orbs, down upon Reimu like a shower. Passing behind Reimu, the danmaku splashed and spread up to her in five smaller pellets and trailed off. It was a new trick alright. Easily dodged and dealt with.
Reimu countered her spell with ease and prepared her own.
"Light Spirit "Divine Orbs"!" She called out and launched a barrage at Rumia. A good amount hit her without missing it's mark. This made Rumia mad, calling another new card...however it is unlike Rumia at all.
"Reversal: Dark Spirit "Broken Orbs"!" her voice sounded like three different people when announcing. It was the same attack as Reimu's but with one difference...
They were darker in color. Dodging the first three were not a problem, but the final strikes were a direct hit. Once she regained her balanced, Reimu looked up at Rumia. Her dark aura was a bit stronger.
"What is going on?" She wondered. Her ribbon was still on but it feels like she had most of her strength back. Looking past Rumia, she noticed a strange rabbit of purple fur latched onto her back. Reimu attempted to get around to knock it off, but the minute she should of been behind Rumia, she was facing her devilish grin. A handful of more bullets shot towards Reimu, but thanks to her second card, she evaded it.
Rumia's last attack did not happen yet. She floated there...
"Rumia! There is a rabbit on your back!" Reimu tried to call for her. All Rumia did was continue to float. She tried to fire a few charms, only to have them fire back at her.
"That thing on her back. It's giving her an ability she never had before. If I can just whack it off, then maybe-" Reimu thought before a lazer grazed Rumia's backside. The purple rabbit was knocked off and fell to the ground, unconscious with Rumia.
"Hey Reimu, You came in time! I was with Alice when this happened. Apparently, she believes it is the work of some very old creature who lives in the darker parts of the forest." It was Marisa with the iconic grin and brook.
"Marisa. What is this beasts name and...why is he starting this?" Reimu asked, lowering herself down to see if Rumia was alright. Marisa managed to grab the rabbit by it's ears to examine it.
"Purple fur...It's not like any i know of." She turned the rabbit left then right. It opened it's eyes and gave of a high pitched hiss and crackle, causing Marisa to drop it.
"HEY! It's getting away!" Marisa shouted. A string tripped the critter and three dolls restrained it with lances.
"I swear, every time Marisa touches something it has to scream." Alice stepped from the shadows, holding her Grimoire in one hand. Reimu managed to send Rumia off with the promise of apples as they crowded around the rabbit.
"Is it dead?" Marisa asked, feeling a bit bad for it. Suddenly, it burst out a purple smoke and revealed itself to be a strange insect like creature. It wriggled for a way out until it stopped completely. Alice did not try to look at it too much while Marisa was grossed out by it.
"A parasite...disguised as a rabbit." Reimu stated before throwing a charm at it to banish the creature. Alice fixed her collar and coughed.
"Anyways, the beast whom could be behind this is named Nahumar. From the stories I hear in the village, Nahumar is a creature of pure fear. Feeding off of said fear and using it against people. Other than that...it's all I know by hand." Reimu thought for a second with Marisa.
"So we just have to beat this guy up and make him stop. Alright! Reimu and I will continue on! Alice, you should get home and find more information about this Naheumat guy." Marisa shouted out. Her broom ready to fly off ahead and leaving Reimu and Alice there.
"She is right. If I can get some more information, maybe his motives will be more clear. I will meet you two later." Alice hurried off with the tiny troop of dolls behind her.
"Nahumar..."


"A friend of Nahumar worries about her pal. Will she let the fear take over?

While Marisa and Reimu went ahead, Alice headed back to her home in hopes of finding information. No books or pages even spoke of what Nahumar is or what he does. Tales alone did not move her. Rumors don't help either.
"There has to be some kind of information- Damnit Marisa! She steals all my books and at a crucial moment like this!" Alice left her house and quickly worked her way to Marisa's home. However, her eye seem to of caught a strange creature clutching what looks like another rabbit of purple fur. A parasite. Before thinking, Alice charged forward.
"Don't hold that thing!" she cried out. The young girl flinched, facing her back to Alice.
"No! Don't harm him!" Alice had to stop a few feet. Looking at the girl in detail, it was an earth rabbit. The ears were a clear indication of it.
"A rabbit in the forest? You should not be here..." The rabbit turned, holding the parasite in her arms.
"Nahumar is not acting like himself." she stated. Alice blinked.
"Wait...You know Nahumar?" The rabbit nodded.
"Y-yes. He is not evil or scary as many claim him to be. He is kind and gentle, but playful at times. I do not know why, but i can't see past the illusion barrier he has up. I'm concerned for him." Alice did not know what to say. She partly believed her words, but could not fully trust her.
"What is your name?"
"Ochiba. And this is one of Nahumar's kin." She held up the parasite to Alice, making her flinch away for a second. Not use to the image of a parasite being 'cute' in any way.
"So those creatures are his kin? Seems like there are a lot." Alice deducted, noticing the surrounding area was covered with the parasites, but they did not seem to attack Alice or Ochiba in any way. Then, her idea hit.
"Ochiba, you have to come with me. You have a connection with Nahumar that could save him. Come on!" Alice wasted no time in dragging Ochiba by her wrist. However, seeing this action, one of the parasites charged at Alice, pricking her shoulder with a needle. She shook it off and let it go.
"They think you are trying to kidnap me. Let me go and I can follow you."
Alice complied, walking instead of flying to the darker part of the forest.

All the while, Marisa and Reimu continued to press on. With the Illusion barrier still up, they had no idea how long it would take to reach the destination.
"Marisa! Is there any way to tell where we are?!"
"No way! I can't see through the thick trees!"
Marisa continued forward without Reimu, leaving her behind. The deeper she went, the darker the area became. Until it was completely black. She managed to light the area up with some of her satellites. Marisa looked around the area. She noticed a figure that looked like Alice, but it vanished.
"What?" Marisa had no idea where she was. She tried to find the figure once more, only catching the boot.
"Alice? Is that you?" she called out. The sound of a distorted laughter of a child and adult mixed the air with a chill unfamiliar to her.
"Alice...this is not funny. Seriously, come out an-"
Marisa turned around, noticing Alice's face right up close to her, however...her skin was a bit darker in contrast and a wicked grin spread across her face. Her eyes then spun in various directions.
"YAH!" Marisa cried in fright, falling off her broom and landing on the forest floor. A strange white mist seem to blanket it about a foot high from the ground, moving in two different directions.
"Marisa. I told you to return those books. Now you owe me more than dusty novels!" Alice fired off a strange purple danmaku, no help from her dolls at all. Marisa rolled out of the way and managed to get her broom to fly up.
"Alice! What has gotten into you?!" Marisa asked. Alice simply turned upside down and laughed. Danmaku shot again from her eyes at Marisa who blocked each shot with a barrier.
"Okay that is it!" Marisa retaliated with a barrage of star shaped danmaku. They simply passed through her.
"Marisa..." A single hand grabbed her shoulder. Marisa knew not to turn. She closed her eyes...
Then upon opening them, Alice stared at her once more from close up. Her eyes missing and blood trickling from her mouth.
"GET AWAY FROM ME!" Marisa dashed away from the now not Alice, trying to get rid of it.
"You can not run from fear..." The creature was fast, or Marisa was slowing down! Either way, it unleashed some more needle like Danmaku at Marisa, grazing her shoulder and legs as she evaded them on the broom. She turned around and raised the mini-hakkero.
"Sorry Alice. 'Love Sign: Master Spark!'."Marisa fired a concentrated beam of energy from the device, removing the shroud and exposing the creature for a parasite.
"YOU!" Marisa swatted away at the parasite, unable to hit it. The creature then managed to stab her shoulder before running off.
"Ow! Get back here you coward!" She chased after the parasite in a fury.

Alice and Ochiba continued to walk through the forest. With Ochiba's help, she was able to expose the truth of the lies.
"Nahumar uses illusions a lot to scare off humans and such who are weak willed. He protects the forest for my friends and myself with it as well. Maybe that is why I do not fear him so much." The path was more clear than usual, most of the trees never even existing before.
"I will swat you back and forth all over Gensokyo!" An enraged Marisa came shooting down towards Ochiba and Alice. Alice managed to protect Ochiba from the impact that Marisa left after crashing.
"I-is she alright?" Ochiba asked, fixing her glasses.
"She will. Let's head on."

Reimu on the other hand continued to fight on, taking down a large parasite and eventually seeing through the illusion herself. Seeing the shroud, she passed through, and her eyes widen with surprise.
"This is-"
"The Mare. Home of Nahumar, the Fear Youkai and the ever rumored Bell he guards." A strange, tall woman. Wearing a Kimono of blue and dark blue, her hair long and white. She stood before the stairs of the bell shrine as if waiting.
"Forgive me for the rudeness, I am Sorina. Youkai of Sorrow. The sister of Nahumar. I take it that you were brought here because of an incident?" Sorina explained. Reimu took out a handful of cards. Her face looking angered.
"It's because of your 'Brother' that I had to miss out on some wonderful tea and Majuns! I hope he can pay back for it!"
Sorina walked a few paces forward. Her kimono removed to expose what looked like a belly dancer's attire with twin Scimitars. A few sword tricks later and they became her cards, holding them like two fans.
"I see. So you will stop whoever is in your way? If you beat me and my sister, then we will tell you exactly where Nahumar is. I must warn you that my patterns might force you to cry."


"While Sorina and Reimu fight, Alice and Marisa are guided through a secret entrance by Ochiba. What lies at the heart?"
The battle began as Sorina's curving Danmaku weaved in and out, passing Reimu and attempting to trap her. Grazing the lazer, she found an opening she wanted and fired back a few of her own charms at Sorina. The first of her cards were used.
"Sorrow Sign [Tears of the Past]!" she cried out. She encased herself in a sphere, raining down various sizes of teardrop bullets at Reimu. Occasionally, three large spheres shot towards her to cut her movement and force her to become funneled. Reimu countered this with one of her own cards halfway and canceled the spell.
"Oh my. This will be interesting..." Sorina commented, slashing her blades in the air in rapid succession to create shock wave styled danmaku at Reimu.
"Marisa...What are you doing?"

Ochiba, Marisa and Alice continued through the forest thicket, passing through trees that were revealed to be nothing but illusions with Ochiba's help.
"So...you live here?" Marisa asked.
"Yes. I moved here from the Bamboo forest some time ago. Since moving, I have found my forest friends and Nahumar just a few years ago. He is not as 'scary' as people make him out to be. He even told me of a few secret areas that I should be aware of, especially where we are heading now." Ochiba narrated, calming down another swarm of parasites.
"Interesting. So how old Is Nahumar?" Alice added on. She commanded four dolls to light up the area for them, making it much easier to see for Marisa and herself. Ochiba stopped to think.
"He told me that he and his sisters, Sorina and Hanalli, use to live in the outside world as more than Youkai. There was a fourth but a battle happened that ended with her becoming consumed by them. The real story is way too long to explain now. So I say older than myself?" She jokingly said. Marisa was somehow absorbed by this.
She was interested in Nahumar now more than ever. A being that uses Fear in a magical way. She would dig deeper later...
"We're here." Ochiba stopped the group again in front of a large rock. The two questioned her judgement. She walked towards the rock, entering the side without a problem. She popped her head out and signaled them to come in.
"There is no barrier. It's so deep in the forest that not many ever inspect it."
What lies inside?

"Getting tired, Hakurei Priestess?!" Sorina was on her third spell card, Depression Sign [Needle Through the Heart].
A heart design would surround Reimu before lazers darted in from various angles, piercing the design and spreading the Danmaku bullets like hockey pucks on ice. The real threat was not the lazers but the suspended bullets that do not move without momentum of said lazers.
"I had worse." Reimu sound unimpressed, but she admired the design of it. Nearly getting hit by a floating bullet, she finally ended the card before it got worse.
Sorina then used larger but slower shockwaves from both her blades at the same time. Very soon, the last spell card would make it's appearance.
"Edge of Despair!" Her final card was an interesting kind. A large line of Danmaku formed on one side. She would swing it once like a sword, leaving a trail of small bullets to scatter, then unleashing throwing knife styled designs at Reimu, repeating the process faster and faster. The time out card.
The orbs grazed Reimu, the knives tore some of her clothing, and she was focused. Sorina felt a chill up her spine.
"This is no ordinary human. She...she has no Sorrow. No Rage....No Fear. I-is this a human who has ascended beyond the need of emotions? Is it a reality?"
The card soon ended and Sorina fell to her knees.
"I am defeated. You are truly powerful." Reimu blinked, Offering a hand to pick her up. Sorina chuckled as she accepted it and was back on her feet.
"You should proceeded onward in that direction. There, you will find Sorina who is guarding the entrance to where our brother is." Reimu nodded, flying off without another word.
"A priestess who has no need for emotion but Joy. I can say that there is not a shred of Negative Emotion in her."

Ochiba and the others continued down the cave until Marisa spotted an exit.
"I see light!" She ran ahead in a happy state.
"WAIT! Marisa!" Ochiba called out but was far too late. Marisa ran off the edge, only being saved by her broom before she could fall too far. Alice and Ochiba ran after her and stopped at the edge.
"WHAT THE HELL!?" Alice and Marisa had to blurt out.
"I hope you guys like flying. Cause it's a long way down until we reach Nahumar's Lair."
Ochiba, though frightened slightly, knew her way down this large spiral staircase. For in the heart, Nahumar resides.

"I see...So the Red and White is coming here? This will be fun indeed..."

"Ochiba and the others descend into the back entrance of Nahumar's lair. Reimu presses on and fights against a Youkai of Joy. But who is the mysterious poser following her?"
Reimu continued towards the cave entrance given to her by Sorina. Up ahead, she notices Marisa.
"Marisa? What are you doing he-" suddenly, she vanished from sight and tapped Reimu's shoulder before dashing off towards the entrance of the cave. Reimu followed her, taking out more parasite like insects along the way. Eventually, she caught up with Marisa, only now seeing it was nothing more but a shadow. It spoke to her.
"Let Nahumar be known..." As if asking her to leave.
"Forget it. This Nahumar is disrupting the balance of Gensokyo. I will personally make him stop this ins-" A small lazer was fired from the shadow. It was on now. The two would have a small mini boss fight between them. However, without being able to call on any real cards the shadow would fade and run away. This left Reimu to wonder what is really happening down below?

In the heart, Ochiba fixed her glasses and looked at the walls around them.
"If my power is telling me this...the next path we go is this way!" She hopped over to a wall she saw was empty, only to hit her face against it.
"Hey, are you okay?" Alice hurried over to Ochiba's side to lift her up.
"I-i am fine. A little bump will not stop me." She looked at the same wall, wondering why it was solid when it is clearly open.
"Stand back you two. I got this." Marisa aimed her Mini-hakkero at the entrance, unleashing her master spark in a full force manner to break the barrier.
"Wow Marisa. That is impressive!' Ochiba claimed. Alice simply scoffed at her showing off.
"It was nothing. Now let's-" Suddenly, the three were engulfed by a black cloud. They could not see one another and could cry out for them.
"Rabbit girl! Alice!"
"Marisa! Over here!"
Ochiba knew this was some sort of shroud to blanket their senses. Her eyes pierced through the thick mist like smoke and pulled Marisa and Alice in the direction she knew where it was coming.
"Don't worry...I got this." Ochiba cried out as she guided them by the hand forward. She stopped as she heard the familiar voice. A voice that seemed to contain power, fear and anger.
"Ochiba...I told you to never bring outsiders to my secret hideaway. Let go of them so I may cast the two outside again."
Ochiba saw who it was...Nahumar's human appearance. The jacket and shadow black body.
"No! This is not you! You would never force others to be frightened! Why?!" She called out.
"It is because Humans and Youkai need a lesson that they need to be afraid. They need me. They need the power of fright to aid them. Warn them. Caution them. And until they understand this in full, I will make any and all near the mountains and forest come to me!" He showed not a single smile. Ochiba let her friend's hands go as she ran over to Nahumar, hugging him and now letting her fear come out.
"No. This is not right! You are putting people at risk! You are scaring my friends and everyone around the area! Even myself! Stop this Nahumar...Stop it."

"What the heck is she doing?" Marisa asked Alice.
"I do not know, but whoever is here, it is Nahumar." Alice could feel the power from him. Why did it make her shake in her boots just even knowing he was here?

Reimu soon found the main entrance and sitting in front of it, robes like a Buddhist Monk, a staff on her back and no hair was who she was fighting next.
"Ah, the Hakurei Priestess. I heard from my Sister that you would come. She feels as if you are the only one who can get close enough to Nahumar to knock him back to reality. However, I need to see if you are able to pass me." Th girl stood up, no higher than Suika and cards at the ready. Reimu glared at the small one with one of her own.
"As long as you know I am here to take the source out, I will take this challenge!" And it was under way.
"I am Hanalli, the Youkai of Joy! For years I have been spreading joy and making those happy. Today, I will fight you for proof of your strength!" She unleashed sun like designed bullets in a wave pattern at Reimu. Easily dodged of course. Her first card created a large sun above her as streams of bullets came out in a sun like pattern. Turning left for a few seconds then right, obviously to mimic the wavy patterns of the ray's.
Reimu Grazed the bullets, a hole being made in her clothes as she nearly escaped one.
"The pattern is faster than I thought. Joy is fast and happy..I should find a way to combat this..."
Reimu started tossing more talismans at Hanalli who giggled.
"That tickles!" No real effect?! It seemed true. Hanalli soon cast the first spell card.
"Joy Sign: River of Joy!" The bullets started to surround the area similar to a familiar Kappa's card, but the bullets that came head on towards Reimu spread the bullets like ripples in a pond, making a moving river in the process. Some bullets would move back in position. Reimu could predict the patter from the start, but as time went on she ran into a dead end. She would use a spell card to nullify Hanalli's and end them both.
"Hm? Canceling my spell card with your own? Interesting." Hanalli examined Reimu for the moment, firing more sun styled bullets back down as Reimu threw her talismans out too.
Reimu then stopped and cast her next card, hitting Hanalli finally and her eyes with glee.
"Tee hee! That's what I want to see! Now how about we turn this fight into a festival?"
Hanalli took out one of her more powerful cards on Reimu.
"Joy Sign [The Four Suns of the Earth]!" and in that moment, four giant danmaku orbs were placed at the north, south, east and west portions of the forest. The bright light shined through the darkness and began firing bullets in a constant stream of bullets towards the center. Hanalli danced among the bullets as Reimu had a hard time to dodge them. First they were more horizontal, then vertical, then BOTH! Grazing left and right, up and down. Her giggle annoyed Reimu a lot as she tried to find her. The light did blind her at times but she could toss the talismans to help make a barrier to stop some bullets. She took some damage from it, but Hanalli moved behind the suns, Changing their position between the four points of the earth. Meaning the North was now North East!
However, time went on and soon the card was done. Reimu made it with some scratches and looking at Hanalli with determination.
"Amazing! You can dance under the sun too?" Hanalli asked. Reimu pointed her card at Hanalli.
"I have to admit, that card was a work out. But it ends here! Divine Spirit "Fantasy Seal -Blink-"!" Her card was unleashed to finish the fight once and for all. Orbs flew in to attack Hanalli-
"Eternal Bliss [Sunshine of Life]!" Hanalli interrupted her card with the last one she would use. Another time out she saved. Reimu had no choice but to face this and let it run it's course. All while Hanalli sang in a motherly voice.
'You are my sunshine...my only sunshine...'
Her body was now encased in a bright light as it shot lazer styled Danmaku towards Reimu. They bounced around to try and restrict her movement and when they returned to Hanalli, it charged up a large beam attack, focusing on Reimu's position. Using Her strongest barrier card, she knew now it was avoidable if she timed it right. she noticed that Hanalli was now behind her and constantly firing lazers like before. Each one she grazed made Reimu nervous. Her attention was not only on Hanalli, but the lazers coming in from various angles. She had to time her positions to move out of the large beam attack which swapped her position. Hanalli's beams were more common and started to come in full force. And just as the large beam would hit Reimu to finish the duel, the card ended.
"Wha?" Hanalli looked around, confused and sadden.
"I lost." She frowned as the two lowered themselves back to the cave entrance. Reimu huffed, a bit tired from that card alone.
"Well if it's any help for your mood, that card was pretty rough." Reimu said to Hanalli. Hanalli lit up and hugged her in delight.
"Thank you, Hakurei Priestess!" Where as Reimu shoved her off.
"Yeah, whatever...Now leave Nahumar to me. I will make sure he will not continue this." And off she went in the cave.
Hanalli however, could not help but narrate to herself.
"So it is true. There is such a thing as a Human who need not the help of Emotions to live. Joy for her is but what she feels deep inside. May she stop this nightmare and let Nahumar bring nothing but dreams."

Marisa and Alice on the other hand, were cast out of the cave, leaving Ochiba behind in the process. Marisa, conflicted with this, decided to head back in to save her.

"So...It has come to this."


"The cave sends one into deep madness and fright, but with her focus to stop all this, the Hakurei Priestess will set things right."

"How deep is this cave?" Reimu commented as she flew deeper down into the system. It was pretty clean for a cave, but she has seen a giant city underground where hell use to reside after all, so it was not too amazing. The small parasites tries to stop her, but were dealt without an effort to spare. The cold air acted as a guide to where Nahumar was said to reside here, but it was far too dark to tell which area of the cave she was in. That is till she entered a large room with torches along the wall. On the other side floated herself in a faded tone like Marisa beforehand.
"These things again? No sense in waiting to take them out." Reimu engaged with the illusion, beating it down without a hassle as well. it changed into a parasite that scurried away. Then, more parasites dropped in from above, attempting to carpet the place in bullets to stop her. Reimu used a barrier to block the rain of bullets and fire back when she had her chance. They fell five by five until there was no more left.
"Jeez. I thought the Mansion's Maids were rough, but these things pack a punch." She commented. One parasite slowly crawled to Reimu, looking at her with big eyes of weakness and forgiveness. She did not care and simply kicked it to the side.
"Don't Harm Them!" Reimu heard the sound of another female. She turned her charms in the direction, seeing a Rabbit with large glasses picking up the parasite with care and petting it like a rabbit.
"Put that thing down. You do not know what it is." Reimu stated with a cold tone.
"You don't understand anything, Red and White! These little parasites are only doing as Nahumar said. They are harmless. They only scare..." She watched as the group of parasites fled the scene.
"Who are you?" Reimu asked.
"I am Ochiba. I live in the deeper part of the forest, much like Nahumar. I was helping a witch and a doll maker through the back entrance."
Marisa and Alice. She then knew what she was doing.
"I see...But Marisa could of told me there was a back entrance so i would not be fighting all these little scrubs!" Reimu sounded furious over the little things. Ochiba backed off from Reimu, already disliking her attitude. Reimu then looked at Ochiba.
"If you knew Nahumar before, why don't you tell him to come here instead of sending those little things at me?" Ochiba was confused. She did not know how to react.
"Answer me!" Reimu shouted. Ochiba fixed her glasses, stuttering to even say a word.

"That is enough from both of you." a trail of tendons shot up between them. Nahumar stood before Reimu, his large white overcoat, his black hair and human pigmented head. The rest was pure black. He was taller than Reimu and towered over her with eyes piercing down.
"You must be Nahumar then?" Reimu asked. Nahumar nodded.
"I expected you want to stop what I am causing...however the beings of this land treat fear as a Negative Emotion! Fear is needed as much as all the others! That is what defines a living organism! Fear alerts, Aware and even brings those close together! Fear is an emotion that I do not want to be forgotten at all." Nahumar lifted Ochiba up above the arena like area, as more lights lit the room up. She was the only spectator to this moment. The Hakurei Priestess in full action.
"Spell Card Rule?" Nahumar asked, pulling his seven spell cards out.
"What do you think?" Reimu slyly said in return, pulling her own cards out.
"Then this will be a fun match. You stand before I, Nahumar! The Youkai of Fright! The Beast in your Nightmares! The Essence of all Fear!" Nahumar narrated, his claws extended like wings as he floated above the arena.
"Your days of Joy end here!" And he started to rain down purple and black danmaku orbs. The purple ones were not an issue, but the black ones were harder to stop at his angle. Reimu learned the pattern in no time. Five rows of Purple, Purple, black and three of Black, Black, Purple. Reimu found her own opening, tossing talismans at Nahumar who simply batted them away.
"Phobia Sign [Heights above the Clouds!]" Nahumar used the first spell card. The arena changed, looking as if they were high above Gensokyo, nearly reaching the clouds as Reimu's position would face her looking at the world below. Nahumar fired lightning bolt designed purple danmaku that waved back and forth. Each time she grazed one, two would try to trap her until she finally broke the spell. She used one of her cards but was interrupted by Nahumar's next card.
"Phobia Sign [Waterworld]!" (Not the movie -_-)
The area changed, now looked to be in a deep sea like atmosphere. Reimu kept her cool as she dodged the varying sized Danmaku shaped fish.
"I-impossible...How is she able to avoid such patterns? Is she not even the least bit frightened?"
the pattern became more constant as schools of fish and even a shark or two. Nothing.
It was then canceled out as Reimu finally used a card against Nahumar.
---still WIP---

Hanalli came back the following day. This time, she had more to tell about herself. I only know of her role with the emotions...
---
There was once a woman with long black hair and wearing red and white. No, I do not believe it was an early ancestor or possible affiliation with That Shrine. Yes, the woman was wearing Miko Garb.
A long time ago, this woman was considered the savior of an old society. She has tried time and time again to eliminate the negative emotions, but failed to do so while I was active. Her very presence was not of warmth but of bitterness. Everyone was overwhelmed with fear towards her. Then one day, she made some sort of Talisman out of the hair I still had back then. Her plan was simple but barbaric...
She convinced the people of the land to take up the sword and any skills they had to attack me. She knew very well that the other six would instantly spring like a trap and kill all who tried to lay a hand on me. Truth be told, they were very protective.
Her plan worked all too well. The Negative emotions were distracted by the humans who wanted to kill me without taking a second thought. The woman used the talisman on me. Somehow it started to drain my power. I was becoming weaker and weaker. Right there, she had the chance to kill me...
But just as she was issuing me to kill myself with a special dagger, hope came. A giant spike impaled the woman and dragged her into a strange hole before closing behind it. The last i heard was her screams of agony...
The talisman laid there as the humans ran off. I asked the others to think about what to do with the talisman. One suggested to smash it to bits. Another offered to hide it. In the end, it was agreed to split it in half and hide the pieces.
---
"And where are the pieces exactly?"
---
Hehe...If I told you, I would have to call Nahumar and Sorina to kill you. The locations of the talisman pieces are all but forgotten. No one has found any information and all record of the events have been forgotten in time.
---
"What if someone found some kind of hint as to their location? What would you do?"
---
Are you trying to make me laugh? The only people who even know about the past besides myself and the remaining negative emotions is that black haired maiden of Red and White. Though there is a possibility that....No. That's silly. The woman died when the hole took her in. There is no possible way that She descended from that Wrench...
---
"I see...Tell me, since the last time you wanted me to write this down...why tell me?"
---
It's a history lesson that all must take heed. You must never eliminate happiness from your own body. Otherwise the fate of mortal men would be nothing but empty shells of what they use to be.
---

That night, I dreamed of the woman with black hair. I was in Hanalli's position...
Apparently this version was complete as I woke up holding my throat. The dagger I held had some words engraved in it.
"Seal the Golden One" is what one line said.
Hanalli. Please be happy...