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【中文版本】
*劇情以《Rise of Eros: Desire》記載
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*僅為了瞭解劇情和人物而做的整理（學習用途？）
*文字全照官方給出為主，有錯字、漏字或語法等問題不在此更正
【Story 1: Emergency】
A tall, slender girl rushes past in a clipped quickstep.
【Misaki】Emergency call, huh?! Pah, when is it ever an emergency with him? Doesn't he realize I've got more important things to do?
The scion of the Fukatsuki clan strides through the entryway to the Colosseum, the irritation written all over her face. Taking note of the woman's simmering agitation, the handful of Fukatsuki goons nearby discreetly attempt to escape her notice.
【Misaki】Dad, you stinker... If you're trying to pull another one of your tricks on me...
Misaki fingers the kodachi blade at her waist. I'll cut you down to size!
The parlor doors are almost ripped off their hinges as Misaki storms through with a look that says she's out for blood. Go Fukatsuki looks up from the table where he's sitting.
【Go Fukatsuki】Misaki! You're late.
Misaki is just about to answer back, when suddenly something catches her eye.
【Miriam】......
Her older sister is sat at the table, too, with a rare look of uneasiness upon her face. Miriam stares at Misaki, her expression loosening up a little.
【Miriam】Come here, Misaki-chan~
【Misaki】S-Sis? You're here too?
Miriam nods and smiles, somewhat awkwardly. Her usual charm appears to have deserted her. As Misaki's half-sister on their father's side, after Miriam's Pixie mother divorced Go Fukatsuki, she left Brassavola for good, taking Miriam with her. Separated since their youth, the two sisters embarked on completely different paths - the elder sister moved to Sukkuba and eked out a living with her mother, while the younger sister stayed at the Colosseum and underwent a strict and rigorous training regime to become the heir to the Fukatsuki clan.
All until Eros came along and intertwined their fates together once more.
【Go Fukatsuki】Sit down, Misaki... We've no time for pleasantries.
【Misaki】(Am I seeing things?I've never seen Dad look so serious... Where did all his silliness go?)
Misaki takes a seat next to Miriam.
【Misaki】What's happened? Don't tell me it really is an emergency this time?
Go Fukatsuki nods gravely.
【Go Fukatsuki】It is.Misaki, Mika... Do you remember the Seichi?
(Selectable Dialogue)
①Miriam's face stiffens back up again at the sound of that name, "Mika".
②Misaki's pretty eyebrows shoot up at the sound of that name, "Seichi".
（Choose①）【Miriam】I don't. What is it?
（Choose②）【Misaki】Of course I remember! Nobody outside the family is allowed anywhere near there, right?
【Go Fukatsuki】Hmm... This is really important. I'll explain everything. The Seichi is a secret hot spring located in the mountains to the rear of the Colosseum. Its waters have never stopped flowing. As the head of our family, I have no greater responsibility than to ensure that the Seichi lies tranquil and unsullied by the outside world... Otherwise the fate of the Fukatsuki clan could be gravely disturbed.
Having not seen her father look so solemn for the longest time, Misaki is suddenly reminded of her harsh years of training, and unconsciously sits up straight. On the other hand, Miriam's expression remains unchanged.
【Go Fukatsuki】The Seichi has been stable for the past few decades, but recently it has grown agitated, as if something is stirring it up... I have a very bad feeling about all this.
【Misaki】Agitated? What's happened?
【Go Fukatsuki】I don't know exactly. I haven't been able to confirm it for myself.
Misaki looks bewildered.
【Misaki】So go and take a bloody look then! What's with all the mysteriousness?
【Go Fukatsuki】I've tried, but I can't even find the entrance... I haven't been there in decades now.
Go Fukatsuki sighs heavily.
【Go Fukatsuki】It's almost as if the mountain gods are deliberately concealing it from me, to keep me out.
Seeing their father in such dejected spirits, Misaki and Miriam exchange glances with one another.
【Misaki】Uh... Well, I'd like to help... But I thought only the head of the family is allowed to visit the Seichi?
【Go Fukatsuki】As my successors, you'd both be permitted to enter, of course...
【Go Fukatsuki】-But you, and only you alone.
Go Fukatsuki fixes his daughters with his gaze, emphasizing every word.
【Go Fukatsuki】I'm old now. I'm not the spring chicken I once was, and I can't go on carrying everything on my shoulders. But I'm lucky to have two girls who've already surpassed me in their excellence. Misaki, Mika... Will you help me?
Misaki's heart swells with emotion. It's the first time her father has ever had to rely upon her like this.
【Misaki】Don't you worry, we'll have this thing sorted out before you know it! Right, Sis?
【Miriam】Yeah... Of course!
Miriam answers somewhat absentmindedly, having never taken much interest in the affairs of the Fukatsuki clan. She wouldn't have come in the first place had she not been worried that Misaki might land herself in danger. But she's willing to go anywhere and do whatever it takes to keep her little sister safe.
【Story 2: The Seichi】
Miriam's thoughts swirl about in her head as she slowly steps with her little sister
around the moist edges of the pool. As they pass through a brilliant red torii gate and gaze out at the magical scenery, with its mists coiling in wisps around the mountaintops, Misaki and Miriam's faces gradually light up with bright smiles. The two sisters have changed into traditional Yoh garb for this mission.
Misaki wears a dark kyudo archer's uniform, a far cry from the underworld fashions she normally dresses in. In her hand is a longbow, on her back rests a quiver of arrows, and her entire appearance is imbued with nimble refinement. She radiates a valiant and formidable air.
Miriam, on the other hand, has donned a light-colored ceremonial robe spotted with cute red details. The whole ensemble is dignified and graceful, but her buxom silhouette underneath is as tantalizing and provocative as ever. Her Yoh heritage, which she usually conceals away, is perfectly framed and reflected in her dress, and she now finds herself unsure of how to face this fact.
【Misaki】Wow! We're finally here!
【Miriam】This is the Seichi? A secret hot spring up in the mountains, who'd have thought it...
Following their father's instructions, the sisters have performed all kinds of rites and rituals during their journey along the mountain paths, and now they've finally arrived at the Fukatsuki family's ultra-hidden Seichi. Not far ahead lies a small Inari shrine, carved from the natural ridges of the mountainous precipice. Its sacred, timeless face appears to have witnessed the passing of countless seasons. The duo's exhaustion and fatigue appear to vanish at the first whiff of the strong odors emanating from the spring's waters.
【Misaki】I can hardly believe it...
【Miriam】I know, right? First that creepy tomb beneath the Colosseum, and now a holy hot spring hidden away in the mountains... You Fukatsukis got any other surprises you wanna share while we're here?
【Misaki】That's not what I meant. I mean... I can't believe that stinker kept this hot spring all to himself for all those years!
Miriam pauses for a moment, then bursts out laughing. It's the first time she's cracked a genuine smile since returning to Brassavola. Miriam hasn't been sure of how she should feel about coming back to this city, at once strange and familiar, just as she hasn't been sure of how to feel about facing her father again.
【Miriam】(If he'd chosen to detain Mother and me here in Brassavola, then my name would have been Mika Fukatsuki... I love a good strongman, of course. But doesn't the Yoh tradition of bridenapping... simply pass down and repeat the same tragedy, generation after generation...?)
Miriam's thoughts swirl about in her head as she slowly steps with her little sister around the moist edges of the pool.
(Selectable Dialogue)
①【Misaki】We made it, Sis! Now we've got to take a dip!
②【Misaki】Sis! I wonder if these waters have any health benefits to them...
【Miriam】Huh? Are you sure about that? I thought this place was meant to be sacred...
【Misaki】Yeah, so? Dad said we're the rightful successors, didn't he~?
【Miriam】Hmm... I guess so...
【Misaki】Don't be shy, Sis, that's not at all like you~ Woah! Did you put on weight lately?
【Miriam】Ohoho! Damn, Misaki-chan, shots fired! I'm gonna use these milk jugs to teach you a lesson you'll never forget!
The sisters start horsing around by the edge of the pool, giggling raucously as they try to tear the clothes off of each other. But Miriam suddenly turns serious again.
【Miriam】Wait! Something's not right...
【Misaki】Not right? What is it?
Miriam furrows her brow and looks all around.
【Miriam】I thought Father said there was a disturbance in the Seichi...
【Misaki】Oh, right... He did, but...
Misaki takes a good look at the peaceful and harmonious scene all around them. She shrugs.
【Misaki】Maybe the old stinker was just imagining things? It's as calm and tranquil here as can be...
Before Misaki can finish, she's interrupted by a low, monstrous roar!
【Miriam】Misaki!
Misaki's eyes instantly sharpen up. She whips out her kodachi knives in a heroic flourish.
【Misaki】It came from over there!
The tips of her blades are pointed toward a plume of white smoke. A handful of fierce beasts scuttle out from the smoke and charge at Misaki and Miriam!
【Story 3: The Pool】
The Fukatsuki sisters' smooth rapport and tacit understanding of one another allows them to wipe out the little forest beasties together without so much as breaking a sweat.
【Misaki】Phew~ That's the end of that chapter.
【Miriam】You're such a pro fighter, Misaki-chan. I'm getting dizzy just watching you.
【Misaki】You've improved a ton since becoming Eros's concubine, too~
【Miriam】Oh yeah? Well~ I've learned a lot more in the bedroom too, that's for sure~
【Misaki】Ew, Sis! Too much information...
【Miriam】Speaking of which, should we call for Eros?
【Misaki】What for?
【Miriam】So we can all soak in the hot spring together~ It's a rare opportunity for us. It's been so long since we had a little ménage à trois action...
Misaki's face blushes as red as a tomato.
【Misaki】SIS!!! This is the sacred Seichi! What's gotten into you?
Miriam chuckles and reaches out to pinch Misaki's flushed red cheeks.
【Miriam】Gyahaha, you're so cute, Misaki-chan. I'm just joking around~ C'mon, let's have a soak together, just the two of us~
Miriam instantly whips off her clothes with a smooth and practiced flourish, almost like a magician pulling a rabbit out of a hat.
【Misaki】Seeing her sister's ample honkers come bouncing out to greet her, Misaki draws her little lips together in a pout and primly begins removing her clothes.
The sisters eye each other's naked bodies, like beautiful Greek statues rising up amid the coils of milky, white smoke. Although they're raring to jump into the spring already, Misaki and Miriam first approach the Inari shrine and pay their respects.
【Misaki】Huh? Is that... wine over there?
【Miriam】D'you think it's a sacred sake for making offerings with?
【Misaki】Or maybe that stinky father of ours secretly brought it along with him so he could get sozzled while he soaked?
They giggle and return to the pool. Misaki and Miriam tie back their hair and rinse themselves with the ice-cold water from a passing mountain stream, then cautiously tip-toe and lower themselves into the hot pool.
【Miriam】Ooh~ Ahh~
【Misaki】Mmm... Whew...
Their bodies submerged in the steaming waters of the spring, Misaki and Miriam groan with pleasure as the tension seeps out from their sore muscles. The two of them are silent as the sheer relaxation washes over them, and they soak up the quiet tranquility of the moment. After a while, Miriam opens her eyes and looks over at Misaki.
【Miriam】Hmm?
Misaki appears to have been staring at her the whole time. Now, as their gazes meet, she awkwardly lowers her head.
【Miriam】What's wrong, Misaki-chan? Your face is bright red.
【Misaki】Nothing... It's just so... hot.
Miriam smiles and closes her eyes again.
(Selectable Dialogue)
①【Misaki】(It's been so long since we last did this together... I feel a little nervous.)
②【Miriam】(When was the last time Misaki-chan and I bathed in a hot spring together? Back when we were kids?)
（Choose①）【Misaki】(Are there any hot springs in Sukkuba? I wonder if Sis... ever misses anything about Brassavola?)
（Choose②）【Miriam】(Heheh, Misaki-chan was so cute when she was little... Following me around everywhere I went. I remember how she cried and screamed the day I left Brassavola with Ma... She just wouldn't stop, until she was so exhausted she fell right asleep...)
Miriam opens her eyes, and their gazes meet again. But this time, Misaki doesn't look away. She silently returns her sister's look. Both of them are thinking back on their memories of childhood together...
【Miriam】......
【Misaki】......
Their eyes mist over with a dim, melancholic glaze. Just as Miriam is about to crack a joke to break the silence, she's suddenly seized by a giddy sensation.
【Miriam】Oof... I've been in a little too long...
Misaki is no longer looking at Miriam. Her eyes half closed, she starts to rock slightly back and forth, in a daze.
【Misaki】Sis...
Before they know it, they've both lost consciousness- And sunken into a thick fog, clouding over the difference been reality and imagination.
【Story 4: Jealous】
The beautiful streets of Sukkuba are abuzz with boisterous comings and goings. Both sides of the road are packed out with market stalls, all run by Pixie women who cajole and call out to passing customers with their sweet yet impassioned voices.
【Pixie Girl A】Roll up, roll up, you don't wanna miss this! Premium beauty and healthcare products on sale right here! Hey there, lady, a girl as young as you deserves the best skincare money can buy, right?
【Pixie Girl B】Step right up for the most exquisite lubrication you've ever known! Whether you're looking to heighten your partner's pleasure, or simply need a pick-me-up for those late nights home alone, we've got the most breathtakingly smooth lube you'll ever experience!
At a dinky little stall in one corner of the street, a young vendor silently sits alone with a confident look, not uttering a single shout or slogan. A gorgeously dressed, older woman approaches the stall and gives it a curious look up and down.
【Pixie Lady】You're selling winter clothes? Hmm, I suppose the new season is about to begin~
The woman's eyes suddenly widen.
【Pixie Lady】Gasp! This design... The silhouette... It's absolutely gorgeous!
The young Pixie vendor, Nortra, smiles confidently.
【Nortra】Heheh, you're too kind~ Here, let me show you this season's new styles...
Nortra enthusiastically shows off her latest creations to the woman, and begins offering styling suggestions personalized to her measurements. Before she knows it, the lady's arms are laid up to the hilt with her brand new wardrobe.
【Pixie Lady】My, Nortra, you're simply incredible~ If you just opened up your mouth and shouted above the rest of the sellers, you'd surely make a killing in no time~
Nortra smiles gracefully.
【Nortra】Thank you, you're too kind.
With a wave of her hand goodbye, the woman strolls away, satisfied.
In the blink of an eye, more than ten years have passed since Nortra arrived in Sukkuba with her mother. With her mixed Yoh and Pixie heritage, Nortra once had a Yoh name.
Every so often, she thinks back to her childhood years in Brassavola... And remembers her little sister, whose fate turned out so differently from her own.
Brassavola, the Fukatsuki Colosseum.
In the center of the arena, young Mika Fukatsuki, the future heir to the Fukatsuki clan, and a handful of clan followers are in the middle of an intensive training session.
【Mika】Phew... I'm pooped...
Mika bends double, her hands on her knees. Giant beads of sweat roll from her temples.
【Mika】Guh... At last... Training's over...
Go Fukatsuki, Manager of the Colosseum, stands to one side, his face unreadable and his arms crossed. His penetrating stare is fixed on his daughter.
【Go Fukatsuki】Your posture slackened up at the end there, Mika! Take a minute's rest and then give me twenty more!
Mika's exhausted face tautens back up again.
【Mika】What? You mean that's not the end of it?!
【Go Fukatsuki】We can make it thirty more instead, if you're not satisfied yet.
Mika glowers at Go Fukatsuki with fury.
【Mika】You skunk! Are you trying to work me to death out here?!
Now Go Fukatsuki's coarsened face blazes up with anger.
【Go Fukatsuki】How many times have I told you? You'll address me as Boss whilst we're in combat training! Make that forty more reps! Break's over, get back to work!
The rest of the Fukatsuki acolytes silently launch into another attack on Mika.
【Mika】Deep down inside, Mika curses her origins and bloodline over and over.
How she envies her older sister, who left Brassavola with her mother as a child, and whose fate turned out so differently from her own.
【Story 5: Fate】
A Pixie village, on the outskirts of Sukkuba.
A bridenapping - a Yoh marital tradition is being unexpectedly interrupted and thwarted by a Yoh woman.
【Mika】Mika Fukatsuki tightly grips hold of her kodachi knives, out for blood.
In the chaos surrounding her, a handful of Yoh soldiers lie scattered on the ground, having been beaten unconscious with the hilts of her knives. Mika hurriedly presses forward, carefully leading away the Pixie girl who's just narrowly avoided her own bridenapping. Seeing the fright in the girl's pale face, Mika lowers her head in despair.
【Mika】(It's not her... Dammit... Am I still one step behind them? Sis...)
In stark contrast to the tenderness she shows the young girl, Mika turns around and angrily grabs one of the Yoh soldiers by his collar.
【Mika】Go Fukatsuki sent you, didn't he? Speak!
【Yoh Soldier】Please, Miss... Forgive us... We were just following orders...
【Mika】Shut up and answer me!
【Yoh Soldier】Yes! B-Boss dispatched a handful of units... He ordered us to capture her and take her back with us...
Mika's face turns white with rage. She shakes the soldier in a fit of fury.
【Mika】Where's my sister! What have you done with her?!
【Yoh Soldier】You've nothing to worry about, Miss... She's already on the way back to Brassavola... She's safe... with a team of escorts... She won't come to any harm...
His body blooming all over with bruises, and now being violently shaken around by Mika, the Yoh soldier finally passes out from sheer pain. Mika grits her teeth and angrily throws the soldier to the ground.
【Mika】(That skunk was for real! He's really going to make Sis... the grand prize for his tournament!)
Without wasting another second, Mika turns and makes a dash in the direction of Brassavola.
All by herself and with only her own strength to count on, she faces a bitter struggle against the Fukatsuki clan. Luckily for her, though, Mika's confident that nobody can best her in a 1v1 fight...
【Mika】(This way, I'll come out on top in the tournament and win Sis back with my own two hands!)
Mika hasn't overestimated her abilities. Rather, it's every one of her opponents who underestimates the sheer power of her will and determination to rescue her older sister. Surrounded by the clamor and racket of the Colosseum, she sweeps away every last opponent like an unstoppable force, until at last she makes her way to the final deciding battle of the championship. The last obstacle standing in her path is none other than the Manager of the Colosseum himself, Go Fukatsuki. Under her father's unstoppable offensive, Mika finds herself on the back foot, constantly evading and parrying his volley of attacks. There's almost no opportunity for her to launch a counterattack.
【Go Fukatsuki】Bwahaha! Good one! The bloodlust comes seething right off of you, even when the opponent is your own father! But you'd better surrender, Mika! You're no match for me!
Mika stares at Go Fukatsuki, trying her best to keep her disordered breathing steady.
【Mika】You're the one who'd better surrender, you skunk! You don't seriously think any of this is going to make Nortra happy, do you?
【Go Fukatsuki】It's the fate of the Yoh to pursue power and strength...
【Mika】Wasn't it enough for you that I had to bear all that weight on my shoulders?
From her seat in the audience surrounded by Yoh warriors, the "prize" of this tournament now regards her little sister with eyes that betray her mixed emotions.
【Nortra】(Mika-chan, you idiot... Unlike you, I'm a follower, destined to attach myself to the strongest man I can...)
At that moment, Nortra's train of thought is suddenly interrupted by a furious howl from the center of the arena- And she snaps right back to reality.
【Mika】This isn't the right way to decide Sis's future... and I'm gonna snatch that crown to make sure of it myself!
Eyeing her little sister, of her own flesh and blood, Nortra's vision grows blurry.
【Nortra】(This isn't the right way... to decide my future? Then who can decide it?I don't understand...)
Go Fukatsuki nods with satisfaction.
【Go Fukatsuki】Yes! That's my girl. Never give in, not to anyone! But, Mika... Just look at your hands shaking! Are you all out of energy?
Go Fukatsuki strides toward her, pitiless in his unending blows. Mika rolls along the ground, unconcerned with appearances now and only seeking to dodge the next strike so that she might get her breath back again. As she watches her sister fight on past the point of fatigue and exhaustion, Nortra's eyes fill up with tears.
【Nortra】(Huh? That's strange... I...)
Go Fukatsuki fixes his daughter with a stare and slowly raises his weapon.
【Nortra】(Who am I? I'm... Nortra... aren't I?)
In that instant, the unswerving determination she sees in Mika, fighting with all her might against her fate, blows away the fog and mist clouding Nortra's heart.
【Nortra】(Aahh, so that's what this is all about.)
Mika's hands tremble as she holds up her kodachi knives and hopelessly tries to fend off Go Fukatsuki's final, ruthless blow. Wiping away her tears, Nortra smiles with relief. She gets to her feet with astonishing vigor, and calling with all her strength upon Arkuran, Goddess of the Dark Moon, sends all the Yoh soldiers who surround her flying!
(Selectable Dialogue)【Nortra】Sis! Your name is Miriam!
【Nortra】Only you can decide your fate!!!
Down in the arena, Miriam suddenly feels every inch of her body being charged up with divine power. She raises up a hand and effortlessly shrugs off Go Fukatsuki's vigorous onslaught.
She stands and looks to the spectator seats, locking gazes with Misaki. The moment their hearts connect with one another, their surroundings begin to be swept away, as if engulfed in a storm that gradually smashes and shreds it to nothing.
【Miriam】(I see...)
【Misaki】(I see...)
【Miriam & Misaki】(Is that how you really feel?)
【Story 6: Defilement】
Misaki and Miriam are panting heavily.
【Misaki】......
【Miriam】......
Each looks straight into the other's eyes, tears streaming down both their faces. In a shared hallucination which felt so incredibly real, Misaki and Miriam had traded places, and each experienced in one instant the entire life of the other. Miriam reaches out to Misaki and pulls her into her bosom.
【Miriam】Misaki... I'm so sorry... I always thought that...
【Misaki】Sis... *sob*... S-Sis...
Misaki hugs Miriam with all her strength. There's so much they want to say to one another, but with so many years of pent-up emotion finally erupting out of them, the sisters find it impossible to put words to the surge of feelings. Perhaps that's why it takes them a while before they register the change in their surroundings.
【Miriam】Look, Misaki-chan!
【Misaki】The Seichi... It's...
The pure and holy spring waters have turned into a hideous, turbid sludge. The previously milky white mists have become stained a sinister purple, and the heat and warmth have completely drained away.
【Misaki】Sis, is it...
【Miriam】Yeah...
Between the vision they've just witnessed and the scenes they're now seeing with their very own eyes, they're both getting a very bad feeling about all of this- As if to confirm their fears, an unreal voice suddenly rings out.
【???】Get out.
The voice doesn't sound very distant, and yet it's impossible to say whether it's male or female. \A chill now hanging in the air, the sisters' arms prickle with goosebumps.
【???】You shouldn't have come here...
【Misaki】Why shouldn't we? We're both Fukatsukis...
The voice cuts her off impatiently.
【???】That doesn't matter... It's not important anymore. I'll say it one last time: get out of here.
(Selectable Dialogue)【???】And never set foot here again.
Intimidated by the voice's power and authority, Misaki silently gulps with nervousness. Compared to Misaki, whose first reflex is to make a snappy comeback, Miriam quickly gets a grip on her fear and does a quick scan of their environment. The booming, domineering voice seems to be coming from all directions at once. She has no idea where their interlocutor might be hiding. However, she glimpses the obscured outline of some huge creature lurking within in the sinister purple mists.
The sisters quickly exchange glances.
【Misaki】(We mustn't back down. We can't just turn our backs on an enemy of the Fukatsuki clan!)
【Miriam】(I have to keep Misaki safe. I have to... No matter where we go, no matter the danger!)
They nod at one another, then raise their weapons in lockstep, assuming their combat poses.
The mysterious voice is silent. Two Yoh-like figures wearing demonic masks scuttle out from the mists. Without saying a word, they pounce and attack!
【Story 7: The Demon】
The mask-wearing foes are formidable opponents, but it quickly becomes clear who's coming out on top. But Misaki and Miriam show not a trace of glee in their victory. Because the oppressive feeling spreading through the air shows no sign of abating. Worse still, while the two of them were casting their divine powers in battle just now, they could both sense... Traces of the Lord of the Abyss.
【???】You're both stronger than I gave you credit for. And never more so than when you connect and coordinate to fight as one unit. Hard to handle, indeed... I was even more astounded by your performances in the fantasy, however. Almost no human can ever hope to escape once they've succumbed to my arts of illusion... Yet the two of you managed to join hands and return together... I'm curious, how did you break the fantasy?
【Miriam】I knew somebody was playing a dirty trick on us!
【Misaki】Hmph! Maybe you could fool a couple of dumb kids with your little games, but they're no match for us!
【???】Heheh... It's what troubles you most, deep down inside. As long as you're weighed down by your worries, you'll never escape from your illusions. Since you're both feeling so cocky, how about I send you back there again?
Misaki and Miriam glance at each other and break into candid, untroubled smiles.
【Misaki】You can keep up your lousy shenanigans for as long as you want...
【Miriam】Cos we both understand each other's true feelings now.
【???】I see, I see... It looks like I've made a miscalculation. You don't resent each other at all. You've just been awkwardly fumbling your love and affections this whole time, for lack of an opportunity to express your true feelings...
Their deepest feelings and intentions now having been brought out into the light, both Misaki and Miriam are blushing bright red.
【???】Haha. Did my fantasy world actually help you to realize?
Neither of them offers a reply. Instead, each quietly takes hold of the other's hand.
【???】Sisters of one heart and mind are unstoppable when their strengths combine... So you'll be easy pickings once I've torn you apart.
With that, the purple mists fume and seethe as if with a life of their own, taking the form of a gigantic, disembodied hand. The hand snatches up the pot of sake from the altar of the shrine and hurls it right at Misaki and Miriam!
【Miriam】Watch out, Misaki!
The pot of sake comes flying like a missile. Seeing that Misaki has no time to dodge it, Miriam instinctively pushes her out of the way. The pot strikes Miriam's right shoulder and smashes against her with tremendous force. Miriam groans with pain. The deep purple liquid inside spills out and splashes all over Miriam.
【Misaki】Sis! Are you okay?
Misaki anxiously hurries over to check if her sister is injured. But Miriam suddenly waves Misaki back with a hand! Misaki jumps back in fright and stares with astonishment at Miriam as she turns around.
【Miriam】Misaki... Get out of here...
Miriam's eyes suddenly turn bloodstained and bloodshot.
【Misaki】Sis! What is it? Are you all right?
【Miriam】Just get out of here, quickly... I... I can't hold on much longer...
Misaki ignores her pleas and stubbornly stays by her side. Before she can stop herself, Miriam looks to the skies and lets out a bellowing roar that shakes the trees in the surrounding forest. At the same time, her entire body fumes with evil purple smoke, and a strong foreboding fills the air. Misaki's face turns white with fear. She watches disbelievingly as Miriam rapidly metamorphoses into a demoniacal monster.
【Misaki】Sis... Dammit... What the hell's happening to you...
Misaki can still feel the residual warmth of Miriam's hand lingering on in her fingers. It makes her think suddenly of the dream, and of "Mika" Fukatsuki, who strove with everything she had to save her. Misaki feels a sudden peace come over her heart. The trembling in her hands comes to a complete halt. She takes a deep breath and calmly draws her bow.
(Selectable Dialogue)【Misaki】Sis... Now it's my turn to save you.
The bow is fully drawn.
The demoniacal Miriam roars again and charges like a frenzied beast! Misaki releases her fingers. The holy arrow launches, streaking right through the air!
【Story 8: Sisters】
Misaki has faced endless training and countless real combat situations in the short 20 years that make up her life so far. She's long used to it.
【Misaki】(But this is totally different... I'm trying to save somebody, not kill them.)
Faced with the demon's violent onslaught, she not only has to find a way to get her under control, but at all costs must avoid gravely injuring her sister. After much unrelenting effort, the demon in Miriam is finally subdued, and gradually her true face struggles back to the surface. Miriam doesn't let the opportunity won by her little sister's toils go to waste. The instant she regains control over her body, she harnesses the divine power of Astara, the Goddess of Splendor, and drives out the purple smoke in a single stroke!
【Misaki】Awesome!
【Miriam】Phew... Thank you... Misaki...
But now's not the time to put their feet up. The sinister purple mists engulf them once more.
【Misaki】Sis!
【Miriam】We got this!
The sisters squat down and, following the same logic as when they quelled the charmed circles, cast a stream of their divine powers into the mist. Soon enough the commotion stills and the smoke slowly returns to its normal color. Misaki and Miriam are totally drained of strength. They totter to their feet and are gratified to find that the Seichi has been restored to its original appearance, and the flowing spring water is now crystal clear again.
【???】My thanks to you, heirs to the Fukatsuki clan.
The unreal voice sounds out again, but now it speaks with warmth and gentleness. The white smoke subtly condenses into the form of a small fox, gracefully stepping before them.
【???】How I loathed it, that scourge that came from out of the darkness... Even with the protection of the barrier, the chaos energy seeped through and stealthily chipped away at me.
Thanks to the two of you, the Seichi is at peace again once more. Now I can return to protecting this domain... A cool mountain breeze blows and scatters the white steam. The fox's silhouette melts into the air, like a fading dream.
Misaki and Miriam stare blankly, in a daze, before turning to each other, smiling.
【Miriam】Mission complete. Now...
【Misaki】Now we can finally enjoy a soak in the hot spring?
Faces beaming radiantly, the sisters return home with a newly glossy sheen on their tender skin. At first Go Fukatsuki is delighted, but his happiness quickly gives way to doubt.
【Go Fukatsuki】Sigh... Of course I knew you'd be able to take care of this and make it home again safely... But... Why would the Seichi reject me and keep me from entering...?
【Miriam】Father, that's probably because...
Miriam guesses that the reason must have something to do with their divine powers. She begins to explain. But Misaki suddenly pinches her hand. Miriam stares for a moment as Misaki shakes her head, unable to suppress a spark of glee. Miriam turns back to Go Fukatsuki. Her father is sighing with bewildered despair. Then she understands and smiles mischievously.
【Miriam】(What a rare opportunity... to let that skunk chase his own tail for a while.)
Holding back a grin of her own, Misaki pats her father's shoulder.
【Misaki】Hey, why the long face? Problem's solved, right? Don't worry about it~
Go Fukatsuki pauses a moment, then lets out a big belly laugh, returning to his old carefree, oafish self in the blink of an eye.
【Go Fukatsuki】Hah! Hahah! Bwahaha! You're right! Daddy's so proud of you both! Stay a while, Mika! Stick with Misaki and keep the Fukatsuki clan safe together!
Miriam's smile no longer stiffens at the sound of that name, "Mika".
【Miriam】(I'm not lost anymore. And I don't want Father to feel guilty, either. He's always trying to make things up to me...)
Seeing the earnest look on her father's face, Miriam gives a noncommittal shrug.
【Miriam】Hmm~ What should I do? I don't know where my path will take me, but... I like who I am now. Whether that's Miriam or Mika, I'm fine with either.
Seeing the confident smile on her sister's face, Misaki nods vigorously.
【Miriam】This is my life to live. Whatever I decide next, I'll be thinking it over carefully. And no matter what troubles we run into...
Miriam returns Misaki's gaze, her heart brimming over with affection.
(Selectable Dialogue)【Miriam】We'll both be there to face them together.
