Karma Duet

Yuki Onna woke up alone in a strange chamber.

Yuki Onna

Urgh, what is this place? I was supposed to be on Mt. Gloom. But why…

Yuki Onna

It’s strange… my body. It’s stopped cracking and melting. It’s not deteriorating any further…

Yuki Onna

Deteriorating… Right, I remember…

Yuki Onna

When returning from the Demon Domain, we received a lead and went to Heian-Kyo to find the spirit who can help me.

Yuki Onna

So we went looking. If I'm now separated from them, was I attacked?

Yuki Onna

My head hurts. I seem to have lost… part of my memories.

Yuki Onna

Argh, I’ve already caused so much trouble for them, I can’t…

Yuki Onna

I must find them as soon as possible.

Yuki Onna started to explore the dim mansion on her own. Then a scurrying sound broke the silence.
She stopped and waited for the sound to come closer. As the door before her was pulled open, frosty crystals flew out and stopped in midair.

Girl (Uba)

It should be safe here… Ah!

Yuki Onna

……….

Girl (Uba)

Please! Don’t kill me!

Yuki Onna

I have no intention of taking your life.

Girl (Uba)

Ah…

Girl (Uba)

Were you also caught and brought here?

Yuki Onna

I don’t really remember how I ended up here. You?

Girl (Uba)

Then it must’ve happened to you. We were both caught and brought here by a monster!

Girl (Uba)

This is that monster’s turf. She catches people from the outside world and brings them here to force them to kill each other until there’s only one survivor.

Girl (Uba)

I was brought here with my best friend. But we got separated.

Girl (Uba)

You look powerful. Can you help me, Miss?! I promise I won’t run around. I only wish to find her!

Yuki Onna

...I got separated from my companions too.

Yuki Onna

What’s going on with this mansion? Are there many people here?

Girl (Uba)

There’re monsters here! And there’s a lunatic among the humans as well!

Girl (Uba)

I’ve seen it with my own eyes. Someone was wearing a mask and attacking people with a knife!

Girl (Uba)

She was walking around the mansion wearing blood-stained white clothes!

Yuki Onna

But you’re also wearing white clothes and a mask…

Girl (Uba)

Huh? What are you talking about, Miss?

Girl (Uba)

I’m not wearing a mask.

The girl touched her cheek as if she was trying to prove something. She failed to feel the Uba mask even when her finger ran over its crumpled surface.

Girl (Uba)

See? I’m not wearing one.

Girl (Uba)

Let’s not waste time on this, Miss, let’s start looking for them!

Yuki Onna

(What’s this all about? Her mask… Forget it, it’s none of my concern. I’d better not ask too many questions.)

Yuki Onna and the girl with the mask set off together. Monsters appeared and attacked them as they walked. Luckily, Yuki Onna was powerful enough to deal with them.

Evil Spirit

Rarrrr! Die!

Yuki Onna

…………

Evil Spirit

Stay, stay here!

Yuki Onna

Freeze.

Girl (Uba)

Wow, you’re so powerful, Miss! They’re frozen!

Yuki Onna

No problem.

Girl (Uba)

But why did you only freeze them? Wouldn’t it be better to turn them into an ice sculpture and smash them?

Yuki Onna

Smash them… There’s no need for that.

Yuki Onna

If the ice is smashed, they can never return to how they used to be.

Girl (Uba)

Oh, I see...

Girl (Uba)

With you here, I won’t have to worry about being attacked. The people you’re looking for must be as powerful as you.

Yuki Onna

Sure.

Girl (Uba)

What kind of people are they? I’d love to meet them.

Yuki Onna

Well, they’re…

Yuki Onna stood there and zoned out. As she thought of her companions, their images in her mind were blurred and covered in frost.
She realised that as she ceased to melt, something was disappearing.

Yuki Onna

(What’s happening to me? Why can’t I remember them… Are they my companions?)

Yuki Onna

(Companions… I’m sure they exist. But why can’t I remember them now?)

Yuki Onna

(Memories. Is this house eating away my memories?)

Yuki Onna

Uhm.

Girl (Uba)

Are you alright, Miss? Do you have a headache?

Girl (Uba)

Try not to think too much, if you have a headache. Those monsters are breaking free from your ice. Let’s get out of here first.

Yuki Onna

Urgh, okay, sure. I’m fine.

Yuki Onna

(I can’t stay here any longer. I must leave now!)

Yuki Onna

This mansion is very strange. We must leave here as soon as possible.

Girl (Uba)

But we still haven’t found… Okay, nothing.

Girl (Uba)

Let’s keep moving. It looks quiet ahead. There should be no one there.

As the girl explored the mansion with Yuki Onna, more and more monsters appeared and attacked them from all corners. There were even humans among them.

Yuki Onna

Were they the humans who were brought here?

Young Man

Wait, please don’t kill me, I won’t attack you! Ah...

Girl (Uba)

Wow, you froze them with just one move, Miss. Impressive! They look more frozen than the earlier ones!

Cold frost flowed and froze everyone else. Then Yuki Onna and the girl decided to rest in a corner.
They sat there among the frozen bodies as if they were sitting in a grassland, as if they couldn’t feel the chilling air around them.

Girl (Uba)

Are you a spirit, Miss? Why are you here?

Girl (Uba)

With your power, you should be able to live a free life anywhere.

Yuki Onna

My power? No, I’m not that powerful.

Yuki Onna

We’re in a strange place. And… my power seems to be resonating with the mansion.

Yuki Onna

It seems as if the frost I conjure likes it here.

Yuki Onna

As for why I was brought here. It’s because I met… Umm, who did I meet? No, it’s so strange, I…

Yuki Onna

I thought I’d met someone, And I left the frosted world for Heian-kyo because of that particular someone. But who?

Yuki Onna

I can’t remember.

Girl (Uba)

Don’t waste too much energy thinking if you can’t remember. Rest and we’ll leave here soon.

Yuki Onna

Hmm...

Girl (Uba)

But I’m quite curious. Since you’re made of snow, can you touch something warm?

Stricken by a sudden sleepiness, all Yuki Onna could see was the outline of the girl amongst the white frost. A bit distracted, she answered.

Yuki Onna

I could. Warmth… could hurt me once. But I don’t hate that feeling now.

Yuki Onna

After all, I couldn't feel anything once… Yes, that’s right, someone taught me the meaning of warmth.

Girl (Uba)

Even if it’s harmful to you?

Yuki Onna

There’s something more. Many things have happened since then… And my empty and cold heart was filled with warm memories. They’re still scorching, but…

Yuki Onna

But I’m happy.

Yuki Onna

(Why am I sitting here telling her all that?)

Girl (Uba)

Is that so. When we leave here, please take me with you, Miss. I’d love to see the outside world.

Yuki Onna

Leave? Yes, we’re leaving here…

Yuki Onna

(No, I shouldn’t leave. I... I have to find someone. But who am I going to find?)

Girl (Uba)

But if you leave here, won’t the outside world melt you?

Yuki Onna

Melt… it could happen.

Girl (Uba)

I got it! It’s okay, don’t worry!

Girl (Uba)

Just do what you’ve been doing and freeze those warm things in exchange for a cold and hard heart.

Yuki Onna

Exchange? What are you talking about? I wasn’t...

Girl (Uba)

But I thought those warm things could hurt you. If you freeze them, you’ll be okay.

Girl (Uba)

Turn the forest you’re living in into a snow land, and turn the spring breeze into a cold front. Freeze your companions so they can stay with you.

Yuki Onna

That could work...

Girl (Uba)

Look. Isn’t he one of your masterpieces?

The girl stood up and pushed one of the frozen men towards Yuki Onna. He was dressed in a kariginu and holding a paper fan in his hand. He was reaching out his hand as if he were trying to talk to someone.
The frost froze that moment as well as his body. The girl gave it a little push, and the status fell over, smashing into pieces.

Yuki Onna

Who… who was he?

Yuki Onna

Have we seen him before?

Girl (Uba)

Have you? But I thought you’d involuntarily discarded your memories, hadn’t you?

Girl (Uba)

Do you still feel pain in your body?

Yuki Onna

No… Have I regained my power?

Sleepiness rose again. The frozen chamber became bright. A white light seemed to be devouring the world for Yuki Onna.

Girl (Uba)

Would you feel pain if I hurt your companions?

Girl (Uba)

You were born from ice and snow. Can you really feel any kind of warmth?

Emotions faded like the tide in the blinding white light. Yuki Onna was left alone with nothing but pure, clean ice.
Slowly, she lost the ability to experience feelings.

Yuki Onna

I should feel sad and in pain, but I’m not.

Yuki Onna

Companions. Have I ever had any companions? I can’t remember.

Yuki Onna

I had the same thoughts back when I was sleeping in that snow world a long time ago.

Girl (Uba)

It feels nice sleeping in a snow world, doesn't it?

Yuki Onna

(No, that’s not right… I don't want to sleep. And I shouldn’t sleep here.)

Yuki Onna

(But falling into that white void and deep slumber is indeed nice…)

Yuki Onna

I...

Girl (Uba)

Good night, Miss. Have a nice dream in this pure white world.

Yuki Onna

No, I shouldn't...

Yuki Onna was devoured by the white void before her. Voluntarily or not, she discarded all her memories and feelings, in exchange for the great power she used to have and a frozen heart. What remained of her consciousness kept warning her no to, and yet, there was nothing she could do to stop it from happening.
Then suddenly, a feather appeared out of thin air. It was pale, suggesting it was from the distant past.
Although it was light, the feather cut through the frozen world with little effort.
Then an amulet smashed the ice as a vortex brought forth more feathers. Warmth and colours flooded into the pure white world that Yuki Onna inhabited.

???

Wake up, Yuki Onna.

Yuki Onna

?!

Yuki Onna

Urgh… ngh… ahem…

Yuki Onna

What, what’s going on? What happened to me?

Her exhaustion lifted and she felt a scorching feeling deep in her chest. It woke her up completely. Then she saw Ootengu and Dark Seimei standing before her.

Yuki Onna

What, what have I done?

Ootengu

You’re finally awake. Are you alright?

Ootengu

I just met up with Master Dark Seimei. Then I sensed cold air, so I came over.

Dark Seimei

You lost control of your power.

Yuki Onna

I met a strange girl and we were attacked by many monsters. I froze them all…

Dark Seimei

There’s no one else here. It’s just us.

Yuki Onna then realised that the chamber was covered in frost. And she had been standing inside a giant ice bubble.
It was Dark Seimei who’d broken the shell with an amulet.

Ootengu

This fell to the ground.

Ootengu picked up a cracked mask from a pile of ice. It was an Uba mask. The frost added a little sadness to the emotionless face.

Ootengu

You were affected by the mask.

Yuki Onna

A mask...

Yuki Onna

Why didn’t I remember… This is Menreiki’s mansion. And she’s the one we’re looking for.

Dark Seimei

We noticed it as well. These eerie masks can possess people and affect their memories and feelings.

Dark Seimei

Are you feeling better?

Yuki Onna

I’m fine now.

Ootengu

In that case, let’s get out of here first. Achoo!

Ootengu

If my guess was right, the little dog who’s been following us on the streets was dragged into this as well. Tsk, what a troublemaker he is.

Dark Seimei

Anyway, our goal remains the same. We must find the spirit Menreiki first.

Dark Seimei

Let’s go.

Yuki Onna

Yes, Master D - Dark Seimei!

Dark Seimei

Huh?

Yuki Onna

No, nothing.

Yuki Onna

Hah…

Ootengu

We don’t often see you smile. What happened?

Yuki Onna

Did I smile?

Ootengu

The feather I gave you seems to have been attacked. It was snapped. What did the mask show you?

Yuki Onna

Nothing worth noting.

Ootengu

Okay. Let’s go then.

Yuki Onna

Sure.

After making sure she’d gotten the name of her companions right, Yuki Onna quickly followed Ootengu and Dark Seimei. Together, they left the pure white world she had created.
She still couldn’t refuse warm things even if they scorched her. She chose to follow her trusted companions and travel with them.

Girl (Uba)

I failed…

Girl (Uba)

It happened sooner than before. Ha, looks like I need to change my strategy…

???

……...

Girl (Uba)

I see you’re here.

Girl (Uba)

Come on. End my life already.

The monster in black slashed across the girl’s chest with a knife. Something red spilt on the monster’s chest and grew darker.

Girl (Uba)

Urgh, it’s pointless. Everything’s pointless.

Girl (Uba)

You knew what would come in the end.

Girl (Uba)

Stop looking down on us. You’re just like us - everything you do will be for nothing!

Girl (Uba)

Throw away your useless emotions…

Menreiki

You can’t talk about the end until the very last moment.

Menreiki

I’m sure you agree with me.

The girl in white didn’t answer her. She closed her eyes, and her body turned into dust and disappeared.

Somewhere in the old mansion before Dark Seimei met up with his shikigami…
A dilapidated staircase reached out from the doors and started to fold and spin. A crack appeared on the staircase and separated the two figures that were fighting.
The minute they stopped, one of them pushed the other violently. Unexpectedly, she was grabbed by the sleeves and flung down the staircase.
The girl struggled to get up, her thin fingers scrabbled on the wooden staircase. Then she was stomped upon by a foot. The girl in white was hanging down from the staircase.

Girl (Fuko no Kami)

See? I’ll always be the last one smiling. No matter how many times over!

Girl (Fuko no Kami)

It feels so good. No matter how much pain I am in, I’m always happy so long as I can look down on your face from high above.

Girl (Fuko no Kami)

Hahaha!

Girl (Fuko no Kami)

Urgh, you! When did you get the knife…

Girl (Semimaru)

Hee hee, don’t forget that I’m always watching you…

Girl (Semimaru)

Your sweet happiness will now be placed alongside my liquor of bitterness! Hee hee…

A sharp knife pierced through the ankle of the girl. A pair of hands tainted by blood dropped the knife and grabbed the ankle. The two of them were at a stalemate. Then the staircase started to turn again.

Girl (Semimaru)

Looks like luck is on my side this time. Hee hee, die with me!

Girl (Fuko no Kami)

Why? Why do you have both luck and power when it’s clear that I deserve our master’s pity?!

Girl (Fuko no Kami)

Let go of me! Let go! Argh!

Girl (Semimaru)

Hee hee…

The cries faded as the two fell from the ever-shifting staircase. It then quieted down. A figure appeared on the spot where the two had been fighting.
An abyss devoured everything. After a long wait without hearing a thud, the figure leaned down to touch the blood on the ground, only to find that it was just an illusion.

Ootengu

This is also an illusion.

Ootengu

I’ve been investigating the place ever since I woke up. But I still haven’t figured out the shifting pattern of the house.

Ootengu

Are these illusions rebuilding the past of this place? How many times has it played out?

Ootengu

What a sick hobby.

Ootengu

Having seen the power of the few monsters that attacked me, Yuki Onna should be able to handle them despite her physical condition…

Ootengu

Anyway, I must meet up with them again as soon as possible.

Ootengu

Tsk, the headache, I can feel it again…

Ootengu

This strange sense of anxiety and familiarity…

Ootengu

Low ceilings, narrow corridors, layers of closed doors…

Ootengu

Is the mansion designed to… amplify hidden feelings?

Ootengu

Anyone who lives in this kind of house would be driven mad sooner or later.

Ootengu

I must find them and leave this place as soon as possible.

Ootengu

Wait a minute, we came here voluntarily… But for what purpose? I can’t remember.

Ootengu

This place also affects your memories, not just your mood. What a terrible feeling.

Ootengu passed through layers of paper doors. The chamber continued to stretch on. He couldn’t find the end, let alone the exit.

Dark Seimei

…………

Ootengu

？！

Dark Seimei

…………

Ootengu

Master, Master Dark Seimei… Wait, that’s…

Ootengu didn’t approach to greet him. He hid behind a paper door and eavesdropped on Dark Seimei who was talking to someone.

Ootengu

(If I’m not mistaken, Master Dark Seimei was talking to…)

Ootengu

(Sure enough. Before we passed out and got separated, he’d been stalking us. He thought we didn’t notice him, but…)

Ootengu

(What’s with that exceptionally strong demon force around him?)

Hakuzosu (skin3)

Huh? There’s no one else here. I must’ve heard wrong.

Dark Seimei

Stop dawdling and let’s get going.

Hakuzosu (skin3)

Okay, okay, I know that you’re a great onmyoji with a clear goal.

Ootengu

…………

Ootengu

Master Dark Seimei!

Dark Seimei

Ootengu? You’re here.

Ootengu

(He is indeed Master Dark Seimei and not the illusion that shared his resemblance. But he was…)

Dark Seimei

Everything looks weird here. It’s good to meet up again with my companions.

Dark Seimei

I just met a horde of monsters on my way here. They’ve probably been brought here against their will as well. I’m sure we’ll see more as we go.

Ootengu

Okay, but…

Ootengu

(Master Dark Seimei’s actions look so strange… Urgh, my head. I’ve got that anxious feeling again.)

Ootengu

You were talking about companions. So, where’s Yuki Onna? She’s not here. Have you seen her?

Ootengu

Why didn’t you ask me where she is?

Ootengu

And… who is that?

A boy with fox ears was standing next to Dark Seimei. The joyful smile on his face made Ootengu find it hard to believe that this was the little fox that used to run about in Heian-Kyo.

Hakuzosu (skin3)

Don’t you recognize me even though we’re companions, Master Ootengu?

Ootengu

What’s that strange demon force on you?

Hakuzosu (skin3)

This is how I used to look back when I first encountered humans a long time ago. I simply returned to how I started.

Ootengu

…………

Ootengu

Master Dark Seimei, why are you calling him your companion?

Dark Seimei

I don’t have to explain that.

Dark Seimei

He’s the reason why we’re here. And now that we’ve done what we came here to do, there’s no need to stay here any longer.

Dark Seimei

Let’s get out of here first.

Ootengu stood there and watched Dark Seimei and Hakuzosu as they turned around and left for the depths of the mansion.

Ootengu

Are you serious?

Ootengu

We’re here to… Umm, why are we here?

Ootengu

(Something’s been affecting my memories. This house? Master Dark Seimei must’ve been affected as well.)

Hakuzosu (skin3)

Ah, are you alright, Master Ootengu? Do you want to take a break? You can leave the guarding work to me.

Ootengu

Don’t touch me!

Hakuzosu (skin3)

Oof, that was rude. Are you afraid of something, Master Ootengu?

Dark Seimei

Ootengu, you’ve been acting strange.

Dark Seimei

We’ll go check the road ahead while you get some rest.

Ootengu

…………

Ootengu

Ha, you’re the one who’s been acting strange, Master Dark Seimei.

Ootengu

You’ve disappointed me greatly. I offered my trust and loyalty to you and chose to travel with you.

Ootengu

Look what you’re doing now.

Ootengu

You betrayed our trust by leaving your companions behind and you betrayed our loyalty by seeking a twisted power. That is not what someone who’s supposed to bring justice to the world should do!

Ootengu

(What’s that all about… What am I talking about?!)

Ootengu

(I can’t control what I’m saying. That force’s affecting my behavior…)

Ootengu

Today, I will enforce justice!

Dark Seimei

…………

Ootengu

(What an old fashioned cliché… No, it’s not a simple manipulation spell.)

Ootengu was excited by his spontaneous anger. He spread his wings wide and looked down on Dark Seimei and Hakuzosu from above.

Ootengu (evo)

(I know this anxiety and anger doesn’t belong to me, but it’s still affecting me. It feels like… it comes from my heart.)

Hakuzosu (skin3)

Ha, enforce justice? You?

Ootengu (evo)

There’s nothing more to say!

Sharp feathers wrapped in a vortex were suddenly aimed at Hakuzosu and surrounded him. After a loud scream, something red was spilt on the ground.
A powerful demon force flowed into Ootengu’s body. He felt joy as his power grew. He then turned to Dark Seimei.

Ootengu

Did you see, Master Dark Seimei! That companion of yours was useless!

Ootengu

I should be the one who has the privilege of travelling with you.

Ootengu

Hahahah, with this power, I can now bring true justice to the world!

Ootengu

(What am I talking about?)

Dark Seimei

There’s no difference between us. We’ve both betrayed others’ trust and loyalty. But I’d rather have someone simpler and easier to manipulate as a companion.

Ootengu

Ha, do you really think like that?

Ootengu

Those who do not recognize me must be eliminated! Even you, Master Dark Seimei!

The vortex converged again and aimed at Dark Seimei. Ootengu savored the surging force in his body.

Ootengu

Haha, hahaha, I shall be the one who controls all the power and gains the world’s recognition!

Ootengu

Aahaha! What? No! Why did it stop…

Ootengu

Hey, enough of the shenanigans!

Ootengu

When are you going to stop this lame play of yours?!

A strong gust of wind dispersed the demon force in the chamber. Ootengu stood in the middle of the chamber alone. Dark Seimei and Hakuzosu were nowhere to be found.
There were just two cracked masks on the ground—Semimaru and Fuko no Kami.
Bitter jealousy and sweet joy were carved on the masks. The cracks on them made them even eerier.

Ootengu

How dare you disguise yourselves as Master Dark Seimei and insult my companions…

Ootengu

You even tried to control my body and made me speak those vile words. How dare you!

Ootengu

And…

Ootengu

Master Dark Seimei would never see his companions as tools! And he would never abandon his ambitions!

Ootengu

And that Kohaku? You didn’t even get the way he speaks right.

Ootengu

Master Dark Seimei and I were companions who shared a common belief. Jealous because I was replaced by others? Ha.

Ootengu

The jealousy and joy you attempted to distort and amplify don’t even exist. And they would never affect me, not one feather.

Ootengu

I don’t know where you’re from or why you’re doing this, but…

Ootengu

Trying to divide us with such a lame play?

Ootengu

How presumptuous.

The surrounding demon force dispersed. Ootengu’s scolding echoed in the chamber.
The two masks on the ground remained silent, as if they were just two ordinary masks and what had just happened had had nothing to do with them.
Ootengu watched them in silence for a while before trampling them to pieces.

Ootengu

Damn it.

Ootengu

Thankfully, they’re not here. If they saw how I was acting…

Ootengu

Humph.

Ootengu

……

Ootengu

…………

Ootengu

I can’t believe my actions were affected by those things. Such a disgrace.

Ootengu

Tsk…

Ootengu quickened his pace, trying to put his embarrassing memories behind him, as if he had never been in that chamber.
After leaving the chamber, he heard footsteps coming around the corner. Then he saw someone he knew.

Dark Seimei

Ootengu. You’re here.

Ootengu

Master Dark Seimei!

Dark Seimei

I found myself separated from you when I woke up. Have you seen Yuki Onna?

Dark Seimei

Illusions appear from time to time in this place. These depressing chambers may affect your mind. We must be cautious.

Ootengu

Sure.

Dark Seimei

Come on, let’s go find Yuki Onna first.

Dark Seimei

Apart from Yuki Onna, I thought I saw that little sidekick of Seimei’s here before I passed out.

Dark Seimei

He may also have been brought here. We must also…

Dark Seimei stopped after noticing that Ootengu hadn’t moved. He turned to look at him.

Dark Seimei

Were you affected by that cracked mask? Did you see any strange illusions?

Ootengu

I’m fine.

Ootengu

Let’s go, Master Dark Seimei.

Ootengu fluttered his wings and walked side by side with Dark Seimei, leaving the cracked Jealousy and Joy masks behind.

？？？

Another same ending.

？？？

Why can’t you spare each other?

Girl (Fuko no Kami)

Ha, what right do you have to question us?

Girl (Fuko no Kami)

You’re the sinful culprit who’s been haunting us!

Girl (Fuko no Kami)

Hahaha, enough of the chit-chat, finish us off already.

Girl (Semimaru)

Hee hee, now that I see you, I don’t think I’ll be jealous of anyone anymore.

Girl (Semimaru)

Because you’re far more unfortunate than us… Urgh…

The broken bodies of the two girls remained intertwined, even after they’d fallen to the ground, until they closed their eyes and turned into an orb of light, completely dissolving.
Jealousy and joy have always been two sides of the same coin. Joy begets jealousy and jealousy awakens joy.

Menreiki

Now, what’s left…

Menreiki

I wonder if I can find you this time.

Menreiki

It’s time to put an end to this eternal loop of life and death.

Somewhere in the old mansion, a silent duel was taking place.
Throughout the history of theaters, similar kinds of duels were seen in many plays. But neither side of this duel ever imagined they would play a role on the stage.

Seimei

Anything more you want to say?

Dark Seimei

I never wanted to talk to you.

Seimei

Thought so.

Dark Seimei

Enough said. Just do it!

The dark-haired young man closed his fan and allowed an amulet to run through his body.
Somewhere in a chamber in the old mansion, before Dark Seimei met up again with his companions…

Dark Seimei

This must be the place where Menreiki used to live.

Dark Seimei

It’s been a while since I woke up. I should have explored every corner of this place by now. Normal mansions aren’t this big…

Dark Seimei

It’s the dreamland of that girl, not a real house.

Dark Seimei

Even in her dream, she chose to trap herself in a place and refused to leave…

Dark Seimei

This place may look quiet, but there have been many visitors judging from the many details in the house.

Dark Seimei

Are these… traces of their struggles?

Dark Seimei

The rumored play of carnage was indeed Menreiki’s doing.

Dark Seimei

I wonder if the people killing each other in the dream are guests brought here by Menreiki, or Menreiki herself.

Suddenly, he heard a scurry of footsteps, and a girl with a mask walked out of a door. She pointed in one direction in silence, and then disappeared.

Dark Seimei

…………

Dark Seimei

Mask, girl… No, she can’t be Menreiki. She’s more like a fragment of memory of this mansion, maybe?

Dark Seimei

Is it a trap or…

Dark Seimei

I think I’ll go check the place she pointed out to me, even if it’s a trap. After all, Menreiki is who we’re here for.

Evil Spirit

Rargh! Argh!

Dark Seimei

A haunted monster.

Dark Seimei

I’ll deal with this first… Hmm? This feels like…

Dark Seimei released an amulet. It passed through the monster before him and landed on the wooden wall behind it.

Dark Seimei

Another illusion?

The monster lunged at Dark Seimei. He didn’t move this time and allowed it to pass through him.
He turned around and saw the shadow smashed by ice and broken into ice chips.

Dark Seimei

Did the illusion record what happened here?

Dark Seimei

Ice… Yuki Onna may have encountered enemies here.

Dark Seimei

If it’s Yuki Onna, she wouldn’t…

Dark Seimei

I’ve got something of a headache now. Is this because of the demon force in the chamber?

Dark Seimei

Anyway, I should keep going.

Dark Seimei walked for a long time in the ever-shifting mansion. The illusions with a mask kept showing up, pointing directions for him.

Dark Seimei

What a strange girl…

Dark Seimei

She’s an illusion. That means she previously showed someone the way here.

Dark Seimei

What lies at the end of the road is perhaps neither Ootengu or Yuki Onna, but rather…

Dark Seimei

The structure of the house is so strange. The door and the corridors don’t seem to be built for the living.

Dark Seimei

The building was built for the dead from the very beginning.

Dark Seimei

If this is the embodiment of Menreiki’s dream, I wonder what dream she had.

Young Man

Kill! I’m going to kill you!

Dark Seimei

A human?

Dark Seimei

Ha, I knew there must be reckless humans in this strange place.

Young Man

You… killed her! I won’t let you get away!

Evil Spirit

Rargh!

Dark Seimei

What a fool. Presumptuous.

A human illusion and a monster illusion were entangled together. It wasn’t long before the human lost the battle. The sound of them fighting attracted another monster.
An amulet swiftly scattered the illusions. Then it lost power and slowly fell to the ground.

Dark Seimei

Based on the rumors, these people were just dragged into the dream. Dying here doesn’t mean they’re actually dead.

Dark Seimei

There’s nothing for me to worry about.

Girl (Kitsunemen)

…………

Dark Seimei

They have reappeared.

Girl (Kitsunemen)

I’ll tell you what I know.

Dark Seimei

She’s not talking to me, but… to someone who used to stand here?

Girl (Kitsunemen)

This house is controlled by pure sin. No one can leave here before the evil is eliminated.

Girl (Kitsunemen)

If you understand my words, then go face the counterpart of evil and smash those possessing masks.

Girl (Kitsunemen)

You have no choice.

Girl (Kitsunemen)

You know about the existence of the carnage now that you’ve heard my words. You’ll embark on that path of destruction eventually, even if you run at first.

Girl

Kitsunemen: Wisdom is sinful, for once knowledge is acquired, sins are born!

The girl raised her head and pushed a wooden carving knife into her chest.

Dark Seimei

The counterpart of evil…

Dark Seimei

So what she said was meant for you?

Dark Seimei

What a clichéd way of telling a story. Don’t you think so, Seimei?

Seimei

…………

Seimei

You’re right.

Dark Seimei

When did you get in here? And where’s your little sidekick?

Seimei

I have my reasons. Stop what you’re doing, Dark Seimei.

Dark Seimei

You didn’t even bother to answer.

Seimei

I won’t allow you to leave this place.

Dark Seimei

Really? Why?

Dark Seimei

We’re just here to look for Menreiki. I got separated from my companions when I woke up. I don’t think that’s something the great onmyoji Seimei would worry about.

Seimei

You’re the evil side of Seimei. As Seimei, it’s my duty to stop you.

Seimei

Like Menreiki, you must be eliminated.

Dark Seimei

…………

Dark Seimei

Ha.

The Seimei that had suddenly appeared launched an attack, as if he hadn’t heard Dark Seimei’s untimely laugh. Dark Seimei kept parrying the attacks.
After a round of spell slinging, Dark Seimei was knocked to the ground. The man who looked similar to him looked down on him.
Seimei: You were born from the doubts and punishment Seimei gave himself.
Seimei: You despise life and know evil. You allowed sacrifices even though you have such power. This is evil.
Seimei: Killing you means killing Seimei’s evil and removing Seimei’s sins.

Dark Seimei

You…

Dark Seimei

You speak of killing the evil while refusing to admit to the crimes you have committed.

Seimei

Whether or not I acknowledge it makes no difference. There won’t be evil if I eliminate it!

Dark Seimei

……

Seimei

Anything more you want to say?

Dark Seimei

I never wanted to talk to you.

Seimei

Thought so.

Dark Seimei

Enough said. Just do it!

A glowing amulet was aimed at the dark-haired young man lying on the ground. Then there was a crash.
The Dark Seimei lying on the ground turned into a cracked Kitsunemen. Dark Seimei stood in his usual stance after launching an attack.

Dark Seimei

What a boring play. Is it over already? If I’d known that, I would’ve performed with you a little longer.

Dark Seimei

I was hoping to hear more foolish lines jumping out of the mouth of this Seimei.

Dark Seimei picked up the mask on the ground. He took a look at the black eye sockets on the mask and sighed softly.

Dark Seimei

You lured me here using all those illusions just to have me battle with this Seimei?

Dark Seimei

Seems like you underestimated me.

Dark Seimei

You revealed a flaw when you imitated the clue Yuki Onna left back there. So your whole carefully planned performance was meaningless.

Dark Seimei

Yuki Onna never completely smashes her enemy when she attacks. She always gives them a chance to live.

Dark Seimei

As for this Seimei…

Dark Seimei

Hahaha, it might be interesting to see his reaction when he hears the way he was talking back there.

Dark Seimei

All your gibberish of killing sins is just plain nonsense.

Dark Seimei

You refused to admit your sin. That means you see it as a disgrace, something that shouldn’t exist. How can you not call that a sin?

Dark Seimei

If that’s the case, you have no right to talk about eliminating sins.

Dark Seimei

A person who can say such things is just a coward who’s eager to escape.

Dark Seimei

Don’t play dead. That wasn’t a lethal attack.

Dark Seimei

Do you know where my companions are?

Four limbs stretched out from the mask. The illusion of a girl pointed out a direction for Dark Seimei.

Girl (Kitsunemen)

If you wish to know about things that happened here as well as the whereabouts of your companions, I can also…

Dark Seimei smashed the mask completely before the girl could finish her offer.

Girl (Kitsunemen)

…………

Girl (Kitsunemen)

You! Urgh…

Dark Seimei

People see Kitsunemen as the embodiment of wisdom.

Dark Seimei

If you think wisdom is sinful then spare me from your story.

Dark Seimei

I’ll find out what exactly is going on here myself.

Dark Seimei passed the remains of the mask on the ground and went in the opposite direction to the way the girl had pointed.
Shortly after that, Dark Seimei heard a sound behind him. He turned around and saw Ootengu approaching.

Girl (Kitsunemen)

Uh-oh, he’s the kind of guy I don’t want to mess with.

Girl (Kitsunemen)

And without the mask, it’ll only be a matter of time before she finds me.

Girl (Kitsunemen)

Alas, I’ve finished my business. If things go smoothly, he should find his companions again soon.

Girl (Kitsunemen)

Then I must pray the others do their jobs.

？？？

Looks like we’ll start with you again this time, huh?

Girl (Kitsunemen)

Oh, you’re here already.

Girl (Kitsunemen)

Tee hee, why are you staring at me? I didn’t have time to do anything.

Girl (Kitsunemen)

He didn’t even listen to me. It’s so hard to trick him.

Girl (Kitsunemen)

Plus, in this place the start is connected to the end, so there’s no real start.

Girl (Kitsunemen)

A piece of advice for you. Stop running around. Just wait for them to come.

？？？

No.

Girl

Kitsunemen: You’re still waiting for a different end, aren’t you? That’s not going to happen.

Girl (Kitsunemen)

The guests will defeat you. And everything will start all over again. Nothing will ever change.

？？？

…………

Girl (Kitsunemen)

Alright, I know you have special feelings for her.

Girl (Kitsunemen)

How many masks have you collected so far this time?

？？？

You’ll be the first one.

Girl (Kitsunemen)

So she won’t show up until three more masks…

Girl (Kitsunemen)

Fair enough. I won’t get to see the ending this time.

The girl in white stopped talking. She took out a wooden carving knife and pushed it into her chest.
The monster in white pulled the knife out from her chest. Something red bloomed. She closed the girl’s eyes and sighed.

Menreiki

I’ll keep looking for you while I wait for you to find me.

Menreiki

It’s no use continuing to run away from it.

Meanwhile, somewhere in the mansion, Dark Seimei and his shikigami met Kohaku.
A girl suddenly appeared, and asked them to defeat the monster Menreiki. Her face looked just like the other girl’s that had appeared elsewhere.

The Young Lady

Please! Help me! We can’t leave this place until Menreiki is defeated.

Hakuzosu

Menreiki…

Ootengu

But, aren’t you Menreiki herself?

The Young Lady

No, I’m just a nobody who got dragged into this.

Hakuzosu

You look exactly like the girl I saw earlier, and your face bears a great resemblance to the Menreiki I remember!

The Young Lady

I’m different!

The Young Lady

They wore masks and were controlled by Menreiki. But I never wear any mask.

The Young Lady

Look! This is my face!

The girl touched her face as if she was trying to prove that she wasn’t wearing a mask.
Seeing the conversation was going nowhere, the shikigami decided to change the topic.

Yuki Onna

Name.

Ootengu

What’s your name if it isn’t Menreiki?

The Young Lady

I…

The Young Lady

White? Someone used to call me by that name.

The Young Lady

But I wonder who that was…

Hakuzosu

Hold on, hold on, if you’re called White, then what about me?!

Hakuzosu

People have been calling me the same name for—

Ootengu covered Kohaku’s mouth and stopped him. Then Dark Seimei joined the conversation.

Dark Seimei

If you want us to defeat Menreiki, you’ll have to answer some questions.

Dark Seimei

How do you know Menreiki is the culprit behind all this?

White

I—I’ve seen it.

White

Not with my own eyes though… I…

Hakuzosu

(The way you make me feel, and your face looks just like the Menreiki I once saw…) Oof…

Hakuzosu

(I’m certain that you’re the same person!) Oof!

Hakuzosu

(Is it because something’s been messing with my memories? Or are you faking…) Oof, oof…

White

I saw her controlling masks and forcing people to kill each other!

Ootengu

That doesn’t answer Master Dark Seimei’s question.

Dark Seimei

(She has the mind of a child. It’s so hard to talk to her…)

Dark Seimei

What are these masks?

Dark Seimei

Are you referring to those things that were able to amplify our moods?

White

They… Those masks were a part of the monster Menreiki’s soul.

White

The mansion has existed for a long time. Then she took control.

White

She scattered the masks that were orbiting around her all over the old mansion, and turned them into people so they could kill each other!

White

Then, to have more performers, she started to drag ordinary people into this place!

Dark Seimei

Why did she go to the trouble of creating such a big stage?

White

I don’t know.

Dark Seimei

Where did you learn all this? You said you’ve never seen Menreiki.

White

In my dream…

White

Before I was trapped here, I always dreamed about that monster.

White

That monster in black kept chasing me in my dreams. Wherever I fled, she always managed to catch up with me.

White

Then she would stab my chest with a wooden carving knife.

White

Don’t… don’t come any closer! Help! Save me!

Menreiki

I found you.

Menreiki

There’s no escape…

White

If this is a dream, wake me up already!

Outobide

Run, run, hee hee…

Outobide

If she catches you, her knife will quickly run you through! Hee hee, it will be so painful!

Menreiki

Shut up…

Menreiki

Stop and come on out.

White

Argh!

White

I’ve lived through the same nightmare over and over.

White

Sometimes I would get lucky and escape from her hunt. I tried to leave this mansion of dreams, but there are never any exits.

White

I always saw a world of mist outside the door. And when I walked through the mist, I would return to where I had started.

Dark Seimei

This realm seems to have separated us from time and reality…

Dark Seimei

My theory was right. This is someone’s dreamland.

Dark Seimei

When the dreamer wakes up, the dreamland will perhaps disperse.

White

I used to think that I was dreaming as well.

White

But as I kept having more and more nightmares and failed attempts to escape from the dream, I started to realize that…

White

I couldn’t tell dream from reality anymore.

White

I couldn’t wake up.

Hakuzosu

I’ve had the same experience before…

Hakuzosu

In my dream, I returned to the time before I met Master Seimei. It was in Mt. Dream where I…

Hakuzosu

Sorry, now’s not about me!

Dark Seimei

…………

Hakuzosu

What happened then? You were unable to leave so you’ve been wandering this place ever since?

White

Yes. More and more visitors showed up. They put on a mask that controlled them and turned them into performers on the stage.

White

Those masks forced them to perform a play of carnage. And the final result… was usually more than just acting.

Ootengu

The rumored play of carnage.

Yuki Onna

How did you manage to break free from your mask? The others must’ve lost themselves while being manipulated.

White

I don’t know… No masks ever approached me.

White

Anyway! Everything will be solved and we can leave here when Menreiki is brought down!

Ootengu

Master Dark Seimei…

Ootengu looked at Dark Seimei, and they shared a look of understanding.
Such a suspicious excuse could never fool Dark Seimei. He, however, was more interested in the mask that could control moods.

White

Please, you have to believe me!

Dark Seimei

I understand. Let’s start moving before we talk further.

Dark Seimei

Menreiki is why we’re here. The way I see it, our objectives are the same.

Ootengu

You must know where she is, do you?

Ootengu

Please lead the way.

Dark Seimei

Are you feeling alright, Yuki Onna?

Yuki Onna

I’m fine.

Dark Seimei

Good. You…

White led them into the depths through layers of doors. Kohaku stood there as if he hadn’t realized what had happened.

Hakuzosu

Wait! Why are you going that way without telling us why?!

Ootengu

You can go wherever you want to go. We didn’t come here together.

Ootengu

And remind we why we have to travel with someone who’s been stalking us again?

Dark Seimei

You stayed I see. So you must have a better plan.

Hakuzosu

You!

Dark Seimei

Looks like you won’t be needing our help if any of the masks possess you again.

Hakuzosu

(I have to say, I don’t think I can curse the man just for having Master Seimei’s face…)

Hakuzosu

Damn it…

Kohaku hurried to follow them.

Hakuzosu

I’m truly grateful that you saved me. But!

Hakuzosu

I’ll never forget what you’ve done before and the fact that you see Master Seimei as your enemy!

Hakuzosu

I’m just doing you a favor by travelling with you!

Ootengu

Ha! There’s a Tengu mask here. It’s a shame that it’s all dusty.

Yuki Onna

(Seems to zone out)...

Dark Seimei

The structure of this house seems to have combined an Onmyoji Spell with Feng Shui. I wonder how that happened…

Dark Seimei

Interesting. This structure has formed a special field. I’d like to study this place more if I have the time.

Hakuzosu

Why are you not listening to me?!

A corridor away, there’s someone watching Kohaku and the others behind a door.

Hakuzosu (skin3)

What a crowd. I’d love to join them.

The group followed the girl White and headed toward the axis of the mansion. They encountered more monsters controlled by masks.
With Ootengu there, the incoming monsters posed no threat to them. And they continued their journey down the spinning stairs.

White

We’re almost there.

Dark Seimei

The structure of the house is changing all the time. How do you know where Menreiki is now?

White

There’s a sound… I can hear a sound calling me, telling me where to go.

White

Perhaps she’s also looking for me. I don’t know, I have no clue at all. But somehow I think I need an answer from her.

Ootengu

From what I heard, Menreiki used to be an ordinary human girl. She merged with masks and became a spirit. But she still has part of the consciousness she had when she was a human.

Ootengu

The one in front of us must be the human part of Menreiki.

Dark Seimei

But why does Menreiki force people to kill each other?

Dark Seimei

And there’s something more important—our memories.

Ootengu

Memories? Are you saying…

Dark Seimei

We were able to remember it because we came to look for Menreiki to stop Yuki Onna’s physical condition from deteriorating. We must’ve made some kind of deal or agreement with her.

Dark Seimei

But now, we’re here with no memories of how we met Menreiki.

Dark Seimei

She’s nothing like Seimei’s sidekick.

Dark Seimei

I don’t think I would’ve allowed us to be dragged into this realm without taking any precautions.

Dark Seimei

Perhaps us entering the old mansion was part of some deal.

Dark Seimei

And because of that deal, we were affected by the power of the old mansion.

Ootengu

You have a point… I’ve felt all along that something’s not quite right.

Ootengu

It’s making me feel like I’ve been watching a play while performing it. Experiences that I had for the first time felt like I’d experienced them many times before.

Ootengu

The corridors we walked past and the stairs we climbed. They all give me a familiar feeling, as if they had been arranged in a particular way by someone.

Ootengu

Urgh… I’m having that feeling again.

They started to feel the dizziness they had had once before. Before Dark Seimei and Ootengu regained consciousness, they had followed the girl through a door with eerie patterns.
They finally regained consciousness as the door was closed. They turned around and found Yuki Onna and Kohaku missing.

Ootengu

We’re careless!

Ootengu

What have you done? Where did they go?

White

What are you talking about?

Ootengu

The two who’ve been following us!

White

But you two are the only ones.

Dark Seimei

…………

White

What’s important is that we’re here!

In the middle of the chamber, a monster in black was standing amidst a pool of blood. Mask fragments were orbiting around her.
The monster raised her head and revealed a face identical to White’s.

Menreiki

You’ve arrived at last.

On the other side of the mansion, Yuki Onna and Kohaku were standing in front of a door. They could smell a strong smell of blood even though the door was closed.
The smell of blood brought Kohaku back to his senses before he entered a trance. He found his consciousness had once again been affected.
Yuki Onna was standing next to him looking at the paper door before them. Ootengu, Dark Seimei, and the girl White were nowhere to be found.

Hakuzosu

Hmm? What’s going on…

Hakuzosu

Argh! My head! My head aches so much!

Hakuzosu

Lady Yuki Onna, what happened to me? Why are we the only ones here?

Yuki Onna

…………

Yuki Onna

When we found each other again, Master Dark Seimei speculated that the environment of the mansion would distract our minds.

Yuki Onna

So to prevent us from getting separated again without realizing it, I planted a Flower of Ice on each of you and conjured an Ice Branch.

Yuki Onna

The Flower of Ice would bloom if we were distracted or separated.

Hakuzosu

So… they lost their way?

Yuki Onna

We did.

Hakuzosu

What? O-kay…

Yuki Onna

I was awakened by the blooming of a Flower of Ice. When I realized that we were perhaps distracted again, you’d already walked too far in the other direction.

Yuki Onna

Master Dark Seimei and Ootengu were following the girl. So it was hard for me to awaken them back there.

Hakuzosu

So…

Hakuzosu

You followed me here because you were worried about me?

Hakuzosu

I’m sorry! Had I been more careful, it wouldn’t have happened…

Hakuzosu

Thank you, Lady Yuki Onna!

Yuki Onna

It’s nothing…

Yuki Onna

The force insists that you go this way. Perhaps there’re other clues on this side as well.

Yuki Onna

Master Dark Seimei told me that the monster Menreiki was merged with the seven masks of Hata no Kawakatsu.

Yuki Onna

Each of us has encountered one or two mind-controlling masks. So we’ve seen five of them altogether.

Yuki Onna

Smashing them may just whittle down Menreiki’s power. And the last two…

Hakuzosu

Are they the ones who tried to lure me here?

Yuki Onna

It’s possible.

Yuki Onna

So don’t blame yourself.

Hakuzosu

Lady Yuki Onna…

Hakuzosu

Thank you.

Kohaku pulled open the door. The strong smell of blood hit him immediately. There sat a boy with ash-colored hair in the middle of a pool of blood.
There’s an illusory mask behind that boy, indicating that the one in front of the mask is an illusion created by the mask.

Hakuzosu (skin3)

Hey, you’ve arrived at last.

Kohaku and Yuki Onna were attracted by a mask and were separated from Dark Seimei and Ootengu.
In the chamber reeking of blood, a boy whose face bore a great resemblance to Kohaku was waiting for them.

Hakuzosu

What… what are you?!

“Hakuzosu”

Stop screaming. I look just like Hakuzosu, okay?

Hakuzosu

Ha? Are you trying to disguise yourself as me to trick me?

Hakuzosu

There, there’s still a mask floating behind you!

Hakuzosu

It was purely an accident that I was fooled by the Master Seimei you were disguised as! I won’t fall for it again!

Yuki Onna

Why did you lure him here?

“Hakuzosu”

Because I got bored.

“Hakuzosu”

It’s so boring here.

Hakuzosu

What?

“Hakuzosu”

You must’ve met my fellows already. Hee hee, judging by the way you’re saying it, they fooled you, didn’t they?

“Hakuzosu”

This whole mansion is a stage. And us masks are performers forced to perform the same play over and over again on this stage.

“Hakuzosu”

But of course, that’s what masks are made for.

Yuki Onna

To perform…

Yuki Onna

Is that why we saw so many illusions? Were those all acts that happened in the “play”?

“Hakuzosu”

Yes. Our master… that little girl loves watching them.

“Hakuzosu”

For us masks who’re being controlled, all we can do is perform this boring play over and over again.

Hakuzosu

What’re you performing?

“Hakuzosu”

A bloody play of carnage, of course.

“Hakuzosu”

“Seven strangers were taken to an old mansion by a monster. They were forced to put on a mask and kill each other until only one survivor remained.”

“Hakuzosu”

It was interesting to watch at first. But after the first few times, it started to get boring.

“Hakuzosu”

Plus, we were the ones who had to play the victims.

Hakuzosu

You killed each other simply to perform a play?! Then the ones who got killed...

“Hakuzosu”

That girl has a soft heart.

“Hakuzosu”

For the humans who were caught and brought here, they simply had a painless nightmare. But for us, it’s a different story.

“Hakuzosu”

Hey, do you know?

“Hakuzosu”

The feeling of a carving knife running through your body. It’s painful, isn’t it? But when you’ve experienced this feeling a million times, you don’t feel a thing.

Yuki Onna

………..

“Hakuzosu”

We’re the only ones performing in this play over again. So it makes no difference who’s the attacker and who’s the victim.

Hakuzosu

I don’t know what you think…

Hakuzosu

But I just want to know why you lured me here. And…

Hakuzosu

Stop talking to me with a face that resembles mine!

“Hakuzosu”

Have you forgotten about this look of yours?

Hakuzosu

What?

“Hakuzosu”

How could you say it resembles you? This is exactly how you used to look.

Yuki Onna

You’re not like the other illusions created by the masks. What are you trying to do?

“Hakuzosu”

You noticed, huh? Yeah. It's because I’m bored. So in this loop, I decided to try a different approach.

“Hakuzosu”

The great onmyoji in the capital Seimei once cast a forbidden spell, the Onmyoji Divisive Spell, and extracted his evil side.

Hakuzosu

What are you trying to say?!

“Hakuzosu”

By coincidence, our master Menreiki somehow became just like Seimei.

“Hakuzosu”

The human half of her refused to admit the crimes she had committed. So her soul was separated, and the dark half was born.

“Hakuzosu”

Isn’t it nice?

“Hakuzosu”

A new soul born from evil who even has a body of her own - something us masks desire.

Hakuzosu

Are you saying…

“Hakuzosu”

I wonder if there would be an extra body to wear this mask of mine if you could extract your sins from yourself.

“Hakuzosu”

Our master wanted us to stay with her in this dream for eternity. But I don’t want to perform in this boring play with her anymore.

“Hakuzosu”

So, would you agree to lend me your body and soul?

Hakuzosu

No, never!

Yuki Onna

The way you look now is just a disguise.

Yuki Onna

For both Menreiki and Seimei, separating evil from kindness was not an easy thing to do.

Yuki Onna

As a mask, you didn’t have the confidence to split your soul and steal a body. Otherwise, you wouldn’t have lured Kohaku over for a personal meeting like this.

“Hakuzosu”

You got me.

“Hakuzosu”

You’re right, the reason why I disguised myself like this was purely because it would evoke his memories of anger.

“Hakuzosu”

Wanna bet?

“Hakuzosu”

Try defeating your own sin.

Hakuzosu

Urgh… My head aches. You…

“Hakuzosu”

Do you really think you can forget the sins you’ve committed just because you’re called Kohaku now? Do you really think you’ve whitewashed yourself?

“Hakuzosu”

Now, your sin is coming after you!

Outobide

I’m Outobide, the mask who embodies anger, frenzy, and savagery…

Outobide

Do you want to try me on?

Kohaku looked at the body standing before him. The face that resembled his was talking about something, yet he couldn’t hear a word.
An inexplicable anger surged up and took him back all those years ago, to when he was trapped in a room where he killed every human he laid eyes on.

Hakuzosu

Oof, my head aches…

Hakuzosu

Damn it, get lost! All of you!

Hakuzosu

I left that place long ago! No, that’s not me…

Yuki Onna

Hey!

Yuki Onna

What a powerful force.

Yuki Onna

He had such great power all along? I’ve never seen it before.

Yuki Onna

Has he been unconsciously suppressing his power when he’s at Seimei’s side?

Yuki Onna

Sober up!

In Kohaku’s eyes, the boy with ash-coloured hair disappeared. The mask Outobide turned into a giant fox spirit.
It was how he used to be: controlled by humans, hating humans, and constantly killing humans for fun.

Dark Fox Illusion

Do you remember me?

Hakuzosu

I do.

Dark Fox Illusion

You stayed beside Seimei and started to lead a peaceful life, trying to forget your past.

Dark Fox Illusion

Have you forgotten the human blood on your sharp claws?

Hakuzosu

No. I… I have not.

Dark Fox Illusion

Is that so? Then follow that anger buried deep down and defeat me.

The giant fox spirit was ablaze with fox fire. It leapt up high and pounced at Kohaku.
Kohaku tried to take shelter. He crashed into countless fragments of the mask who tried to block his path.
Driven by that inexplicable anger, Kohaku smashed the surrounding masks. But more crept up to him.
The eyes, or what was left of the masks, swarmed at him, blocking Kohaku’s way out. Failing to evade an attack, Kohaku was injured by the fox spirit’s claws.

Hakuzosu

Urgh!

Hakuzosu

Get lost!

Dark Fox Illusion

Is this the best you can do?

Dark Fox Illusion

You’re no different to our master.

Dark Fox Illusion

Both of you ignored the crimes you committed, and tried to cover up the dried blood with a peaceful life!

Dark Fox Illusion

What grounds do you have to accuse us of hurting others, when you and I are the same.

Dark Fox Illusion

You’re nothing but a stooge of that onmyoji. Without him, you’ll go back to who you were - a mad killing dog.

Hakuzosu

No, I’m not!

Hakuzosu

Everything has changed since I’ve been with Master Seimei.

Hakuzosu

No, that wasn’t me… I? I’m…

Then Kohaku heard accusations coming from the surrounding mask fragments, as the giant dark fox slowly approached him.
Kohaku struggled to break free from the mask fragments that had him contained, his bloody eyes wide open.

Hakuzosu

I’ll tear you apart! And when you’re all gone!

Hakuzosu

No one will ever know about it. And I can continue my…

Then suddenly, a sharp icicle pierced through the fox fire.
Flowers of ice bloomed and froze those masks, all the while suppressing Kohaku’s boiling fury.

Yuki Onna

Kohaku.

Hakuzosu

Kohaku…

Yuki Onna

Your past experiences forged who you are now. And those sins are a part of you. Calm down.

Yuki Onna

At least, what you’ve done in the past is not all evil.

Yuki Onna

Consider this strike as my gratitude for that painting.

Hakuzosu

He asked me to bring this to you. He said he promised to show it to you.

The furious fox spirit lunged at Yuki Onna along with the mask fragments.
And as if the strike had used up all her energy, Yuki Onna’s body started to crack.

Hakuzosu

Lady Yuki Onna!

Meanwhile on the other side of the old mansion, Dark Seimei and Ootengu were faced with the monster in black - Menreiki.

White

Menreiki!

Menreiki

I finally got to see you again!

Menreiki

This time, instead of me running after you, you came to me of your own accord. I’m flattered.

Menreiki

And you’re bringing a guest this time as well, I see.

Dark Seimei

(As well?)

Dark Seimei

You’re Menreiki.

Menreiki

I’m here.

Dark Seimei

Are we in someone else’s dream? Are you the owner of this mansion?

Menreiki

I am.

Ootengu

Wake up the owner of the dreamland and we can leave this place. Looks like we need to take you down.

Menreiki

I don’t mind what you do…

Menreiki

All I ever wanted was to find her.

The girl in black pointed her finger at White and smiled.

White

What do you want again?! Let us out of here!

Menreiki

Do what? I don’t have to do anything.

Menreiki

Each time I waited for you to wake up and find me.

White

What?

Menreiki

You and the Komote on you. You must’ve been observing this the whole time.

Menreiki

What do you think of the play?

Menreiki

“In an old mansion with no exits, seven masks kill each other until there’s only one left.”

Menreiki

“The last audience will walk onto the stage and put on the last mask. Curtains fall. Then it begins all over again.”

Dark Seimei

Audience? Masks? I see.

Dark Seimei

The illusions we saw earlier were the play that’s been performed time and time again in this place. They were to let the masks kill each other.

Dark Seimei

Then the last mask would become the new beginning. When new masks were born, a new loop would begin.

Dark Seimei

But you went to all that trouble for what?

Menreiki

For what…

Menreiki

This is our dream. A dream doesn’t need a cause or a consequence.

Menreiki

You get to see an interesting story of people killing each other and meet her while you’re at it. That’s all I ever wanted.

Menreiki

The two of us are the audience. We would wait till the end and fight for the last mask to decide who plays Black and who plays White in the next loop.

White

You’re mad! A lunatic!

White

I don’t want to fight for a mask! I want to leave this place!

Menreiki

You’re the one who’s gone mad, not me.

Ootengu

You can play all you want here.

Ootengu

But it’s unforgivable that you dragged us here without our permission and attempted to distort our memories.

Menreiki

It’s just a theatrical performance, and you’re the performers.

Menreiki

There’s no need to get mad about it.

Ootengu

……...

Menreiki

Two more masks to go. So Outobide and Komote survived to the end this time, huh?

Menreiki

The play will end when there’s only one mask left.

White

End… So I can leave then?!

Menreiki

Which will it be? I catch you and continue our play or you kill me and leave here.

A loud noise came from above. Then two bloody figures fell from the sky and landed on the ground.
They were Kohaku who’d just fought a fierce battle, and Yuki Onna whose body was almost broken.
A mask fell down with them. The bulging eyes looked as if they would pop out any minute. A crack split the angry face in two. It was Outobide.

Menreiki

Outobide… Looks like the countdown ends now...

Menreiki

Shall we begin the last leg of the chase now?

The two girls disappeared simultaneously as the word “now” faded.
In the large chamber, Dark Seimei and the others looked at each other, perplexed.

Hakuzosu

…….?

Hakuzosu

What happened? Why have they disappeared?

Hakuzosu

Wait, no! Come on, help Lady Yuki Onna!

In a silent corridor, a girl in white opened her eyes. She had a feeling that she had experienced this a million times already.
She heard footsteps behind her. She stood up and started running as she had done millions of times before.

White

Huff puff… Huff…

White

What is that?!

The girl turned around and saw a dark mist. In that dark mist, there was a figure.
The mere sight of that figure make her feel pain in her body. The girl stopped looking back and continued to run down the endlessly long corridor.

Menreiki

…………

Menreiki

So you’re here.

The girl slipped and fell from the corridor. Various sounds in the wind filled her ears.

Fuko no Kami

You must be more careful. Tee hee, see? You slipped again.

Semimaru

How far will you escape this time? I can help you, you know? All you need to do is ask.

Outobide

Shut up! I’m not afraid. Stop calling me!

Kitsunemen

Come, come here…

The girl finally landed on the ground. Following a sound, she opened door after door.
She stepped into a chamber and candles immediately blazed. Her running shadow twisted and elongated, and split into countless figures of all sizes.

White

Dreadful… this is so dreadful!

White

I must run faster! Faster!

White

What should I do? She’s getting closer!

Eyes opened up on the walls. The masks pulled the doors she passed closed and led her into the depths.

Menreiki

Tsk, what a troublemaker!

After passing along a spinning corridor and down the twisted stairs, the girl found herself surrounded by masks. They had led her into the deepest part of the mansion.

Uba

You’ll be safe here.

Saru

It’s small here. There’s no need to be afraid now!

White

What if she finds me? What should I do?

White

If she finds me, something dreadful will happen!

Kitsunemen

Don’t worry. We’re here. We’re your friends.

Fuko no Kami

We will protect you.

“That’s right. That’s right.” The other masks yelled. The girl then realized that the monster who had been chasing her had stalled.

Kitsunemen

Ha, looks like she fell into our trap!

Fuko no Kami

She doesn’t even have much power left. Let’s take our time, she’ll be exhausted—Argh!

A carving knife slit Fuko no Kami’s mouth. The small room was soon dismantled.
Floating memories drifted down among the dust, along with something dark.
The girl felt something warm touch her fingertips. She realized that the monster who had been chasing her was drenched in blood and severely wounded.

White

Ahh…

Black

Looks like it made no difference this time.

Black

I caught you. But I can’t continue any longer.

White

How did you wound yourself? Aren’t you here to kill me?

Black

I won’t hurt you. I’m just here to wake you up.

Black

You’re the other half of my soul. Those masks… they were never your friends.

Black

It was good that I caught you before they dragged you deeper into the dreamland and hid you away…

White

What are you talking about?

White

Why did the masks want to hurt me? And who are you?

Black

Urgh… It’s a very long story.

Black

It all started with… a little girl who lived with her father in an old mansion a long time ago.

Black

It was such a long story that I failed to finish it every time.

White

Wait!

Black

I’m sorry, I can’t finish it this time either.

Black

As for the story you wanted to hear… Right, I’ll have the masks play it out for you.

Black

Promise me that you’ll leave here the next time you finish watching the whole play, and wake up for good.

Black

Then accept me and become one with my soul.

The monster in black turned into shredded wood and dissipated, leaving only the mask she was wearing on the ground.
Under the mask’s brightly smiling eyes, there was a teardrop of blood. The girl reached out and picked up the mask.

White

But I still don’t know anything.

White

If I wake up like this, I won’t be able to see you again, will I?

The world around the girl started to crumble. She put on the mask and allowed herself to be swallowed by the white light.
In the small chamber, Dark Seimei and Ootengu were checking on Yuki Onna and Kohaku, who had fallen from above.

Ootengu

You’re hurt so badly.

Ootengu

What have you done?

Hakuzosu

I didn’t do it! Well, okay, it was my fault…

Dark Seimei

Looking at her physical condition, she must’ve unleashed all her energy to make a full strike.

Dark Seimei

It’s her power. I wouldn’t have been able to stop her if she insisted.

Dark Seimei

Who did you run into?

Hakuzosu

We…

A giant dark fox pounces at Yuki Onna…

Hakuzosu

Lady Yuki Onna!

Kohaku rushed in front of Yuki Onna and took the hit for her. They were both knocked over and crashed into the wall behind them.

Hakuzosu

Urgh… Ahem! It hurts so much!

Hakuzosu

Are you alright?!

Hakuzosu

No, your body is falling apart! What should I do?!

Hakuzosu

I must find Master Dark Seimei now!

Dark Fox Illusion

Rargh!

Hakuzosu

Such a relentless monster!

The Flower of Ice that had just bloomed tended Kohaku’s wound, as he continued to protect Yuki Onna. The two of them kept evading the dark fox’s attack.
With the Flower of Ice there, the devouring dark mist became less dreadful.
Kohaku knew that he would never be lost again.

Dark Fox Illusion

Don’t you run away!

Hakuzosu

I’m not running away!

Hakuzosu

I will take you down!

Hakuzosu

Like Lady Yuki Onna said, the sins you embodied were a part of me!

Hakuzosu

Without the sins, I wouldn’t be the Kohaku I am today!

Hakuzosu

I’m not afraid of you. Don’t you dare provoke me again.

Hakuzosu

It would be unfair to keep only the good memories!

Kohaku’s demon force increased. He broke through the mask fragments and aimed his power at the dark fox.
The blood and the noise disappeared, leaving only a cracked mask.

Hakuzosu

Phew… Right, Lady Yuki Onna!

Hakuzosu

I must find the others! Umm, they went that way if I remember correctly…

Hakuzosu

Wargh!

Hakuzosu

Then the ground collapsed before I could leave the chamber.

Ootengu

So you fell.

Ootengu

Yuki Onna was already in a terrible state, and you allowed her to protect you. You!

Dark Seimei

Forget it.

Dark Seimei

We should focus on her now.

Yuki Onna’s body kept cracking. The fallen ice crystals melted the minute they touched the ground. Kohaku was worried sick.

Hakuzosu

What should we do, what should we do, what should we do… It’s all my fault…

Hakuzosu

Where’s Menreiki? Where’re the others?

Hakuzosu

If Menreiki is here, can we ask her to save Lady Yuki Onna?!

Dark Seimei

She… just disappeared.

Dark Seimei

Replenishing her power won’t save her. It would only be a matter of time before she completely melted.

Outobide (hakuzosu skin3)

Hey.

Hakuzosu

Huh? You’re not dead?

Hakuzosu

Why are you disguised as me again?!

Outobide (hakuzosu skin3)

It’s not that I want to. I’m just a mask with no physical form. Plus the physical mask has already…

Outobide (hakuzosu skin3)

You have a favor to ask our master, I see. For the one lying over there?

Hakuzosu

What are you trying to say?

Outobide (hakuzosu skin3)

Is she… melting? What a greedy woman.

Hakuzosu

If you keep talking nonsense, I’ll make sure you’re smashed into pieces!

Outobide (hakuzosu skin3)

It’s not nonsense. She’s formed from condensed ice and snow, isn’t she? Ice and snow are afraid of heat. Simple physics.

Hakuzosu

What do you mean?

Dark Seimei

(Signals Ootengu to cover Kohaku’s mouth…)

Dark Seimei

Keep talking.

Outobide (hakuzosu skin3)

If you had too many warm memories in your heart, you would naturally melt.

Yuki Onna

Memories… Me?

Dark Seimei

You’re awake. Lie still and don’t move…

Outobide (hakuzosu skin3)

Memories are something etched in your soul. They don’t harm common people. But her heart and soul were made from ice.

Outobide (hakuzosu skin3)

If they’re etched with memories, the body will melt.

Dark Seimei

I see.

Dark Seimei

I’ve been trying to find out why her physical condition was getting worse.

Dark Seimei

First, she was affected by the strange power born from a shard of Ungaikyo. But then she kept getting worse even when we removed the shard from her.

Dark Seimei

So the cause was not external. It was… you, Yuki Onna.

Yuki Onna

…………

Yuki Onna

Sorry.

Ootengu

There’s no need to apologize.

Dark Seimei

Humph, when you took her away from Mt. Shirakawa, Seimei, you should’ve foreseen this.

Dark Seimei

Menreiki once split a human’s soul, she should be able to solve Yuki Onna’s problem.

Before Kohaku could ask Outobide for more information, the chamber they were in started to shake violently.
The whole mansion felt like it had been hit hard and was falling apart.
Dark Seimei and Ootengu quickly covered Yuki Onna. After stabilizing himself, Kohaku took a look around. The illusion created by the masks was gone.
The roof started to fall apart from the shaking. Sunlight illuminated the dim chamber.

Hakuzosu

It’s so blinding…

Hakuzosu

Why is it falling apart? Has Menreiki been defeated?

Dark Seimei

Maybe.

Dark Seimei

This dreamland won’t exist once the owner of the dreamland is defeated and awakened.

White

She’s gone.

Hakuzosu

Woah! Why are you here?

Dark Seimei

The blood… Did you kill Menreiki?

White

It’s not me! I know nothing about it.

White

I haven’t had the chance to know anything yet…

White

Moments ago… I went into a mansion where we were the only ones in it. It was a dreadful place. So I kept running.

White

When I was about to be caught, she said she would disappear soon!

Dark Seimei

Just as I expected…

White

She said she could no longer protect me. But what does that even mean?

White

Was it my fault?

Dark Seimei

You said the monster in black wanted to kill you. Now that she’s gone, why are you so panicked?

White

Panicked? Me?

White

Why… She’s been appearing in my dreams and chasing me. Dreadful things always happen when she catches me.

White

I was always in a hurry in every dream. I never even got a good look at her face.

White

But why would I feel sad now she’s gone?

Dark Seimei

Because you’re the same person.

White

What?

Dark Seimei

You’re the kind half and she’s the evil half.

Dark Seimei

Kindness would never accept the existence of evil. So you have a natural fear of her.

Dark Seimei

But since you’re the same person, you couldn’t stop yourself from approaching her. Your soul yearned to become one with her again.

White

What should I do now?

Dark Seimei

Don’t stay in this place any longer. Go outside.

Dark Seimei

Leave the dreamland.

Dark Seimei

And perhaps she’ll be waiting for you in the real world.

White

Yes… you’re right.

White

Perhaps I can truly meet her after leaving here.

White

Let’s go…

The corridor twisted and spun. There was only one door left standing amongst the crumbling wall. A strange light seeped out from under it.

Hakuzosu

I hope we can find Menreiki after leaving here and ask her to help Lady Yuki Onna as soon as possible.

Ootengu

It’s not that easy.

Ootengu

Perhaps us entering the mansion was part of a deal with her.

Ootengu

Our memories were still affected even though it’s about to collapse.

Ootengu

Don’t take things lightly.

Hakuzosu

That’s the one! That snobbish tone of yours, Master Ootengu, has been quite provocative.

Ootengu

Ha? What’s that got to do with you?

Dark Seimei

Stop yelling. We don’t know what will happen if we leave here now. So be quiet.

White

…………

Dark Seimei

Are you alright, Yuki Onna?

Yuki Onna

I’m fine… I can live through this.

They stopped in front of the door. When Dark Seimei pulled the door open, Yuki Onna felt a sudden surge of pain in her chest.
It felt like her heart, so full of memories, was unable to contain them any longer and was about to fall apart.
Images of similar memories flashed before her eyes. There seemed to be little difference in each image, as if she had gone through the same experience countless times.

Hakuzosu

I hate that snobbish attitude of yours!

Ootengu

But what’s that got to do with you?

Dark Seimei

You’re the kind half and she’s the evil half.

Dark Seimei

You feared her because kindness would never accept evil.

Dark Seimei

But you still approached her involuntarily because your soul yearned to become one with her again.

Hakuzosu

I won’t be provoked again this time.

Hakuzosu

The sins that I committed. They’re all precious memories that I won’t give up!

Yuki Onna

Your past experience forged who you are now. Calm down.

Yuki Onna

There were also good memories, right?

Yuki Onna

Consider this strike as my gratitude for that painting.

Ootengu

You’re smiling. What happened?

Yuki Onna

Did I smile?

Ootengu

The feather I gave you seems to have been attacked. It was snapped. What happened?

Yuki Onna

No problem.

Ootengu

Good to know.

Dark Seimei

We’re in a realm. It seems to have separated us from time and reality…

Dark Seimei

My theory was right. We’re in someone else’s dream.

Dark Seimei

When the dreamer wakes up, the dreamland will disperse and we can leave here.

Yuki Onna

Wait!

Yuki Onna

No, ahem… Don’t go outside!

Hakuzosu

What?

Yuki Onna

The owner of the dream… is someone else!

Ootengu

You can’t talk right now.

Ootengu

Your physical condition is even worse…

Yuki Onna

We’re in an ever-looping play, if we leave here…

Dark Seimei

…………

Dark Seimei

The play will begin again.

Dark Seimei

And we will wake up in separate places in the mansion and go through the same thing again.

Ootengu

So that’s why I’ve been feeling like everything is so familiar…

Dark Seimei

And the real owner of the dream… is you.

White

Oops.

Dark Seimei

You killed your counterpart in black every time, before showing us a way out to start another loop.

White

Mwah ha ha ha.

White

So you figured it out, huh?

White

But I really wasn’t meant to do that. You see, the girl and the mask have constantly warned you.

White

But you opened that door without hesitation every time.

White

So how did you find out this time? Your memories are supposed to be wiped clean at the start of every loop…

Yuki Onna

…………

White

Right, it was you. The memories etched in your soul awakened you.

White

Fine. I lose.

White

I was the one who got caught in this game of hide and seek this time…

The door in front of them shattered and revealed a mist. There were countless similar figures in the mist.
Dark Seimei, Kohaku, Ootengu, and Yuki Onna. In distorted time-space, they were in different parts of the mansion, saying similar words and doing the same thing.
A white light dispersed the mist. They opened their eyes and found themselves back in a reality that looked exactly like the dreamland.

Void Menreiki

So? What do you think of the play?

Void Menreiki

I’m starting to get bored while waiting for you. After all, no matter how interesting a thing is, it’ll lose its charms after it’s watched over and over again.

Ootengu

You!

Void Menreiki

Don’t be mad. That’s what you promised me.

Just when Ootengu tried to talk back, the lost memories came back to him.

Void Menreiki

Help? Why would I help you?

Void Menreiki

Please head back. We don’t welcome any guests here.

Void Menreiki

The world is lively enough with the two of us. We don’t need anyone else.

Dark Seimei

…………

Void Menreiki

Oh, wait, it’s you.

Void Menreiki

I see. What are the odds.

Void Menreiki

Okay, I’ll help you. You came for the lady waiting in the courtyard, didn’t you?

Ootengu

What are you planning to do?

Void Menreiki

Don’t be nervous. You wanted me to help her and stop her melting problem, right? I can do that.

Dark Seimei

What’s your condition?

Void Menreiki

Condition… Well, perform in a play with me.

Void Menreiki

Step onto the stage and enter our dream of your own accord.

Void Menreiki

I will make you forget this deal. If you can leave the stage, I save her.

Void Menreiki

If you can’t… Tee hee, then wear those masks and stay to play with us.

Dark Seimei

Sure.

Void Menreiki

Then we have a deal.

Void Menreiki

Pinky swear. Liars will have their pinkies smashed.

Void Menreiki

Okay.

Void Menreiki

Tee hee. Let the show begin!

Ootengu

Tsk.

Void Menreiki

Remember now? I’m a girl of my word.

Dark Seimei

The masks that deliberately attacked us. Did you arrange all that?

Void Menreiki

They’re like you—nothing but performers in this play. They just like to improvise a little.

Ootengu

We returned from your stage. Yuki Onna…

Void Menreiki

Give her a moment to wake up.

Void Menreiki

You were able to leave that place because of her frozen soul and the memories etched into it.

Void Menreiki

To be frank, all I could do was extract her soul.

Void Menreiki

But the things etched on the soul were beyond my power.

Void Menreiki

But don’t worry. I didn’t rig it.

Void Menreiki

I simply changed the shape of her soul so those memories could be more deeply connected to her.

Yuki Onna

Hmm?

Yuki Onna

Why am…

Ootengu

You’re awake. Are you alright? Does anything hurt at all?

Yuki Onna

I’m fine.

Yuki Onna

My power… is recovering.

Ootengu

That’s great.

Void Menreiki

See?

Ootengu

Tsk.

Void Menreiki

Say, is he always that angry?

Hakuzosu

Don’t talk to me right now… After all those things happened in such a short space of time, I need a chance to process them.

Void Menreiki

Ha, I knew I shouldn’t have welcomed you.

Void Menreiki

Now that you’ve got what you came here for, it’s time for you to leave. Don’t stay here and disturb us playing our game.

Dark Seimei

Your game?

Void Menreiki

What else would it be? That stage wasn’t built for extras like you.

Dark Seimei

As bystanders, we watched the masks killing each other, and you were chased by your counterpart…

Dark Seimei

What we experienced in your dream happened many times over.

Dark Seimei

You were once trapped in this old mansion.

Void Menreiki

Indeed.

Dark Seimei

But now you choose to stay in this ever-looping old mansion for her.

Dark Seimei pointed to the girl in black who was sleeping behind the girl in white. She looked pale and lifeless.

Void Menreiki

You’re right. To awaken me, she used up all her power. Her soul merged with mine…

Void Menreiki

She was supposed to disappear after we merged. But I didn’t want her to disappear.

Dark Seimei

So you forcefully kept her soul.

Void Menreiki

Well, I had no choice.

Void Menreiki

She’s myself, my only friend, and my favorite person in the world!

Void Menreiki

Still, it was hard to wake her up.

Void Menreiki

And since she can’t wake up, I decided to go look for her in the dream.

Dark Seimei

That mansion was deliberately designed in every way to… People who live in it for too long will have their mind distorted and eventually fall into complete madness.

Dark Seimei

You!

Void Menreiki

I don’t like what you’re insinuating. Please turn back.

Dark Seimei

Thank you… for what you’ve done for Yuki Onna.

Void Menreiki

Tee hee, you’re welcome.

Void Menreiki

Did you hear us talking? That man was the other Seimei from the capital.

Void Menreiki

He said if people stay in the mansion for too long, they fall into madness.

Void Menreiki

No wonder you risked your existence to awaken me back then. You must’ve gone mad.

Void Menreiki

Huh? Are you talking to me?

Void Menreiki

You must’ve fallen sick already as well.

Void Menreiki

But that’s not important. Nothing’s important.

Void Menreiki

I’m happy as long as we’re together forever.

Void Menreiki

Alright, good night now.

Void Menreiki

Let’s meet in a new dream loop.

Saru

I met the real light in this hell filled with blood and carnage.

Saru

She was willing to extend her hand to me, a coward.

Saru

Blood was still dripping from her hand. That dreadful colour looked so warm and inviting to me.

Saru

Oh, I was so happy that I had finally found someone to rely on.

Saru

She told me that in a place where death happens all the time, I shouldn’t trust people too much.

Saru

“What about you?” I asked her. She didn’t answer.

Saru

I told her that I felt okay. The betrayals she imagined were no match for me enjoying her company.

Saru

She didn’t say anything.

Saru

But I don’t regret saying that.

Saru

I’ve always lived in fear.

Saru

I fear pain, suffering, loneliness, and being abandoned.

Saru

I’ve been asking myself why ever since I showed up here and was forced to take part in this endless slaughter.

Saru

Why me? Why do I have to experience all this? Why… do we have to fight each other?

Saru

My question was answered later.

Saru

To our master, even after we’ve taken on a human form and share the same face…

Saru

We’re still masks.

Saru

Unimportant masks that can be thrown away at any time.

Saru

What a joke…

Saru

For some reason, we gained souls and could feel pain and fear…

Saru

Had I known that I had to go through all this, I would’ve rather been a normal mask!

Saru

She abandoned me!

Saru

She abandoned me! She abandoned me! She abandoned me!

Saru

I trusted her so much! I gave her everything!

Saru

Why didn’t she pull me up? Why did she push me towards my demise?

Saru

It hurts so much…

Saru

After the knife ran me through yet again, I began expecting the pain to hit me.

Saru

“Let’s leave here together!” I said to her after dodging yet another assassination.

Saru

If she were anyone else, she would’ve definitely laughed at me and called me a daydreamer.

Saru

She didn’t.

Saru

She promised me. We made a pinky swear.

Saru

It was the first time I found I had courage in my heart.

Saru

Although it wasn’t much, it was enough to convince me that we would leave this place!

Saru

I’m sorry. I’m sorry. I’m sorry. But I was so scared… I’m sorry.

Saru

I watched her as she was killed in her sleep! And I didn’t do anything.

Saru

I wanted to leave with her so much…

Saru

But do I deserve to leave here alive? Can I really… leave this place?

Komote

I finally found you.

Komote

The truth? Yes, I understood all this from the beginning.

Komote

I know everything, including the fact that we’re performers on your stage.

Komote

But it’s not too late, is it? Stop this already and leave here with us.

Komote

Or you will disappear!

Komote

You once told me that I’m close to you and we’re like sisters…

Komote

Why can’t you just turn around and look at me?

Komote

Is that because I call you our master, so you see me as a mere object?

Komote

Even if we were born as masks, we’re no longer masks, not since we gained souls!

Komote

Even if we’re masks, we can feel the pain when we’re cracked...

Komote

Come with me, please.

Komote

Don’t be afraid, for I will protect you.

Komote

That girl? Ha, she’s a liar. She tries to establish a good relationship with people every time, before she takes them down while they’re off their guard.

Komote

There’re dangers lurking around every corner here, and there’s no telling when death will come, so you can’t trust people too much.

Komote

………

Komote

Don’t trust me so much.

Komote

No, nothing, let’s go.

Komote

Leave?

Komote

Well, we can leave if we manage to survive till the end.

Komote

I don’t have any wishes that I want to fulfill after leaving here, but if I had wishes, leaving here would be the biggest one.

Komote

If I have one… Let’s go look at the sky when we leave here.

Komote

The sky looks like a circle from down here on the ground, wrapped around the whole earth. Us masks are round.

Komote

Don’t you think it looks like us?

Komote

It’s you! Again!

Komote

You made me betray the girl, you made me as dirty a murderer as you are!

Komote

No, I’m different.

Komote

I’ve done no harm, my hands are not stained with blood. I’m the one who should live to the end!

Komote

I didn’t do it!

Komote

No… Oh, is that you, master?

Komote

You’re finally here to see me. I see. You came to see me when I stopped observing and started killing.

Komote

I’m so happy that you’re willing to look at me now.

Komote

But… why is it so dark here? Why can’t I see anything?

Outobide

What’s with the long face? It’s not like you haven’t died before. Come, let’s drink.

Outobide

Tsk, look at you. Is that better now?

Outobide

Haha, live in the moment. Look at you. How are you going to drink with your limbs falling off.

Outobide

Die now! What a troublemaker!

Outobide

Why the panic? I simply pushed her to the blade’s edge.

Outobide

You’ve never done anything like it? I don’t believe it.

Outobide

Stop acting like you’re innocent. We’re the same.

Outobide

Hahaha!

Outobide

Are you still protecting that coward? The way I see it, you should let go and let her live on her own!

Outobide

Wonderful. It’s still me sending you on the road this time.

Outobide

What a beautiful pair of eyes.

Outobide

You know, when we didn’t even look like this, I was particularly upset about your eyes.

Outobide

We’re all masks. But there’s something indifferent in your eyes. You always look at us in a cold way as if you can see through us.

Outobide

It’s a shame that I’m not the one who’s been seen through.

Outobide

Don’t worry, in every loop, the last one you see before you close your eyes will always be me.

Outobide

You’re still breathing, huh?

Outobide

I love that look in your eyes.

Outobide

Stop daydreaming. We’re spirits. Just do what you want to do.

Outobide

Look at you, I didn’t even bother to… Argh!

Outobide

Urgh! Argh! You’ve learned how to do a sneak attack, huh? Is that your answer? Good for you.

Outobide

But it’s still not enough.

Fuko no Kami

You should stop being so serious, you know? There’s still some wine left. Drink up.

Fuko no Kami

Your knife will pierce my body sooner or later. Why don’t you come and finish your drink first?

Fuko no Kami

Hahaha, why so surprised? Do you really think I know nothing of what will happen?

Fuko no Kami

I can tell you if you really wish to know. You won’t be the last. Nobody will be!

Fuko no Kami

We had it coming! There’s no escape for you. There’s no escape for me. There’s no escape for anyone!

Fuko no Kami

I’d rather just have more drinks! Urgh… Ahem. Lost your patience already!

Fuko no Kami

Forget it. It’s not a bad way to end, is it? Guess who turned out to be the most ridiculous jester in the play? Me! Hahaha...

Fuko no Kami

Nothing good ever happened whenever I met her.

Fuko no Kami

She always looks so sad. Tell me about it. When we were still masks, we kept making each other upset.

Fuko no Kami

Huh? I was told she was assassinated this time.

Fuko no Kami

That’s news. I must go take a look for myself!

Fuko no Kami

Watching her getting struck by bad luck is way more joyful than when I get struck by good luck myself.

Semimaru

Sooner or later, I’ll make sure that obnoxious mask can never smile again.

Semimaru

But she has good luck every time… Damn it, damn it!

Semimaru

Even luck is not willing to favour me…

Semimaru

Don’t be ridiculous! Even if I die, I’ll crawl up from hell and drag her down with me!

Semimaru

After all, sweet joy and bitter jealousy are two sides of the same coin!

Semimaru

Huff… puff… I finally got out.

Semimaru

Hahaha, they had it coming!

Semimaru

Do you really think you can bring me down by allying with Kitsunemen? This time, you’ll be the first to die!

Semimaru

Remember how you used to look down on me from on high? You had it coming!

Semimaru

Komote now stands against me as well?

Semimaru

What’s the point of protecting that coward, other than for her own self-satisfaction?

Semimaru

Why is everything here going against me?

Semimaru

We’re the mask spirits whose souls were born at the same time. We should be intimate friends!

Kitsunemen

Oh, wow, do we have new guests?

Kitsunemen

Let’s be friends.

Kitsunemen

Yes, yes, now since we’re friends, please accept these.

Kitsunemen

Blood?

Kitsunemen

What are you talking about? I just picked them up myself.

Kitsunemen

What is it? You got separated from your protector?

Kitsunemen

Don’t be so hostile. We can still go along together for a while, even though only the last survivor can leave.

Kitsunemen

Aren’t you curious?

Kitsunemen

Why… does she protect you every time?

Kitsunemen

I mean, what’s in it for her?

Kitsunemen

Huh, okay...

Kitsunemen

That one with a smiling face. Don’t you think it looks annoying?

Kitsunemen

I wish I could see her face again when she can’t smile anymore.

Kitsunemen

How about forming an alliance with me?

Kitsunemen

You don’t want to die at her hands either, do you?

Kitsunemen

Sometimes I think that Komote and Uba are very similar. I wonder what the relationship is between them…

Kitsunemen

One is always observing the things that happen here, while the other has forsaken all feelings.

Kitsunemen

You don’t think they’re similar?

Kitsunemen

The difference is that the one who’s been observing may have already started killing.

Kitsunemen

While the one who has forsaken all feelings will never strike, no matter what.

Uba

Our master?

Uba

Who knows. She rarely shows herself.

Uba

I guess it’s because even though we’re here, we’re not the one she’s truly looking for.

Uba

Ha, she’s an interesting girl.

Uba

I don’t know why she has to use such methods, when all she wanted was to awaken a lost soul.

Uba

But I can live with this.

Uba

But if we find that half of the soul first, we could...

Menreiki

How many times so far? I’ve lost count.

Menreiki

Ever since she disappeared, the shifting of day and night have become meaningless.

Menreiki

Even though the looping time in the dreamland has eroded my memories, I can still remember the evening when I saw her for the last time.

Menreiki

The blood red setting sun shed its light on the corridor. She walked up to me in the light.

Menreiki

I didn’t talk to her. Of course I didn't. I was only bold enough to cower in a corner free of sunshine and look at her quietly.

Menreiki

She walked past me and ran off…

Menreiki

Come to think of it, that was when I lost myself too.

Menreiki

Killing was never something that interested me. And I had no intention of torturing the masks.

Menreiki

They were my friends. We used to be peaceful. And I didn’t mind them disturbing my life.

Menreiki

But they crossed the line…

Menreiki

I’ll never forgive them. Even though they now have souls, they’re nothing but masks!

Menreiki

I’d rather grant them death than live peacefully with them. If they dare to resist, then I will crush them completely.

Menreiki

Yeah, that’s what I’m going to do. I’m going to punish them with endless death.

Menreiki

But what can I do to wake her up?

Menreiki

Well, now I'm a bit tired. Perhaps Komote was right. This uninterrupted repetition is meaningless.

Menreiki

If I leave her behind, I might be able to live like a normal spirit, rather than having to stay in my dream.

Menreiki

But I could never do it.

Menreiki

No masks and spirits have experienced the feeling of having your soul split in two.

Menreiki

It’s a strange feeling to know that there's another version of you in the world.

Menreiki

We long for each other. We’re meant to become one and eliminate all barriers. Our souls are bound to be entangled. We should be each other’s most intimate friend.

Menreiki

But now… Perhaps it takes time.

Menreiki

Ah ha, I've found the way.

Menreiki

It turns out that waking her up was never a difficult task.

Menreiki

That’s great news. I was worried that all those killings would make her feel the pain. Now I don’t have to worry about that anymore.

Menreiki

This will be the last loop.

Menreiki

When I’ve completely disappeared, she will wake up.

Menreiki

What a shame…

Menreiki

Will I ever see her again?