Somewhat related

Readers of this tale may want to browse through "Kaleidoscope Midnight", since it happens in the same universe and timeline. Remilia and another friend make more than just a cameo in the end scenario.

Link: Kaleidoscope Midnight

System Hint:
Character status and abilities carry over across scenarios.

[X] Status
Koakuma - A
Sakuya - A
Patchouli - A
Remilia - C
Flandre - C
Meiling - D

Epilogue

THIS PLACE IS CURSED.

I am writing this in the hope that someone would uncover the truth. I don't have much time left. If you are reading this, I may have been killed. Who or what would do so, I am still unsure.

The inhabitants of this place may seem strange to Outsiders - they certainly have strange appearances, abilities, and seem to be non-human. But they allowed me to stay during the night. Gensokyo is lethal during the night.

If you can leave, get out. Don't stop at the nearby Human Village. Go on, as far as you can. Hope has no place in this Mansion, or anywhere near it.

I must stay and do what I can. Hopefully, I can delay the inevitable nightmare, at the very least. She saved my life. I must try to return the favor.

I have left some notes in this drawer as well. I hope they may be useful. I will write again if I have the chance.

~

After reading it a few more times, Remilia finally puts down the letter. She takes a sip of her tea as she gathers her thoughts. On the table are a few other items: a small black notebook, a small ballpoint pen, a digital watch, and several sheets of stationary paper. She quickly turns back to Patchouli.

"This is his writing," she says quietly. "And these things belong to him."

The magician takes a sip of tea before speaking.

"Koakuma surrendered these along with Grey's clothes from the Outside," says Patchouli.

"She had Grey's clothes?" asks Remilia.

Patchouli nods solemnly.

"Interesting," says Remilia. "That explains the connection between them."

"There is something else," says Patchouli. "Koakuma said that there was a third person in her dreams."

"A third person?" repeats Remilia.

The magician looks down upon the items on the table. Her eyes are focused on the watch.

"I understand," says Remilia. "He must still be alive."

"What do you want to do?" whispers the magician.

The vampire slowly puts down her teacup before looking up at the magician.

"I need some time to think," she says finally.

Patchouli gives a small nod before she heads for the door.

"..."

Remilia waits patiently until the magician leaves. Then, she takes something from inside her desk drawer. She examines the item for a few minutes before sighing to herself. The vampire stands up and looks out of her window. The lake seems so peaceful at this time of the day.

"He is still alive," whispers Remilia.

She holds the item close to her chest as a single tear rolls down her cheek. After a few moments of silence, she quickly wipes her face and returns to her desk. The vampire carefully puts down the item on the desk. She takes a few moments to stare at it thoughtfully.

Upon her table is a cracked pair of silver-rimmed glasses.

A familiar voice interrupts his reminscing.

"Have you decided?" asks Remilia.

Grey looks up at the vampire girl. The expression upon her face is completely neutral. However, she doesn't put down the teacup. She seems to be waiting for his answer.

"Yes," says Grey. "Yes, I believe I have."

He takes the pen and pulls the contract closer. Then, he begins reading through the terms of employment carefully. He says nothing as he examines it.

"Anything wrong?" says Remilia. "If you aren't sure, I can give you some more time to think. I understand that this is a difficult decision, so -"

"No need for that," interrupts Grey.

He looks up at the vampire girl and stares her straight in the eye. She gaps silently in surprise, and she almost spills her tea. This time, she fails to hide her anticipation.

"You should already know the answer, Lady Remilia," says Grey.

The vampire frowns at him, but she doesn't say a word. Honestly, he didn't really read through the contents of the contract. None of that really matters, anyway. He just wanted to watch Remilia like this a little longer. He smiles gently at the girl, carefully enjoying this rare and delicious moment. She looks pretty cute when she is confused.

"Like I said earlier," he says. "I already decided."

"..."

Without another word, he quickly signs his name on the contract.

"I'm staying," says Grey. "After all, I've still haven't earned the title of Earl."

Remilia sighs in relief at his decision. She smiles as she looks at him with her deep crimson eyes.

"Very good," says the vampire. "I hope that you won't regret this decision."

Remilia clears her throat before continuing.

"In any case, there is much work to do. I believe that Sakuya can give you further instructions. Go see her immediately."

"Yes, my Lady," he replies with a bow.

"I believe that she is waiting for you right outside," whispers Remilia mischievously.

At those words, someone gasps audibly from behind the door.

"W-w-what?" mumbles Grey.

"Don't think about it too much," says Remilia. "She isn't the only eavesdropper anyway."

Suddenly, Grey feels painfully aware of several hurried footsteps, creaks, and squeaks coming from several directions. He laughs weakly before giving the vampire a bow. Then, he makes for the door. He almost trips on his feet as he walks.

"Oh, and one last thing," whispers Remilia.

Grey turns around to see her smiling at him mysteriously.

"Welcome home," says Remilia.



TRUE END

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"From this point onward, you are free," says Remilia. "You are no longer my Servant, and you are no longer bound to this Mansion."

"I... don't understand," says Grey. "Are you kicking me out?"

The vampire shakes her head. She pulls out something from her dress and places it on the table together with a pen. It takes Grey a few moments to recognize the object.

"A contract?" he says.

"I won't deny that we could still use your help," says Remilia. "However, I can't force you to stay here. Not anymore. I owe you at least this much. That is why I am giving you this choice."

Grey looks at the contract thoughtfully.

"You can leave and find your own destiny," she says. "I'm sure that you can find a way to recover your memories and return home. I can even point you in the right direction."

Remilia pauses for a moment.

"Or, you can stay here and continue working with us," whispers Remilia. "I'm sure that I'm not the only one who is grateful for your help."

Grey pauses to think.

...

"- with me."

He scratches his head, puzzled.

"Excuse me?" says Grey.

"I asked if you would have a match with me," says the red-haired woman. "I am Hong Meiling, the gatekeeper of the Scarlet Devil Mansion, and I would like to see what you are capable of."

"Well, I dislike unnecessary violence..." mumbles Grey.

"It's just a friendly match," says Meiling as she approaches. "Since you're human, you can even use weapons if you like..."

...

"I like interesting things. Your stories are interesting. They make me laugh. Falling stars are interesting. I just go 'kyu' and they go boom! Danmaku is interesting. I like the bright colors and sounds. Let's see what else..."

Flandre pauses for a moment before continuing.

"Sweet things are interesting. I like strawberries, manju, and visitors. They make me feel warm inside. Except for ice cream; it's cold, but I like that too."

"I like ice cream too," says Grey, though he doesn't really follow.

"Two? I guess I can have two ice creams, but big sister says it isn't good to eat too much. I hear that you can die if you eat too much, but what does gambling or painting have to do with it? I tried painting before, but the brush broke and I was sad..."

"But you aren't sad now, are you?" he says.

"I'm kinda happy," says the girl with a smile. I like being with big sister. I also like playing with Sakuya and China. Patchy is fun too when she isn't giving a lecture. One time, Marisa came to visit and we played all over the house! She disappeared after a while, but she didn't die, so that makes me happy."

"Err... that's interesting," mumbles Grey nervously.

For a moment, Flandre stays silent as she looks at him closely. Then, she smiles brightly.

"I think I like you, too!"

...

"A hand mirror?"

"W-w-what the -" stammers Sakuya as she turns around.

The chief maid trips on her feet in confusion, but Grey manages to grab her hand before she falls.

"Careful!" says Grey.

For a moment, the two stare into each other's eyes. Then, Sakuya's eyes widen. She quickly pulls her hand away.

"I-I-I can take care of myself!" cries Sakuya.

She looks away from him quickly.

"B-but thanks, anyway," she whispers.

Sakuya slowly takes his hand and walks a few steps forward. Grey blinks stupidly as he lets her lead the way. Then, without warning, they find themselves standing in front of the entrance to the Scarlet Devil Mansion.

"I have a lot of work to finish, so I'll leave you here," whispers the chief maid.

"Eh?"

Before he can reply, she vanishes from sight.

...

After telling her everything, he lowers his head in shame. Is she going to torture him, or is she going to kill him where he stands?

Patchouli raises one hand over his head as she examines the book in her other hand. She starts chanting some words in an unintelligible language. Grey closes his eyes as he braces himself. Suddenly, a bright flash of light erupts from her hands.

"..."

A few moments later, Grey opens his eyes. After finding himself uninjured, he looks up at the magician, puzzled.

"This spell should protect you from most attacks," says Patchouli. "It isn't perfect, but it should last long enough."

"Wait... what? I-I don't understand," mutters Grey.

"I think I can believe Remilia now," whispers the magician. "If it's you, then maybe -"

Exhausted and drained, Patchouli suddenly falls forward into his arms.

...

"I-I won't let that happen again!" cries Koakuma. "I won't let it happen to you! Even if it means that I have to fight as well!"

"I don't understand," says Grey.

"They knew," whispers the bat-winged girl angrily. "All of them knew, but they did nothing to stop it. But I understand everything now."

Suddenly, Koakuma runs up and embraces him. Her delicate fingers shake nervously, but they hang on to him with determination. Her wings tremble slightly, and he can feel her tiny heartbeat as she pushes herself into his arms.

"I will protect you," she whispers.

A single tear drops down to the floor as she speaks.

...

"Have you decided?" asks Remilia.

Grey looks up at the vampire girl.

"Yes, I have."

"This tea is quite good," says Remilia. "Earl Grey, isn't it?"

"I thought you might like it," says Grey.

The vampire girl takes a sip from her tea cup before putting it down.

"Yes, it is quite good," says Remilia. "You have quite a few useful talents, dont you?"

The vampire takes a long look at him before speaking again.

"I have no doubts now," she says finally. "Your arrival here was not a coincidence."

"You know why I'm here?" asks Grey.

"Not exactly," says Remilia. "But I see that you have an important role. Perhaps even larger than I first thought."

The vampire girl takes a biscuit and nibbles on it for a bit.

"That power of yours," she says. "At the Outside, it's the sort of thing that could change history. Such a power could only be found in legends."

Grey nods slowly. He can become a whole other person, if he wanted to.

"Isn't it a strange fact that legends always have ways of finding themselves in Gensokyo?"

"Eh?"

Remilia takes another sip of her tea before looking back at him.

"Well, let's forget about that for now," says the vampire girl. "First, we must conclude our business before day's end."

"Our business?" repeats Grey.

Remilia gives him a small nod before continuing.

"I had you stay here for my own selfish reasons," says the vampire girl. "I needed a catalyst to spark change. You were that catalyst."

She closes her eyes solemnly.

"We were lucky that this ended well somehow," says Remilia. "You could have been killed several times during the past few days. And it would have been my fault."

Grey pauses for a moment before speaking.

"Everything went fine," he manages. "We're all still alive, aren't we?"

Remilia opens her eyes and stares at him carefully. Then, she nods to herself.

"Yes, we are," she says. "And that's why I'm going to do something against my own nature right now."

She looks at him straight in the eye before speaking.

"From this point onward, you are free," she says. "You are no longer my Servant, and you are no longer bound to this Mansion. You are free to leave this place and discover your own destiny."

"I... don't understand," he manages. "Are you kicking me out?"

Remilia shakes her head. She pulls out something from her dress and places it on the table together with a pen. It takes Grey a few moments to recognize the object.

It looks like a contract.

"I won't deny that this Mansion is still in danger," says Remilia. "But I can't force you to stay here. Not anymore. I owe you at least this much. That is why I am giving you a choice."

Grey picks up the piece of paper and begins studying it. It seems to be discuss terms of employment.

"You can leave and find your own destiny," says Remilia. "I'm sure that you can find a way to recover your memories and return home. I can even provide a few leads for you to start with."

The vampire girl pauses for a moment.

"Or, you can stay here and work with us," whispers Remilia. "I'm sure that I'm not the only one who appreciates your presence here."

"..."

Grey pauses to think.
[ ] "My Fate is here."
[ ] "I have my own destiny."
[ ] Custom

"What happened to the others?" asks Grey. "Is everyone alright?"

Sakuya nods as they walk along the hallways.

"The damage is significant, but nothing permanent," says Sakuya. "We lost several of the fairy maid staff, but they should reincarnate in a few days. The Mansion should be fully staffed again soon. You don't need to worry about it."

"How about that gate guard?" says Grey. "Meiling, was it?"

"Oh, that one?" says the chief maid. "She got a few scratches, but she'll be fine. That girl is lazy and careless, but when it comes to fighting, she is quite capable."

"I see," he says.

Sakuya frowns for a moment before continuing.

"Don't be fooled," she says. "Even I don't really understand what Meiling is capable of. She should be working inside the Mansion with Patchouli and I, but she insists on staying outside as a simple gate guard."

"..."

Grey never expected Sakuya to mention something like that. But then again, everyone in the Mansion seems to have their own secrets. He doesn't need to push the subject any further.

"How's the little sister Flandre?" he asks.

"She's resting in her room," replies Sakuya.

"Did something -" says Grey.

"Don't worry, she isn't hurt." says the chief maid. "The little sister is just tired from the ordeal. It isn't everyday that she is forced to fight seriously like that. Lady Remilia gave instructions to give her some time to take it all in."

"What happened down there anyway?" asks Grey.

"The sisters protected the Mansion from some type of undead," she says. "There was that strange man wrapped in bandages, too. There was probably another portal somewhere down there."

"I remember that," says Grey.

"Besides that, I don't know anything else," says Sakuya. "When I arrived, everything was already reduced to ashes. I couldn't even find any bodies."

"I see," says Grey. "How is Remilia anyway?"

"She is fine now," says Sakuya. "But..."

Suddenly, the chief maid stops walking. She doesn't turn around to face Grey.

"When I found her, she was wounded," whispers Sakuya. "Like she was cut with some strange weapon. It took over an hour before she healed completely."

"That's good to hear," says Grey.

"No, it isn't," continues Sakuya. "Even if Flandre attacks her, Lady Remilia can regenerate almost instantly. Normal weapons can't hurt her like that."

"What did she say when you found her?" he says.

Sakuya hesitates slightly before replying.

"Lady Remilia didn't tell me anything," she continues. "All she gave me were instructions to clean the mess up."