Scarlet Weather Rhapsody arc (Tenshi arc) Part 1

Important note:  This arc is based on the original story of *Scarlet Weather Rhapsody* (it is essentially a "what-if" scenario); the dialogue remains unchanged from the original story, with only a few details altered based on events following the first interlude.

 Cover made by Team Shanghai Alice

Meanwhile, in another world...

In a world called Gensokyo, a massive earthquake destroyed the Hakurei Shrine. Consequently, a red-clad shrine maiden named Reimu set out to find the source of the incident. During her investigation, she encountered acquaintances who mentioned that the weather changed drastically wherever they went. Eventually, she was found by a shinigami named Komachi; Reimu noticed a strange energy surrounding her—an energy that, curiously, seemed linked to the sudden weather shifts. The shrine maiden immediately fought and defeated Komachi, believing this would end the earthquake crisis. However, Komachi revealed that the energy persisted and had affected Reimu as well, as the weather changes continued. Undeterred, the shrine maiden pressed on with her investigation. She arrived at the massive Youkai Mountain and discovered that the weather at the summit was peculiar—much like the conditions she had encountered with Komachi. As she ascended, she met Iku, whose attire gave her the distinct air of an oarfish. Iku warned her that an earthquake far more intense than the previous one was imminent. Upon hearing this, Reimu immediately attacked and defeated Iku, thinking she had put a stop to the earthquakes. Yet, Iku told her there was only one person who could prevent it—the very individual who had caused the earthquake in the first place—and that this person lived at the summit. Armed with this information, Reimu headed straight for the mountain's peak. Upon arriving, she realized she had reached Heaven... until a celestial appeared.

Reimu: Now then, where is she? The one who's going to take responsibility for the earthquake....it sure is quiet above the clouds...

Tenshi: Being at the heaven, control the land. Being at the earth, remove its keystones -Tenshi appears, flying above a Keystone- And lay bare the scarlet hearts of people.

Reimu: You're the one who's causing earthquakes and screwing up the weather, aren't you?

Tenshi: And you're the incident resolution specialist. I've been waiting for you.

Reimu: Hmph, waiting for me? You sound like you actually want me to resolve this disaster.

Tenshi: When you're playing incident resolution, the opponent doesn't have to be a youkai, right? -Tenshi descends to the ground.-

Tenshi: I'm a member of the Hinanawi clan that lives in the heavens. Every day is singing, singing, drinking, dancing, and singing again, over and over. Life in the heavens is really carefree.

Reimu: You're making me jealous. Are you bragging?

Tenshi: What are you talking about? I'm saying I was bored out of my mind! So I came down to the surface and watched you playing with all kinds of different youkai.

Reimu: I wouldn't exactly call it playing, though.

Tenshi: Seeing that made me think, "I want to play incident resolution too." So I caused one. An incident, I mean.

Reimu: Don't act so flippant about it! Thanks to you my shrine is a mess!!

Tenshi: Oh, that was just to make sure it worked. Next up is the real thing. My Sword of Scarlet Thought is a sword that can lay bare a person's temperament. Then, I gather the scarlet mist like this~

-Tenshi plunges her sword into the ground-

Tenshi: And the energy gathered in the sky causes the earth to shake. Furthermore, it shifts the keystones beneath my feet.

Tenshi: Soon, all the land in Gensokyo will tremble.

Reimu: Hmph, this is all a game to you, huh. Regardless of how your plan works, you're obviously the one who caused the earthquake. Whether you're a celestial or just some weirdo, my job is simple. -Reimu prepares to face Tenshi-

Reimu: All I have to do is take you down! And after that, I'm going to make you fix my shrine.

-Upon hearing that, Tenshi perks up considerably, seeing that she is in for an intense battle-

Tenshi: Ufufu. Good, good! That's the enthusiasm I was looking for! I don't want to go on living the boring life of a celestial forever.

That ends today!

Tenshi: The weather in the sky, the stability of the earth, and the hearts of man are all in the palm of my hand. Show me the weather with which you defeated so many youkai!

The battle in Heaven grew intense; Reimu relentlessly dodged and attacked Tenshi, yet Tenshi withstood every blow. Celestial bodies possess immense resistance to many forms of attack, and Tenshi found the whole affair entertaining. Reimu exhausted every option to defeat her; finally, when Tenshi was distracted by her own ultimate spell card, Reimu seized the moment to deliver a powerful blow to her head—so forceful that Tenshi collapsed, incapacitated. Reimu thought it was over, but then Tenshi’s sword drove into the ground, causing the area to shake violently while emitting a surge of red energy. The landmass tore free from the ground and rose to the boundary between the planet and space. Tenshi and her sword ascended into the air, gathering vast amounts of energy for a lethal strike. Reimu braced herself as Tenshi unleashed a barrage of lasers and projectiles; the shrine maiden countered with her own attacks, such as yin-yang orbs and needles. Finally, having gathered sufficient energy, Tenshi took aim and fired a massive laser beam at her. The energy output was so immense that Tenshi could have repeated the attack multiple times, but Reimu—a seasoned professional—sought a way to close the distance. Capitalizing on a momentary lapse in Tenshi's focus, she managed to knock her out again and send her plummeting to the ground.

As she fell, Tenshi reflected on how much fun it had all been—causing a massive incident and engaging in such an epic battle... yet, one thing had been missing.

Tenshi: I wish Kao had seen all this...

 Art made by Team Shanghai Alice

The next day, Reimu notes that the shrine is still functioning as usual—serving its purpose—though it no longer serves as a home; she also realizes that the strange weather has begun to return to normal. Reimu did not expect to see Tenshi again, but Tenshi tells her she will help rebuild the shrine with the aid of some celestials. As the reconstruction proceeds, the two converse, discussing how Iku had warned of the earthquake and how Tenshi had originally destroyed the shrine; Tenshi mentions that she will place a keystone beneath the structure to prevent future earthquakes, though she warns Reimu never to remove it. Reimu harbors doubts about this new shrine.

For a time, everything went smoothly. The shrine was taking shape nicely—Reimu was eager to see it rebuilt, and Tenshi was simply awaiting the inauguration—but then... certain things happened.

Somewhere, without warning, a rift opened in the air, and a person stepped out.

Kao: Phew, thank goodness the gem still works; for a moment there, I thought it was going to take me to another world~ —she smiled slightly—

Kao looked around and realized he was back in Heaven. He noticed signs of a recent battle where he had arrived, but he didn't pay it much mind, as he had only one thing on his mind now.

Kao: Now... I wonder where my sister is.

Meanwhile, at the shrine, Komachi had arrived to check on the progress of the reconstruction, though she noticed that the strange atmosphere caused by that energy had not yet settled. Reimu wondered what she was doing there and was none too pleased by her presence, leading to a brief skirmish between the two. Afterward, they chatted a bit; Komachi mentioned that she had paused her soul-reaping duties to oversee the shrine's rebuilding. She even spoke of a new shinigami selected by certain Yamas—a human who had led a pathetic life and was granted a second chance in exchange for working for them. Reimu was about to ask more about this when Tenshi appeared.

Tenshi: My, what fun-looking thing are you doing?

Komachi: Oh, and who might you be?

Tenshi: I was asked to rebuild this shrine. Right now, I'm carrying out the plans.

Komachi: That would make you... the celestial, right?

Tenshi: And you are...? Wah! Could you be a shinigami?!

Komachi: That's right, a shinigami whose presence silences crying children.

Tenshi: If you're a shinigami, then shouldn't you have no business with a celestial like me?

Komachi: Even celestials have lifespans like humans do. However, their lives do not end when their lifespan does. So you do understand what that means, right? From what I can see, you've already met your lifespan many times. And every time, you fight the shinigami that comes to bring you back, don't you?

Tenshi: Heh heh, That's right. Are you saying you're here to try picking me up again? How futile

Komachi and Tenshi moved away from the temple and headed toward Heaven—curiously, to the very same area where Tenshi had previously faced Reimu.

Tenshi: If a shinigami has come for me, then there's nothing more to think about.

Komachi: Well, claiming souls is out of my jurisdiction. I'm just a humble ferryman.

Tenshi: Ferryman? Perhaps of the Sanzu River?

Komachi: Right, right. I don't go out and kill people. But you know, temperaments... phantoms being cut down is a bit troubling.

Tenshi: Oh?

Komachi: From what I've heard, it looks like it's your doing? Using phantoms to change the mood of the heavens, thus the phantoms don't cross the River, and then I have to do something about it. It's a real annoyance.

Tenshi: Now this is interesting.Fighting with the shinigami that occasionally came for me was a rare pleasure, but a fight with a ferryman...

Komachi: It would be in your best interests to not underestimate a shinigami. Don't celestials fear shinigami?

Tenshi: Celestials fear the appearance of the five omens. Shinigami are one of them, the wilting crown wreath. In other words, they make the wreaths on our heads wither. But, thanks to the shinigami, I'll never have to worry about another omen– The dissatisfaction with one's seat!

It is known that when a Celestial defeats a Shinigami, she can extend her lifespan; however, given the situation at hand, one might wonder what would happen if the reverse occurred. The ensuing battle did not last long—even though Tenshi employed the same techniques she had used against Reimu—and ultimately, Komachi defeated her. Afterward, Komachi returned to her duties of collecting souls at the Sanzu River, while Tenshi caught her breath and headed back to the temple.

To be Continued.......