I realize this is a bit longer than 500 words and the ending is a bit abrupt, but I got a bit carried away in writing this. I had fun doing something original. I don't even know if I am in the running for this, but still, here I go.
“It’s just like that good-for-nothing demon to send her underlings on pointless errands on a personal whim.” Suwako bemoaned to no one in particular. “Shouldn’t Kanako be sending Sanae on missions like these? It really can’t be helped.” The weary goddess let out a faint sigh.
“But still,” replied a familiar voice from the adjacent room, “You should take care in times like these. You might be a goddess, but this storm is quite unnatural.” The red shrine maiden emerged with tea for her unexpected guest. “I am happy that you stopped by. It’s quite unusual for a goddess of your caliber to visit a rival shrine.”
Suwako was quick to set the record straight. “Although this rain shouldn’t be a problem for me, I would rather not be caught off guard by any wayward weather. I appreciate your hospitality, Reimu-san.” The myriad god was seemingly appreciative. “Have you ever considered changing faiths?”
The shrine maiden let out a light sigh, elegantly placing her tray on the kotatsu. “Now isn’t the time for that, silly frog.” The last time she had the pleasure of tangling with the Moriya Shrine, Suwako was not quite as easygoing. “Be sure not to cause any trouble on your way to the Scarlet Devil Mansion. I would prefer it if I didn’t need to perform any exorcisms in this bad weather.”
The goddess was visibly disquieted by Reimu’s comments.“Say what you want, but Kanako wants me to investigate.” Suwako replied, straight to the point. “I hate to cut this meeting short, but I really must get going. Take care, Reimu-san.” She stood up from the cozy kotatsu and capriciously made her way out of the small shrine.
“At least have some tea first!” Reimu retorted to the already departing Suwako. She let out a small sigh. “Geez. That Moriya shrine is always stirring up trouble. But still, it isn’t like Suwako to leave her shrine… it might be a good idea for me to keep an eye on her.”
Suwako's flight over the Forest of Magic was eerily peaceful, apart from the periodic gusts of wind originating from the mansion. The thick vegetation below must have hid hundreds of fairies, all afraid of the unusual storm. Although it was almost dusk, the goddess remained undisturbed until she reached the Misty Lake. That peace was short-lived, however, with the appearance of Cirno, the Ice Fairy.
The goddess was unsurprised. “I should have known you’d be here. It’s just like you to show your face during such a dangerous storm.” She was already prepared for the inevitable battle. “Now if you’ll just let me through, I’ll get to the source of this sorcery.” She motioned to the intensifying storm that raged on above them, now littered with the occasional bolts of lightning around them.
The prideful fairy was naturally slow to reply. “Now listen here, I don’t know what’s going on with this weather, but I won’t allow any frogs in my lake!” She brazenly spat, preparing a spell card. “Freeze Sign: Perfect Freeze!”
Suwako smiled at the admittedly beautiful display Cirno had put up to deter the goddess. “Going all-out from the start, eh? I like your style, fairy. Still, you’ll never beat me as you are now!” Dodging a stray frozen danmaku effortlessly, she quickly replied with a bomb of her own. “Scourge Sign: Mishaguji-sama. I’ll let you deal with this.”
“E-ehh!?” Cirno cried out, quickly becoming overwhelmed by Suwako’s summoned curse god. “That’s two versus one! You cheater!” Her reply wasn’t heard, however, as the goddess was quick to depart for the source of the frighteningly developing storm. Not far behind was the observing Reimu, who was keen enough to avoid detection by the struggling ice fairy.
Suwako was deep in thought. “I really hope that gate guard is feeling lazy today. I need to see Remilia at once.” After a short flight over the Misty Lake, she had approached the intimidating gates of the Scarlet Devil Mansion. There was no Meiling in sight. In fact, the entire place was deserted. Suwako was not fooled by this charade, however, casting open the gates to the ominous mansion. Something darker was afoot...
Last edited by LiShengshun; 02/12/2014, 12:00 AM.