Chapter Text
“I’m sorry ma’am, but he’s in a Coma,”
Haruka had found Kiryu in an alley wounded after the events that transpired during her concert. She had gotten him to medical care as soon as possible, and there was little else she could do.
“Uncle Kaz, I’ll be waiting for you,” Haruka cried, “So you better wake up soon.”
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Kiryu didn’t know where he was.
He stood in a clearing in a rather dense forest. He didn’t know where he was, however, that was not the most pressing concern, as he could hear the movements of something in the bushes. Then there emerged a young girl with blue hair, a blue and white dress, and what looked like icicles forming a winglike formation on her back. She appeared to be watching him out of curiosity.
“Oi, do you know where we are?” asked Kiryu.
“Eh mister, did you hit your head or something?” the blue fairy exclaimed, “Even the dumbest humans would know we’re in the Forest of Magic.”
Kiryu was silent for a moment, contemplating his situation, he had never heard of such a forest, let alone have been in it. He decided to ask the girl for directions.
“Do you know how to leave the forest?”
“Of course I do, I wouldn't be Cirno the Strongest if I didn’t,” said the fairy.
“In that case, would you mind giving me directions? I’m kind of lost,” Kiryu replied.
Cirno, belong the fairy she is, suddenly thought of an idea for a prank. An awkward silence fell over the two of them, and Kiryu could almost see the cogs spinning in her head.
Finally, Cirno spoke, “Alright, so you’ll want to head to that big mansion over there.”
Kiryu, narrowing his eyes, thanked her and went on his way, being cautious of what he might meet there.
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The Scarlet Devil Mansion is an imposing building, as anyone from the Human village would tell you. To Kiryu however, there was no reason to doubt Cirno’s words, and approached the gate.
Kiryu saw a red-headed woman that appeared to be the gate guard, however, she was fast asleep. As he drew closer however, she snapped awake.
“Eh? Who are you? State your business.” She said, causing Kiryu to stand on guard.
“I’m looking for the nearest town, do you mind pointing the way?” asked Kiryu.
“I don’t believe for a second that a human, no matter how brave, would walk all the way to the Scarlet Devil Mansion just to ask for directions. What is it you’re really after?” The woman replied, getting into a battle stance.
Kiryu then responded, “Listen, lady, I am actually lost, and have no idea where I am.”
“Well, still refusing eh, looks like I, Hong Meiling, will have to beat it out of you,” The now-dubbed Meiling said.
Kiryu sighed, and then said, “It always ends up like this huh?”
The two of them stood, waiting for the other to make a move, when suddenly, Meiling rushed Kiryu, and both of them threw out their fists.
Hong Meiling
Gatekeeper Of The Scarlet Devil Mansion
The two fists connected, sending the two backward in their respective directions. Meiling then jumped forward and brought her heel down upon Kiryu, who just managed to roll out of the way. Kiryu then leaped up and began with a strong right hook. Meling, naturally, blocked with her left.
Seeing an opportunity, Meiling pushed Kiryu away and went in for a flurry of blows. Kiryu managed to block most of them, however, he was caught by a stray blow to the chest and was temporarily floored.
Essence of Steadfast Counter
Kiryu, seeing that Meiling was moving in, suddenly got up, grabbed both her arms, and knocked her down, headbutting her in the process.
As the two of them got up, Meiling spoke, “You’re pretty good, for a human at least.”
Kiryu was silent, however, he quickly moved out of the way of a wide swing from Meiling. They returned to a similar position from where they started, with bruises to show the time’s passage.
As Meiling once again rushed Kiryu, Kiryu stood ready. As she began her attack, Kiryu crouched down and punched her stomach at lightning speed, performing the Komaki Tiger Drop. Meiling was sent flying and tumbled onto the grass behind her.
Meiling got up slowly, Kiryu was concerned, before she jumped at him, and brought her foot up into Kiryu’s chin. Kiryu, unprepared, was knocked down, before sweeping Meiling’s legs, and getting back up.
Kiryu could hear laughter coming from Meiling, then he heard her speak, “It’s been a long time since I’ve met someone who could not only keep up with me but match me in physical combat.”
Meiling then said to Kiryu, “Well, I’m satisfied, I’ll tell you where the human village is,” she then paused, and a silver-haired woman in a maid outfit appeared behind her.
“Meiling, it’s surprising to see you actually doing your job,” the woman then spoke, “I can’t remember the last time I came to your post and you were sleeping.”
Meiling turned around, facing the maid, “Sakuya, he’s about to leave, so there’s no reason to be concerned.”
Sakuya then replied to Meiling, “See that he does.”
After her statement, she vanished into thin air. Meiling looked unsurprised and then turned back around to face Kiryu.
She then said, “The village is that way, to the east. You’ll want to follow the road to the south when you find it.”
“Thanks,” Kiryu responded, “does that Sakuya usually appear and disappear like that?”
“Yes,” Meiling said, “By the way, that was a pretty good fight for a human.”
Kiryu, still a bit wary of Meiling, apologized for his confusion and began the trek to the Human village.