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>Start

You’re sitting on the couch on the ground floor of your home. The lights are off, but the television shines brightly. An old western film is playing.

Your sister is trying very hard to avoid dozing off in the loveseat. Your parents are out of town, and it’s just the two of you right now.

>Look at television

It’s a modern flatscreen television. There are no noticeable buttons on the exterior, and it’s big enough to be comfortably seen from any point in the room. You don’t know the name of the film, but it has John Wayne in it. He has a pistol, like always.

>Look at sister

She’s sitting with her leg on the seat, her head propped up by her arm on one of the armrests. She notices you staring at her and blinks a few times.

“Can I help you?”

>”N-no, I was just wondering if you were bored.”

“Of course I’m bored! There’s nothing to do in this stupid town without any cash! Everything fun costs money, or is illegal.

Not like that’s ever stopped me before though, right?”

She smirks at you.

>”S-so, do you wanna go do anything?”

She cocks her head to the side. She thinks for a few moments, and her eyes slowly shut. You hear a faint snore.

Through the window behind her, you can see a few lights appear on the horizon. They’re moving towards you, but they’re a fair distance away.

>”Um… Sis? You might wanna look outside.”

A low, rhythmic thumping slowly fades into earshot as your sister blinks herself awake. She stands up and turns around, looking outside the window.

“Are those… helicopters? I wonder if anything’s on the news. Have you seen the remote?”

>”I’ll look for it.” Look for remote

I’m sorry. I don’t understand.

>”I’ll look for it.”

She waits expectantly.

>Search couch

You pull up the couch cushions, searching for the remote control. You spot it out of the corner of your eye, on the coffee table. Perhaps you should have looked around for it first.

>Pick up remote

You now possess the remote control. Your sister holds out her open hand.

>Give her the remote

She takes the offered item, and starts flipping through channels. She finds the local news station.

“-nd that’s why you should look… before you leap. Back to you at the station.

Lovely story, very heartwarming. Now, in sports-”

Your sister scowls. “They must not be news copters.”

>”W-what are they for then?”

She turns around again, staring at the lights. They’re circling the nearby mountain.

She grins at you, and you’re afraid of what she’s thinking.

>”Um…”

“Let’s go find out! Grab a jacket… or a coat. Meet me by the door!”

She vaults directly over you and the couch, running for the closet by the front door.

>Look at closet

You peek over the top of the couch. Your sister is rummaging through the coats in the closet, looking for something befitting of her person. All your winter gear is stored there.

It’s cold outside, so if you plan on joining her, a coat is probably for the best.

>Pick up coat

It’s too far away!

>Walk to closet

Not interested in being as flamboyant as your sister, you walk around the couch towards the closet. As you approach, she straightens up and splays her arms towards you, displaying her black fleece-lined coat.

>Look at coats

There are several coats in this closet, belonging to yourself, your parents, and your sister. Many look warm, but some are clearly just for looks. Two in particular catch your eye: your school coat, which you know for a fact is warm and cozy, and one of your sister’s black coats.

>Pick up school coat

You hold your school coat in front of you. It’s been with you for a long time, but you’ve kept very good care of it. Your sister chuckles quietly.

>Search for gloves

You drop the coat in front of you and rummage through the closet looking for gloves. You find a pair of warm-looking gloves.

>Put on gloves

You think the gloves suit you.

>Search for scarf

You quickly locate a fuzzy black scarf.

“Oh, yeah. If you think you need it, go ahead. Don’t want you getting sick.”

>Put on scarf

You wrap it around your neck and lower face. You feel safer, almost like your sister herself is protecting you from the cold.

>Pick up coat

You pick up the coat from its pile on the ground.

>Put on coat

You slip your arms inside and button up. It feels cozy, like home.

>”Do you think I need a hat?”

Your sister puts her hand on her chin, then throws open the front door. A gust of wind blows in, chilling you to the bone.

“Um… probably. Grab me one too, right?”

>”Alright.” Search for two hats

I’m sorry. I don’t understand.

>Search for two hats.

You locate two hats. They’re both a navy blue, and lined with faux fur. They look warm enough.

>Give one to Sakura

“Thanks!” She smiles warmly. When she isn’t getting herself into trouble, she’s the sweetest person you know.

“Ready to head on out?”

She’s standing in the doorway, hands on her hips, ready to face the night.

>”Y-yeah!”

CHECKPOINT REACHED. GAME SAVED.

She runs out of the front door, and crosses the road. She pushes through the usual bushes and waves you across.

You get a bad feeling about this.

>Examine path

It’s the same route you always take when on foot. The local corner store, friends’ houses, exploring the town, it always starts here. A weak spot in the bushes lining the road can be pushed past, leading to a trail through the forest.

>”Um… Which way were they?”

Your sister cups her hand to her ear for a moment before shaking her head and waving you over. You’re an entire street away, and you’ve never been the loud type.

>Go to her

You cross the street. It’s never busy during the day, so in the dead of night it’s always safe.

She points up once you’re safely across. Through the canopy of trees you see one of the lights has stopped moving, and is hovering in place. The other two are circling it.

“I think that’s the mountain. Good thing we took it easy today, I’m ready to do some skulking!”

She grins at you and stomps down the path towards town.

>”A-alright…”

>Follow her

You follow her, using the moonlight to keep your footing through these familiar trails.

It’s a short trip towards town, only a few minutes’ walk with your shortcuts. You spy your local corner store through the trees, which is encouraging. You didn’t get lost.

Less encouraging is the array of flashing blue and red lights spread throughout the street.

>Look around

You take in your surroundings.

The store is closed, and has been for a few hours. The parking lot is small, and empty.

The street in front of the store has been blockaded by police cars. You see an officer walk up to the door, knock a few times, and re-join his comrades. They look bored.

>”Um… S-sis what should we do?”

She looks back at you over her shoulder. She looks… excited? You’re not surprised, she revels in this kind of thing.

“It’s time you took charge, Homu. I’m following your lead on this one!”

>”M-Me?!”

She steps back towards you and puts a hand on your shoulder. She’s smiling at you.

“Yeah! The worst that can happen is they drive us home and tell us to stay out of trouble. Let’s see what you’ve learned from me!”

>”Alright…”

She hugs you tightly.

>Quicksave

GAME SAVED.

>Check Police officers

I’m sorry. I don’t understand.

>Look at police’s position

There are three cars blocking the road. All of them have their flashing lights on. Two officers are leaning on their car, and are talking about something.

>Look at parking lot

The parking lot is only big enough for about a dozen cars. It’s completely empty, save the usual trash that’s blowing around. The glow from the streetlights barely illuminates it.

>Listen into the police’s conversation secretly

From your spot on the far side of the parking lot, still in the woods, you’re not able to pick out any of the words. Neither of them look upset, but one looks tired.

>”O-Okay… What if we go around them through the parking lot?”

Your sister beams. “That’s exactly what I was thinking. Why mess with the cops if they don’t know we’re here?”

>Nod

You nod.

>”A-Alright, let’s do this…”

>Sneak past the police through the parking lot

Staying as far from the light as possible, you slip out of the woods and into open ground. You cross the far side of the parking lot as quickly as your legs can take you, your sister close behind you.

The cops carry on their conversation.

You’re now in an alleyway behind the buildings that make up most of your town’s daily activity. The grocery store, pharmacy, and hair salon are all here. You usually come here after school, never at night.

Something moves a few dozen feet down the alley.

>Quicksave

GAME SAVED.

>”W-Who’s there?!”

You get no response. A flutter of wings from the roof adjacent to you startles you and your sister.

>Look in direction of the sound

This is the alley the shops keep employee entrances and garbage for collection by the city. You see no movement, but vermin are common back here amongst the trash. The moonlight is weak, but still present.

>Look at roof

You look up, and see the silhouette of an owl fly into the night sky.

“I guess they eat the rats back here.” Your sister breaks the eerie silence.

>”Y-yeah I guess so…”

>Look around

The alley continues for most of the length of the main road, to the other end of town. You’re near a few dumpsters, and behind you lies the parking lot for the corner store. Passages and streets to the main road are found occasionally on the right hand side of the alley. The left is a chain-link fence.

>Search for the helicopters

The helicopters are almost directly ahead of you. You guess that they’re about twenty minutes’ walk past the edge of town, so about thirty minutes from where you are now. They haven’t changed behavior from the last time you checked.

>”H-Hey sis…”

“Hm?”

>”Did you bring a flashlight?”

She reaches into her coat and pulls out a small silver tube from one of the pockets lining the inside. She presses the button on the back, and the front projects a cone of light. She hands it to you, a smug grin on her face.

>Turn off flashlight

You press the button, turning off the flashlight.

>”A-Alright, should we get going again?”

She leans against the wall, looking expectantly at you.

>”Alright then…”

She waves her hand in front of her in a circle. “Go on…”

>Go in the direction of the helicopters

You set off down the alleyway. As you move, you peek down the side streets. Many roads of the town are blocked off by the police. This is definitely not a normal Saturday night.

Your coat keeps you warm and cozy as the breeze helps you along, pushing at your back. You look over your shoulder every now and again, to make sure your sister is still there. She is, and she’s proud of you.

You reach the edge of town with no incident. The road to the trailhead up the mountain continues ahead, but you no longer have buildings to hide behind.

The flashing lights seem to all be behind you, and the helicopters still haven’t moved.

>”W-what do you think’s going on?”

“Your guess is as good as mine.”

Your sister leans against the end of the fence, sending a rattling sound back down the alley.

“Maybe some hiker got lost. You know we get all sorts of visitors. Weird about all the cops though… they make me nervous.”

She pauses, and smiles. “Not like you could tell though, right? That’s the trick.”

>Nod

You nod in agreement.

>Enter the forest

CHECKPOINT REACHED. GAME SAVED.

You set off down the forest road. You never come this far on foot, but you’ve driven here with your parents several times.

It’s a well travelled road in good repair. The city takes care of it, because a good portion of their visitors are hikers and backpackers interested in climbing the mountainside. Good first impressions, and all that.

There’s no sidewalk, but a dirt track reveals that plenty of people before you have chosen to start their walk in town, rather than the trailheads at the other end.

You hear a low rumble behind you. Headlights are approaching.

>Look for a place to hide

The road goes through the forest surrounding the mountain. Your mountain. The trees, and the darkness, should give you plenty of opportunity to hide.

>Grab Sakura’s hand and hide behind some of the trees

You grab your sister’s hand and pull her away from the road, into the forest. You crouch down and stay still. The headlights are nearly upon you.

>Quicksave

GAME SAVED.

>Peek at whatever’s making the headlights

You peek around the tree you’re taking cover behind.

A convoy of black cars and vans fly past you. You’re sure that’s not safe, and also not legal, to go that fast on this winding road. Five vehicles in total drive past before once again leaving you in darkness.

>”W-Who were those?”

Your sister makes a rustling noise. The headlights ruined your dark vision, and it’s nearly impossible to see anything.

“No idea, but they were in a rush.”

>Wait for eyes to get readjusted

You wait around for a few minutes to get reacquainted with the darkness. Your sister twiddles her thumbs.

>Continue in the direction of the helicopters

You stand up and walk back to the trail. With your sister behind you, you proceed towards the mountain.

You reach the picnic area, surrounded by the various trailheads. The parking here holds scattered vehicles belonging to adventurers on the mountain. The black vehicles that passed you earlier are also present.

One of the picnic tables is brightly illuminated by the stationary helicopter’s spotlight.

A woman in a white lab coat is conversing with a well-built man in a red button-down. Two girls are sitting at the table, pointing at a document they have spread out across its surface. You can’t make out much detail, but their blue and fire-red hair are easy enough to pick out from here.

>Quicksave

GAME SAVED.

>Secretly listen in on their conversation

Both of these conversations are taking place almost a hundred feet away from you. There’s no chance of gleaning any information.

>Move close enough to listen in while still being out of sight

I’m sorry. I don’t understand.

>Stay hidden but move closer

I’m sorry. I don’t understand.

>Sneak closer to them

Using the cars as cover, you close the gap between you and these persons of interest. They seem far too invested in whatever brought them here to worry about little movements in the corner of their eyes.

You find yourself crouching behind the restrooms, sister by your side and foul smell in your nose.

>Pull up scarf to cover nose

You pull the scarf up over your face to keep the smell of the bathroom out. Much better.

>Listen in on the conversation

I’m not sure what you’re trying to listen in on.

>Secretly listen in on the two adults’ conversation

The woman seems concerned, a stern look on her face behind her glasses. “Was it really necessary to shut down the entire town? You’re only bringing attention to us!”

“After the intrusions we’ve been dealing with, we have no idea who else has the information we have. We can’t risk anyone trying to crash our party.” He speaks firmly.

>Whisper, “They shut down the town?”

Your sister looks worried. “Yeah, didn’t you see all the roadblocks? If they’re still there in the morning, people aren’t going to be happy.”

>Continue listening in on the adults’ conversation

The woman pouts, and the man laughs. “You know I’m right, Ryouko. If word gets out, our entire operation is through.” He casts his eyes across the various other people in black suits milling around. “Everyone would be out of work. It’s worth the hassle.”

His shoulders heave in a sigh. “We have to find the Yawarakai-te. You’re sure it’s here?”

Ryouko puts a hand over her mouth and laughs smugly. “Of course I’m sure, Genjuuro-kun. Complete relics are very distinct, after all.” She pauses. “If we’re lucky, the Juuchi Yosamu should be here too.”

>Quicksave

GAME SAVED.

>Get into a coughing fit

You cough loudly into your hand. Your sister throws her hand over your mouth. You hear a break in the girls’ conversation, but after a stressful few moments, they continue.

>Whisper, “Sorry…”

>Whisper, ”I’ll try not to let it happen again.”

“It’s okay, Homu. We have no idea who these people are though, and they’re definitely not cops. Keep it down if you can.”

>Nod

You nod in agreement.

>Continue listening in on the adults

Genjuuro looks pensieve. “I trust in your abilities, Ryouko, but what I don’t trust is… this could easily be a trap. Full relics don’t simply pop up in the middle of nowhere, especially after being lost for over a thousand years. We should have been able to spot it sooner.”

“The signal appeared once, and disappeared almost as soon as we detected it. If this is a trap, our enemies got very lucky that Sakurai Ryouko herself was watching the scanner!” She slides her glasses up her nose, and looks up towards the spotlight. The glimmer of light is impressive.

>Listen in on the girls’ conversation

The blue-haired girl, the smaller of the two, speaks with a weary voice. “Kanade, why do they need us to do all this hiking? I want to sing with you, to crowds, not sneak around a backwoods mountainside!” She slides closer to the other girl and puts her head on Kanade’s shoulder.

“We have a job to do. Sometimes that’s singing. Sometimes it’s not quite so easy.” Kanade puts her arm around the other girl, pulling her close. “We’ll be able to find the relic, and we’ll get home.” She taps her companion on the nose. “Maybe the other one will be here too, and we’ll both get new swords!”

>Look around

You’re taking cover behind a bathroom, the last bathroom any hiker will see until they return to town. The picnic area has scattered tables, and the dirt on the ground is compact from all the travellers preparing for their trips.

A helicopter hovers quite far directly above you, illuminating the picnic area and all the trailheads. They’re all well travelled, though the path to the mountain spring doesn’t get used often in the winter.

The other two helicopters are circling with their spotlights, searching for something.

Nearby, Genjuuro and Ryouko are lost in a conversation. Kanade and a blue-haired girl are sitting at a table with a map in front of them.

>Continue to listen in on the adults

The adults seem to have begun talking about the politics in neo-Tokyo. None of it interests you.

>Continue to listen in on Kanade and the other girl

The blue-haired girl sits up straight, but leaves Kanade’s hand on her shoulder. She seems to be more energetic now. “Maybe I’ll finally get to teach you how to handle a sword, instead of that lance of yours.” She laughs, quietly.

Kanade laughs along. “Tsubasa, I think I can handle a sword just fine. I can handle you, right?”

Tsubasa bursts into laughter, nearly falling off of the picnic bench. A woman in a suit rushes over, but is waved off by the two girls.

“Alright, well. We’ve already been through these,” Tsubasa says as she gestures at the map. “Which one of the trails should we take next?”

Kanade squints at the document. “That one!” she yells, pointing elsewhere. Tsubasa reaches under the table and returns with two motorcycle helmets.

“It’s one of the easier trails, if I drive slow we might be able to take the bike. Please?”

Kanade laughs and takes a helmet. “If you scratch me up, you’ll be paying for it later, understand?” Her grin is infectious, and you find yourself smiling along.

>Continue listening in on the girls

Tsubasa and Kanade stand up and walk over to a van, climbing in the back. You can’t see inside from here.

>Whisper, ”Um… S-so, what should we do sis?”

“I think we should find whatever they’re looking for! Either they’re nice, and we hand the… relics or whatever over and be heroes, or they’re mean. If they’re mean, we’ll have swords and they won’t.”

>Whisper, ”A-Alright, so which way should we go…?”

“That one lady said they were looking for the Yawarakai, right? I remember this story! Two guys, a master and an apprentice, were having a contest to see who could make a better sword. They each made one, and took them up a mountain to show them off. The apprentice’s… wait, maybe it was the master’s… one of the swords cut everything. Fish, leaves, water, even the wind, it sliced right through. The other sword only cut the leaves. I think they decided the second one was better…”

She sighs and catches her breath. You forgot how smart she was, despite all her messing around with folks she shouldn’t be messing around with.

“Anyway, they tested them at a river spring!” She throws her arm back and points at the trailhead to the river. “Obvious choice, right?”

>Nod

You nod in agreement.

>”Oh yeah, I think I remember that story… Wasn’t it though that the second blade repelled everything though? I don’t really remember…”

“We can ask these folks when we show off our fancy ancient swords, right?” Your sister grins.

>”R-right!”

She snakes off towards the trailhead, waiting for you by the trail information sign.

>Go to her side

You trace her footsteps, ending up next to her. The trail goes up towards the river, and follows it to the spring. The last time you were here, you could almost hear the river from this spot. The helicopters make that difficult now.

>”S-So, should we get going?”

“You’re in charge, remember?”

>”R-right… So… Follow me?”

She smiles and nods.

>Go down the trailhead that leads to the river

CHECKPOINT REACHED. GAME SAVED.

You walk down the trail. It’s not a recent event, but you remember bits and pieces of your trip. It wasn’t this cold. It wasn’t this dark. It wasn’t… snowing.

A gentle snowfall begins as you meet up with the river and begin your ascent proper.

>Look around

You can’t really see much in the darkness. You’ve left the circling helicopters behind you, and you’re a little nostalgic. Those lights in the sky seemed friendly.

You hear the river flowing next to you, far enough away that you’re not worried about falling in.

You remember the flashlight your sister gave you.

>Turn on flashlight

The flashlight is still in your jacket!

>Take flashlight out of jacket

You retrieve the flashlight from the pocket you stashed it in earlier.

>Turn on flashlight

The forest around you is illuminated with a narrow cone of light.

>Look around

You shine the flashlight around you. The forest at night is so calm, and with the river so close you feel completely at ease. The snow is slowly beginning to pile on the branches, and without the sun to melt it, will likely be there until morning. You catch glimpses of owls in the trees, startling them into flying away.

The trail is clearly visible.

>Continue down the path

You press onwards, sister close behind. The crunch of leaves soon becomes dampened by the thin layer of snow forming on the ground.

The river splits, rejoins, grows weak and gains strength as you ascend, as much an organic part of the forest as the animals are.

As you approach the spring, the snowfall intensifies. The wind, however, fades away into still air.

You are standing on the bank of the river spring, snow falling around you.

>”S-So where do you think these swords are?”

“I, uh. I didn’t think that far ahead. Around here somewhere, probably?” She stares at you.

>Look around

You cast your light around the spring. In the summer, this would be bright with flowers, but in winter everything is a dull grey. The trees are lacking leaves, and the river is slow upon beginning its descent.

The spring is surrounded by forest on all sides. In the center of the water, there is a small island, barely big enough for two people to stand on. A strip of water is frozen solid, seeming to form a path to the island.

>Look at island

The island is completely flat, and covered in short grass. You notice a single flower, directly in the center of the island. Its pale purple shines bright against the dull backdrop of the otherwise dormant forest.

As you look at the flower, you see it split in half, directly down the middle. Each half falls to the ground, rests for a moment, and rises again to meet its counterpart, reforming into the beautiful flower it once was.

>”I… I think it’s over there.”

“Woah, you found it?” She turns around and looks at the island.

“Uh… Homu, I don’t see anything.”

>”Huh…? But it’s right over there.”

She opens her mouth to respond, but the flower once again splits and reforms as she stares.

As the snow falls, you see a silhouette of two sword hilts in the air above the flower form for a single moment before being lost to the snow.

>Quicksave

GAME SAVED.

>Go to the island with your sister

You walk to the waterside, dragging your sister behind you. She resists.

“It’s the middle of winter, we’ll freeze out here if we get wet!”

>Walk across the strip of water with your sister

I’m not sure what you’re trying to walk across!

>Walk across the strip of ice with your sister

You bring her around to the strip of ice before stepping out onto the spring.

She yells, expecting the ice to break beneath you. It stays firm, not even giving off a crack.

You walk across the ice, with your sister in tow, until you reach the island.

The flower splits and reforms while the two of you stand over it, on either side of the cramped platform.

>”I saw two sword hilts in the air over here… W-which one do you want to grab?”

She cocks her head to the side. “They were just… floating here? In the air?”

>”Um…”

“Are you sure you’re okay? Is the cold getting to your head?”

>Shine the flashlight on the spot where they were

I’m sorry. I don’t understand.

>Point the flashlight above the flower

You shine the flashlight over the flower. The snow is falling heavier than before, but the wind is still perfectly calm.

From here, you can clearly see the snow… avoiding space. Two pockets of air the snow flows around, refusing to enter. When the flakes line up, you can see two sword hilts in the negative space.

>Hand the flashlight to your sister

Sakura takes the flashlight, almost absent-mindedly. She’s enamoured by the snow.

She looks at you, a serious look in her eye that looks very out of place on her.

“If you do, I do too.”

>”Huh?”

“There’s two of them, can’t you see? If you grab one, I’m taking the other.”

>Reach out in front of yourself

You reach your hand towards the “swords” and are startled when you feel something solid beneath your fingertips. Your sister does the same.

>”It feels almost like fate…”

“I think it’s more like leather.”

>Grab the hilt

You and your sister take hold of the swords.

You feel power well up within you, feeling as though it’s coming from the spring you’re standing on. Everything is suddenly bright, brighter than daylight. You look around, unable to do anything else.

You’re still in the spring. Everything is still dull, but it’s… backwards. Black is white, blue is orange, every color has been inverted. A ringing in your ears overpowers anything you could possibly be hearing.

The entire spring is… darkened, oddly, by the spotlight of a helicopter. The negative light shrouds your vision, and along with the sound in your ears, denies you of your senses. You’re shut out from the world, and soon even the ringing stops.

>Run

You can’t move. You don’t have the strength to do anything.

>Quicksave

SAVE UNAVAILABLE.

>Wake up

You open your eyes.

END OF EPISODE ONE.