Suzaku Ibun: Mount Koku Arc, Pt. 6
Ni-hao, minna-san!
Three posts in a week! Who knew being done with grad school would make me so dang productive?
--------
==screen goes black==
I was falling unconscious.
...I could die here...
In a place like this...
...Aah.
...Maybe there’s nothing I can do.
Maybe it was a miracle I got this far in the first place.
Tamahome: Don’t you dare die, [Your Name]!!
...I could hear a voice...
That’s right...
My being here has nothing to do with miracles.
I’m here because everyone protected me.
If that’s true, then...
Then maybe I can’t give up.
Maybe I... have got to fight back to the very end.
I’ve got to prove I can be just as strong and determined as the people who’ve protected me!
...I’m not going to drift away in a place like this!
=flashes red=
------.
Tamahome: What the…? She just glowed red.
=flashes red=
Break… all of this...
=flashes red=
Break!
Chichiri: Those are the flames of Suzaku.
Mitsukake: The flames of Suzaku?
Chichiri: It’s a manifestation of Suzaku’s divine protection.
=flashes red=
Break... Damn you, break!!
Tasuki: The ice is startin’ ta crack. This gal’s somethin’ else...
Tasuki: Show ‘em what’cha got, [Your Name]!
=screen goes black=
You: I...
My voice finally broke through a crack in the shattering ice.
You: I’ve got to... keep moving forward!
=flashes white=
*crash*
-!!
You: Huff... huff...
Mitsukake: Are you hurt, [Your Name]?
You: ...I’m all right.
You: Hikitsu-san, Tomite-san, I have to keep moving forward...
You: Please... let us pass!
…
Hikitsu: You were kind enough to allow us to observe your power, Priestess of Suzaku.
Hikitsu: We humbly request that you forgive our many discourtesies.
Tasuki: Oh sure, now ya say it!
You: Stop it, Tasuki.
Tasuki: B-but c’mon! Didn’t he hurt ya!?
You: They were just carrying out their mission. We can’t fault them for that.
Hikitsu: ...I’m pleased to see you are so considerate.
Hikitsu: Tomite. Open the path.
Tomite: Sure... Guess I have to.
=fades to black=
….
The two Genbu warriors walked along ahead of us...
=back to cave=
You: What a... massive door.
Hikitsu: We control this door with our thoughts.
Hikitsu: We have been protecting it for these 200 years.
Hikitsu: And now... we shall open it.
You: ...Please do.
There’s a light... beyond the door...
Hikitsu: We can only take the Priestess of Suzaku past this point.
You: Yes, sir... whatever you say.
Tomite: This way.
There, set upon a high pedestal, lay the Shinzaho.
You: How pretty...
Hikitsu: The Genbu Priestess wore this necklace during the Genbu summoning ceremony.
Hikitsu: The divine power of the beast god, who our priestess called down, inhabits it.
Hikitsu: With this Shinzaho, you shall be able to summon Suzaku.
You: I will take good care of it, sir.
Tomite: ...And now our job’s done. Hikitsu.
Hikitsu: Yes, that’s right.
You: ...Uh... excuse me...?
Hikitsu: We were supposed to protect the Shinzaho. We’re no longer in possession of it.
Hikitsu: Once this door closes, we’ll return to the heavens.
You: Oh... I see.
Tomite: It’s been a long 200 years.
Hikitsu: ...It has.
You: Uh... um...
Hikitsu: What is it?
You: Maybe it goes without saying, but...
You: Thank you very much for protecting the Shinzaho for 200 years.
You: I’m sure the Lady Priestess of Genbu would be pleased.
Tomite: ...Well, I hope you’re right...
Hikitsu: …You are a splendid priestess as well-on equal footing with the Priestess of Genbu.
Tomite: Farewell, Priestess of Suzaku.
=flashes white=
=Hikitsu and Tomite vanish=
You: ...Thank you, so very much.
==black==
….
…...
The others were waiting for me at the entrance to the Shinzaho’s chamber.
You: I’m back, you guys.
Tamahome: What took you so long?
You: Sorry... for making you worry.
Tamahome: I-I wasn’t really worried, it’s just…
[Nuriko: You’re such a liar. Tamahome, you were pacing all over the place. If that’s not nervous then I don’t know what is.
Tamahome: I-It really didn’t matter to me.]
Mitsukake: Did you obtain the Shinzaho?
You: Mm...
When I looked around, everyone was smiling.
You: ...Anyway, let’s go outside.
=Black=
….
…..
=White=
You: Whoa, it’s so briiight.
Of course, daylight always seems brighter when you’ve been in a dark place for a while.
==Scene: Snowy Mountain==
You: Mm-! It’s sure is nice outside.
Tamahome: It managed to clear up. (1)
Mitsukake: Yes, it did.
You: Anyway... We got the Shinzaho from the Hokkan Empire.
You: And it’s all thanks to you guys!
You: Thank you all so very much!
Chiriko: I disagree.
Mitsukake: This is largely because of your hard work.
Nuriko: I’m so proud of you, [Your Name].
You: ...I didn’t really...
You: All I ever do is slow everyone down.
Chichiri: Hahaha, no da~ ♪
You: D-don’t laugh at meee.
Chichiri: You’ve really grown up a lot no da.
Chichiri: Nobody thinks of you as inexperienced, not anymore. You’re not just the priestess in name only no da.
Chichiri: Priestess of Suzaku. We’re all honored to serve you no da.
You: Thank you.
You: ...I feel a little bashful now...
You: At any rate... we’ve still got a ways to go. (2)
Tamahome: Yeah, we do.
=blue sky=
Wait for me, Misaki-chan.
I’ll do everything I can to make sure we can laugh together again!
You: Well, time to resume our journey.
You: Let’s all do our best for a little longer!
Tamahome: Right.
The others all nodded.
--------
Translation Notes (Or, vague Japanese is vague):
(1) どうにかなったな (dounika natta na) - “Somehow it became/turned out this way.” There are a variety of things Tamahome could be talking about here, but I’m assuming he’s reacting to “Sakura’s” comment about the nice weather, hence my translation.
(2) なんにしても...これからだよ (nan’ni shitemo...korekara da yo) - “At any rate… it’s korekara,” where korekara (literally “after this”) refers to the time period from this moment on into the future. I often translate it as “from now on” or “from here on out.” But in this verb-free sentence, I wasn’t really sure what to do with it. I took a not-very-confident stab at it. Other opinions are, as always, welcomed and encouraged.
--------
And the Koku Arc is complete! *throws confetti* Well, one version of it anyway. Our next few (read: several) posts will backtrack to the beginning of the Koku Arc and take you through what happens when you pick individual seishi (Tasuki and Chichiri, specifically). The differences here are far more dramatic than any AUs we've handled previously, so hold onto your kasas, gang!
I will absolutely be posting next weekend, because I'm a Responsible Blogger On A Schedule, now, but I'm hoping I'll actually be able to do some bi-weekly posts for a bit here. So fingers crossed I'll be back around Wednesday with some seishi shenanigans to brighten your humpdays.
Cheers,
Dee ~_^
Three posts in a week! Who knew being done with grad school would make me so dang productive?
--------
==screen goes black==
I was falling unconscious.
...I could die here...
In a place like this...
...Aah.
...Maybe there’s nothing I can do.
Maybe it was a miracle I got this far in the first place.
Tamahome: Don’t you dare die, [Your Name]!!
...I could hear a voice...
That’s right...
My being here has nothing to do with miracles.
I’m here because everyone protected me.
If that’s true, then...
Then maybe I can’t give up.
Maybe I... have got to fight back to the very end.
I’ve got to prove I can be just as strong and determined as the people who’ve protected me!
...I’m not going to drift away in a place like this!
=flashes red=
------.
Tamahome: What the…? She just glowed red.
=flashes red=
Break… all of this...
=flashes red=
Break!
Chichiri: Those are the flames of Suzaku.
Mitsukake: The flames of Suzaku?
Chichiri: It’s a manifestation of Suzaku’s divine protection.
=flashes red=
Break... Damn you, break!!
Tasuki: The ice is startin’ ta crack. This gal’s somethin’ else...
Tasuki: Show ‘em what’cha got, [Your Name]!
=screen goes black=
You: I...
My voice finally broke through a crack in the shattering ice.
You: I’ve got to... keep moving forward!
=flashes white=
*crash*
-!!
You: Huff... huff...
Mitsukake: Are you hurt, [Your Name]?
You: ...I’m all right.
You: Hikitsu-san, Tomite-san, I have to keep moving forward...
You: Please... let us pass!
…
Hikitsu: You were kind enough to allow us to observe your power, Priestess of Suzaku.
Hikitsu: We humbly request that you forgive our many discourtesies.
Tasuki: Oh sure, now ya say it!
You: Stop it, Tasuki.
Tasuki: B-but c’mon! Didn’t he hurt ya!?
You: They were just carrying out their mission. We can’t fault them for that.
Hikitsu: ...I’m pleased to see you are so considerate.
Hikitsu: Tomite. Open the path.
Tomite: Sure... Guess I have to.
=fades to black=
….
The two Genbu warriors walked along ahead of us...
=back to cave=
You: What a... massive door.
Hikitsu: We control this door with our thoughts.
Hikitsu: We have been protecting it for these 200 years.
Hikitsu: And now... we shall open it.
You: ...Please do.
There’s a light... beyond the door...
Hikitsu: We can only take the Priestess of Suzaku past this point.
You: Yes, sir... whatever you say.
Tomite: This way.
There, set upon a high pedestal, lay the Shinzaho.
You: How pretty...
Hikitsu: The Genbu Priestess wore this necklace during the Genbu summoning ceremony.
Hikitsu: The divine power of the beast god, who our priestess called down, inhabits it.
Hikitsu: With this Shinzaho, you shall be able to summon Suzaku.
You: I will take good care of it, sir.
Tomite: ...And now our job’s done. Hikitsu.
Hikitsu: Yes, that’s right.
You: ...Uh... excuse me...?
Hikitsu: We were supposed to protect the Shinzaho. We’re no longer in possession of it.
Hikitsu: Once this door closes, we’ll return to the heavens.
You: Oh... I see.
Tomite: It’s been a long 200 years.
Hikitsu: ...It has.
You: Uh... um...
Hikitsu: What is it?
You: Maybe it goes without saying, but...
You: Thank you very much for protecting the Shinzaho for 200 years.
You: I’m sure the Lady Priestess of Genbu would be pleased.
Tomite: ...Well, I hope you’re right...
Hikitsu: …You are a splendid priestess as well-on equal footing with the Priestess of Genbu.
Tomite: Farewell, Priestess of Suzaku.
=flashes white=
=Hikitsu and Tomite vanish=
You: ...Thank you, so very much.
==black==
….
…...
The others were waiting for me at the entrance to the Shinzaho’s chamber.
You: I’m back, you guys.
Tamahome: What took you so long?
You: Sorry... for making you worry.
Tamahome: I-I wasn’t really worried, it’s just…
[Nuriko: You’re such a liar. Tamahome, you were pacing all over the place. If that’s not nervous then I don’t know what is.
Tamahome: I-It really didn’t matter to me.]
Mitsukake: Did you obtain the Shinzaho?
You: Mm...
When I looked around, everyone was smiling.
You: ...Anyway, let’s go outside.
=Black=
….
…..
=White=
You: Whoa, it’s so briiight.
Of course, daylight always seems brighter when you’ve been in a dark place for a while.
==Scene: Snowy Mountain==
You: Mm-! It’s sure is nice outside.
Tamahome: It managed to clear up. (1)
Mitsukake: Yes, it did.
You: Anyway... We got the Shinzaho from the Hokkan Empire.
You: And it’s all thanks to you guys!
You: Thank you all so very much!
Chiriko: I disagree.
Mitsukake: This is largely because of your hard work.
Nuriko: I’m so proud of you, [Your Name].
You: ...I didn’t really...
You: All I ever do is slow everyone down.
Chichiri: Hahaha, no da~ ♪
You: D-don’t laugh at meee.
Chichiri: You’ve really grown up a lot no da.
Chichiri: Nobody thinks of you as inexperienced, not anymore. You’re not just the priestess in name only no da.
Chichiri: Priestess of Suzaku. We’re all honored to serve you no da.
You: Thank you.
You: ...I feel a little bashful now...
You: At any rate... we’ve still got a ways to go. (2)
Tamahome: Yeah, we do.
=blue sky=
Wait for me, Misaki-chan.
I’ll do everything I can to make sure we can laugh together again!
You: Well, time to resume our journey.
You: Let’s all do our best for a little longer!
Tamahome: Right.
The others all nodded.
--------
Translation Notes (Or, vague Japanese is vague):
(1) どうにかなったな (dounika natta na) - “Somehow it became/turned out this way.” There are a variety of things Tamahome could be talking about here, but I’m assuming he’s reacting to “Sakura’s” comment about the nice weather, hence my translation.
(2) なんにしても...これからだよ (nan’ni shitemo...korekara da yo) - “At any rate… it’s korekara,” where korekara (literally “after this”) refers to the time period from this moment on into the future. I often translate it as “from now on” or “from here on out.” But in this verb-free sentence, I wasn’t really sure what to do with it. I took a not-very-confident stab at it. Other opinions are, as always, welcomed and encouraged.
--------
And the Koku Arc is complete! *throws confetti* Well, one version of it anyway. Our next few (read: several) posts will backtrack to the beginning of the Koku Arc and take you through what happens when you pick individual seishi (Tasuki and Chichiri, specifically). The differences here are far more dramatic than any AUs we've handled previously, so hold onto your kasas, gang!
I will absolutely be posting next weekend, because I'm a Responsible Blogger On A Schedule, now, but I'm hoping I'll actually be able to do some bi-weekly posts for a bit here. So fingers crossed I'll be back around Wednesday with some seishi shenanigans to brighten your humpdays.
Cheers,
Dee ~_^