Chapter 38 - Rokiahi

Rokiahi
Nishinomiya-Kita High School was quiet that Sunday morning, devoid of any students and staff. Rokiahi was alone in the library, taking a look around. She had been warned to stay away from the windows, for security and safety reasons. Once she walked to the computer desks, she decided to sit down at one, to chase up a hunch of hers. Turning on the computer and the monitor, Rokiahi started the Mozilla Firefox internet browser. The browser loaded up a window, reloading tabs that the previous user had left behind. The tab that was focused was a website Rokiahi recognised immediately.

"deviantART..." she whispered to herself. Her creator was a regular on the art website. While she was intending to start her search using a search engine, deviantART was a site she had in mind to check. Upon scanning through many userpages and journals, she noted that all topics discussing the reformation of the three kingdoms were very recent, within the past three hours, and that public opinion was skewed very much towards supporting Gensokyo. Searching deviations, one particular one grabbed her attention.

The Three Kingdoms: Chapter 0

Rokiahi glared her eyes in intensive thought. She clicked it and was greeted with a story chapter, accurately describing what had happened on Doomsday, December 21 2012. While not initially surprising, she scrolled down to look at the submission date.

October 8, 2010

Rokiahi froze for a moment. She then scrolled down further to the description to find a chapter archive link. On clicking it, a list of chapters loaded, far too many to read all at once. With a worried drop of sweat roll down her face, Rokiahi began at the beginning of the archive and scanning the preview icons, one by one, each successfully telling the events of Doomsday's First Anniversary.

But then one chapter caught her eye.

TTK 38: Rokiahi

"Whose side are you on, White?" asked Rulia as they paced the school corridor. Chamber, Void and Sora were patrolling elsewhere.

"I can't help but be on Haruhi's side for this one," replied an irritated White.

Rulia paused before speaking again, "I'm sorry but is my talking annoying you?"

White smiled apologetically at Rulia, "Oh, not at all," she dismissed with with a friendly air, "Your presence is very calming. I'm just annoyed at recent events that have transpired lately."

"I was asleep when it happened," noted Rulia, hinting for more detail.

White sighed in disappointment, Rulia hoping it wasn't directed at her, "Ever since the end of The First Year, even though the three kingdoms had been officially dissolved, they still held meetings in my castle, essentially a neutral host, to ensure stability between the three. But this morning, it broke down so quickly. All that work for nothing."

"Is there any chance of fixing this relationship?"

"Gensokyo's not open to diplomacy. There is little we can do but prepare."

"... What's happened to The Humour Society?"

"Shrunk. Many joined Gensokyo."

"What about Sora?"

"She remains a member but given she's the lone member that's part of Yamaha, she will have differing opinions with all other members of the Society. She will most likely leave at some point."

"The Barriers do very little to prevent Gensokyo's grasp on the world," explained Sora, "No doubt you've seen people with yellow eyes in territory that is on this side of The Hakurei Barrier. And even then, Gensokyo know ways to pass through the Hakurei Barrier and the Sonic Barrier without breaking them."

"Do you know the cause of this yellow eye syndrome?" Chamber asked, as they, along with Void, patrolled the roof of the building, "I'm worried for my friends."

"No," answered Sora, looking over the railing, "Our first impression was that Sasaki was controlling them but then there would be no reason to turn their eyes yellow, making them so easy to notice. And also, The Barriers would stop her control. It seems to be an infection of some kind."

"Are there mind control viruses out there?" suggested Void.

"There are. But that would mean the mind controller is in our territory. Other possibilities include a sympathy virus, making people sympathetic to the Gensokyo cause or maybe something that forces yellow eyes due to The Convenience Theory that Sasaki cannot prevent. Nevertheless, if mind control is involved, we want to keep Rokiahi safe. She and Naluri are completely immune to mind control and may be our final trump card."

"What, you want Rokiahi to support North High and Yamaha?" noted Chamber, sounding a little annoyed.

"No, we have told the four of you the facts. It is up to you to pick a side," Sora turned to Chamber, "Have you picked one yet?"

"I'm on North High's side at the moment. Their ideology was very effective last year."

"Only when Haruhi and Sasaki agree," reminded Sora, "Then this happens," referring to the current world state.

"You mentioned that Gensokyo could go through the Barriers?" commented Void, with concern.

"Gensokyo have made use of a liquid form of the Hakurei Barrier, something they and Sasaki used to great effect last year."

"Sasaki can use it?"

"So can Haruhi but we don't want to spark a conflict already."

"How likely is a conflict?" inquired Chamber.

There was a sudden flash of white light from the north, the three turning to see the northern White Noise of the Sonic Barrier shatter, revealing a spacecraft, the Luxiole, fly unhindered through the Barrier due to its multicoloured liquid Hakurei Barrier coating. The ship fired several shells, smashing many of the tall Sonic Amps below it. The Hakurei Barrier beyond the Amps disappeared. Gensokyo had opened their borders. And forced North High and Yamaha to open theirs.

Sora wasted no time, "Chamber, get Rokiahi! Now!"

Rokiahi's jaw hung open in shock as she read further down the page. Upon reading the previous statement, she shut her mouth. She glanced at the published date for the chapter.

August 13, 2011

It was December 21st 2014 that morning. How could a text written in the past successfully state what was going on? And successfully state what she was thinking?

Rokiahi, that is because you are not free. You will always be bound by fate, your actions will be decided by others before you do them.

You are not free.

You have no future. Admit it.

Your 'friends' have no future. Because of you.

It is the truth. Tell them you'll abandon them before it's too late.

But...

You cannot be true to others if you are not true to yourself.

Look behind you.

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