𝐴𝑙𝑒𝑠𝑠𝑎

Taka: "Yes, Alessa. This is what Shrine Maidens of cursed places like these end up doing..." S.H: "We guard this place. Even if it is where we died? It is our home. We are, at the very least...thankful you can meet with us." (Yes, very grateful... Blessed by Alessa... Special.Special.Special.) Taka smirked a little as more of the spirits of the Hinashiro Grove began revealing themselves to Alessa. Not their full bodies, but barely visible ones. Alessa's acknowledgement was powerful, without them knowing because someone was hearing out these sacrifices? They were becoming "real" again at least. Validated. S.H: "If any humans come here again? Their safety is non-existent in the first place. You must cross through towards the "other shore" first to come here." The other shore?? Taka patted his hand against Alessa's shoulder and whispered what they meant softly. Taka: "The other shore? She means "The Other Side". The afterlife itself. Equinox."

S.H: ("Not imprisoned. We are imprisoning the spirits that are harboring within Hanashiro. Ensuring that this is our safe haven, because no human is allowed to come here...unless they are chosen by a shrine maiden through outside correspondence.") Taka nodded his head and crossed his arms. The margin in which many could come here was astronomically slim. A land only they could really traverse, a human needs Hisan or Taka around to do so. Taka: "They're saving mankind from seeing all the afterlife has to offer. But even then? Spirits slip through the cracks within Twilight.Both within the world of dusk...and the human world, it's what connects the supernatural with humanity to begin with."

S.H: ("..."The original?") The voices from the other girls who were sacrificed quietly calmed down for a moment, almost as if Alessa's story caught everyone except Taka off guard. Taka: "Right. This girl isn't far off from what's happened here in a way. It was ritualistic, it was barbaric, it was a mutual disregard of one's life for someone else's gain. One was to appease spirits...the other? Well...I'm sure you girls can figure out the rest on why "Alessa" is important." S.H: ("Important...yes. This means you are the "Chosen One" of Silent Hill. What a wonderful title.") The voices in the background murmured their approval, even. ("Yes, Chosen One... Marked one... The Shrine Maiden of Silent Hill... Chosenone...chosenone...chosenone.") Slowly, the unforeseeable spirits from the grove began to lightly clap their hands in a rhythm and chanted the name "Chosen One" as if honoring a sister that may have been born from a different mother, but somehow knew..."their pain". They are simply showing their respects for Alessa's own. Taka: "Hmm-Hmm...~ Looks like you made some new friends here, Alessa. Isn't this nice?" S.H: "Friendship. Is this one aspect of your magic, Taka?" Taka: "It's a large basis of it...yes. I live and exist...for moments like these."

S.H: "(No. If you listen amongst the wind...you can hear the countless other shrine maidens that have been sacrificed for the "real" Hinashiro.") Soft murmurs were actually in the distance. In the past? They wanted Mika Kishii, the girl who was supposed to be "The last sacrifice" to die here with them. ...Instead? It was "Hisan" who had done so, Taka's supposed past self. The voices reflected their confusion with this in mind... ("...Hisan...is Taka...?? Alessa...Alessa... Isn't "Silent Hill" in Maine...? Hisan...Taka...Alessa... Sacrifices?Sacrifices??") S.H: ("...Do not mind them, dear child. You see...The Hinashiro Grove was buried over. They did this to try and have future generations forget about what they have done to "us" here. Kill us. Just to appease the spirits that are feared notoriously in Japan. In America...such superstition is called "Insane", is it not? They once used dolls...but this became not good enough for their beliefs.") Taka: "...You can bury the grove, but you can't bury their suffering...Chisato Itsushima, Twilight Syndrome: Investigation, 1996." S.H: "Mika-chan...I miss her dearly. I loved her, she was still living. Not dead. I am thankful she is happier with her friends, Hisan. Thank you for always spreading our story to others. The other maidens here have not been so angry lately...they have validation.") Taka found himself quoting past remarks made here like they were Bible verses almost. But it painted just enough of a picture, didn't it? Taka: "Hmm-hmm...please, call me "Taka"." S.H: ("Very well. Alessa and...Taka.") If Sakura could smile? ...She would. But being a shrine maiden means usually being restricted from many things. To conceal. To, perhaps...permanently repent.

S.H: "......" A moment of eerie silence passed. Regardless of how far or close Alessa was, S.H was stiff in place like a statue. Her lips didn't even move, in fact...it was like she was speaking into each of their minds instead. She spoke in a dreamlike but also somehow emotionless tone. S.H: "Sakura. You may call me..."Sakura". It has been a long time since anyone else has arrived here. This is...strange." Taka: "As you can see? This place ...is actually something of a "Memory" like Silent Hill could loosely be perceived to be by some." S.H: "...? Is that where you are from, young one? I have never heard of this place."

Taka: "You're about to find out, Little one." Ppphhwwwooooossssshhhhhh... A hollow wind carried them towards "Somewhere else". They were surrounded by a forest, along with somewhat eerily familiar fog. There was a single woman who stood. She wore a schoolgirl outfit, and once she spoke? Her voice echoed around the hollow Hinashiro Grove. S.H: "Good evening. I remember only one of you here...your presence has grown much stronger, "Last sacrifice"." Taka: "Sorry to break the illusion, but I am Hisan from 5000 years into the future. It's natural I would have this kind of..."Aura"? Hehe." Slowly...he let go of Alessa hand, but instead? He placed his hand on her shoulder. "This is a tourist of ours. Her name is "Alessa", she's..."American"." S.H: "American? ........... Good evening, "American Alessa". Welcome to the Hanashiro Grove. I am "S.H". ...I was sacrificed to appease the spirits beyond. I am a shrine maiden. One of many Hinashiro shrine maidens."

Clap!! A hollow echo met the quiet space around them while Taka clapped his gloved hands together. "Very well." Slowly...Taka reached a hand out towards Alessa. "I have a good idea of a potential "friend" for you that'll give you insight on how other towns work."

"Atleast it helps clearing my head" he shrugged his shoulders

Taka: "...You can't while you're alone, at least. And if I told you I can temporarily suspend the confines of your world while you explore some of these places we've been talking about, would that be enticing?"

Thank you, I will keep that in mind for a spring visit.

That's admirable. I wouldn't mind seeing him in action one day.

Doesn't he have bugs that can take care of that?