/jp/ - Otaku Culture

I lurched to my feet, staggering off the bed. I couldn't breathe. It was like I'd spent the last several hours sprinting for my life. My vision was darkened and I couldn't hear much, but I staggered against the wall and pressed my head against it. I felt sick - I needed air, just-just open space. I needed - I felt a hand on my shoulder and I lashed out, falling to my knee. I was in the forest. Lost deep, deep within, with something stalking me. I couldn't escape it.

I blindly felt for the door and threw it open. I think Yamame was behind me. The youkai. The - The spider. I stumbled forward, my front tipping over a chair. I half ran, half fell at the front door, I needed to leave, right now. My head was throbbing, like a great lightning bolt had shot straight into it. I'd bit my tongue, and I could feel the tangy, metallic taste in my mouth. I felt Yamame grab hold of me in a bearhug, keeping my arms from lashing out. "I'm taking you outside, okay?" I moaned something incoherent, but I couldn't find the strength to escape. I felt like I was moving. "You're going to be okay." She told me, but I was terrified, and some primal part of my brain was screaming at me that I was going to die. "It's all in your mind!" Yamame said. I couldn't believe her, not when I could feel the pounding of my heart all the way in my fingertips and toes.

Then, I could see light, and suddenly we were in open air, and I felt myself collapse against the side of the cave. Now that I could feel the fresh air, I felt like my heart was starting to calm. I took in several gasps of air, and my vision began to return to me. I was at the cave entrance, and the storm that I'd been watching had finally come. It was still just at the edges, so while it was raining, it wasn't pouring quite yet. Yamame was in front of me, and she crouched down to look at my face closely. I tried to say that I was sorry. "Don't, please. It's okay. I do understand." I could barely stand. "We'll both try our bests, right?" I think I managed to nod. "Just wait there. I'm going to find someone who can take you to the Shrine." I don't know how long I was waiting, but I do remember feeling someone pick me up. I could just about make out raven hair, and I was sure that they were very tall. My vision was fading again, and I saw the vague blob of yellow that must have been Yamame. "It's hard." She said to me. "But you're strong for a human. I'll change my diet. And hopefully we'll both be ready to try again the next time."

I tried to nod, but my muscles didn't seem to be obeying me. Then, I felt the person carrying me take to the air. I could only vaguely make out some blurry reds, greens, and whites. I think they had a cape. Unfortunately, I was still soaked through and shivering when she arrived at the Shrine, and the last thing I remembered was seeing the giant orange tube on what could only be Okuu’s right arm.