Crimson Butterfly
A Fatal Frame Fanfiction
By Chendzee'a Li
All characters belong to Tecmo.
Chapter 1
Crimson Butterfly
"Didn't we always promise each other; that we'd always be to together…?"
"Mayu…!"
I remember calling you."Mayu… Mayu…!"
I was so worried…"Mayu…I'm sorry
…I'm sorry!" You forgave me."I'm sorry…" Mio frowned at the memory and sighed. Gentle hands settled onto her shoulders causing her to look up from where she sat. The smiling face of her sister greeted her with warm eyes.
"We used to play here all the time…." Mayu Amakura noted smilingly, as a spring breeze ruffled her short black hair. "Mio, do you remember?"
"Yeah…" Mio responded solemnly, turning back around. Noting her sister's frown Mayu sat down carefully. Back to back the two rested against each other comfortably lost in thought. Identical twins, the girls at first seemed alike enough, but upon closer inspection their differences were apparent. Mio, technically the younger of the two was outgoing and quick to respond when addressed. Like her sister, she shared a fondness for the outdoors. Cheerful and outgoing she was fit and trim with a quaint tan and a vibrant style befitting a young woman her age. Mayu however was reserved and soft spoken. Frail of health due to a childhood injury she rarely got out as much as she'd liked and that left her fairly pale and slight. Passive in personality she considered herself the lesser of the two, something that irked Mio to no end.
It was a warm and nice outside, and both girls were dressed fittingly for such a lovely day. Dressed in vaguely similar attire that was alike and different at the same time. Mayu wore a simple but flattering sundress that fell to just above her knees. Colored crimson, it was nicely contrasted by short black sleeves and neckline. Mio meanwhile wore an ivory colored skirt with black stockings topped off by a comfortable red blouse with white trim and tastefully plunging neckline.
Staring quietly into the stream flowing inches from her feet Mayu sighed softly.
"To think… all of this will be gone soon." She said with an obvious sadness in her voice. She was referring to a government plan to dam the nearby river and soon the entire valley would be under hundreds of feet of water.
Oblivious to her comments, Mio nodded absently then turned her head slightly to address her.
"How's your leg? Does it hurt?"
Mayu smiled slightly, Mio was always protective of her. Gingerly she inspected the athletic bandage wrapped firmly around her knee. As usual, it throbbed though now it did so somewhat more than usual, their little hike had taken its toll.
"It hurts a little, but I'm ok." She answered somewhat hesitantly, she knew her sister was upset. Coming back here had brought back too many bad memories.
"Mio…?" Mayu started, wanting to offer some words of comfort.
"Yes?" Mio responded with a bit a dread in her voice.
Mayu frowned inwardly, even after all this time it was apparent she'd never forgiven herself.
"N… Never mind..." She finally answered, not wishing to bring it up. It was too late and Mio's mind hand long since wandered back to a fateful afternoon.
It was several years ago when it happened. Mio recalled with horrifying clarity.
"We were so young…." She thought.
The sound of leaves crunching underfoot signaled their approach. It was late in the afternoon, all those years ago. Two young girls rushing through the forest trail along the edge of a small ravine. It was late in the day and Mio wanted desperately to get home, it was Saturday and mother was making cookies.
"Come on! Come on." She teased laughingly as Mayu struggled to keep up.
"Mio wait…!" Mayu cried out pitifully.
"Hurry up." Mio taunted.
"Wait! Please don't leave me!" Mayu cried out fretfully, staggering along until her ankle twisted on some loose gravel. The sound of rockslide followed by a scream caused Mio to pause. Turning quickly she saw only a cloud of dust floating lazily in the air where Mayu had been.
Rushing towards the edge of the ravine, she called her sister's name.
"Mayu? Mayu!"
Mio winced at the memory. A feeling of familiar guilt washed over her forcing her to speak.
"Mayu…about that time…. Back then…." She muttered quietly then paused with a start; she was alone. "Mayu?" She called, rising to her feet. Looking around worriedly she breathed a sigh of relief when she finally spotted her. Standing a few feet away amid the underbrush Mayu stared curiously into the depths of the forest. A butterfly was flitted lazily before her. It was strange little insect, brightly colored and seemingly aglow. Fluttering in small circles the butterfly suddenly began drifting deeper into the forest.
Mio watched quietly a moment until Mayu began to hobble quickly after it.
"Huh?" Mio blinked in surprise, ever since the accident Mayu was unable to run and was forced to walk with a slight limp. So, understandably, it was startling to see her rush so.
"Mayu, where are you going?" Mio exclaimed, worried that she'd hurt herself. There was no answer. Concerned, she promptly gave chase.
Mayu had moved far ahead, hurriedly limping through the underbrush as if possessed. Before her floated the butterfly, leading her ever onwards and deeper into the woods. Mio knew something was amiss.
"Mayu, wait!" Mio called again, loosing sight of her. As she ran she only barely noted a small statue nestled amongst the fallen leaves and debris. Then everything went dark.
Seemingly out of nowhere a foul wind kicked up and the sky darkened as ominous clouds blocked out the sun. The trees, once bright and green grew dark and gray and the entire world seemed to loose it's color. The effect was disorienting and Mio staggered dizzily. In her confusion she saw Mayu and the butterfly. Snapping back to her senses she ignored the bizarre darkness and gave chase once more. Quickly she closed closer only to pause again as Mayu faded from view and was replaced with a vaporous girl in a white kimono. Mio nearly fell backwards in fright but as quickly as vision came, it vanished and Mayu appeared once more. Startled to action Mio lunged.
"No! Stop wait!" She shouted, grabbing for her shoulder. Just as her hand reached her, Mayu vanished once more and Mio found herself touching the shoulder of the stranger. Upon contact there was an almost electrical shock that sent her reeling. With a howl, a violent imaged flashed in her mind. Mayu gasping for breath as hands closed tightly around her throat.
The visions ceased and Mio stumbled backwards in shock only to find herself alone in a small clearing. Her thoughts went to her sister and she panicked.
"Mayu!" She cried out in dismay. Looking around feverishly. Spotting a trail leading up a nearby hill she hurried up it. The sky was dark with moody gray clouds while the moon peered down from the sky like the pale eye of a dead god. The wind moaned through the depths of the woods mingling with the chirps of crickets and sounds of other evening insects. It was overwhelming and Mio looked around in confusion as she ran.
"Mayu!" She called again, hurrying up the trail, her eyes searched longingly for any sign of her sister. Nothing, not a sign and dread began to fill her heart. As she pushed forward she noticed the light of a several fires atop the hill and was pushed forward hopefully. The hope was short lived as she began to hear a strange frightening singing. The sound was chilling, something akin to a funeral chant.
"Mayu!?" She called again as she crested the hilltop.
She could hear a voice, detached, otherworldly.
"I'm sorry… I'm so sorry…" The voice said quietly, it sounded like Mayu. Atop the hill a wooden trail gate loomed and Mio walked under it warily and into a clearing. Suddenly she caught a glimpse of the woman in the white kimono. Hurrying towards her she reached out a hand only to have her vanish once more into the darkness.
Dismayed, Mio paused to catch her breath and take in her surroundings. Scattered across the clearing were numerous torches and coal filled braziers. Their light cast the entire hilltop in an eerie red glow. Though that wasn't the most prominent feature of the hill. At the center of the clearing stood a ring of massive stones connected to each other by heavy ropes lined with countless runic scrolls. Nestled at the heart of the ring lay a giant slab of rock, an altar of sorts that gave Mio the chills.
"Where is this…?" She mouthed in awe circling the altar warily. A butterfly flitted across her vision and she turned to follow it and was rewarded. It quickly led her to Mayu who was facing away from her on the other side of the clearing. Thankful to have found her Mio moved forward eagerly.
"Mayu!" She called out. Mayu turned slowly as if in a dream and as she did so the air around her erupted with scores of glowing red butterflies. As quickly as they came, the swarm quickly scattered and vanished into the darkness.
Joyful, Mio hugged her sister tightly and Mayu accepted the embrace quietly.
"Wha?" She mumbled looking around.
"Are you okay?" Mio asked, checking her over.
"I'm okay." Mayu nodded, still looking somewhat confused.
Still worrying over her, Mio seemed oblivious to their surroundings until Mayu pointed to a ledge on the far side of the hill. Below, sheathed in the mists sat an ancient looking village.
"The lost village…" Mayu mouthed quietly.
"What?" Mio frowned, stepping closer to the edge for a better look.
"I heard a story once…" Mayu continued. "About a village that disappeared during a festival. People who got lost in the woods would become trapped there… could this be that place?"
End Chapter 1
To be continued…