Title: The Ghost Left From the Shipwreck Accident
Fandom: Touhou Project
Rating: PG
Length: 1041 words!
Author notes: For the Lost Hour challenge. I opted to write a fic in an hour and wrote this in about 56 minutes. A thousand words is a lot for me, so I'm super glad I wrote this!
Summary: Pre-series. Byakuren travels to the ocean to meet with a benevolent spirit.



There were rumours traveling around about a certain ship Captain. They said that not too long ago, there was a sudden accident and the young captain died with her ship. She came back as a vengeful spirit, making sure that whatever vessel crossed her path would suffer an immediate demise.

But, of course, these were just rumours, and most of the people didn’t believe in them.

There was one woman, however, who did; and very strongly too. Byakuren Hiziri was a monk, and she believed that anyone could be saved. Although she had caused countless deaths of others, Captain Murasa was still no exception. She decided to head out to the ocean, gathering herself a crew and ship.

The people thought she was crazy and begged her not to leave. But Byakuren was determined, and vowed not to return until her task was complete. She and her crew set out that evening.

The atmosphere was calm and her small boat had no trouble making its way onward. Byakuren’s crew were starting to become relaxed, believing that the rumours might have been false after all. But she knew better, she knew that somewhere out there the ghost was waiting for the perfect moment to strike. Byakuren made sure her ship was secured and ready to face whatever was to come as they journeyed further into the ocean.

Hours passed, and the crew was starting to become restless. They tried to convince Byakuren to go back, but she would hear none of it. Once she sets out to do something, she won’t stop until it’s done.

Suddenly a burst of wind pushed against the ship, and two more soon followed after that. She tried to warn everyone to go below deck, but her voice was lost amongst the howling of the wind and the cries of her crew.

Then the waves started. They were small at first, only enough to rock the boat back and forth, but Byakuren could tell their size was increasing. Before she could even react, a large wave crashed onto the ship. She could only watch as some of her shipmates were thrown overboard. She had time to brace herself before the second wave attacked, but it was too powerful and she also plummeted into the ocean

Moments later she resurfaced, coughing up water and grabbing onto a nearby piece of wood. It was small, but it was enough to keep her afloat. After catching her breath she finally had time to look around, surprised at what she saw. Her little ship had been destroyed, and her crew... where was her crew? She quickly turned to look behind, but still she saw nothing. They were all dead; she was the last one remaining.

Somehow she had known that this was going to be their fate, so she decided to accept it. She was sorry that the others had to die, but she knew that she could still complete her task. Her magic had kept her alive, and now her magic was going to help her stop this ghost.

Only minutes had passed, but she felt like she’d been floating there for hours. Murasa destroyed her ship and her crew, but her work still wasn’t done. As long as Byakuren was alive, the ghost wouldn’t move onto the next ship in her way. Byakuren closed her eyes, feeling the girl’s presence nearby; and sure enough Captain Murasa soon appeared before her.

“Huh. I didn’t think you’d be this hard to kill. Oh well, I love a challenge.”

Byakuren said nothing, keeping her eyes closed and mentally preparing herself for what was going to happen next.

Murasa laughed as she summoned another wave directly for Byakuren. The monk took a deep breath right before she hit the water. She slammed into a rock, and finally opened her eyes. The water was murky, but she could see well enough. She didn’t have much time before Murasa realized she still wasn’t dead, so she had to work fast.

She swam deeper and deeper into the ocean, almost reaching the bottom. She had to move quickly, but this time luck was on her side and she found what she was looking for. It was a ship, wrecked and worn, but to her it was perfect. She cast a few spells over it until the vessel was as good as new. She used a bit more magic to raise the ship back up to the surface.

Byakuren swam over to the deck, grabbing the wheel before the ship hit the air. She was smiling softly as the ship became fully horizontal again. Murasa could only stare in shock.

“You’re still alive? But how can this be! I... what is this?” She glared at the monk, but Byakuren’s expression did not change.

“Murasa!” she exclaimed, stepping to the side of the ship and looking the ghost in the eye. “I don’t want us to be enemies, but most of all I don’t want you to continue doing this! There is more for you out there, and I can help. I’ve created this ship just for you, and I hope that you’ll join me on my journey back.”

The ghost’s eyes widened. She opened her mouth, but no words would come out. She floated down to the ship and landed next to Byakuren. She stared in awe as she took it all in. The ship was fantastic, no, it was more than fantastic – it was perfect.

“You did this for me? ...Why?”

“I believe you can serve a greater purpose. Just because you’ve died doesn’t mean your afterlife has to be this. All you need to do is come with me.”

She looked over at Byakuren sadly. She hung her head and closed her eyes. “Even after all I did, you still want to help me?”

“Of course I do.”

Murasa opened her eyes. She gave Byakuren a smirk as she nodded at the monk. “All right, I’ll join you. After all, this great ship can’t just go to anybody!” She ran over to the control room and started it up. “Come on navigator, let’s get going!” She waved for Byakuren to follow her over.

Byakuren smiled. Anyone can be saved if they really want to.