HORIZON

[sakaya]

THE WANDERING SEA

One wouldn't think that the Horizon of a Japanese oni would begin with the confines of a high-tech facility. The walls hum with some unknown energy, but whatever this room's purpose was, it lays dormant, never to be used for the limits cannot be pushed beyond the owner's means. It's just a memory, after all, one she fancies and thinks of as a good start as any.

The walls are sterile white and steel. All modern and straight edges. Most of the automatic sliding doors are locked, but they don't particularly lead to anywhere interesting for the time being.

There is at least a cafeteria with a large and well-stocked kitchen, high-quality culinary arts tools, and vending machines, clearly made for groups of people to enjoy. What is this, an office setting?

There is another door that will open automatically, leading to a lonesome-looking bedroom. It's made to lounge about and just rest. It's a peaceful place to hang out and chat before having to leave and face what's out there.

FAMILIAR GROUND

In fact, if you do go outside... A beautiful landscape akin to ancient Japan lays before the eyes. The sky is blue, the breeze fresh, and the cherry blossom trees are in full bloom. This scenery is especially beautiful at night when the visage of the full moon appears.

Not too far away is a seemingly peaceful bamboo grove. Linger too long though and you'll see the large outline of a Nue. Watch out, they hit hard. But it shouldn't take you too long to get through the grove relatively unscathed. It's worth the risk because in the imaginary distance...

DEVILS OUT, HAPPINESS COME IN

... A huge pagoda-style tower takes up most of the Horizon. While the other locations feel spacious, the reality is that this is the main fixture. It is a daunting structure and the very top of the tower can barely be made out, hidden among the imaginary clouds. Step inside and the scent of extremely strong sake hits the nose. But keep going, dear visitor and see how long you can endure the Oni Pagoda Festival.

Each floor is near identical in layout, though some may be lavishly decorated with treasures and art, others set up to be a banquet hall with food and drink, or some are barren and simple. Serene even. That is, until a Chimera stands between you and your upward trajectory. Even worse, are the Tsuchigumo (CW: Basically huge spider) monsters who are particularly tough to handle without some help. Thankfully, like the demons found outside in the open land, they can be taken down eventually, leaving you free to keep climbing ever onwards. Be careful though! Due to the liquor haze that envelopes the tower, fight too long and you'll find end up tiring yourself out faster than usual.

In order to recover from the alcoholic fatigue before making your way through the tower, there are hot springs on every other floor! Neat! You'll need to soak for at least an hour so why not just have some snacks and a drink (yes) to energize yourself before continuing your never ending tower crawl? (The rest of the tower is in progress and you may want to cut your losses at some point and just throw back and keep Shuten-Douji company).

CODE BY MARWOOD