The Night of the Untethered

A Fatal Frame Side Story

by AltenZeria

Note From Dr. Shinomiya

I am a man of Science. Normally, I am not someone who believes in concepts that are intangible. My belief is simple – if I have not seen its existence, I have no definite way to prove it. I have had my fair share of inexplicable things happening throughout my life, but I learned to shrug them off as mere illusions, or weird happenstance that could be explained one way or the other.

But after what just happened, after losing someone you can never live without – anyone would start asking questions. Suddenly, the illusions do not seem too far off from concrete reality. What once was just a mundane event in our lives suddenly becomes a significant turning point.

And today, just like any other day since that fateful day, I can’t help but crave for answers.

Is that place real?

Is there a way for me to reach it?

There is truly only one way to find out.

- Dr. Daiki Shinomiya

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Night of the Full Moon - September 1982

“Good evening Dr. Shinomiya.” greeted one of the nurses behind the desk as I enter the Cardiology ward, “Ms. Hina Akari is waiting for you in the lobby, should I call her in?”

“Yes please, excellent timing.” I cheerily replied, “Oh, actually can you tell her to go straight to my office upstairs instead? It’s a bit hectic in this ward with the patients and all – we don’t want her feeling panicked.”

“Understood Doc, I’ll let her know.” the nurse nodded as she handed a folder to me, “By the way Doc, here are her files from the last examination. Looks like she’s lucky to have you as her personal doctor.”

“You compliment me too much, but thank you. I’m blessed to have a hardworking staff.” I retorted as I received the folder. I then open it to check the patient’s details while heading towards the main elevator.

Hina Akari. 18 years old. Blood type O+. All vital stats seem to be okay.

She’s an only child, a descendant of a renowned shrine maiden and a historian. Her family has close ties to ours, thanks to my late wife being a good friend of her mother. Her late father was an acquaintance of mine during my younger years, but we really didn’t talk that much, even up to his untimely passing. Our family used to visit the shrine her mother serves in. Since they don’t have a lot of connections from the city, and with my profession and the fact that I have my own humble clinic, I eventually became their family doctor.

Hina carries a gentle air of sophistication and kindness – a striking resemblance to her mother. I can’t say that it is unexpected. After all, she’s next in the lineage of the Akari shrine maidens.

On the outside, she may look pale or thin, but she’s actually a headstrong yet quiet girl – that is until five years ago, when her symptoms started showing.

I received an emergency call from her parents when she suddenly fainted while cleaning the shrine grounds. She arrived at the clinic, still unconscious, but she didn’t look like she had any signs of being sick. I ran a series of examinations and found that her pulse was weak and irregular. Eventually, we found that she had a rare case of Cardiomyopathy – an incurable disease where the heart becomes weak. Unfortunately, in her case, it becomes worse as she ages.

She’s been doing regular trips to our clinic ever since that day so we can keep track of her condition and also to adjust her medication. Thankfully, with that and some home therapy, we’re able to somehow slow down the degradation.

“So far, her condition looks good.” I thought to myself as I closed the patient’s folder.

I reached the door to my office before I even realize it. I went inside and closed the door behind me.

Taking a long sigh, I finally sat down on my chair. Somehow, my desk feels a lot more spacious than usual. On it are the patient’s folder, a syringe, and a framed picture staring right back at me – a stark reminder of a grim memory from two years ago and the culmination of everything I’ve been working on since that day.

I’m so sorry to keep you waiting like this, Marie. I’ve been a terrible father.

The wait is almost over.

Tonight’s ritual will proceed as planned.

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Point of No Return - September 1982

The wooden door creaked as Hina slightly opens it and peeks inside.

I stood up and approached the door, gently fully opening it to reveal Hina standing in wait. Even after five years, she still gets easily startled when I invite her to come in.

“H-h-hi Sir Shinomiya.” she greeted.

“Hi Hina, Welcome back.” I told her in a mild tone while pointing at the patient’s chair, “Come in and feel free to sit over there.”

She looked around, stepped inside, and finally sat on the chair in front of my desk, resting her arms on her lap. She keeps looking around the room, taking a few glances at me from time to time.

I close the door, sneakily locking it this time, before sitting back on my chair.

“Umm... Doc Shinomiya, if you don’t mind me asking, are you well?” Hina asked, “I couldn’t help but notice that you look a little pale than usual.”

I didn’t expect her to show concern for me and my chest tightens at the way she innocently asked me that question. I collected my composure before speaking.

“Oh, don’t worry about me, I’m good. I just had a busy day at work.” I replied, “Anyway, you’re the patient, so how are you doing?”

Hina giggles at my response.

“I’m alright, thanks to you Doc.” she answered, “I rarely feel sluggish, unlike how it was three or four years ago.”

“Then hey, that’s good to hear.” I applauded, “Give yourself some credit though, the routine only works thanks to your own effort and diligence.”

She shies away at my praise and kept quiet. I take the chance to open her folder to begin the actual consultation. I skim through her vital statistics and test results.

“So, it looks like your heart rate is reaching normal levels much more consistently now. That’s a good sign.” I explain, “You haven’t had any fainting episodes for more than a year now, so we can say for sure that your assigned routine is working.”

Hina’s eyes sparkle at the thought – she looks calmer when she first came in. I get a tinge of jealousy, seeing how hopeful she is with just one report from me seeming like a chance to escape her condition. She’s fully aware that it is incurable, yet she never stopped fighting for every passing minute of her life.

Knowing that, I felt tongue-tied. I feel like I need to back out from my plans.

I take a long look at the picture on my desk, reminding myself of my goals and every event that I set in motion in the first place. Before the overwhelming regret settles in, I continued the consultation.

“Based on your ECG and x-ray results, your condition is still progressing.” I continue explaining, “From your previous records though, the rate is very slow.

I then pick up the syringe from my table.

“I do have to administer a shot though. You’re going to need this regularly from now on” I said.

“A shot?” Hina asked with a curious look on her eyes.

“Yep, we need to inject this to your bloodstream.” I replied, raising the syringe filled with a clear liquid, “It’s a supplement – it will help regulate your heartbeat and stabilize it just near the normal levels.”

“Oh, I understand now.” Hina whispered, “Umm... but how much would it cost? I have to tell my parents first.”

“You can worry about that later. I’ll make sure to talk to your parents about it.” I answered, “This dose is on me, free of charge.”

“You’re too kind Doc!” she said, “You’ve already done so much for us, for me.”

“Just doing my job as a doctor.” I replied, “You ready?”

Hina nodded in agreement and rolled up the sleeve covering her right shoulder. I then got up and stood next to her, syringe in hand. I leaned down, swabbed her skin with alcohol, and pressed the tip of the syringe against it.

I feel a cold shiver down my spine. Second thoughts start to flood my head and weigh on my back.

Once I administer this, there’s no turning back – not for me and certainly, not for her.

Repressing my hesitation, I pierce her skin, find a vein, and slowly administer every last drop of the concoction in her bloodstream. I feel Hina jolt a bit from the initial puncture and I hear my conscience nagging louder with each passing second.

But I have to do this. I need to do this. This is all for Marie.

After emptying the syringe, I pulled it out and carefully placed it back on the table. I hurriedly covered the puncture with an alcohol soaked cotton and a stick-on bandage. Hina then rolled down her sleeve to cover the little patch up.

“There, that’s done.” I tell Hina.

“Thank you Doc.” said Hina, smiling at me.

In my head, I can hear a countdown clock ticking. There should be enough time time to explain everything to Hina. I go back to my chair, take a deep breath, and start talking.

“Hina, would it be alright if I confide something to you?” I asked.

She looks concerned and puzzled with my sudden shift in tone.

“Actually, before that, I want to show you something.” I said.

I reached under my desk and pressed a well-hidden button. With a small click, the wall behind my chair opened to reveal a cramped, yet well-lit hallway littered with papers old and new.

Hina falls silent, surprised at the revelation of the secret passage.

“I apologize for the surprise, sorry for just showing you this out of nowhere.” I said, “I actually have a museum of sorts where I keep some shrine treasure and occult artifacts – you know, the kind of stuff that your mother works with. I just wanted to show it with you before...”

“Before? Before what?” Hina cuts me off.

“Oh, no, I just meant that I wanted to show the collection to you.” I hurriedly answered, “I don’t know much about things like that, and since you already work in a shrine and all, I thought maybe you could inspect some of it. Maybe even ask your mother about them too.”

Hina pressed her index finger against her cheek and was in thought for a while. She then smiled at me.

“That does sound interesting! Well, I’ve got time.” Hina cheerily answered.

I feel a wave of uncomfortable relief. If she declined, I honestly wouldn’t know what to do.

“That’s great, thank you for allowing me.” I nervously replied, “Follow me – it’s just a long hallway leading up to a room.”

We both get up from our seats, stretch for a bit, and walk through the hallway.

For Hina, this is probably the last time.

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The Mask and the Talisman – September 1982

A few days ago, while I was planning, I convinced myself that Hina at least deserved to know what was going to happen. If this is going to be it, I didn’t want to leave an innocent young girl in the dark. Odd as it may seem, it felt like an escape for me – a way to ease the burden of what’s about to happen.

As we were walking, I noticed that Hina was looking intently at the few mask ornaments hanging on the wall. Now might be the best time.

“Hina, are you familiar with Rougetsu Isle?” I asked.

“Oh, I’ve heard of it from my mother, but we both don’t really know much about it since we haven’t visited the place” she replied, “Why?”

“You see, back when I was younger, I had to visit a certain sanatorium there as part of my studies.” I explained, “Though I went there mainly for medical studies, I got really interested in their traditions and learned more about it than I expected.”

We stop by one of the lines of mask ornaments.

“These designs are actually modeled from some of the masks they authentically make there.” I said while pointing at the masks, “The natives of the island even told me each mask has its own purpose.”

“So these are all replicas?” Hina asked.

“Yes, those are all just replicas.” I replied, “But there’s an authentic one that I think is really special.”

Hina looked at me, curious to know more.

“You see, out of all the masks that I saw there, there is one that was said to make a pathway that connects a person’s body to the afterlife” I added, “They say that if the light of a full moon shines on it, it opens a person’s soul gate through the face. So under the right conditions, a soul can technically go in or out of a body. Amazing, right?”

Hina nodded, but she looks alarmed.

“Hmmm... it is amazing, but it’s also a bit scary Doc.” she replied, “But, let’s say that the story is true, when would they use something like that?”

I laugh nervously at her reaction. For a moment, I forgot that we were talking about the occult.

“I’m not really sure myself.” I answered, “As far as I know, they hold some sort of festival centered around masks and such. I think they called it the Ceremony of Passage?”

“Ceremony of Passage?” Hina asked, confused, “I don’t think I’ve heard that before, even from my mom.”

“From the stories the locals told me, I think they do it to calm lost souls or something?” I replied.

“Oh! So that means the island is haunted!” Hina exclaimed, “Now that’s really scary! But I bet my mom would just exorcise them all, no problem. She scares me more than ghosts do!”

We both laugh heartily at the thought – for me it was fun the same way that it was painful. Marie and I used to share laughs like these. Not hearing her laughter hurts more than I can imagine.

“That’s a really good story though, Doc Shinomiya.” Hina said, “I didn’t know you were interested in things like that.”

I just smiled at her before continuing.

“You know what’s crazy? It’s all actually rooted in their history” I said, “The records are unclear, but they do exist. Even until now, I’m pretty sure there are some old documents about it. At some point, these were not just stories.”

I take another look at the masks, then I suddenly remember the time.

“Let’s get going then.” I said.

As we slowly walked, the silence started getting to me. I start telling Hina another story related to tonight.

“Hina, would you happen to know about the Talisman of the Afterworld?” I asked.

Hina shook her head.

“They say it’s an artifact from the country to the west of Japan. A long piece of paper infused with blessings and curses.” I explained, “From what I read, there used to be an old forgotten village that performed a forbidden ritual using this talisman.”

“A... Forbidden Ritual?” Hina asked. I can see her face fill with worry as I mention those words.

“They say that before the ritual begins, a shrine maiden born of purity receives messages, not just of despair and sadness, but also of hope and well wishes from the village.” I answered, “The talisman is then burned and placed inside a stack of firewood where the shrine maiden lays. In effect, this means burning the shrine maiden alive. They believe that the fire burns away the earthbound body and purifies the soul, allowing her to carry all the village’s message to the other side. The talisman’s effect marks the maiden as a payment to appease their deity and hear their prayers. They call it the Cleansing Flame Ritual.”

Hina stops walking and covered her mouth with her hands. She was visibly disturbed by the story I just shared.

“That’s horrible...” she said, “Why should someone suffer like that for other people?”

Her question stung at me, but I tried my best to repress my emotions.

“Is that story true?” Hina asked.

“That’s what I’m trying to find out.” I answer without much thought.

Hina falls quiet and looks at me in confusion. I lower my head and try to reel back the conversation.

“Oh nothing! I’m sorry, let’s just keep walking.” I said nervously, “We’re almost there.”

After just a few steps in complete silence, we arrive in front of a metallic double door. I press my hand against the metal door and feel its coldness on my palm. Beyond this point is a room that no one else has seen before. I fall completely quiet for a moment and close my eyes, trying to forget any form of regret eating me up from the inside.

Then suddenly, from behind me, I hear Hina try to mumble some words.

“What was that?” I asked.

“Ummm... Doc, I don’t mean to overstep” she said, “But why did you tell me all those stories?”

You deserve to know everything Hina. Everything. At least that’s what I want to believe – that somehow telling you will make everything easier for the both of us.

“Do you still remember Marie?” I asked.

Hina nodded. Her eyes become teary as she remembers my daughter.

“Twelve years ago, she was involved in an incident during our family trip to Rougetsu Isle.” I said in a somber tone, “She went missing for a long time and we didn’t have any clues as to what happened nor did we know where to even begin looking.”

I pause for a bit, piecing together the events from 1970.

“With rigorous police effort, five children, all girls, were found in a cavern underneath the same sanatorium that I visited during my college years. One of them was Marie.” I continued, “It was a clear case of abduction, but the perpetrator was never caught. We immediately went back home here once Marie was returned to us – we’re just glad that she was safe and sound.”

Marie was just so young when it happened. I remember losing lots of sleep because of that. I then recall the picture on my office desk. It was the last photo of her that I took.

“Marie could not remember anything that happened from the moment she was abducted up to the moment that she returned to us.” I continued, “With not much choice left, we just encouraged her to move on from it. Things were going so well too...”

I felt my throat tighten as I remember my late wife.

“Just five years after that incident, my wife died due to cardiac arrest.” I said, “It was a hard time for me and Marie, it took us a long time to move forward.”

Hina tried to hold back, but I can see a tear escape her eye. My wife was fond of Hina, it’s almost as if she was her own daughter.

“For all those years, Marie was my pillar, my world, and my everything.” I continued, “We only had each other, and even though she still had traces of her past trauma, she did her best to comfort me. I wanted to do anything for her in return. I didn’t want her to cry again. I wanted to be the best father I could be.”

I pause for a moment, holding back my own tears from falling.

“But then, just two years ago, Marie suddenly died – there was no explanation, no diagnosis, nothing. Even with all the science in the world, I never figured out what happened,” I said, “She was just gone like a flash of light – her last moment was the worst things I ever saw. She was writhing in pain, holding her face, and screaming. I couldn’t do anything but watch as her face distorted. I could not save her.”

In my head, I can still hear Marie’s piercing shrieks and I can still recall how her warmth faded away while I was hugging her.

“Do you understand how it feels?” I asked, “It felt like the worst joke to me someone could ever do to me. I’m a doctor, I even have my own clinic, and yet I can’t save even one person that I hold dear to my heart. Do you know how much it hurts see the people you love suffer? Do you know how helpless I felt losing my only reason for living?”

I then notice that Hina was getting weaker with each second and was struggling to stay awake.

“Do you still remember the stories I told you earlier?” I asked.

“Y-y-yes...” Hina answered in a weak voice, “But Doc Shinomiya...”

“Those will bring Marie back to me.” I cut her off.

“Bring her back?” asked Hina, “But I thought...”

Hina’s knees collapsed and she slumped on the floor, barely awake.

“I will use the Rougetsu Mask to bring back her soul back from the other side” I told her coldly.

Hina’s hands fall to the floor. Her breathing starts becoming labored and she struggled to speak.

“Doc Shinomiya... help...” she calls out to me, “W-w-what’s happening to me? Please... help me...”

I feel a sick sense of accomplishment as she calls out to me. I feel the weight of my sin become heavier. It’s finally time.

“The medicine I injected to you is a heavy dose of a slow-release full body anesthetic.” I explained, “In just a few more seconds, you will completely collapse. Alive, yet completely unconscious.

I then push the metal doors open, revealing a big chamber and a glass case where Marie’s preserved body lays. My voice shook as I speak my last words to Hina.

Hina, I’m sorry. I’m sorry for everything that I’ve done

Tonight is a night with a full moon.

And you... you are the payment.”

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The Cleansing Flame Ritual – September 1982

I carried Hina’s body, placing her on top of carefully stacked planks of firewood. Marie lays just opposite of Hina, inside a cold glass case that preserves her body. It has kept her from rotting for over two years since she passed away.

In just a few hours, the full moon will reveal itself. I have to complete the preparations.

I opened my study cabinet revealing all the research that I have done. On one of the shelves is where I keep an authentically sculpted Rougetsu Mask, a carefully kept Talisman of the Afterworld, and a Purifying Stone that I stole from Dr. Asou’s museum in Rougetsu Hall. Based on Dr. Asou’s notes, this stone has exorcising properties. I fashioned it into a necklace in case of an emergency.

I opened Marie’s glass case and caressed her cold face before fitting the Rougetsu Mask on her face. I then flick a switch near her case that opens a small window in the ceiling, just enough to let the light of the moon touch the entirety of her mask.

I then went over to Hina. The tears she cried still has not dried, leaving dew drops on her cheeks. She looked very calm, with her arms resting on her chest.

I already forgot the sick feeling that I felt the first time I thought that Hina was the perfect and only candidate for the ritual. Since Marie died, the thought has always been there. She is, after all, a pure maiden, the only one next in line, hailing from a family of renowned shrine servants.

“Hina... If only things turned out different, you and Marie would have been very good friends.” I said to her.

I then place a piece of paper containing my wish on one of her pockets. I’m not asking for much unlike the village in the story. I just want to get back one thing from the other side.

With a flick of a lighter, I light up Talisman of the Afterworld and placed it in the stack of firewood below Hina’s body. It didn’t take long for the wood to catch fire and soon enough, Hina’s body slowly started to catch fire as well.

I flip another switch to open an exhaust that will clear out the smoke from the Cleansing Flame Ritual.

Finally, the full moon peaked and the moonlight flooded the Rougetsu Mask worn by Marie. It then gave off an off an ethereal glow. For the first time in my life, I am witnessing something I could not explain.

After just a few seconds, the light emanating from the Rougetsu Mask suddenly disappeared. I looked at the ceiling switch to makes sure the window is open.

I suddenly feel a strong blast across my whole body.

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The Night of the Untethered – September 1982

The smell of ash and smoke fills my nose, while screams of death and destruction rings in my ears.

I open my eyes to see a familiar brightness. It was only then that I noticed that everything around me was on fire.

I looked around and the first thing I see is Hina, still unconscious. I ran over to her side, felt her pulse, and confirmed that she was still alive, however, something else bothered me. While her clothes are tattered, I don’t see any burns on her body, even those that were clearly already on fire before I lost consciousness. How did that happen? How did she survive that?

I then hear a loud screech, like a sharp chalk grating on a board. When I turned my head, I saw Marie’s body looming over her glass case. The Rougetsu Mask lies on the floor, shattered into pieces. The Purifying Stone that I was wearing suddenly gave off a faint light.

Just as I was ruminating if the ritual was a success, a grotesque ethereal figure suddenly crawled out from behind Marie. Marie herself looks disfigured and her visage is haunting.

This... this is not Marie.

Where? Where did I go wrong?

I recall the conversation I had with Hina earlier...

...is it possible that the deity found a way to Marie’s body?

...is it possible that Hina was not a compatible candidate?

I look at the mask and remember how it provides a path to and from the afterlife. As I was just piecing together the events that took place, I notice Marie... no... the creature, slowly approaching. The Purification Stone glows brighter as the creature moves closer.

With every last ounce of my strength, I took off the necklace and fitted it around Hina’s neck. As I lifted her head, all the pent-up guilt started crushing my conscience.

For more than five years, I was a part of Hina’s life. Her family and my late wife trusted me. And I betrayed that trust only to fail miserably. How wrong I was. How foolish I was.

After everything I did, why is it just now that I realize...

...Hina was already like a daughter to me.

I take one last look at Hina. Though tears from my eyes right now, I already know that it’s too late.

“I’m so sorry for putting you through all of this, Hina.” I tell her, hoping she can hear me. “What I did was unforgivable.”

“Please, please live.”

I was never one to pray or beg, but if anyone is listening... if any god can hear me... please give her a second chance. Take me, just please let Hina live.

A strange warmth filled my body followed by immense pain. It felt as if my soul is being forcefully ripped apart from my body. I face the entity and see it looming directly above me. The Purification Stone glows brighter, yet it does nothing for me now. This is my end.

I move close to Marie and hugged her tight.

Just like any father would do to her precious daughter after not seeing her for a very long time.

I’m so sorry my beloved daughter.

Please forgive me.

I love you.

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The Day After – September 1982

A quick gush of air escaped my lungs as I feel my consciousness return to my body. I open up my eyes to wake up in a hospital bed. I then began to feel extreme fatigue all over my body.

But... what am I doing here?

“Oh you’re up, how are you feeling?” a nurse asked.

“I’m doing... okay.” I answered, still confused, “May I know what happened?”

The nurse gives me a look that seems to say that she’s just as confused as I am. She cleared her throat before replying.

“You were rescued from the Shinomiya Clinic fire yesterday. Do you still remember?” the nurse asked.

“Shinomiya? I... I was rescued? I was there?” I muttered.

I feel a splitting headache while trying to remember what happened yesterday. The nurse held my hand as if to comfort me.

“I’m sorry.” I told the nurse, “I think I need more rest.”

The nurse nodded, left the bottled water she was holding on top of the nightstand, and went on her way to check the other patients.

As I slowly tried to orient myself, I felt something wrapping around my neck. I pull the string to reveal a beautiful, clear, yet cracked stone fashioned to be a necklace. It gave off a faint glow as it was hit by the light from the hospitals fluorescent lighting.

I also felt something rustling inside my pocket. It was a neatly folded piece of paper.

“Bring Marie back to me?” it reads.

Who is Marie?

Where did all these come from?

What happened yesterday?

I can’t... I can’t remember.

I don’t remember anything.