Hello all!

This will be my first Genshin Impact fanfiction story here on ff. I wasn't sure if/when I was going to post this, but a good friend of mine encouraged me to do so in the weeks leading up to Thoma's release date. So that's what I'm gonna do! Posting one chapter a week until the Thoma banner (and yes, its the Thoma banner, not the Hu Tao banner, I will fight you on this) is out. I initially wrote this as a way to encourage myself to get back into writing for my other stories, but it turned into quite the spicy meatball.

So! With introductions out of the way, please enjoy this 3-part story following the before-during-and after of the 100th Vision Hunt Ceremony.
-Ardoa88

(Rated T for swearing and blood- not graphic, but it's there)

P.s. Quick shoutout to Sightress for not only being a great friend by basically forcing me to post this, but for also being an amazing CEO of GEO during my time on deployment

Part 1: The 100th Vision

If it weren't for the severity of the situation, Thoma would be laughing at the irony. After all, had he not just cautioned the Traveller to keep a low profile after the incident in Ritou? He should really learn to listen to his own advice. Then again, he was under the illusion that he was safe, protected with his position as the chief retainer for the heiress of the Kamisato Clan. Lady Ayaka was a prominent figure in Inazuma, practically running the Yashiro Commission in her brother's absence; the Raiden Shogun's forces wouldn't dare try and accost her for fear of retribution from the commission.

Apparently that same protection was not afforded to the likes of him.

Thoma almost scoffs audibly at the thought. How naïve could he possibly be? Ayaka is the Shirasagi Himegimi. He is a nobody: a stranger from a foreign land with no significant titles or impressive bloodlines or… or anything, really.

It was amazing, when he thought about it, that he'd managed to immerse himself as deeply in this isolated society as he has, becoming known as the "Fixer" throughout Ritou and even in a good portion of Inazuma City proper. He was good with people, always had been, and he soon found himself making friends with the locals. He went to Ms. Mio's store whenever Lady Ayaka required a new kimono for a ceremony or Clan-held event. He helped out Old Man Kanbei at the Shimura restaurant that time his head chef fell sick and had to stay home for a week. Aoi would always give him an extra bag of rice whenever he came to pick up the Yashiro Commissions' monthly order of food, a faint blush on her cheek every time he smiled at her with a heartfelt thank you. He and Yukio would laugh over some skewers of tri-colored dango late into the evening, attracting passerby to his small food stall by the lively banter and conversation. Thoma was generally well-liked among the people, and he liked them back just as much, always willing to lend a hand or run the occasional errand with a ready smile.

It came as quite the surprise, then, when five members of the Tenryou Commission forces had cornered him in the market square late that afternoon. He'd only been out to replenish their store of rice and check up on a few matters, promising Lady Ayaka to take the utmost care while he was out, as he always did. Only this time he didn't, and he found himself being carted away to sit in a small, guarded jail cell for almost three hours before they came to bring him out. Thoma was almost ashamed to say it, but he hadn't even put up a fight, allowing them to take him in without causing a scene or making a fuss as other vision holders had done in the past.

He told himself it was because using his flames in such a crowded marketplace would undoubtedly result in collateral damage, people could get hurt if he started a fight. Not only that but it would stain the Kamisato Clan's esteemed name if he was seen openly opposing another commission.

He told himself he was protecting the civilians and his Lady by surrendering peacefully.

His mind whispered back that it was because he was a coward.

Now, being herded towards the southern end of the island by a small group of Shogunate soldiers, he wonders if the distinction really matters at all.

Thoma swallows against the sudden tightness in his throat as he stares up at the unfinished statue of the omnipresent god. Even from this distance the Archons marble likeness easily towers above the rooftops and buildings surrounding it, a looming presence that was supposed to inspire pride, tainted instead with an oppressive aura of foreboding. The dark clouds gathering overhead do nothing to assuage the sentiment as they draw closer.

For a moment, his steps falter, pulling him to a stop as his heart begins to beat a harsh rhythm in his chest. In the next his shoulder is being shoved roughly forward by the guard on his left, prompting his feet to keep moving forward else he fall. Thoma turns his head slightly and levels a glare at the man but the guard's impassionate expression doesn't change. His eyes though… there's something there, something stronger than a simple anger at his resistance. Thoma can't place it quite yet but it sends a shiver down his spine.

They're crossing the bridge now, and Thoma knows that these next two dozen steps will probably be his last chance to try and talk his way out, and yet, for all his claims of being able to arrange deals and compromises where others cannot, he finds himself at a loss. No words come to him, as if he knows, deep down, that there is no escaping what's to come.

Thoma flexes his hands experimentally, feeling the rough hemp bindings cut into his skin, restricting even that small movement; they'd bound him expertly, which wasn't really a surprise seeing as the Shogunate had plenty of experience, doing the same to any others captured in the name of the Vision Hunt Decree. No, the restraint wasn't surprising, what is surprising is that they haven't confiscated his vision yet. Even without looking he can feel it still hanging from his belt, warm even through the padded leather, as if the vision itself is ready and willing to leap to his call, burning away the ropes and all but securing his freedom from the guards flanking him.

As tempting as the thought is, Thoma knows he can't use its power. Doing so would only confirm what the Almighty Shogun was preaching about vision holders, solidifying the need to separate them from their users. She claims they were a danger, a threat to the paradise of eternity she wishes for Inazuma. And Thoma would be damned before he proves her right.

The answer to his unvoiced confusion finally slides into place when he sees the crowd gathered at the base of the unfinished statue. It's a sizeable group, Thoma sees Old Man Kanbei look his way with a sad glaze over his aged eyes. Aoi is wringing her hands together and Yukio is shaking his head, as if he can't believe what he's seeing. And, honestly, neither can Thoma.

This isn't just another vision hunt victim being led to Tenshukaku, this… this is a public execution of the gods will. That's why they haven't taken his vision yet, they want to put on a show. He is going to be made an example of. The realization burns in his chest, and Thoma can't repress a snarl of frustration as more questions arise. Why him? Why now? He had never hid from them before, never tried to secret his vision away like some kind of petty thief afraid of being caught red handed. So why-

It's then that the second realization slaps him across the face, as surely as any fish would jump out of the water to try and free itself from the hook caught in it's mouth. It comes when he sees the looks directed at him from the guards positioned strategically at the perimeter of the platform. Their black looks, like the one aimed at him earlier by his escort, eyes full of rage and disgust and… betrayal.

Usually the guards observe those captured with pity, and perhaps a bit of guilt from the individuals more prone to sympathy towards their fellow countrymen. But the visceral glares he was receiving now were not borne from the same place in their heart. No, it was as if he'd personally wronged each and every one of them.

That's how he knows they know. He didn't know how they found out, or who had told them, but somehow they discovered the Kamisato Clan's connection with the resistance. Which meant that not only was this a ceremony to mark the hundredth vision hunted, and not only was this a public display of the Shogun's absolute power, but it was also a declaration of war against the Kamisato Clan. The message was as clear as if they'd inked it on a banner and hung it from the rafters of Tenshukaku: Lady Ayaka Kamisato is no longer untouchable, no longer exempt from being hunted down for her vision.

But since they can't go after her directly, not without causing an uproar or risking outright rebellion in the heart of Inazuma City (since Lady Ayaka is very popular among the people it meant that many of them would hardly stand idly by while her vision is taken from her), they had to settle for the next best thing: A foreign housekeeper of the Yashiro Commission. A mere retainer of the Kamisato Clan.

Someone no one would dare to risk their neck for, especially against the will of their Almighty Archon.

Despite being born in Mondstadt, Thoma had never really felt like a foreigner in Inazuma. He's lived in the nation of eternity for so many years now that it feels like it's always been his home. But now, with the open stares from everyone in the crowd, the nervous glances that dart between him and the statue, he's never felt more like an outsider.

A part of him idly wonders if Ayaka had heard of what happened. News of his apprehension has certainly spread quickly, what with how publicly the Tenryou Commision had arrested him and the size of the crowd that had since gathered. Maybe she'll come and try to save him. The naïve idea is driven from his mind with a rough shake of his head. Of course not. He knows his Lady would barge into the middle of this ceremony if she could, frost whirling from her blade as she fought to free him. But she can't: She has a duty to uphold and that means she can't risk pitting the Yashiro Commission against the Raiden Shogun so openly.

Still, he hopes she won't be here, watching, forced to observe but unable to interfere. It would be a torture his Lady should not have to endure. Especially not for his sake.

Thoma grunts as he's shoved roughly to the ground, knees slamming onto the wooden panels as he's forced into the penitent position. He breathes heavily as he stares at the parallel grains beneath him, heart racing as it slowly sinks in that- that this is real. It doesn't feel real, it doesn't feel right. Everything about this, from his capture to the vision hunt decree itself, feels like some terrible nightmare, like the ones he used to have as a child whenever thunder would rumble outside his bedroom window. Only he can't seem to wake up from this one. Because this is no dream- a waking nightmare, sure, but one he cannot escape from.

Reality sinks in like a set of teeth tearing into his shoulder: He's about to lose everything.

His vision.

His ambitions.

His… his Lady...

Thunder rumbles overhead and Thoma can't hold back a flinch of fear at the sound. Then he wants to laugh, because as irrational as this all is (it's not the thunder he needs to be afraid of, especially in this moment, it's what comes before) he's glad. Glad that it's him, and not Ayaka. Glad that, however brief it lasted, he was deemed worthy by the Archons, his ambitions strong enough to earn him a vision that burned as bright and fierce as the passion in his heart.

The crowd was murmuring now, words too low for Thoma to hear, but he doesn't care anymore. Let them talk, let the Shogun come for him, for his vision. If he is to be the scapegoat of her twisted ideology then so be it. If he is being allowed to shield his Lady one last time from the horrors of this world, then that will be enough. Thoma raises his head, gaze hardening as he looks up at the statue, lips pressed thin into a steady line.

If he's to fall here he will not do so with his head lowered in submission.

Standing in front of the hooded marble head is the Raiden Shogun herself, her back turned to him as if he matters so little as to not even be worthy of her gaze. It only fuels his rage towards her, pyro vision once again thrumming at his side with an eagerness he hasn't felt since the day he became the official retainer of his Lady, Ayaka Kamisato.

Perhaps she senses this, the rising energy, because when the Shogun turns around her eyes are locked onto his, despite not having watched them arrive. Pearlescent sakura leaves from the nearby trees drift in the space between them, floating aimlessly in the twisting winds and there's a flash of violet lightning in the rolling clouds behind the Almighty Shogun.

Without speaking, she raises a hand in his direction, amethyst light flashing in her open palm, electro sparking at her fingertips. There's a harsh pulse at his side as she closes her hand as if grabbing something, and Thoma's eyes drift down to stare at his vision. It twitches once… twice, electro arcing around the metal holster that's vibrating furiously on the clasp attaching it to his belt. It's resisting, he can feel it somehow, the vision trembling under the overbearing power of the Archon. The third time it breaks, clip snapping as the vision is violently ripped from his belt, tumbling across the space between them, heading straight towards the outstretched arm of the Shogun.

Thoma can't help but lunge instinctively towards it with a wordless cry as it flies away and it's as if someone has stretched this moment out for an eternity. Time seems to slow and he can feel the guards blocking his advance, one with the butt of his spear across his chest, the other by grabbing his shoulder. It's as if everything is blurred in his mind- all he can focus on is the pinprick of crimson light from his glowing vision as it gets further and further away.

His heart beats once, the sound loud in his ears as he wonders how he's supposed to protect Ayaka without his vision. Sure, he's no slacker with a polearm, but there was a difference when fighting with a vision, it had become as much an extension of himself as it was a part of him, who he was, that the thought of going into battle without it tore painfully at his chest; like it was taking a piece of his heart with it. Twice, and now he's wondering if he'll even remember his Lady after this. He knows what happens when people lose their vision, he's seen it. Faced it. Feared it. Ayaka may not be the sole reason he was granted one to begin with, but she had long become a part of his ambitions, his goals. He desperately prayed to the Archons (but not his own, his own was trying to kill him, in a way) that he would still remember Ayaka after all this, that they could still be friends. He idly wonders who he'll be when this is all over. If he'll even be himself, or if he'll become a shell of the man he once was. Three times, and Thoma can swear he's never felt a clash of emotions this strong before; fury, incredulity, anxiety, righteousness, denial, grief, longing, and a host of others he would be hard pressed to name at the moment all warring within him. There's a strong desire to go, to move, to do something- anything but remain a bystander at what is essentially his own execution.

But it was already too late.

There's a flash of violet, so identical to the Archon's element that for a split second Thoma thinks she's used a burst of electro to physically sever the vision in two. But instead he watches as a hand snatches the pyro vision out of the air, a whirl of electro snapping around the Traveller's heels as their leap lands them firmly between Thoma and the Archon. The guards flanking Thoma startled at the sudden interference, taking a hesitant step forward as if torn between rushing the Traveller or remaining at their post guarding him (and the thought makes him want to laugh again because really, he's not much of a threat right now, bound and visionless).

The Traveller stands up from the crouched landing, straight and tall, golden locks whipping in the surging breeze. The pixie that always follows them around pops into existence at their side, hovering a few feet away and casting worried looks between the Traveller and the Electro Archon. Their back was to Thoma so he couldn't see their expression, but he could see the tautness in their shoulders, head lifting defiantly towards the Almighty Shogun as they clenched Thoma's vision in their off hand. A hush falls over the onlookers and there's a different kind of tension in the air now, like that of a thunderstorm threatening to break loose, as if a bolt of lightning was about to snap from the sky and strike the ground the Traveller was standing on.

The Shogun's amethyst eyes narrow down at them, in that singular moment looking a tad confused before her stoic mask returns, gaze flicking up at the guards. Acting on the unspoken order, the Shogunate forces flanking him level their spears and charge forwards towards the Traveller's unprotected back with a wordless cry.

Still on his knees, Thoma takes a desperate- Step? Move? Motion? He doesn't know what to call it, but he knows he can't just sit idly by anymore. He has to protect the Traveller somehow. His wrists strain against his bindings, rope chafing at soft skin, and he inwardly curses how utterly helpless he is in this situation. But he can't just do nothing-

There's a glimmer of golden light as the Traveller summons their sword, and with one single, precise sweep, three arcs of electricity dance outwards, striking the approaching soldiers square in their chest plates. The soldiers are thrown backwards from the sheer force of the attack, polearms flying from their hands- and Thoma has to duck down as one is sent careening over his head to imbed itself into the wood behind him- as they crumple instantly, bodies spasming as the volatile element crackles along their limbs. Thoma's mouth, having initially fallen open to shout a warning, now hung in awe as the Travellers golden eyes locked onto his own jade green ones.

He just has time to think, Th-They're here? They actually came, before the Traveller is dashing towards him with the same speed and urgency they'd used to snatch away the vision.

And somehow… somehow Thoma know's what their intention is and he shifts, turning his bound hands to the side as the Traveller skids to a stop behind him, sword dispelling into flakes of light as their fingers snatch at the ties that restrain him. Paimon had followed, the pixie popping up behind them both with a high pitched cry of "Hurry!" The Traveller barely touches the knot when there's a spark between them, a literal one that sends a spasming shock all the way up Thoma's shoulder and he grunts in pain, feeling more than seeing the Traveller's hands retreat. There's a light clinking noise as Thomas vision is jolted from the Travellers grip, skittering a few feet towards the edge of the stage, but as much as Thoma wants to grab at it (how, he doesn't have the faintest idea, he just knows he wants it back) he turns instead to face the real threat still standing on the upper riser.

The Raiden Shogun's impassive mask has broken, face displaying true emotion that lands somewhere between rage and disdain, eyes flashing dangerously as she steps forward, foot hovering in the open air before a platform of electro forms beneath her sandal.

"Capable of using elemental energy without a vision." She says, and her voice is as immovable as her will as she descends on sparking purple platforms, dark hair whipping about her face in the strengthening storm winds. "You are an exception, it appears."

The Traveller turns fully to face her, silently stepping in front of Thoma and slipping easily into a ready stance, feet slightly apart, one arm outstretched in a protective manner while the other is braced out in front of them. It strikes Thoma then that their roles should be reversed. He's so accustomed to protecting others that it feels strange to be the one now needing protection.

By the time the Electro Achon reaches the lower level where they are, her mask is firmly back in place. "Exceptions…" the Shogun says, and the air is fraught with the smell of ozone as electric bolts snap and crackle around her. "The enemy of eternity."

The Shogun raises her hands on either side, and the very air itself seems to take up a static charge, electro fizzing around them as she brings them together, igniting a ball of energy above her chest. A ring of electro, identical to the display carved on every Statue of the Seven in Inazuma, sparks into existence behind her as lightning strikes out at the ground sporadically. People in the crowd cry out as some of the bolts shatter crates and barrels near them, and despite the looks they had sent his way earlier, Thoma feels an instinctive need to shield them from the Archon's wrath.

But he can't move.

He doesn't know if it's fear, or awe, or cowardice that holds him to the ground, still kneeling at the feet of the Traveller.

A wave of force blasts out from the Archon, and Thoma and the Traveller are blown back a few feet. Thoma turns his head away at the burst of light that accompanies it but he's still momentarily blinded, blinking away white spots in his vision when he looks back up. The Traveller had shielded their eyes as well, but as the light recedes, they lower their arms, stepping forwards and summoning their steel blade with a golden glimmer of light, braving the arcing electro that still swirls around the Shogun without hesitation.

There's no sound but the snapping and crackling of the Archons element and the whirl of the winds as she reaches up, slowly withdrawing a blade from the thrumming ball of energy at her chest. She holds the sword high, the weapon glowing with an unearthly purple light, as if the Archons element is infused within the blade itself, electro dancing along its edge and across the hilt.

"You will be inlaid upon this statue." She says, and her voice echoes loudly, sounding… different. It's barely discernible, but Thoma hears it as clearly as he sees the hardest determination in the Travellers posture. He hears the slight tremor of uncertainty in her voice. There's an aura in the air, an unwillingness to concede; though he's not sure if that's coming from the Archon herself, or from the Traveller who so boldly defies her.

Before he can make a decision, the Shogun sweeps her sword horizontally across her body. The physical strike itself presents no danger, as the distance between the Archon and the Traveller is too great, however Thoma can feel a swell of gathering energy as the space behind the Shogun distorts. Cracks of violet sever the air around the Archon, fracturing like shards of a broken mirror and warping the space around her before a darkness deeper than the blackest folds of any stormcloud rush forth.

Thoma surges to his feet as the darkness rushes in, realizing that the Shogun was aiming to cut the Traveller off, secluding them for an uninterrupted duel in her personal domain. The Traveller seems to come to the same conclusion mere seconds later, gasping aloud and quickly turning to dash towards the edge of the rapidly closing dome. They stretch out their hand with a shout, and Thoma sees the flash of fear and surprise in those wide, golden eyes before-

The dome seals itself.

He's only just gotten off his knees after all that time but Thoma distantly feels them reconnect with the ground again as his legs give out beneath him. The pixie is hovering besides him, making worried noises and flitting about but Thoma can hardly hear her past the deafening ringing in his ears. He stares at the empty space in front of him blankly, thoughts simultaneously rushing a mile a minute and skidding to a complete standstill.

He- This… this is all his fault. Everything, from making himself a target with the Ritou incident, to suggesting to his Lady that they recruit the legendary Traveller when rumors reached him that they were planning on coming to Inazuma next. And now- because of him and his foolish mistakes- the Traveller is going to… is probably already-

His heart is racing again, apprehension making each breath shallow and ragged as precious seconds pass by. But this time, unlike before, he isn't worried for himself.

Thoma knows about the duels before the throne of Tenshukaku, knows that any who challenge the Almighty Shogun for the right to retain their vision are struck down with a single, devastating blow. They could hardly be called duels at that point, and after a half-dozen challenges ended in crushing defeat, nearly all vision holders had stopped trying, choosing instead to go into hiding, secluding themselves on uninhabited islands, or joining with the resistance forces on Watatsumi. No one had dared to climb the marble steps of the Archon's palace in months, knowing full well the outcome of such a futile endeavor.

Until half a year ago. When one lone soul dared to brave the lightning's glow.

Thoma hadn't been there when Tomo challenged the Shogun. Hadn't seen, as Kazuha had, his friend be struck down with a single blast of electro energy. Hadn't watched the light fade from his vision as the life left his eyes. No, he hadn't been there to protect his friend. But Kazuha had told him about it, on that unforgettable night when the rain wouldn't stop falling, as if Celestia itself wept for the loss of such a bright, kindhearted soul. Thoma remembered holding his friend in a dark room of the Kamisato residence, Kazuha's broken cries filling the air, wounded hand still clutching the darkened shell of Tomo's vision as Lady Ayaka stood silently in the doorway, tears carving tracks down her cheek as her hand rested over her heart. Tomo's duel had been over in a second, Kazuha had said.

A single second in a duel was all the Shogun needed to snuff out a life.

This one had been going for five.

The thought gives Thoma a surge of hope. That- that's right. This is the Traveller, after all; the one who quelled a rampaging dragon in Mondstadt, who vanquished a massive ocean sea monster in Liyue, who was now here, facing down the Almighty Shogun in her own domain. If anyone stands a chance of surviving it's them, and the fact that nearly ten seconds have already passed in a duel which should, historically, end in a single moment has to be a good sign.

Thoma refuses to take it as anything else.

Still he can't sit idly by. As much faith as he has in the Traveller's abilities he can't simply assume everything is going to work out so perfectly. Nobody has that good of a fortune. He has to be ready when they emerge from the domain, and that means getting out of these Archons-damned bindings.

Thoma's eyes slide to where his vision lies at the edge of the platform. First things first. "Paimon!"

His shout startles the pixie out of her worried pacing (at least, if her floating back and forth could be counted as pacing) and she looks over at him with wide, worried eyes. "Get my vision," he directs, jerking his head towards the glowing gem. "We have to be ready."

It seems to help calm her down, facial expression morphing into one of stoicism as she nods, "R-Right!" She flies over to the vision, picking it up with a gentleness Thoma hadn't been expecting, a sort of reverence in her starry eyes.

"I got it!" She declares happily, then frowns. "U-Um, now what?"

"Clip it back onto my belt." Thoma says as he starts looking around. He's going to need a weapon if they were to have any chance of getting past the guards. The Shogunate, while surprised at the interruption of the ceremony, remain still at their posts, confident that their Almighty Archon will soon emerge victorious from her domain. They don't really have a reason to think otherwise, and, honestly neither does Thoma but he still holds out hope.

It's been fifteen seconds now.

His eyes light upon the Shogunate spear behind him. That'll have to do. Paimon's at his side, small fingers fumbling with the clip, but Thoma can feel the warmth from the vision already, a comforting heat that fills his body. With his nerves stretched as thin as they are, he doesn't want to risk burning through the ropes with Paimon so close; doesn't want to risk scorching her in his haste to escape. He can be patient for just a few more-

Crack!

The sound snaps through the air, and Thoma's head whips up and around. No… no, it- it hasn't been long enough. Hasn't been nearly long enough-

The space in front of them distorsts, violet fractures crackling in the air as the lines connect, pieces flaking away like eggshells and dissolving up and away into the still rumbling sky. He and Paimon let out identical gasps as the barrier fell away completely to reveal the Traveller and the Shogun.

Only one of them is standing.

The Almighty Shogun takes a step forward, towards the prone figure before her.

Paimon lets out a cry and shoots forward, and Thoma wants to call after her because shit- she still has his vision and he can't feel it's warmth anymore, her hands hover over the Traveller and then fly to her head as she frets. Then Paimon shakes their shoulder, frantically shouting "Wake up, wake up!"

The Traveller doesn't respond. Doesn't so much as twitch. There's a faded quality to the world, like everything else has become muted as Thoma stares at the collapsed figure in front of him. He- he couldn't even tell if the Traveller was breathing- what if they… what if they were-

The Shoguns eyes dim (Thoma hadn't even noticed they'd been glowing) and she almost seems disappointed as she takes another step closer, and Paimon makes a fearful noise as her head darts up and down between the two.

Air rushes into his lungs and Thoma can breathe again because- because why would the Shogun bother walking up to someone who was already dead? As if to confirm it, the Traveller's forehead furrows with pain, a low moan escaping their lips at Paimon's now frenzied shaking.

Thoma grunts, face twisting into a grimace as he struggles anew, and he can feel the way the coarse hemp breaks through the skin on his wrists from the erratic motion, refusing to give (seriously, who made this rope?), but he doesn't care because damn it- he can't let this happen.

He won't.

The Archon takes another step forward, sword slowly, gracefully carving a path upwards above her head, and there's a sense of finality in the movement.

Fuck it- he's running out of time! Thoma grits his teeth, eyes flicking over to the spear. It's not ideal, he can't exactly see the bindings and one wrong slip could spell disaster, but he's not left with any other choice. He closes the distance and begins to saw the rope back and forth against the sharpened edge of the spear. It catches on the rough strands, and Thoma's jaw clenches as he feels it give slightly but- he fears it's not breaking fast enough. He looks up briefly to see that the Shogun was approaching the Traveller with sure footfalls, that earlier hesitation all but gone.

Growling in frustration, Thoma saws harder, working at the stubborn bindings with every ounce of strength he has. He bites back a cry as his hands slip, teeth gritting against the burning pain as the honed edge slices deep into the flesh of his forearm. It stings, Archons it stings. Thoma can already feel blood welling from the wound and sliding down his arm but he doesn't dare stop. He's so close-

Snap.

Thoma throws his unbound hands forward to catch himself, hissing as the fresh wound scrapes against the platform. He pays it no mind as he looks up, and for the second time it seems like time has slowed to a standstill. The Archon towers above the still unresponsive Traveller, sword raised high as electro gathers around the blade. Paimon has flitted back slightly, looking up with fear at the Shogun's incoming strike. There's a sinking feeling in his chest as Thoma realizes he's too far away, he isn't close enough to block it. He needs more time.

But time, as always, moves onwards.

The blade begins its downward descent-

-and Thoma moves.

He doesn't think at all, allowing his body to react on it's own as he spins, snatching up the soldier's spear from the ground, in a single motion going from kneeling to standing and throwing the blade towards his Archon. He doesn't wait to see if it hits (he knows it won't, she's a god after all, but he hopes it'll be enough to distract her), dashing forwards with no thought other than to get to the Traveller.

The Shoguns' blade, already halfway through it's deadly swing, flashes back up to knock the rapidly approaching weapon aside. The power that had been stored up in the sword unleashes a shockwave of electro, sending the Traveller and Paimon flying back.

Thoma's eyes widen and he lets out an "Uumph!" as the Traveller is thrown straight into his chest. The impact forces Thoma back, and he grunts, digging his feet into the ground before they can be thrown completely off the side of the cliff behind them. Paimon tumbles to a stop in the air next to him while the Traveller cries out briefly, a hand raising to grasp at their chest as dull golden eyes flicker open (And Thoma thanks the stars that they're actually alive). There's confusion in the amber iris', and pain, but they're open and at this point Thoma will take what he can get.

They're still not out of the storm yet.

Thoma's gaze darts to either side, seeing the Shogunate soldiers taking up arms, looking hesitant and unsure for the moment. He knows this escape window won't last, but- and he wants to scream in frustration because again he's utterly useless, no weapon and still no vision (even if Paimon is dutifully clutching it in her hands like her life depends on it)- he doesn't see a way out. Every entrance is blocked by two or more guards except-

Thoma acts on the idea before he can think on it, because if he stops and thinks about it he'll realize that it's a really, really bad idea. "Move!" He yells, all but hauling the unresponsive Traveller up, slinging their arm over his shoulder as he turns and runs. The Traveller is deadweight for the first few steps, but then, miraculously, they manage to get their feet underneath them, eyes still clouded with pain but with a determined light sparking somewhere in their depths.

They reach the edge of the platform and Thoma sees the vast gorge dropping down below them, sees the churning ocean water crashing against the rocky shores, and just barely has time to think: This is a terrible idea, before they're leaping across the distance.

His feet leave the ground, arms pulling up on the Traveller who, for all the world seems to have understood what Thoma intended to do because they try their best to jump as well- even if all it amounts to is a feeble hop skyward. Thoma doesn't have his wind glider, neither does the Traveller, and even though the pixie can fly she lets out a shout with the rest of them as the air takes hold of them.

The storm winds pull at his clothes, sending them fluttering and flapping like miscolored wings, and then so does gravity and they're falling towards the lower island. Green grass rushes to meet them and Thoma tries to brace for the impact as best he can. They land hard, and Thoma is unable to stop the cry from leaving his lips as he lands on his ankle wrong, feeling it twist beneath him, bringing him to his hands and knees. Well, hand and knees, one arm still supporting the Traveller who looks like they'd just spent whatever reserves of energy they had left to make the jump. They start tipping forward toward the grass, stopped only by Thoma's grip across their shoulder, golden eyes fluttering closed with a moan.

"A-Are you okay?" Paimon asks them, floating at the Travellers' side.

The answer to that was clearly a 'no' but to his surprise, the Traveller managed to lift their head and nod, tired eyes offering up a faint smile of reassurance that wasn't at all reassuring.

Thoma hauls them up, wincing as he puts pressure on his injured ankle but forcing himself to ignore it. "Hold on." He grunts under his breath, just loud enough to be heard over the storm. "We can't stop here."

He runs as fast as he dares with the Travellers head lolling onto his shoulder, exhausted golden eyes straining to remain open, expression twisting in agony with every step from whatever had happened in the Archons domain. Their hand keeps twitching feebly up towards their chest before falling back to their side, breathing growing more and more ragged as he carries them along towards the maze of buildings up ahead, and Thoma can only guess that the Archon hadn't trapped them in her domain to talk civilly over tea and biscuits-

Thoma pulls up short at the thought, causing Paimon to bump into his back with a soft "Ow!" of complaint at his abrupt stop. The tea house! It's only a few blocks away, they can hide there for the time being. Granted, everyone and their mother knows the Komore teahouse is funded by the Kamisato Clan, so the Shogunate will surely try and check there first, but they'd have to get past Ms. Kozue and Taroumaru first; not an easy feat as Thoma knew firsthand how dutifully they protected the customers inside. It wasn't a permanent solution, but the temporary reprieve should give them enough time to think up an actual escape plan.

Gritting his teeth against the heavily throbbing ache of his ankle- he can endure it for a bit longer, it doesn't even really hurt that much so long as he doesn't think about it- he pulls the Traveller towards a side street, slipping into the shadows as he hears the Shogunate's shouts in the distance as the Archons soldiers begin to pursue them. They still need to put more distance between them, need to hide, to lay low until things calmed down enough to- to…

Well, he didn't exactly know what the plan would be after that, but for the time being he has to get them all to safety. So he runs, not daring to look back over his shoulder towards the statue. Part of him wonders if he's about to receive an arrow in the back from one of her soldiers. But no, the Shogun is nothing if not honorable. She would never strike an enemy from behind, always facing those who challenged her head on and alone, demanding there be no interference.

Thoma guesses he should be grateful for that, at least.

It takes them longer than he hopes to make it to the teahouse, the trio needing to duck frequently behind stacks of crates or behind stone walls to avoid the patrols now scouring the city. After one particularly close call, Thoma stops to breathe, panting as heavily as he dares in the dark, dirt-riddled alley. At one of their previous stops Paimon had refastened his vision on it's clip, and now the jewel glowed faintly at his side, warming the cool night air around them.

"C'mon, c'mon!" Even Paimon, who normally shrieks out every word, is keeping her voice relatively hushed as she peers around the corner. "Don't stop now. We're almost there!"

He knows. Thoma knows they're close, but his chest is too tight with something he can't identify and every inhale prickles with discomfort. Archons above he's tired. He absolutely hates running, but now he's really regretting saying no to all those times Nobumori invited him to go for a morning jog. He didn't think he was that out of shape, but these past few minutes are doing their best to prove him wrong. Thoma takes another deep, painful breath, glancing down at the Traveller who's become all but deadweight in his hands. Their head is hanging limply against his shoulder, so all he can see is a mess of golden hair.

"How're you holding up?" He asks anyway, jostling them gently with the question.

They don't answer.

"Yeah," Thoma pants, "that sounds about right."

He has to get them to safety. Every muscle in his body groans with protest as he stands from their crouched hiding spot behind a low shrubbery bush. Thoma locks his jaw and snaps back at them, mentally telling his body to stop complaining and move. They can rest later.

When they arrive, they have to jump the fence that rings the Komore Teahouse's rock garden, crouching behind the raised patio as a pair of Shogunate loudly jog down the street in their paneled metal armor. The patrol passes easily enough, and Thoma feels an abrupt guilt at ruining the delicate lines raked into the sand as he and the Traveller quickly cross the short distance to the teahouse's front door. Kozue is outside like she normally is, a hand placed flat over her heart as she stares out at the dark city streets with a concerned furrow creasing her brow.

"Ms. Kozue!"

Thoma thought she'd heard them approach, but the woman startles when Paimon says her name, luckily managing to smother her gasp of surprise as she whirls on them, eyes blowing wide as she takes in the sight of them- and what a sight they must be, Thoma thinks idly. Him, bloodied and dirt stained from their jaunt through back alleys, and the Traveller, hanging off his shoulder like an unconscious drunkard being escorted home- before ushering them towards the door.

"Hurry- get inside." She whispers, sliding open the papery door for them. Paimon flits in immediately.

"Thank you." Thoma breaths, hoping the woman can hear the gratitude in his voice because all he can hear is how tired he sounds.

He stumbles inside, supporting the entirety of the Travellers weight as their feet scuff on the polished floorboards as he hauls them along. He takes a small comfort in the fact that he can still feel their hot breath on his neck, however labored it is, because it means they're still alive, still fighting. Taroumaru barks at their arrival, the tan-furred shiba inu jumping down from his normal perch on top of the front desk to lope towards the back room- the one that was reserved for special guests (cough- fugitives from the vision hunt decree or members of the resistance when they came to talk with Lady Ayaka- cough).

Thoma sighs wearily and follows after wasting a brief moment to catch his breath. They're so close now, and the pulsing in his ankle somehow manages to move all the way up to his head in the time it takes him to shamble down the hallway, the headache beating relentlessly against the back of his eyes. Thoma holds back a groan. By the Seven, all he wants right now is to collapse onto a futon, close his eyes, and command his heart to cease its near-successful attempt to beat itself out of his chest for five goddamn minutes.

But first he has to make sure the Traveller is going to be okay. He knows he won't be able to completely relax until he knows- with a hundred percent certainty- that his carelessness hasn't gotten them killed. Jade eyes flicker to the hanging head of blonde hair, seeing the shallow rise and fall of their chest and feeling their slow pulse- probably too slow, but he didn't have the luxury to think on that properly because his head was really starting to hurt from the constant drumming against his skull- beat in the wrist he's holding over his shoulder.

Long story short, they were still alive. For now. And he intends to keep it that way.

"Thoma!"

That voice, he- he knows that voice. He just… doesn't know why he's hearing it now, hearing it here, when by all accounts she should still be back at the Kamisato Estate. He lifts his head- and it takes a lot more effort than he's expecting for such a small motion- and, yup, sure enough, there she is, standing in the hallway looking to all the world as if she's been there ever since they built the place.

"Ayak- M'Lady!" He tries to offer up a reassuring smile- after all he's fine, really, he's not the one she should be worried about- but, based on the expression of concern that still paints her face as boldly as a festival mask, it didn't exactly work.

Paimon is hovering at her shoulder, but rushes forward to float by the Traveller, grabbing the other shoulder and straining upward. It's a nice gesture, truly, but it isn't helping much. It does prompt Ayaka into moving, his Lady hurrying forward to help support the unconscious Traveller. Thoma lets out a long sigh as some of the weight is relieved, his back silently thanking his Lady for her assistance.

Together they manage to maneuver the Traveller into the room and onto the awaiting cot and- oh, look, Furuta's here as well. The elder stands to help lay the Traveller down, her silver hair pulled back into a sturdy bun, and Thoma feels like he needs to offer some kind of assistance but not exactly knowing how to; he was never good at healing.

"T-Their chest-" He remembers with a rush of clarity, "they were rubbing it on the way over, it seemed painful."

The Kamisato Clan's chief herbalist nods at the information, taking a quick, but detailed, look over the Traveller- and prodding gently around their chest- before she came to some kind of decision. With a stoic nod, she turns to her medicine bag, aged hands rummaging through the compartments and pulling out a host of different vials. Paimon, hovering nearby as she always did, rubs her hands together with clear agitation. Ayaka's not much different, although his Lady has schooled her expression into something more businesslike.

"Are they gonna be okay?" Paimon finally asks, the question all but exploding out of her. Her high pitched voice wobbles with worry.

Furata pauses for a moment to offer the pixie a calming smile, the well worn wrinkles at the edge of her eyes creasing in familiar patterns. "They'll be fine, I promise."

Five words. Five words and it suddenly feels as if a great weight has lifted from Thoma's chest and he can breathe again. He's practically dizzy with relief. Or just… dizzy in general, actually. He grimaces as the room spins and he has to close his eyes against the sudden nausea. It's almost as bad as the night they all had hotpot, only this time his stomach's empty.

"Thoma?"

He hears Ayaka say his name, but it sounds all echo-y. He knows he's supposed to say something, but his head pounds the words away before he can grasp at them. He reaches a hand up to pinch the bridge of his nose, hoping it might ground him enough to say something, but the moment he does he hears a startled gasp.

"Thoma! Your arm-"

His… arm?

"You're bleeding!"

Oh, that's right, he was. He hadn't exactly had time to bandage the cut he sustained from sawing through the ropes. They had been kind of running for their lives at the time. But it was fine, it didn't even hurt anymore. In fact, he could hardly feel the wound at all.

That… that's probably a bad thing, the more he thinks about it. Still, he's worrying his Lady and that just wouldn't do.

"S'fine-" He says, but the words slur together on his lips and when he opens his eyes there's a grey tinge at the corner of his vision. That's… probably not good either. He swallows roughly and tries again. "I'm- m'fine-"

But he's not. It's a lie and he knows it, and Ayaka knows it and he suddenly feels very lightheaded. Then the air is rushing past his ears as he falls and he hears Taroumaru bark and Ayaka call his name as if from down a long, dark tunnel and then-

Then he feels nothing.

Fin! Thanks for reading!

To my longtime readers:
I'm alive! Yes, I know I said I wouldn't be posting or updating until around Christmas when I'm back from deployment: well, I'm still overseas, but Christmas came early in the form of that spicy cutscene from back in the 2.0 update. My heart simply melted when I watched it and it gave new life to my dwindling creativity (I cannot begin to express how much of a motivational VOID it is being out here under this terrible leadership). I just want to thank each and every one of you who have stuck with me through this hiatus- your words of encouragement have been like bright, gleaming stars in this barren desert wasteland, and I promise to return to a somewhat normal upload schedule of WCC after the new year

To my new readers:
Hi! Hope you're having a swell Tuesday. If you enjoyed this story feel free to leave a comment down below, if you didn't like it also feel free to critique, I value your opinion be it good or bad as every bit of feedback helps me improve my writing. I mostly write Percy Jackson/The Kane Chronicles stories so this is a deviation from the norm, but it's also a fandom I'm genuinely invested in, so I may end up writing more as time goes on, but no promises just yet :P

Have a great rest of your week!

-Ardoa88