The Traveler was helping fight against the monsters,
Whom of course had to be a bunch of Rifthouds...
...
Seriously, why those monsters specifically again...?
Couldn't their Twin be more original and send something different this time...?
*Did their Twin's creativity get completely tarnished after joining the Abyss Order...?
...
...
Why were they even thinking about this right now...?
Were they so annoyed by waves upon waves of Rifthounds, that they had to keep themselves from going crazy...?
*Seriously, was there a "Rifthound Factory" in the Abyss or something...?!
Why were there SO MANY of them anyway?!
...
It was a literal "Rifthoundpocalypse" around...!
-Bellowing Thunder! -The Traveler yelled out and a second later the Rifthounds surrounding them got pushed back by lighting, as they were soon suffering from Electro damage. -Tch! I shouldn't have been daydreaming like this, no matter how annoying those monsters are...
The Traveler mumbled, as they soon proceeded to rapidly strike the wolves with their sword,
Before using their Electro skills again, striking with the sword, rinse and repeat...
*They were the ones who decided to take on as many Rifthounds as they could,
Already having quite a lot of battle experience and all...
...
But still, they wished that those monsters could finally die,
Both for their emotional wellbeing and the fact that they still had to check on the matter of Enkanomiya...!
...
THEY DIDN'T HAVE TIME TO "PLAY" TOWER DEFENSE!
They were still in Makoto's realm of consciousness,
With said person hectically trying to strike her sister down...
-M-Makoto, wait! I get it that you want to fight, but let me process everything first! -Ei was frantically yelling out, as she kept evading her sister's attacks and blocking them with her spear when needed, not even trying to hide any of her emotions now. -I might not look like it, but I am still trying to piece together all the information that you just...!
-Let me have this, sister, I could never spar with you before! -Makoto interrupted her, as she continued with her assault, before her eyes slightly widened in realization of her earlier words. -I-I mean, this is a test of your conviction, so no breaks allowed!
She soon corrected herself, though to Ei it was already apparent how she felt about this,
And while she was glad that her sister seemed to be having fun now, she still felt annoyed at that "excuse"...
*Besides, if Makoto really wanted to spar with her, she should be doing better than this...
...
-Fine, I don't mind sparing with you. But the way you are now, no matter how many times we do this, you will undoubtedly lose. -She soon told her sister in dead seriousness, as she easily evaded the other's strike. -Your form is sloppy, legs are too close to each other and your grip on the sword is too weak.
-I thought this was supposed to be a challenge for you! -Makoto yelled back, looking incredulous as she tried striking her sister again. -And now you are trying to teach me to fight?
-Better late than never. -Ei simply answered, acting quite nonchalant about the situation.
-How would it help me? I am already dead as a god and can't really hold a sword as a tree! Am I supposed to somehow hold it with a root and flail it around...?! -Her sister answered back, getting even more incredulous now, before she deeply sighed. -...Truthfully, sister, you still don't really think ahead, do you...?
Which would have been a pretty good point,
Yet Ei was currently in her full "warrior mode"...
-And your balance is still off, don't you listen to what I'm saying? -She soon told the other in some annoyance, either ignoring or not noticing the look she was getting. -And just when I decided to teach you how to fight...
-This is a battle to see your true nature! So stop distracting me! -Makoto yelled back, before deciding to use the domain's energy to power herself up, a light purple aura appearing around her form. She already realized that if there was anything that would make Ei listen, then it should be this! And this should be quite enjoyable too~ -Hehe, I am going to kick you so hard none of your "battle skills" will help you now!
She happily said upon proceeding to strike her sister again...
-This is why you did the politics and I did the fighting, you think after 500 years you would see at least some improvement, honestly. -Ei commented in some disappointment, upon blocking the other's strike. Something which was harder to do now, but still manageable. -Now straighten your back unless you want to trip over your sword! And we're not advancing to the next level until you get the basics right!
-And you are still the same as ever, sister! I already told you I don't need any battle training, but you just wouldn't listen! -Makoto couldn't help yelling out in annoyance, as she pushed the other back. -Moreover, this battle is to see how sorry you are for everything and how strong your desire is to change! -She pushed Ei back some more. -...Though battling against you now is unusually fun...As long as you are not being a battle maniac, that is...-She sadly mumbled, before straightening herself, a determined and slightly amused expression on her face. -Nevertheless, did you forget again that it's my realm of consciousness...? I can do anything I wish to here! Let's say...-She paused for dramatic effect. -Even freezing you in place, dear sister~
She added in even more amusement and not a second later Ei found herself unable to move even a finger,
As she couldn't help but soon look towards her until-recently-thought-dead sister in rising annoyance...
...
Truthfully, it was quite an interesting expression on her sister, if Makoto had to admit,
Though, she seemed to have forgotten the original reason for this "spar", to begin with...
*She should definitely continue with it and this current "state" of Ei's should work wonders~
...
-So, how do you feel right now, Ei...? Completely immobilized like this, unable to move. You can't even rely on your strength and willpower like you usually do. -Makoto soon said in seriousness and some amusement, as she dismissed her sword. -You are currently feeling pretty weak and useless, right...? Not being able to do anything and left at the mercy of someone else like this. -She continued, before her expression dropped. -...This is how I felt on multiple occasions, even though I was a god too...-She admitted, before turning to look her sister right in the eyes, with Ei looking shocked now. -How often do you think everyone else is feeling like this...? More so humans and especially those who are normal civilians...? -She rhetorically asked, not expecting a reply. -Normal civilians, be it small children, Visionless people or other "weak" groups, they look up to those stronger that them for protection. They have to, if they want to survive, especially against the many "harmful elements" of this world. -She made a type of a projector appear between the two sisters, in which her words were visualized as shadows. -We as gods have more power than most and as much responsibility. "With great power comes great responsibility and absolute power will corrupt absolutely", after all, right...? -She explained in some intrigue, soon turning serious again. -When I was Inazuma's Archon, I knew that no matter what, I had to take care of the land and it's people, I had to make sure they could live full and content lives. This was my responsibility, one I accepted fully. A responsibility I eventually turned over to you, Ei. -She paused for a few seconds while watching the "recording", before making it disappear. -As Inazuma's current Archon, how much do you think they actually look up to you...? And what must they feel if instead of protection, they got hurt instead...? -She asked rhetorically again, choosing to ignore her sister's now conflicted expression. Though she also secretly broke the "spell" on her, which was only fair. -They must be so sad, mad and disappointed in you, feeling as if you don't even care and never did. But you already knew this, right...? This is the reason you suddenly ran away, after all...
She added in some dark tease, soon waiting for her sister's reply,
As Ei kept being unusually quiet, deeply in thought about what Makoto just said...
...
-...I-I never quite saw it like this before...-She soon admitted, looking and sounding conflicted, before her expression turned guilty. -...Or rather, just as I wasn't listening to your and Miko's words, it was something that I didn't want to see...
-And due to your refusal to hear and see other people's opinions, ignoring many of Inazuma's problems, you failed this nation and people. -Makoto solemnly agreed with her, soon noticing her sister's guilt stricken expression deepening. This discussion was going in the right direction, then. -It's still not entirely late for you to make amends, sister. All you have to do is help the common people and improve their lives. -She added in some reassurance, before deciding on a more "successful" approach. Which would be pretty amusing…~ -All of these problems to Inazuma that your actions and inactions caused, starting with your decision to "chill" in the sword for 500 years, while putting a cute little dolly in charge...-She soon started listing all of the problems Ei caused in the most mocking way possible, choosing to ignore the other's growing annoyance for now. -...My, to think of what a huge Temper Tantrum my dear sister has caused~ I thought I taught you better than this! -She added by the end of the highly mocking retelling, as she was making an expression of fake woe. -And now with all the "boo-boo's" our crybaby caused, I wonder if she is planning to do something about them now. You will, right, my cute baby sister?~ Because if you don't, it would be just so pitiful!
She said in mockery and some now barely hidden amusement,
Which clearly showed Ei that her sister was having a lot of fun at her expense...
*And as reluctant as she was to admit it, she couldn't really say anything back to her,
When Makoto put it like that, it really looked like she had a "Temper Tantrum"...
...
...
One that cost many of her people their peaceful everyday lives...
...
...
-So, sister, what are you going to do about it now? -Makoto soon asked her, this time dropping the mockery act. -If you plan to redeem yourself before your people, you...
-Then what do you want me to do about it, where would I even start?! -Ei suddenly yelled out, looking and sounding quite frantic. -I need your help with this Makoto...! -She soon admitted, her expression turning gloomy. -...I can't...-She tried before. -...I can't do this on my own. -And failed, hard. -...I don't know how...
She quietly admitted, soon becoming completely quiet,
As Makoto wondered what would be best to do and say now...
*She already knew that Ei was feeling guilty, but she didn't realize it was to this extent...
...
But no matter how much she wanted to,
Makoto knew that she shouldn't give her sister any suggestions about what to do...
*Ei had to come up with them on her own or she would never fully accept her role as an Archon...
...
Ei shouldn't be staying in her shadow forever...
...
-Listen to me, sister, you are Inazuma's current Archon. And as the current Electro Archon, you should be able to decide it yourself. -Makoto soon told her sister, as she walked closer to her. -And if you have trouble, don't you still have Yae Miko to turn to...? And what about that cute fan of yours, Kujou Sara and all of your other subordinates...? Aren't they all there to help you out...? You have them all to help you, you always had. You just didn't notice, did you now...? -She added in reassurance, as her expression turned warm. -I sure hope that you, from this moment forth, will be more perceptive towards your surroundings and those close to you. With their help, you should be able to...-She paused in her words midsentence, suddenly feeling weak. -...I-I should have more time...W-why do I...So suddenly...? -She couldn't help asking aloud, feeling a lot weaker now and rapidly losing her senses, though she could still notice Ei yelling something. -...S-sister...This is really...Goodbye now...-She weakly reached her now rapidly-disappearing hand to the other, who frantically took it in her own, as she was looking really scared now. Makoto couldn't help wondering if her sister had this kind of expression back then, as well...-...Inazuma and...Its people...Ei, promise me...That...You...Will...
And then everything became dark...
-MAKOTOOOOOOOOOOO! -Was the first thing Ei frantically yelled out, as she was practically thrown out of the domain, soon getting caught by a worried looking Sara.
-Almighty Shogun, are you alright...? -The Tengu couldn't help asking, never before seeing her god so distraught. -...We saw what happened in the domain and to your sister...-She slightly nervously admitted, now feeling guilty for doing so. -I am uncertain as to what happened at the end there, but surely...
-The Sacred Sakura is dying. -Her words were interrupted by an unusually frightened voice of Yae, who was currently looking at what was left of the portal and the withering root behind it. -...It's the corrosion. It's dying due to intense amounts of corrosion...-She couldn't help mumbling in horror and also rising guilt. -...I noticed the recent change to it, the unexplained feeling of dread, yet did nothing about it...And now, due to my negligence, Makoto is going to...!
-NO! I WON'T LET HER! NOT AGAIN! -Ei yelled out upon jumping from Sara's arms, before she suddenly teleported away, leaving the other two to look towards the spot where she stood at moments ago.
...
As there was dead silence for a while after her sudden departure,
Before Yae deeply sighed in order to collect herself, turning to the still shocked Sara...
-I apologize for losing my cool like that, Kujou Sara. -She soon said, her expression both dead serious and sorry. -We have to follow Ei and fast. -She turned into her fox form, before jumping into Sara's barely-outstretched-in-time arms. -With how emotionally unstable this usually stubborn Archon of ours is right now, if we don't stop her, she might do something drastic!
There was no need for any more words, as Sara soon understood the situation,
And with Yae in her arms, started flying at rapid speed towards the Narukami Shrine...
...
The place where the main part of the tree was,
And the possible future location of their Archon's grave...
...
...
As battle-hardened as Sara was she still understood the meaning of Yae Miko's words,
With the Almighty Shogun becoming so distraught due to her sister's...
-EI, YOU IDIOT! WHAT DO YOU THINK YOU ARE DOING?! -Her thoughts were interrupted by a mad sounding Yae, who jumped out of her arms as soon as they reached the top, soon turning into her human form and running towards their Archon. -I know that you are powerful even without a Gnosis, but what you are currently doing is...!
-It doesn't matter what happens to me...I can't stand to see Makoto die again...-Ei interrupted her with an unusually calm voice, looking determined as she was siphoning her own energy into the tree, keeping it from withering even further. -...Makoto, she always looked after me...Even after dying as a god and turning into a tree...And in her own way, she strived to teach me how to be a better Archon for Inazuma and its people...-She soon admitted, a sad smile appearing on her face now. -...I can't just leave her, Miko...Especially not now...Please, understand…