Hiiragi State had grown eerily quiet. The thunderous appearance of the Raiden Shogun in the middle of their inner yard had been completely unexpected and terrifying. Servants, soldiers and nobles, all stood completely frozen as the static in the air took hold of their very being.

The Shogun expectantly glanced around, not receiving the greeting reception worthy of a leader. She didn't mind. She had to deal with the Commissioner and then start the search for the ghost that haunted Inazuma. The Shogun had felt him the moment she appeared on Ritou. That foul stench that the wind carried as if he was spreading his essence throughout the land.

The moment she moved, however, the spell immobilising everyone broke. Everyone seemed to either watch her in awe or run into the mansion to clear the way for the Shogun. Everyone knew why she was there, blindly believing Kazemaru's sentence.

Only one person approached her, the heir presumptive of the Hiiragi Clan, Hiiragi Chisato. Holding back the apparent stress she had been suffering, the young heir mustered up her courage to approach the Shogun.

"Your Excellency, I… I will guide you towards my father." Chisato bowed deeply, prompting the Shogun to stop.

"Be quick."

The sooner the Shogun dealt with the Kanjou Commissioner, the better. As such, she didn't dwell on the looks, praises and fear that she was eluding with her mere presence. The affluent decoration of the house, the type she particularly despised for being so opulent, barely even affected her. All this couldn't make her lose her true focus.

When she was led into the deepest point of the mansion, however, she realised that events always became overcomplicated over mismanagement and delays. The Shogun waited for a few minutes as Chisato tried to communicate through the screen door with her father. No answer came. Then, as if scared or ashamed of making the Shogun wait, she tried to open the screen door. And she found herself unable to do so as furniture blocked any attempt.

"Stand aside."

With a flick of her wrist, the screen door and whatever obstruction was inside were blown away. The Shogun entered the lavish room only to see bottles of liquor mixed with the smell of smoke and alcohol. There was no sign of the Commissioner anywhere.

"T-The whole state is on lockdown, my father can't have escaped." Chisato stood outside the bedroom, her eyes glued to the Shogun's back.

"Gorging himself on awful vices." Ei merely answered.

The Shogun glanced around the room, noticing a missing ornament sword and a few unopened bottles of wine. Though she wished to attribute this to Mondstadt, a few wine bottles that so far were still common in Inazuma weren't enough. Pushing back the punishment of the Kanjou Commissioner, she turned around. In doing so, her feet pushed aside a certain bottle that rolled away from her.

Something caught her attention, so she crouched down and took hold of it. It was greenish with a faded label. Her nose immediately recognised the smell.

The tangy and fruity scent of cider. The low alcohol percentage and sugary flavour of Mondstadt's cider quickly became her favourite beverage in the City of Freedom. Of course, that was before she knew that apple juice actually existed. How she loved the different versions of cider and juice that Barbatos brought from time to time. An excuse to use the old wine glass that she used specifically for that.

But those memories were from an era long gone. And it was only a bit of that smell that reminded Ei of the last time she drank that liquor.


The last time the crisp, sweet taste of cider enveloped her senses was centuries ago on a cold Mondstadt night. She could remember the view perfectly. Starnatch cliff's air whirred through her ears as the moon slowly rose overhead. The sea was still, giving the illusion of an ever-stretching night sky for the three sister moons. A sight that the wild seas of Inazuma never offered her. How she wished she could engrave that memory forever so Makoto could watch it as well.

"Ephemeral beauty for us everlasting beings," Ei muttered, sitting down on the edge of the cliff. "One day the moon will rise for the last time. The cycle will end, our lives with it."

"It's the circle of life~" Venti chirped as he slowly floated down beside her.

"Why did I agree to this? I'm sure we just tried to kill each other at that party, that's why Morax had to stop us…" Ei propped up her legs and hugged them. "I don't think I like drinking, I feel sad…"

"Yeah, welcome to the club! That means we have to drink more!" Venti snapped his fingers, falling to the ground. "Eins, Zwei, Drei… gesoffen!" He took a big of his cider, finishing it in two gulps.

"I don't understand your words anymore. They have no meaning. Like life. Why must everything be so fragile, like a rose in the middle of a desert?"

"You know, Makoto said I could be a good influence on you. Seeing how creative you're getting, you should drink more!" Venti crawled back to a big leather bag and pulled out another bottle of an unknown alcohol.

"Makoto says a lot of things that aren't exactly true. It's like she has the opposite of progns… prognostication." She slurred her words slightly as Venti refilled her empty cup. "She always goes like… In forty days, the calm will arrive with a drizzle of rain. And then someone dies… or something?"

"How come you can imitate her so… Oh yeah, you're twins. But you know, it's not that easy to predict the future. I somewhat can do that, and it's never enough." The bottle of alcohol started floating and Venti sat close to Ei. "I'd be dead if I really was good at it, anyway."

"Oh, right. Your mother, the God of Time… Has that never been an issue with Celestia?"

"Ah, plenty. You had to kill Orabashi on their behalf, right? I had to throw away a whole civilisation and destroy anything that involved my mother. Besides, I always have to act like a little puppy when we get summoned. Have you never gone to Celestia in Makoto's place? Cause believe me, it sucks."

"A few times but only alongside her. She doesn't think too highly of them."

"Who does, really? Focalor maybe, since she's a rule freak. The water of Fontaine must have rotten her brains." Venti noticed his own empty glass and filled it once again. "If you ever get into trouble with them, just tell me. It doesn't matter if it's Makoto or you, I can take the blame and nobody will complain."

"I would." Ei retorted, glancing at him. "That would be tantamount to killing you. As annoying as you might be, you have your heart and mind in the right place."

"… I guess you're right," Venti hunched his back slightly. "I suppose I always frame my irrational acts as selfless behaviour when it's just me acting like an idiot. That's how we got into this situation after all."

Though he was half-right, Ei shook her head. "I told you to fight me in order to see your ability. After seeing the display, I have no qualms about you defending Inazuma, but Makoto… I rather protect her myself."

"Oh! Are you finally agreeing? That's good! You're the second-best fighter I know, Makoto will be alright if you don't have to split your attention." Venti said, raising his glass. "How about we seal the deal with a toast?"

"Alright… but no drinks after this one." Ei raised it as well, clinking the glasses together. "I want to remember this. This view… this promise… and this tolerable you."

Venti smiled genuinely for what seemed the first time in months. "Cheers!"

He drank it all in one gulp. Ei did the same.

"…On second thought," Ei handed her glass to Venti and stood up. "I think we should beat up Morax. That annoying pretty face with his constant piercing eyes… I hate it. I want to grab him by the legs and spin him around."

"Now you're speaking my language." Venti dispelled the glasses and floated up. He offered his hands to Ei which she gladly took. "Let's fly! That dummie won't expect the dreaded storm coming his way."

"Yes! That's what he gets for being alone with Makoto for days!"

"Yeah!... He does what?"


Ei had reminisced for less than a few seconds. There was no time dilation inside her Plane of Euthemya, which would require power she didn't wield. It had been a lapse of her judgement. A lapse of her judgement that had been plaguing her for the last few weeks. A mere mistake. Under normal circumstances, the Puppet Shogun should have kept still or simply continued the latest order.

When Ei came to her senses, the Shogun was walking through the streets of Ritou under the murmurs and cheers of the populace. A retinue of Hiiragi guards was following her as if ordered by the Shogun herself.

The continuous questioning of Ei's orders, the weapon the Puppet had given to Sara and her continuous headaches and malaise… If she had any doubts about the Puppet's disobedience, this settled it.

"Stop right now," Ei's voice resonated through her dimension. "You are not to act without permission."

"I am protecting Inazuma." The Puppet replied, her voice drowned with the crowd of people. "A Mondstadtian ship is on the harbour. I shall eliminate it."

"I have not ordered you to do so. A lone ship is no sign of an invasion." She stood up. "I will take control, begone."

"Should I heed your advice when it has been tainted by the black ink of transience? Your actions have only hindered Eternity."

Ei couldn't believe what she was hearing. Her puppet was standing up to her, as if Ei was the one acting irrationally. She was having a few rough days, that was all. While the Puppet… must have been corrupted by the cursed Freedom that had been travelling through the land. She was not supposed to have a will, that was impossible. If anything, the Puppet was mimicking Barbatos's fervour.

"I am not giving you advice. I am telling you to give me control. Now. A lone ship means that it's part of a diplomatic mission, something that you cannot handle." She unconsciously widened her stance. "And Barbatos is our objective. Don't forget that."

In a blink, Ei found herself controlling her body. She didn't stop walking towards the Harbour to keep up appearances, but she was completely on edge. To see that even her own body was now betraying her was a great blow. Everything that could go wrong was going wrong.

She had to deal with Barbatos. He was the source of all her problems. Watatsumi, the Masked Woman, Mondstadt, the riots… all that was temporal. He was the only one who could oppose Eternity. The only one who could oppose her. She could deal with the Puppet afterwards.

And in that harbour, she could sense his rotten powers. Surprisingly, it didn't come from the sleek and tall ship of Mondstadt, but from the armed vessel of Liyue origin. If Barbatos had tried to sneak into Inazuma, it made complete sense. Yet, somehow, he got into a fight while travelling… and that's how she noticed his presence.

But it made no sense. He was a blind drunkard, but he wasn't a novice. The fact that his planning unravelled so fast meant that something had either gone wrong or… that perhaps, this was truly just a ploy of Mondstadt. Barbatos wasn't so sloppy, he wouldn't make his presence known without a reason. But the slackers of Mondstadt would surely make mistakes.

And if that was the reason, why was that frigate here? Perhaps they were here to threaten her? But with just one ship? To show up on enemy territory like that… No, if anything, they were trying to show a certain degree of submission and pride. They wanted to negotiate while giving Inazuma an edge., but still show that they were capable of defending themselves.

Then, it meant all previous mistakes were part of Barbatos's plan. That was the only reason. It had to be a convoluted, overthought plan that she had yet to unravel. She couldn't underestimate him.

Because the only other answer was that neither Barbatos nor Mondstadt was behind this. And… All she had done would be for naught. Ei would have to double down, or show weakness. She would never do the latter, lest she loses her body for good.

Finishing those thoughts, Ei stopped short of entering the pier. She turned to one of the guards who immediately seized up.

"Go ask why that ship is here."

"Yes, your Eternal Excellency!" The soldier saluted before rushing to the docks.

With that done, Ei stood motionless. Waiting. Not accustomed to being the centre of attention of a whole town. She looked around, only seeing people giving her around ten metres of space. She loathed it. Her sister loved helping the most random people, and Ei could have managed to do the same 500 years ago. Now, however, she had spent too many years in isolation.

Mustering up some courage, she shifted around.

"Has anyone interacted with… Kazemaru?" She asked with her measured tone.

That question didn't spark the hatred and animosity she was expecting. Instead, there was a flurry of people who claimed to have talked and interacted with him, like they had been blessed. Ei could tell they were either lying or had no idea of what they were talking about. Besides, there was little to no anemo residue with them.

That was until she saw a small figure behind the crew.

"You," She pointed towards a small girl. "The naïve girl. Come here."

The crowd reluctantly moved aside to reveal the five-year-old girl who was shaking with excitement. She robotically walked forward, her eyes stuck to the ground, before stammering a greeting.

From up close, Ei could certainly confirm her suspicion. Barbatos loved to make kids accomplices of his crimes since adults would either dismiss their adventures or take it as children's games.

"Was he nice?" Ei asked, unsure of how to properly proceed.

The girl nodded effusively.

"Where is he now?"

"I don't… know. He… went… to meet you…" The girl stuttered. "Do you… want to meet his friends…?"

"Yes. Yes, I would."

If this was a chance to seize any allies he could have, she'd take it. An innocent kid would never lie to the Shogun, after all.

Before she could continue, however, the messenger soldier returned from the pier.

"Your Excellency," The soldier saluted and bowed slightly, presenting her with a sober envelope. "The… vessel is part of a diplomatic mission from Mondstadt. They wish to repair relations with Inazuma."

Ei cocked her head, taking the envelope in hand. She looked back at the expectant kid.

Talking with the diplomats could secure Inazuma's future. Following the girl could lead her to the allies of Barbatos.

"Stay with the kid."

She decided to do both.

Walking towards the dock, she opened up the envelope. It contained a letter from the Grandmaster of the Knights of Favonius. She had read plenty of correspondence to find it monotonous. It alluded to issues between Sumeru and Liyue, Snezhnaya's encroachment in Fontaine, and Natlan's warmongering attitude. Unexpected, she supposed, but why would she care? Inazuma's isolation protected it from the issues of the continent.

Overall, it ended in a hopeful tone to end the supposed aggression of Inazuma. At least, she could gather that they didn't want war. But it made no mention of Watatsumi or the terrorist attacks.

The day was almost over. So perhaps she could figure out a deal before midnight.


As the sun hid behind the horizon, the wind picked up on Grand Narukami Shrine. Sakura blooms danced wildly, the stone lanterns flickered while shrine maidens tried their best to protect their eyes. Being on the top of a mountain, the Shrine was usually accustomed to the frequent gusts that ruled over it. Yet that dusk was different. It was no temporal gust that was swooping down the shrine, but a strong gale that had no previous records.

Typhoon or not, that wouldn't stop the Guuji of the most important Shrine of Inazuma. Yae Miko had been monitoring the odd activity of the Sacred Sakura, now backlit by the setting sun. The tree had been watching over the nation ever since its inception, yet the mysteries involving it never ceased.

But as shrieks and mutters filled the Shrine, she already knew the answer.

Turning around, she saw the tall, masked figure that had spurred up trouble in Ritou. The smell of rot and death covered his whole being, unnoticed by the common folk. Its coat of leaves and decorated owl mask seemed old and unkept, but that only made the figure more mystical and revered.

The fabled Kazemaru was waiting for Miko to move over, leaving him alone with the Sacred tree. But the surrounding shrine maidens could only fathom why their Guuji was standing still, her arms crossed.

"Not even a little greeting after so long?" Her voice was calm and sang-froid, showing little to no respect to the God in front of her.

Miko's question did little to stir the mighty Kazemaru.

"I ONLY SEEK PENANCE."

The voice was rough and loud, but not overbearing. As he had done in Ritou, the crowd's reaction mattered more than convincing his opponent. Accordingly, the few shrine maidens found the words wise and humble.

"Only the Raiden Shogun can deliver it."

Miko observed his reaction, taking a few more steps closer until her nose noticed the pungent smell of decay and death coming from him. Nobody else seemed to notice it.

"The lot of you, leave the Shrine. I need to prepare the grounds for Kazemaru.

The Shrine Maidens didn't complain, knowing not to poke the scornful Kitsune. It took a few minutes for everyone to leave. In the meantime, the staredown between the two immortal beings proceeded as smoothly as a feline's tongue.

"Come," Miko motioned with a finger to follow her. "You have a lot of nerve showing up here, Barbatos. If I wasn't in a good mood, you'd be out of here in less than a second."

She lead him towards the main Shrine, entering from the back towards a mostly dark and empty room dedicated to storage.

"You smell of death," Miko said as soon as the door closed behind them. "Your vessel is dead or dying."

"Good night to you too." Venti removed his mask before clumsily removing his coat. "Have you never lost a limb or two before? Just the classic rotting alive state… I'm quite literally running on fumes, hence the weird smell. I doubt the average person can tell." He then jumped off his crutch, staggering for a moment and facing the Guuji. "I suppose you've been eating your veggies because you've grown a lot. Either that or I have serious memory problems."

"Are you growing senile as well, wisp?" She was maintaining her distance, either because of the smell or to show her animosity. "Have you forgotten what you've done to Ei as well?"

A cold draught whirled around his body. Then he pursed his lips and shook his head. "Of course I didn't. I came here to make things right."

"It's too late for that, I'm afraid." The rattling of the wind against the building did little to stop her. "You ran away with the tail between your legs while she was forced to face the recovery of Inazuma and the death of her sister. Ei was able to do one of them, and not the one I would have hoped for."

"I know that."

"You do? And despite that, you still came here. To make Ei more miserable and make yourself feel better… That is something I cannot allow. It might very well doom Inazuma as well."

Venti looked into Miko's purple eyes, with a seriousness that he had never expected from the mischievous kid he once knew.

"Ei is not Inazuma, and I will not leave." Venti narrowed his eyes, sitting down on the tatami floor. "Many people have given their all so that I could reach Inazuma, all because I claimed that I would be able to help its people. All that, in the hope that it would reflect on Ei. I'm not going to leave until I accomplish that."

Miko clamped her lips together, suppressing the urge to retort back with the boiling emotion surging inside her. Instead, she forced herself to sigh and averted her eyes from the Archon.

"Do you expect me to believe you do not know how this conversation will go? I will oppose your plans, you will use your well-trained silver tongue and I'll be forced to begrudgingly let you go." She crossed her arms, drumming her fingers. "Even without your foresight, I can tell that's what you will do."

"I get the feeling I am not welcomed here." Venti crossed his legs, rocking his body slightly. "Not that I am surprised, I'd be pretty mad as well. If it's of any consolation, I wouldn't be here if I didn't feel ashamed of my actions."

"Even if I wasn't friends with Ei, I wouldn't be comfortable having you here. Regardless, judging by that ring on your hand, I can suppose you've attained Morax's support somehow. So if you've convinced that old geezer, you might be able to convince me."

"I got his help merely by seniority. He doesn't know what happened between us." There was no point in lying to someone as shrewd as a Kitsune. "Judging by this cold reception, I suppose she told you. So if you want me to leave the Shrine, I will leave. I do not need arms, legs or even a body to face Ei." He rested his asymmetrical arms on his legs. "You gave me a prediction, so let me give you my own. You want me to face Ei because you believe I'm the only one capable of knocking some sense into her. You either have failed before, don't believe you could, or knew that such an opportunity would arise. I'll go all in, and say that all three have occurred."

"Quite the hypothesis." Miko was silent for a moment. "But you do not know Ei's current state. You understand how she solves problems, right? And what she will do to you the moment she sees you."

"Well if the giant dead serpent of Yashiori island didn't tip me off, I'd guess with incredible violence anyhow." Venti suddenly remembered someone. "But if that was the case, Kunikuzushi wouldn't be alive either. Ei only kills when she sees a threat to the whole country; her soul is kind and gentle… mostly. So, yes, she will totally try to kill me."

The mere mention of the name sparked the curiosity of the kitsune. "So you have met that… mistake."

"Rude. Why do you think I'm like this?" Venti snorted, offended by her choice of words. "He told me Ei created him as a test… as a replacement. He was obsessed with her gnosis, so I can deduce he was meant to be a vessel for it."

"Her gnosis…? Ah, that odd object. Indeed, I gather that Ei wanted to preserve as much of her sister's legacy in Inazuma. I don't know why she wished to be rid of it, however. I can only guess that gnosis reminded her of Makoto… and of you. So she created that puppet as a vessel. Of course, he proved to be too temperamental and unworthy of it." Miko explained, hiding details here and there. "It reminded her too much of you."

Venti knew, of course, that the real reason for Ei's distaste for the gnosis was what it symbolised. Celestia. Like him, after the experiences of Khaenri'ah, she had grown detached and hostile towards the supposed rulers of Teyvat.

"I'm certainly not that edgy. Then, if he was a test, what's the final product? If she wanted someone emotionless to act as the vessel, someone without a heart then… I see! Do you have it?"

Miko giggled, amused at his petty joke. "I did offer myself. But at that point, Ei no longer trusted me. She seemed to believe that the gnosis could very well be used against her. Or… perhaps she wished to retain it to protect herself. I do not know. Regardless, the only one left was herself, but she couldn't bear that weight anymore."

Venti understood it immediately. "Ei copied her own body as Makoto did."

"The moment her puppet sees you, it will be too late for you to act. You stand no chance against her." Miko warned him, again, of the folly of his plan. "Ei hid herself from the mortal plane almost five hundred years ago. She won't be lured out of that vessel so easily."

"Alright, enough of that. Explain what you mean."

In a brief explanation, Miko explained to him Ei's plan. The plane of Euthymia, the nature of the puppet and the unknown whereabouts of Ei's true physical body.

"That's… a lot to take in." Venti rubbed his chin while rocking back and forth.

"Inazuma's turmoil is not coincidental. Everything that lurks in the shadows points towards someone wanting Ei to come out of her shell… or at least, that you two fight each other." Miko finally sat down on the tatami as well, the tension in her body still apparent. "It's not isolated to Inazuma either. Sumeru and Liyue seem to be at each other's throats after what Morax accepted. Mondstadt is now without a guardian divinity while Natlan readies its armies to face an unknown enemy. Teyvat seems about to explode in a total war…" Miko closed her eyes, deep in thought. "And yet, even though you knew that the Fatui wanted you to come to Inazuma, you crashed through the storms and arrived here."

"And endangered several people in the process, don't forget that part." Venti half-joked, though it didn't amuse Miko.

"So I will ask you the real question. Is this really about Inazuma, Ei, or about Makoto?"

Venti's uncertainty was clear even for the untrained eye. "Awoken by the people of Inazuma, fuelled on my journey by my desire to see Ei and held back by Makoto's death. The truth is, I don't know."

"And you want to face Ei like that? When you're not even sure of your actions? You have yet to face your demons, and she will not forgive that." Miko concluded. "And… Makoto is dead. You can't bring her back, even after saving Ei. And she doesn't want to be saved, much less by you."

"Maybe so. But I'm the Archon who everybody dislikes for being a meddler, it won't be a surprise for her." He then sulked slightly, glancing at the entrance. "Besides, that tree… there's something wrong with it. I feel a faint attachment to it yet I've never seen it. And Kunikuzushi's soul somehow awakened a vision without ever being conscious and rambled about Makoto... Perhaps… He saw her. And maybe I could see her one last time as well. That's why I truly came here."

Miko cocked her head. "You mean the Sacred Sakura? You probably didn't see it properly your first and last time. And speaking of that thing. You killed it, right?"

"Why do you treat him like that? I mean, he's a complete screwup. But life's been hard on him, almost like…" Venti suddenly became aware of something in Miko's odd expression. "You did something to him."

"I can't be fully blamed for all his mistakes. But if the truth ever came out that he was created by the Shogun, don't you realise what would happen? He could have been used to spark a war or worse. I couldn't let that happen. I told Ei to eliminate him, but she decided to put him in his own house with a little memoir of his mother. And I was right to say so, seeing how he turned out."

"I'm the only one with foresight here, you know? A really bad and inconvenient foresight, but it works nonetheless." Venti mulled over her answer. "Why would she even consider creating life when…"

"As I said," Miko took back control of the conversation. "Meeting with Ei will only fester old wounds. If you still want to try and visit her, then you have to take responsibility for what will happen. If you want to help her, if you truly do, promise it to me right here."

He didn't hesitate. "I don't care if I have to destroy the Shogunate or myself to make things right. I promise that I won't run away, regardless of the outcome."

"It's uncanny to see Ei's fears validated. If you say you will help her, then I won't oppose you. Desperate situations call for desperate measures, after all. However, try to not destroy Inazuma in the process."

Hearing what she wanted to hear, Miko's tension deflated along with a heavy sigh. Her expression became calm and a slight smile reappeared.

"Even if I can't remember much of the days before the Cataclysm, my memories of you are quite positive," Miko said and waited. When no answer came from Venti, she continued. "Lady Saiguu once told me that Ei looked at you in the same way she looked at Makoto. I always wondered what that truly meant. Not like I was jealous. After all, I got to be pampered by the two of them."

With that, Venti confirmed that the Kitsune Goddess that was Saiguu was no longer there. He didn't dare ask.

"I mean, who wouldn't want to pamper such a cute foxie?" He ignored his troubles and tried to light up the conversation. "Should I make you float like in the old days?"

"I'm not that easy to buy anymore, daddy. Didn't I call you that?"

"Out of all things to remember, you chose the worst one." Venti ran his hand over his head and sighed. "I couldn't tolerate it when you were a kid, much less now when you're taller than me."

"It might be the last time we talk, daddy. I may as well get to tease you before you bite it."

He tried to clasp his hands, stopping before remembering his lack of full limbs. "I like your confidence. Anyways, I really need to check that tree."

"Hold on. Remove that old, awful kimono. It stenches of your rot."

Venti hugged himself. "No way, Makoto gifted it to me."

"Do you think that ill of me? I'll clean it for you. I would joke about undressing you, but any closer and I will pass away."

Without any more convincing, Venti wiggled out of his kimono. Having only one functioning arm made things difficult, and the Guuji's amused stare only made things worse.

"You're holding back a laugh, aren't you? So evil. Why don't you undress as well? Join the party, and maybe lose a limb or two as well!" He fixed Morax's ring with his thumb and started to put back his Kazemaru disguise.

"I can undress if you want, daddy."

"Please stop. I'm putting you up for adoption." He finally put back the owl mask, his chuckle muffling. As he used his crutch to properly stand up, he took the old kimono in hand and made it float towards Miko. "Ah, by the way. An acquaintance of mine is at the Shrine entrance. Could you check him? Abyss magic and all that."

"Shouldn't you know more than me on that topic?" Miko asked covering her nose as she took the old clothes.

"Probably. But I'm not going to fix everyone's problems or people will never learn." With a swift motion, the crutch disappeared as Venti suddenly grew in height. "Thank you for not zapping me. Show Ei your fluffy tail whenever I apologise."

Wind picked up inside the chamber as Venti rushed out of the building. He floated for a moment above the shrine, his coat fluttering in the strong wind of the mountain.

The Sacred Sakura's blossoms eluded him as he landed in front of the tree under the careful watch of a few Shrine Maidens. He had felt the ley lines flowing through the supposedly ancient tree, so the chances of being healed were quite high. But there was something inherently appalling flowing through it. A sickening feeling got stuck on the back of his head, gnawing his thoughts.

His hand touched the bark of the tree. Nothing happened.

He looked at his hand and touched it again. This time he prayed to Makoto, similar like he prayed to Vennessa at Windrise. Nothing happened.

As he was about to remove his hand again, it got stuck to the bark. After a brief panic, Venti noticed that tree wasn't sticky or assimilating him. Instead, the bark was slowly snaking its way through his only healthy arm. Reality broke down around him, his consciousness fading from the world.

"The shard of the Thousand Winds."

The horrible sensation in his mind suddenly became clear. He had heard this voice before. That feeling wasn't nostalgia or depression for Makoto's death. Something else dwelled in this tree, something primal and connected to his being.

"Why does Mondstadt still revere Istaroth, Barbatos? Feeling pity for your creator? Or is your rebelliousness aimed at us as well?"

He closed his eyes. Venti understood that he was no longer at Inazuma. The negative feelings that had been haunting him had become illusions.

"Destroy its temples and the dwellers that worship her. The God of Time must not be remembered. That is our will."

Venti opened his eyes to a white void filled with intense winds. His body was completely restored, and he was wearing his usual outfit. The emptiness, the vast void surrounding him was something familiar to him. This wasn't a domain like the one Morax and his Adepti could create. This was a world outside of Teyvat, outside of Celestia's eyes.

The vivid illusion of before could only be recreated with his memories. His own power must have been fueling the stability of the dimension… He just couldn't put his finger on the reason why it had chosen that awful memory.

"Hell is but a museum of regrets. It was those negative emotions that got attuned with this place." Venti thought out loud. "Were you this powerful, Makoto? No, that can't be. I thought it was my own power that fuelled this place but... A power similar to my own could only come from my Mother."

With a heavy sigh, Venti summoned his lyre. It was already attuned, the properties of that world seemingly acting on its own accord. The wind of the blank space became attracted to the object and the power flowing through it. A tune started to play clearly through the raging wind.

"I have to face my demons. Is this why I am here? Did Kunikuzushi face his demons too? Or is this unrelated?" Venti tapped his lyre. "Or maybe I am alone, talking to nobody while I become mad like Decarabian."

The smell of gunpowder, dust and fire started to fill the void. The floor became rocky and metallic while the dusk clouds were stained with a red dye, like the butcher had wiped off its knife on the sky.

"Makoto, you wanted to be free as well. I know that's why you decided to talk with me after millennia. I was so engrossed with your beauty that I couldn't see past that. If I had stuck true to my beliefs, perhaps you would have told me the truth sooner. And now, I'm tied down ever since you died."

Machines suddenly sprouted out of the ground as a great city sprawled through his whole vision. Fire, boulders and raging winds now completed the set of the dark, ancient kingdom that no longer was.

"As above, so below. The last day of the Kingdom of Khaenri'ah. Your last day too, Baal. It's time to face the truth."