The people of Watatsumi have long been heavy supporters of the Sangonomiya Clan. This has always been the case since the day Orobashi gave the people knowledge and protected them. As a denizen of Watatsumi Island, Gorou was no different from these people.

(What he differs from people however, are the things he could not control.)

Gorou had grown up with stories of Orobashi and how the Sangonomiya Clan had protected Watatsumi. He grew up with stories of the Raiden Shogun's act of betrayal when she murdered Orobashi. He grew up with tales of battles and honour, of people who never gave up even when the moment was bleak. Gorou grew up listening to stories about heroes.

"But heroes are so different in real life, nothing like the tales spoken," Gorou said, his voice disappointed.

Aether did not reply to the comment but the sad smile on his face showed his agreement.

When the day Gorou came of age, he woke up to a delicious breakfast, courtesy of his mother, before running to the enlistment officer to sign up. 'Are you sure?' the officer had asked and Gorou remembered nodding his head, unable to verbally reply in his excitement.

He could have chosen to wait a few more years, and maybe he should have waited, but in the end, even to his dying breath, Gorou never regretted his decision to enlist.

"I knew what I wanted to be, so why wait?"

Within the Watatsumi Army, Gorou stood out mainly due to his physical traits. Even born as a commoner, the canine blood of his ancestors run strong in him. And among the sea of humans, Gorou easily stands out with his dog ears and furry tail. However, he did not mind, in fact, it was all the more better for him. After all, heroes stand out.

"I once dreamt that I would stand above everyone, as the best, as a hero. But when I no longer cared to do that, I became a General. It's strange and funny."

"Is it? I think it means that you understand what it's like to be at the top."

"Being at the top…it's scary and exhilarating. But at the same time, there's nowhere else I'd rather be."

In the army, Gorou took up the bow with aspirations to become the best sharpshooter in the whole of Watatsumi. His mere presence would spell the end for the hordes of enemies that might one day besiege the shores of this island.

(But those aspirations always felt wrong for some reason and it was only later that Gorou understood why.)

Watatsumi had never gotten along with the main island of Inazuma and they never would so long as the Raiden Shogun remained in power. So when the Raiden Shogun declared a Vision Hunt Decree to take people's Visions by force as well as the Sakoku Decree to stop those people from fleeing Inazuma, Watatsumi Island opened its borders to the fleeing masses. In a single week, the population of Watatsumi had doubled and the army too (now called the resistance) had tripled in numbers. Suddenly, Gorou did not stand out anymore, not even with his canine ears or his fluffy tail, he became one in a sea of nobodies.

Gorou threw himself deeper into training after that, determined to become the best and stand out above the rest. It was until that one lonely night, when he was practising his archery with shaking exhausted arms, Hotaru, one of the soldiers in his platoon, walked up to him to show him a book. Hotaru explained, as Gorou flipped through the pages of the book on battlefield strategies, that strength in unity is sometimes better than strength in a single man.

"He tried to show me and explain to me but I didn't understand back then. It was only when I saw what he meant that I finally understood what he was trying to tell me."

He had not believed his comrade, not until he opened his eyes and paid close attention to the battlefield. He watched as a small platoon easily took out a single lone entity where one might struggle to defeat in a single one-on-one combat. He watched as a small team snuck across enemy lines and dealt a devastating blow to the enemy forces, forcing them to fall back. Gorou watched, and he learned.

(When he received a Vision a day after he gave up his aspirations for a new one, he wondered if it was a sign from Orobashi.)

However, even with his newfound desire to use tactics and strategies, he was woefully unprepared and inexperienced to apply them on the battlefield. But it was fine, Gorou was willing to learn.

(But the world was not waiting for him to learn before he was thrown into the thick of the fire.)

It was one bright and sunny day, Gorou and his platoon had been traversing across the mountain when they found themselves surrounded by the enemy. Their leader fell to a single arrow and morale was quick to follow. The platoon was leaderless and without supplies to last for the days to come. No one dared to stand up and take the lead, everyone cowered in fear of the unknown and the inevitable that was to follow…everyone but Gorou. He took the reins of leadership, stepping forward with a plan that had everyone thinking him insane for suggesting it. And yet, they all listened as he explained his plan. They all listened and they let him lead them to victory.

"It was thanks to everyone's efforts that we made it out alive."

"But it was because you took the first step that everyone followed."

Gorou was quick to rise in the ranks after that. He was naturally charismatic and looked out for his fellow men. He was on friendly terms with everyone on Watatsumi with some even asking him for advice despite his age. Was it any surprise when he was promoted to General before the year ended?

However, after attaining the rank of General, Gorou began doubting himself. Was he really up to the task? What if he messed up due to his lack of experience? Perhaps he should have declined the promotion. There are people who are much older and more experienced in warfare who should have been a General instead of him.

"I'm still too inexperienced and still not good enough for this. There's so many other people who would make a better General than me."

"That's not what the soldiers are saying though."

Being a General did come with its perks. For one, Gorou was able to meet Sangonomiya Kokomi face-to-face where before, he could only see her when she spoke to the masses or during troop inspection. She had personally invited him over for tea, alone, to discuss his new job role. And on the night before, Gorou could not sleep in his excitement. So when he came to the meeting excited but also exhausted the next day, Her Excellency had noticed and allowed him to nap in the meeting room.

"You looked tired Gorou, we can continue this meeting later. Why don't you take a rest here? I can wake you up for lunch."

"T-That won't be necessary, Your Excellency!

"Please, I insist."

(He also almost died in embarrassment but that is a different story.)

Another perk of being a General was that it allowed Gorou access to a wider variety of knowledge, mainly books of different genres and more importantly, ones that are related to battlefield tactics. He knew that his inexperience was something he could only fix with time but knowledge on how things work and why was something he could fix now.

He spent a lot of time in the library, reading every drop of knowledge in the ancient tome that filled the shelves. As he continued to read, he began to think, should he really be hoarding this knowledge for himself? The people of Watatsumi should be allowed to browse this collection of books as well!

Kokomi smiled in amusement as Gorou continued to explain how the people of Watatsumi could benefit from obtaining more knowledge by reading the books in the library of the Sangonomiya Shrine. She continued smiling even when Gorou finished explaining, the latter sitting down in front of her, nervous as his tail showed his emotions even with his stone cold face.

"Gorou, first, let me thank you for your input and I agree that the people could benefit greatly if they could have access to the books in the library. However, were you not aware that the library had always been opened to the public? Still, your idea has merit and perhaps we should encourage the people to read more. After all, knowledge is power."

Gorou, as he continued to listen to Kokomi think of ways to encourage the locals to read more, tried his best to meld with the floor in embarrassment.

One drawback however, was that ever since he took on his new role as a General, Gorou thought that people would stop touching his ears and tail. Rather, instead of stopping, the frequency increased ever since he assumed his new role. He would protest more but they would say that touching them would bring them good luck. Gorou did not understand, he touched his ears and tail every day but he had yet to experience any of this so-called 'luck'.

"You know they're lying right?"

"They are!?"

When it came to his new role as a General, there was one thing Gorou hated about his position. Within his hands, he held the lives of the soldiers beneath his rank. It was by his orders that could lead them to victory or to their death. Gorou never forgot anyone who died under his command. He grieved with the other soldiers and he familiarised himself with the Watatsumi funeral rites so he could personally lay his men down to rest. It was not required of him nor was it required of anyone of his rank but Gorou did it he believed it to be his responsibility. No one corrected his thoughts on it because why would they? It was not troubling anyone, it was helping some.

"It's not your fault."

"Then whose is it? If only I had paid closer attention, if only I had asked, if only I had noticed!"

"Aether, it's not your fault Teppei died."

(But one day, when someone wants someone to blame, who else would be easy to target but the closest one to them, even if the closest one to them is themselves?)

One rainy night, when a lone samurai walked into the resistance camp smelling of burnt static, everyone had been ready to attack but Gorou stopped them. The samurai, by the name of Kaedehara Kazuha, was taken in under Sangonomiya Kokomi's protection but that did not stop the man from being treated to suspicious looks as he wandered through the camp. And yet, despite his men's misgivings, Gorou treated Kazuha with respect. The two became close, much to many's surprise, and it was not long before the two began talking to each other like close friends.

A few weeks later, when Gorou was inspecting the camp with Kokomi, he spotted Kazuha sitting in a dark corner between two tents, crying as he held a dead Vision in his hands. He wanted to walk up to the samurai to comfort him, only to be stopped by Kokomi who grabbed hold of his arm.

"Don't. Let him grieve," Kokomi said as she shook her head before releasing Gorou's arm.

"Wouldn't it be better if he had company?"

"Not in this case. Everyone has their own way to grieve and Kaedehara is no different. He had finally found this place safe, and if you walk in there, he may never think this way the same again. Tell the other soldiers to stay away and make sure that they do."

A few days later, Kazuha left for Ritou to escape past the borders of Inazuma and on the day of his departure, Gorou could only watch as one of his closest friends left with a wave and a promise to return to Inazuma one day. And in the darkness of the night, when everyone but the night watch was asleep, Gorou swore by the promise he made with Kazuha, to bring down the Vision Hunt Decree and the Sakoku Decree within his lifetime.

(If he had known of the Traveller by then, he would have made a different vow.)

When the borders of Inazuma closed, it became difficult to enter or leave the country. News of the world beyond the border became hard to come by and yet, rumours of the Traveller still managed to flow into the country. The rumours were largely met with scepticism and were mostly ignored. After all, why should the people of Inazuma care about what happens outside of Inazuma when they have a war right at their doorsteps? Gorou too had been one of those who ignored the rumours. They had been rightfully unbelievable, and who knows how much of the original story had been twisted by the time word of it reached the shores of Inazuma?

"Even the most outrageous of rumours contain some grains of truth to it," Kokomi answered when Gorou asked if she had heard of the Traveller.

Gorou had expected the rumours of the Traveller to die out once the people moved on to more interesting things. And he was mostly right. Sangonomiya Kokomi still paid attention to those rumours but among the common soldiers? They no longer cared about a god-like being who saved countries that were not their own.

(Gods after all, were slightly more commonplace in Teyvat.)

He had been content to ignore it, right until he received a letter from his close friend, Kazuha.

To Gorou

I am writing to you to tell you that I will be returning to Inazuma to join the resistance.

As a wanderer, I am one who walks the land with no destination in mind, but I believe that I cannot continue my wanderings so long as the turmoil of this land remains.

I came to my decision after a chance meeting with someone. He gave me much to think about, for the country where the wind once carried the dreams of the people, where the pristine clear water once carried their hopes, where my beloved memories stayed. I ask myself, do I want to walk away from that? I decided that I could not.

I look forward to seeing you again, my friend.

Kaedehara Kazuha

Gorou instinctively knew that the person Kazuha had met was the Traveller. There was no evidence of his claim, no proof of the fact, but Gorou knew who that person was.

Unfortunately, at the same time when Gorou received the letter from Kazuha, a different letter came, addressed to Sangonomiya Kokomi. Kazuha's letter was immediately forgotten in favour of deducing if the letter from Kamisato Ayaka was a trap laid out by the Tenryou Commission to take out the leader of the resistance.

"It could be a trap," Gorou warned after reading the letter Kokomi had shown to him.

"No, the Kamisato Clan is not so dishonourable to lay out a trap like this. Also, they have been protesting against the Vision Hunt Decree. And I know that Ayaka is not someone who would write a letter, especially one so urgent, unless the contents are true."

Kokomi had refused to allow Gorou to accompany her to the city, and Gorou understood her reasoning but it made watching her departure no less bitter on his tongue. And like some ill-timed coincidence, Kujou Sara led an attack against the resistance frontline the morning after Kokomi departed for the city of Inazuma.

(Gorou wondered if perhaps there was a spy amongst the ranks but even if there is, how could word have reached out so quickly?)

Gorou tried his best to hold off the assault but Kujou Sara's abilities of warfare proved to be greater than his own. The frontline was slowly pushed back as the resistance struggled to fight off the enemy and morale slowly declined at every subsequent loss. There were a few battles won and the resistance had been able to push back against the Tenryou Commission in a few battles but the ground they gained was not enough to make up for what they had lost. It galled him how outmatched he was compared to Sara and worse that even if he had the experience to match her, he would have still lost to her.

"I admit that I was completely outmatched and outmanoeuvred by her and I respect her skills as a tactician, but it annoys me that I can never be up to that standard. However, that does not mean that I will just take it lying down. Even if I am backed against the wall, as long as I can still see a way out, I will take that risk."

(He would get his men through this, even if he must challenge Kujou Sara to a duel by the Shogun's throne.)

At the very least, the resistance army has to hold out until Her Excellency's return so no matter what, the frontline cannot reach the shores of Watatsumi Island. But as the days went on, the fighting became fiercer and Gorou was forced to take command on the battlefield itself, despite protests from his men.

"General Gorou, you shouldn't be on the frontlines! If you fall, the resistance will have no leader!"

"Then I just have to not fall! With me men! We cannot let them through!"

The resistance army rallied at the declaration and morale was high once Gorou took his place on the battlefield. He watched the layout of the opposing forces and began giving out orders to counter the enemy, even managing to take out a few enemies who managed to get past the main forces.

Gorou thought that the resistance would emerge victorious. He believed that they would win this battle. It was clear that they would win. However, his instincts screamed at him to withdraw even when he could almost taste victory. It was only when the enemy appeared from the side with Kujou Sara taking the lead, separating the resistance army into two that he realised his mistake. The resistance army had stretched too far and now the ones at the front were unable to fall back, having been cut off from the rest of the army. He had made a grave mistake and now, his men will have to pay the price.

"It was an amateur mistake and there is no one else to blame but me."

And by some miracle, when Gorou almost fell to despair at the grave loss, a loud battle cry resounded from behind the enemy forces followed by a tornado tearing through the opposing army.

"General, you did well, I'm proud of you. Now, leave the rest to me."

Gorou turned his head to the familiar voice and smiled brightly at Kokomi who descended regally from a wooden rowboat and was slowly making her way to him. His attention was drawn back to the battlefield when the Shogunate Army screamed in terror as another tornado raged through the enemy's ranks. Though Gorou could not see who was the one destroying the enemy, among the sea of soldiers, he spotted a flash of orange and a swirl of wind as a group of soldiers were thrown aside by a blast of wind.

"Kazuha!" Gorou called out, his ears perking up in his happiness.

His friend, Kazuha, nodded in acknowledgement before quickly drawing his sword to parry a slash from a samurai. The two held their blades against each other until a wide upper swing of a claymore sent the Shogunate samurai tumbling away from him.

"Eyes on the battlefield Kazuha!" Beidou called out with a smirk before swinging her claymore again and shattering the sword of an enemy who tried to attack her from behind.

Gorou fought with Kazuha by his side while Beidou moved back to regroup with the rest of her crew. Kokomi began sending out orders to regroup with the soldiers who were split off and in the midst of everything, there was an unknown group destroying the Shogunate Army. A loud horn call resounded from the side of the Tenryou Commission and suddenly, the entire Shogunate Army pulled away from the battlefield. Gorou watched as the army fled while the resistance cheered at their retreating backs. As the army retreated, they were split into two lanes, giving a wide berth around a single man as they fled to the Kujou Encampment.

"I've recruited the Traveller to our cause," Kokomi explained as Gorou watched a small floating person fly down from the sky to hug the lone man. "With his help, we will be able to overturn this deadlock."

Gorou listened as Kokomi began ordering the soldiers in the aftermath of the battle but the words did not register in his mind, not when his full attention still remained on the Traveller.

It was not a group of soldiers who destroyed the Shogunate Army, not a group of elite Vision wielders who summoned tornados to devastate the enemy ranks. It was but a single man and that scares Gorou, not because of his strength or his might but because of a certain memory.

Gorou remembered a lone samurai who was unmatched in duels, whose strength rivalled a hundred men, who wielded a Vision proudly even when he stood on the side of those who stole them from the weak. Gorou remembered the samurai and he remembered the way that samurai was defeated. He had been overconfident of his abilities and walked straight into a trap, before perishing as he succumbed to his wounds. Gorou remembered the samurai crying for help with his last breath but no one came for him. He buried the samurai with honour and he prayed for a better life for the samurai when he reincarnates.

(It was war and the sights of war are always brutal to watch.)

Gorou remembered and he was afraid, not for himself but for the Traveller.

"You can be the strongest person in the world, but all it takes is one arrow out of a thousand to take you down."

He continued to stand there, even when Kokomi left his side, even when his men moved to return to Watatsumi, he continued to stand there, slightly numb to the world. It was only when the Traveller approached him, visibly being led over by his floating companion, that Gorou reacted.

"Thank you for your assistance! I am Gorou, General of the Watatsumi Army. It is an honour to meet you!"

Gorou offered his hand out for a handshake but the Traveller continued to watch him, nodding his head in acknowledgement while his hand remained still at his side. It was the Traveller companion who quickly grasp Gorou's hand with both of hers, enthusiastically shaking it as she introduced herself and the Traveller.

"Paimon is Paimon and this is Aether! Paimon is glad to meet you!"

"...He offered a handshake, didn't he?" Aether asked, blushing in embarrassment, "Sorry Gorou, I wasn't ignoring it. I was…I didn't want to overuse my Elemental Sight again. I-" There was a sigh before Aether continued, "Maybe I should explain from the beginning."

"Perhaps not here," Gorou said, suddenly aware that they were still standing in the middle of a battlefield. "Let us return to the resistance camp first and we can talk more there."

The walk back was mostly quiet with Paimon asking Gorou questions while Aether kept silent the entire way. Kazuha followed behind Aether, keeping watch at the back but where his expression was usually gentle, his face now carried one of unease and wariness. When they reached the resistance camp, the place was abuzz with activity, more so than usual. Gorou knew that he had to discuss with Kokomi about their next actions but at the same time, Aether looked impatient and upset while Paimon was fidgeting and staying close to her partner.

"Gorou," Kazuha called out and Gorou jumped, realising that he had forgotten his friend in the midst of everything. His friend pulled Gorou aside, his face serious as he whispered into his ears, "Listen to what Aether has to say first before you meet up with Her Excellency. There are more things than what meets the eye and though I am well aware that we are in the midst of a war, there are some actions I do not condone. Her Excellency means well but socialising is not one of her strong suits."

Kazuha left, walking away from the resistance camp, presumably returning to Beidou's side. And as Gorou watched Kazuha's back, distantly getting further away, he pondered over the words his friend said. He turned his head back to look at the camp, more specifically, at the tent that houses the command post. Her Excellency would be there, waiting for his return but Kazuha's words remained on his mind…and he could not ignore the words of one of the few friends he trusted.

"Come with me," Gorou said as he walked away from the resistance camp.

"Are we not going into the camp?" Paimon asked, shifting her gaze back and forth to look at the camp and Gorou.

"I know a place nearby where we won't be overheard."

And as Aether told his story, Gorou listened and he understood. He understood and he learned. And because he learned, he knew and he could empathise.

"I understand why she did it and I know that we are all getting desperate as the war continues to drag on. So when you came along, it was an opportunity she cannot hope to miss."

"I understand too, but that doesn't mean that I have to like it."

Gorou always knew that Kokomi was trying her best, but now he wished that she would rely on her people more instead of picking the options that would win the war but burn the bridges all around her. He also knew that Kokomi would send Aether off on his own, no doubt because of his own prowess but Gorou would not allow it to happen.

(Not when he still remembers the lone samurai who cried for help and no one came.)

"Your Excellency," Gorou greeted, once he was able to return to the command post. "I think that the Traveller should be assigned to Swordfish II. They are currently lacking a captain and leaving him as an infantry soldier is a waste of his talents."

Gorou listened and he understood. He understood and he learned. And when he learned, he knew and he empathised. And because he knew what to do, he could do better.