Published: 04/13/22

The Brewing Storm


Aether thought his day would be grim, thinking of his sister, and his failures.

Instead, he was sidetracked as he escorted a walking catastrophe called the Immortal Shogun of Inazuma. Not that he mind, Ei was great company, and her naive outlook on this new world was a sort of comforting thought for him. It eased his shoulders a bit.

The moment they set off, right at the lower-ends of the city, Ei had already attracted enough attention to start a festival on the spot. He hopes it wouldn't escalate, as Aether had a feeling that his Mora would take another hit concerning Paimon's unending appetite, and Ei's rather weird penchant for purchasing sweets.

It was a blessing for the people to give free treats to their Archon. Ei, having a penchant for sweets tried to resist, but under the excuse of not disappointing her subjects succumbed to the mouth-watering feast.

Before Paimon could dig in, an exhausted soldier stumbled into the area. He was heaving and panting, as if the hounds of the Abyss were behind his tail. Aether was first to catch sight of the poor guy, but it seems that the soldier caught Ei's attention as well.

A hilichurl problem arose throughout the Narukami region, spreading from beneath mount Yougou and Konda Village to the fields outside the city itself, and the poor soldier telling the tale with breathless heed of many camps that immediately sprung across the countryside.

Hearing this, Ei turned full-Shogun mode. Or did she let the Shogun puppet just take control? It was hard to tell which was which in hard situations, but he was slowly learning the difference.

After shoving the soldier her treat, Ei marched towards the plains, her spear rearing to strike her wrath towards whatever stood in her way. Apparently, numbering in the hundred, Hilichurls roaming the wide plains mysteriously disappeared after a sudden flash of thunder roaring beyond the city limits.

Leaving with a panicked crowd behind and a bewildered soldier with a treat on his hand alone, Aether rushed after Ei, intending to give whatever aid he could. Not letting Paimon even begin to enjoy her meal, the Traveler rushed towards the turbulent battlefield.

Seeing as how the Shogun was slaying her foes as harvesting wheat on a field so easily, Aether felt confident in their chances. He wasn't alone, as a stream of Samurais and soldiers rushed behind him.

Charging straight at a group of well-armed Hilichurls, Aether took a stance and the battle commenced. What might have been a few minutes of slaughter equated to a long winded fight. Hilichurls, Mitachurls, and even Lawachurls hopped into the field of what was once an empty field, now filled to the brim of burnt grass and hilichurl corpses.

As he dodged another blow from a hilichurl, Aether made quick work against it, feeling a bit guilty of hurting what was once human. A dark look and a grim frown plastered on his face, Aether did not see another sneaking behind him.

Before Paimon could warn him, thunder roared, and the hilichurl was struck. The sound was deafening, but it certainly shook him out of his reverie. With wide eyes, Aether gazed behind his back. As if thunder struck him, he froze beneath those stormy eyes.

The Shogun leveled her gaze and her weapon as the fight concluded. "Hmm, you were not this distracted when we clashed blades at the Plane of Euthymia." The disappointed tone irked him to no end, but Aether held his gaze steady.

He was just distracted, that's all.

"Sorry," Aether scratched his head through his golden hair. "The past few days have been rough, exploring the whole of Inazuma and doing commissions for the Guild here and there." He sighed tiredly, "We only took a break after the latest one was done. That, and fill Paimon's stomach."

Aether couldn't help but smile when Paimon kicked her little feet up in the air. "Hey! Paimon's fine and is unhurt, thank you!"

"Exploring?" Ei stowed away her spear, giving a curious look at the Traveler. "The entirety of Inazuma? Must be quite the sight."

The soldiers behind them finished whatever resistance was left, before marching back to the city, awaiting more orders from the Tenryou Commission. No doubt Sara already heard what happened, and the chaos might ensue further.

Aether nodded, alongside an excited Paimon, who was more than happy to recount the tales of their exploration to the different Islands. Ei, who was listening intently, as well as keeping a good eye around them for more trouble, nodded at Paimon's every word.

He did not refute the little fairy's statements, but he did try not to cringe at certain moments of his journey across Inazuma. Weirdly enough, Ei did not disagree nor discard the thought when it came to the part of talking cats or sacrificing children.

"Inazuma indeed has a rich set of history," Ei sighed, "One that I worked so hard in keeping still. I wonder how much has changed beyond the borders." She gave a pondering thought towards something. "I never really heard much since a year ago, but word still traveled through the Tenryou Commission's watch."

Ei looked over the vast horizon of mountains and sea. "It is not hard to witness the lanterns over Liyue Harbor. Many of my subjects decry that it was an omen, against my decision to create the Decree. Others say, it is a sign of my eternal wisdom."

In that moment, it was hard not to be amused when the indomitable shogun was stirring her feet and looking towards them with a timid posture. "Did I make a mistake in pursuing eternity?" Pursing her lips, she asked hesitantly, "Did my people hate me?"

"Ei, that's not the point," Paimon said. "Sometimes we make the simplest of mistakes that have the greatest of consequences."

"Wow, Paimon. You certainly have become wise."

The little fairy nodded at the Traveler, a proud look etched into her face. "Thank you, Traveler. Paimon has indeed been reading books at the Yae Publishing House."

"The emergency food has finally become an emergency book?" Aether grinned at his companion. "Certainly an upgrade."

"Hey, stop with the Emergency jokes!"

"Who said they were jokes?"

Ei watched in amusement as the two descended to a friendly argument. "I appreciate the sentiment, but I still believe I am at fault for many problems that Inazuma is now plagued with. War, destruction, and utter confusion. So many widows, too many orphans." She scoffed, her eyes filled with a storm of anger. "For what? An eternity that would only last for me? It seems I pushed too far, and in my pursuit of what I truly believed was the answer to my suffering, I only shared that pain towards others."

Aether's thoughts immediately went to Teppei. That brave fool, Aether smiled. Hearing that Teppei perished right when he left to go after the Fatui, Aether regretted that he let his emotions whirl instead of being there with his friend till the end.

"I understand."

Ei's eyes widened, before it narrowed at the Traveler. "How could you? No offense, but you have never lost someone important in your arms. Seeing their wish, their dream, fade away alongside the light in their eyes?" She glared at the Traveler, the wind picking up behind her, and a storm that borders the ocean roared, incensed and outraged. "What gives you the right to declare that?"

Paimon looked between them, staying quiet when Aether nodded. "I didn't lose someone dear in my arms, true. I left him behind. In fact, he was dying, I was supposed to be by his side, comforting him. Telling him that I will get the uniforms and try it out together. To say that we'll share laughs and talk about stuff when everything is over." Golden eyes stared at the dark clouds on the horizon, beyond the coast and sea, and even beyond the world itself. His thoughts struck a mile away. "Instead, I ran away. From my sadness, I gave in to hate, and it nearly got me killed. I should have been there, by his side like a true friend. Instead, Kokomi had to approach me, comfort me and give me a sad smile and said that Teppei died alone, peacefully."

Ei turned silent, before gazing up the mountain where her friend resides. "Every time I look at that tree, I feel ashamed. I do not know why, or how, but I feel that I am missing something. A part of me was lost that day. A part of me never felt whole again."

Aether smiled sadly, "I may never know what happened that day, but I know that feeling. Every person, mortal or gods, do too. Venti lost a crucial part of himself, he created a persona, a face to keep up with it." He chuckled, remembering the reason why he drinks so much. "Zhongli- er, Morax lost someone too. He was different back then, until someone straightened him out. I wish I could know her name, her face, so I could laugh with her every time Zhongli would just skimp out on a payment."

Ei made a face, unsure of what to feel.

In the end, she sighed, letting her shoulders loose. "The battle has me rattled, the adrenaline still pumping. I apologize for being too harsh with my words, I never meant to belittle your hardships." Giving out a smile, Ei held out a hand. "I wish for us to spar. At least, until the adrenaline has vanished. What do you say?"

Aether smiled, knowing how troubled she was. Nodding, he took a stance. "Might as well let loose the frustrations."

And distractions.


"So, where do we go next?"

Ei agreed with the little fairy. Finally letting off some steam, as Yae would put it, Ei got her mind clearer than before. As they were resting beside a small lake, taking a breather from their spar, the company was wondering what was next on the agenda.

It has been a while since she was on a war campaign, and the recent Hilichurl presence certainly created an uncomfortable sensation. It reminded her of the dark times Inazuma has faced a long time ago. For most, it was a forgotten memory, but for her a fresh wound that has yet to heal. Ei wondered if it would be considered a scar instead.

Such musings were interrupted by a certain blond Traveler calling out to her. "What do you think about this? Whatever happened, none of it was normal. How could the soldiers miss something like this?"

Indeed, she would have a word to the Tenryou Commission about this small overlook. But Ei did not blame them, as she too did not feel their presence. Inazuma city was part of her, so Ei could sense threats whenever she was in the Plane of Euthymia. And yet, a massive force of Hilichurls dared trespass her lands and threatened her people without the soldiers nor her being the wiser.

"I would suggest returning to the city," Ei said, determined to snuff out whatever dared challenge her rule. "But I need answers, something that we lack at the moment." Staring above the clouds, the sun was setting over the Yougou twin mountains. "The soldier reported that many of the areas around here were filled with Hilichurl activity. We'll head to the summit and meet with the wise priestesses there, and convene with their wisdom."

"Wise priestesses?" Paimon tilted her head.

Aether perked a brow. "Wisdom?"

Ei nodded confidently, "Indeed, and if we are lucky, or unlucky, we might encounter Yae on the way."

"Is Yae really shirking her duty sometimes?"

She sighed, "I do not know, but if I were to predict, this past few years might have been boring for her. Please tell me she hasn't ruined the shrine?"

Ei felt a relieving breath when both shook their heads. "Good. I was worried that-"

"Never fear!" Paimon cheered. "Yae is many things, a sly fox is one of them, but she never lets us down!"

Nodding alongside her, Aether replied, "Last we saw, the shrine was fine."

There were many times she grew worried about her friend during her time in the Planes of Euthymia, but it seems she has placed faith in her friend well. Smiling, Ei was about to say something before Paimon uttered another peculiar word.

"Tourist trap! Oh yeah, didn't Yae charge an extra fee for extra hours at the shrine?"

What.

"Yep." Aether replied with a smile. "She also gave a sweet deal on the fortune slips for the electro archon, buy two get one free! It's a shame that people waste their money on that, and make us clean their mess, but it certainly proved a profit."

That… that stupid, fluffy, fox.

"Really!?" Paimon's eyes glowed bright. "What a deal! I also heard from an exasperated shrine maiden that Yae proposed to change their outfit for something more… exciting? Western? Something about maids? I can't seem to get it right, but whatever it was, it certainly caused an uproar."

She was the Raiden Shogun, Thunder Incarnate, ruler over Fair Inazuma, and the Guardian of the Dark Sea. Ei faced gods, monsters, and mortals as her foes. Not once did she ever falter, nor did she ever flinch at any adversity. Her blade sliced through earth and heavens, not once was she ever defeated. Not once did she ever feel fear… or hate… or anger. At anything, at anyone. Not even her most trusted adviser and friend.

Paimon pondered more, "Didn't she sell one of those Raiden plushes? From the souvenir shop, a one stop gap on your Mora! Or so says the advertisements."

Aether's eyes shined, "I know! I wanted to buy one of those, and heard that they were soft and fluffy. A shame it was all sold so quickly."

"Yeah! It perfectly captured Ei's stern face! Though, to be fair, Paimon thinks it was a cute pout, but who cares? Am I right, Ei? Ei?"

A picture of tranquility, of serene beauty. That was what described Makoto. Ei on the other hand, would have a hard time finding a poet to even begin describing her utter and pure rage. Ignoring the concerned looks from the Traveler and his companion, Ei pointed a single finger towards the shrine, and thunder roared behind her, more fearsome than what the Hilichurls could ever incur from her.

"The Shrine. We march there." Her wrath was ready to burst.

A shame, that the fox slinked away when she was not looking.


AUTHOR'S NOTE:

I have finally decided to take matters into my own hands, and continue this story. It is the least I could do for all the trouble that was caused, and I am more than happy to finish it. I want to see it through anyway, for my sake as a writer, and for readers that wished to see it finished too. This chapter is a new beginning, something small and insignificant, but it was something at least. I'm still an amateur writer, learning and developing my style as I go.

With the support of my commissioner gone, as I had decided it was best, the chapter update frequency would be irregular. Fear not, as I will complete this story no matter how long it takes.

Leave a review, I wish to know your thoughts on the chapter, as it fuels my muse. Thank you for understanding, and being patient. I appreciate all my readers for being so forward with me. This story, and fanfics in general, are a way to escape from whatever troubles you have in life. This is a safe haven from whatever problems plague the world, just a story, the author, and his readers.