The first few rays of sunlight lit up the Kamisato estate. The Head of the Clan, Kamisato Ayato had spent the whole night awake, sorting out documents and copies of treaties. Below that pile laid some other more confidential papers. Trading records, criminal documentation, transcripts of secret conversations.
But nowhere he could find any implication of subterfuge by Mondstadt. Friendship treaties, wine and grain shipments… Excluding some minor mishaps, he couldn't find anything that pointed to the City of Freedom for the past twenty-five years. Nobody would plan so far ahead without slipping out somewhere.
That didn't mean irregularities weren't present. Mismatched payments, missing cargo, discrepancies in weight and quantities… It could all point to smuggling and corruption, something the Kanjou Commission should be aware of.
But that never answered the elephant in the room. What would Mondstadt gain by planning this? It was at best an isolationist state. Thoma, the Housekeeper of the Kamisato Clan, hailed from the City of Freedom. From his stories, Barbatos hadn't made an appearance in at least 500 years. And its citizens preferred to thrive in peace rather than spread their beliefs.
Still, that name inspired fear in the hearts of rulers, especially those who had everything to lose. A God who sowed unrest and reaped the heads of tyrants… or so the legends went. Everyone with the heart of a historian would know of Mondstadt's two revolutions, first against the God of Storms, and then against the Lawrence Clan.
Some erudites, specifically those from Fontaine, would recall the Rainfall Incident. It was said that Barbatos and the Hydro Archon fought a bloody battle above the city of Fontaine. It is generally agreed that it was the God of Freedom who came up on top. A claim that is disputed in the City of Justice.
Those events happened so many years ago, that Ayato had trouble imagining they were even true in their current form. Regardless, one fact remained. Barbatos always came up on top.
There had to be some kind of preference in contemporary historians of those ages. After all, only famous events, in which the populace was involved, were remembered. Perhaps the incidents where Barbatos actually failed were simply not known. Mondstadt had a few stories as such, but that wasn't surprising.
As much as Ayato searched, it seemed Barbatos had a bias towards appearing in Fontaine, Sumeru and Snezhnaya. Natlan and Liyue had only a few tales, mostly mythical and not revolutionary of any kind.
There was a clear exception. Inazuma.
Why was this? Baal's rule wasn't exactly something Barbatos could have respected. Going off by his appearances in other nations, there should have been a few in Inazuma as well. For example, the God of Freedom could very well have helped Watatsumi when it rose from the seas. Yet he decided against it and let the Narukami Ogosho deal with the threat.
Perhaps Baal's grip on the nation was too tight even for him. Or her strength was too much for the Anemo God.
Regardless of the reason, Her Excellency's reaction was immediate. She had to know something they didn't.
And if that was the case, the matter gained more difficulty. If Barbatos and The Shogun were playing a game of chess, then any mortal would be mere pieces on the board. That limited Ayato's ability to steer the conflict into peace.
"May I come in, brother?" With a knock on his office door, the soft voice of Ayaka peered through. "I brought you some tea."
"You may." Ayato automatically answered, barely registering her words. Once her sister entered his office, however, he managed to unstuck his eyes from the documents. "I was too engrossed in work. Sorry for not joining you for dinner."
"It's morning already, so you also missed breakfast." Ayaka carried a tray with two cups and a teapot. "Your table is all messy again. Make some room, will you? I even brought your favourite cups."
Ayato muttered an answer, moving some papers away and knocking over a pile. He simply shrugged and glanced up at Ayaka.
"How was your visit to the Kujou Estate? I meant to talk about this over dinner, but considering the circumstances…"
"It was depressing, I must say." Ayaka sat on the empty chair facing his desk, leaving the tray on it. "A mix of disbelief and hopelessness. However, Takayuki refused to meet with me. It appears he will curse our clan after his death, though I cannot say why."
"Desperation might drive somebody to see answers where there are none. It's quite the tragic fate."
"To speak of someone with a sealed fate… it's horrifying. But, to see that Kujou conspired with a foreign power is even more disconcerting." Ayaka poured tea on both cups.
"Speaking of which, how was the heroic messenger of Fort Fujitou?" Ayato's tone shift was clear. "Were you able to confirm his story?"
"The man was not in any state to answer coherently. His uniform was certainly of the garrison and his boots were worn from use. He passed away a few hours after we left." Ayaka solemnly answered. "But I'm not sure. Anyone could have snatched a uniform and I couldn't get him to speak a name."
"It's most unfortunate. That's not enough proof, especially not with his precise timing. He arrived at a time when the Tenryou Commissioner wasn't on his estate. It could very well be a coincidence. But Fort Fujitou's fall is still shrouded in a fog of war." Ayato pondered out loud. "Is there someone who could verify the messenger's identity?
"Well… Kujou Sara didn't recognise him. If anybody knew, they had to be in Fort Fujitou. Maybe the Kannuzuka garrison too?"
"So we have nobody who can identify or confirm his story. And he didn't speak coherently."
"The few words I could make out were… music, I believe. About how the music trapped everyone. And the wailing of the wind. He repeated it like a mantra." Ayaka took her cup and took a sip of the warm tea.
"An allusion to Barbatos," Ayato observed the steam of his cup. "You could argue that the Vision Hunt Decree awakened the God of Revolution."
Everything checked out. Yet, if this was really Barbatos' plan, it was unravelled immediately in favour of the Shogun. A perfect storm. Everything that could go wrong did. It seemed perfect, too perfect in fact.
Watatsumi rose up and attacked Yashiori Island.
Only one alleged survivor from Fort Fujitou with no form to confirm it.
Said survivor arrived precisely at a time when the Commissioner wasn't at Tenshukaku.
Kujou Sara received the message instead of Takayuki, who would have likely kept his mouth shut.
Then, Kujou Sara informed the Shogun of Watatsumi's rebellion, prompting the Shogun's brash reaction.
If Barbatos was really planning everything for at least a few years, then this would be quite the tragic error. No, not even that. His track record showed otherwise. This wasn't the type of error a God would make. If such a plan existed, Barbatos would have to know of the Tri-Commission's dealings. The God benefited from Baal's inaction and would have done everything in his power to keep it that way. That meant a controlled flow of information, which meant not letting any survivor leave. Or, he could have wanted the news to spread but not by a random soldier.
Ayato had no way of knowing. There was no way to discern an error from a coincidence.
Looking at the broader picture would only confuse things. The soldier messenger was the weakest chain in the theory. And only one person would truly know. Kujou Takayuki, the supposed traitor. If he truly was part of the treachery, Ayato would be able to pry it out of him.
"I'll pay a last visit to Takayuki." Placing his half-empty cup on top of a document, Ayato got up and fixed his collar. "Thank you for the tea."
"Are you going now? But… there's still a lot to talk about. Thoma is going to be expelled if…"
"We can't go against the Shogun's will. If all Mondstadt-born citizens are to go, then I'm afraid he has to go as well." Ayato walked past Ayaka. "If for some reason we can't locate him before the deadline, then we can't do much about it."
Ayaka didn't need any more clues. If she had to hide Thoma, there was a perfect hiding spot in Inazuma city itself. Hopefully, he wouldn't be there long.
The Hanamizaka and Tenryou districts of Inazuma City were separated in two ways. One, in height. And two, by an additional defensive wall. There were three gates connecting both districts, located in different points of the city. But only the main gate was big enough for several carriages and huge flows of people. In return, it was heavily guarded, but it also meant that it was easier to slip by unnoticed. Especially in comparison with the two smaller gates.
"Yep. Nice analysis, Kazuha."
Not too far from the main gate, hidden in an alley, two ronin carefully monitored the situation. One was playing with a coin, not paying much attention, while the other one calmly played with a leaf.
"We'll be able to leave tomorrow during the execution," Kazuha answered as he let go of the leaf. "Their focus centred around the Shogun, we'll be able to slip by like water."
"Anything to lessen your headache, Kazuha. And obviously, to help my dear friend Thoma." The other ronin added, grabbing the flying coin and pocketing it. "Why don't we use the crowd after the execution? The Tengu will be by the Shogun's side anyway. We don't need to take a risk and do it during it."
"Watching somebody's life disappear like a ripple… Even if he's a traitor, it's something I will never be able to stomach." Kazuha peeked out of the alley again, before turning to his friend. "Besides, Tomo. I already told you that I'm likely being followed."
"Ah, the fabled musician. I believe you, but you have to admit it's quite the odd occurrence." Tomo adjusted his hat, maintaining his smile. "People say Mondstadt has very good bards. Maybe one of them is following you?"
"That would be very out of place. Additionally, the rhythm of that music was akin to a creaking bridge. I doubt the people of Mondstadt have a bland taste in tunes." The ronin fixed his sheath and long coat. "I don't like it, something's going on."
"Oh, it's no coincidence. I bet after Watatsumi, the Shogun is going to send her army to their shores. A horrible idea, but some people see opportunity in tragedy." Tomo explained, bouncing to keep his blood flowing.
"Sorry, what are you implying? Even if that were true, what does that have to do with the music?"
"Well, we're in a civil war. The people will be divided and Mondstadt could be a unifying factor. Having their music in Inazuma is a taunt that can be capitalised on… Or that's what some higher-ups of the Tri-Commission would like to spread." With that, Tomo stretched his arms and clasped Kazuha's shoulder. "Come on, I'm starving. I'll treat you this time."
With that, the carefree Tomo led Kazuha out of the alley. The street leading to the main gate was busy, enough for them to blend in. Shopkeepers advertising their products, random kids or urchins running around and working people travelling from place to place.
From there, 50 metres away, they could see that the soldiers of the gate were relaxed. A few of them were chatting among themselves, while some others were inspecting a cart filled with several barrels and boxes. Kazuha couldn't exactly see what they contained from so far away, but the guards seemed nonchalant about it.
"Do you think Thoma will really go along with you?" Kazuha asked, avoiding the people around him.
"Nop. But I'll give him the chance he needs if he wants it. He was lucky enough to avoid the Vision Hunt, yet the Shogun's decided to boot off all Mondstadtians. I don't care where he was born, he's Inazuman to the bone!" He clenched his fists, only stopping when he heard a noise break through the busy streets. "Well, I'll be damned."
"It's here."
Kazuha whispered his words, focusing his hearing on the sudden sound of music. It was much louder than before. So loud that even the bystanders noticed it at the same time.
"What the hell? It feels like it's being played right in front of us." Tomo turned a few times, trying to find the source to no avail.
The music, if it could be called that, was a string instrument going up and down the musical scale. Unlike the last time he encountered it, this wasn't a song. Again, he could tell it was coming from the buildings around him. Where he couldn't tell.
Then, time seemed to slow down. On top of a building to his right, he saw a small fireball moving in slow motion towards the main gate. Even in his enhanced state, the projectile flew by fast, impacting the cart being inspected by the unaware guards.
It happened in an instant.
The explosion that racketed the whole street instantly killed any soldiers near the carriage. The gate itself endured the explosion, but the fire soon engulfed the structure. The fifty metres separating Kazuha and Tomo from the main gate suddenly felt very short, as debris and shrapnel impacted them both.
Tomo's hand was already on his katana when the projectile was first fired. He didn't think about it twice, jumping five metres into a window sill before launching himself on top of the suspect's rooftop. The perpetrator was close, and he wasn't about to let them go.
Kazuha, however, did not give chase. Despair and anguish filled his heart at the sight of the raging blaze and the injured around it. The few dead that still had one or two limbs attached were the lucky ones. Not only soldiers but unlucky citizens had also been hit. That wasn't the worst part for him. The sound of cries for help and the smell of burnt flesh paralysed him for a few long seconds. Grown adults calling for their mothers in desperation, trying to use limbs that no longer were there.
Even before his mind realised it, he was already rushing to help. Those further away from the explosion had been shocked and hurt, but the injuries weren't life-threatening. He dashed past them, his eyes focused on the raging fire that was starting to consume the main gate. In its wrath, it was beginning to threaten the nearby buildings and cause a mortifying city-wide catastrophe.
He dragged a few injured out of the way before realising that the flames were becoming wild and even stronger. Unsheathing his katana, he took matters into his own hands and used his vision to control the air currents created by the blaze. There was no way he could extinguish it alone, but at the very least it would give others a chance to help those knocked out by the explosion.
Those guards who managed to avoid the blast didn't try to stop him. Seeing him use his vision to control the elemental combustion was enough indication to let him be for the time being.
Who could have been responsible for such a heinous crime? To hurt citizens without any remorse in a premeditated attack? It couldn't be the Resistance, he refused to believe so. Murdering innocent people would not repel the Vision Hunt Decree. So then who was it? Could it really be Mondstadt trying to overthrow Baal?
The training ground was quiet, only the sounds of cut air making an appearance every now and then. Inside a drawn chalk circle of around 5 metres, a soldier tried his best to hit the unamused God of Thunder. When Kujou Sara summoned her best warriors, the Shogun did not hold back and decided to test them all.
The wooden training sword flew up in the air as the Shogun defeated yet another supposedly elite soldier. Out of twenty-five soldiers, not one of them had managed to even make the Archon sweat. Her bokken flew between her fingers before sheathing it on her belt.
"Is this the best you can offer me, General?" The Shogun asked, turning slightly to Kujou Sara. "I'm beginning to see the picture of the state of affairs in the military. The Raiden Gokaden has all but disappeared. The army has assumed the role of police as well as bureaucrats. This sharp blade was only meant for one role, and these new responsibilities have dulled and rusted it."
The soldiers averted their gaze in shame, both from their hurt pride and muscles. The Tengu General decided to redirect the blame to herself. After all, she was one of the leading figures in the military.
"Regardless, with most units being sent to Kannuzuka, I suppose this will make due."
The Shogun observed how Sara took one of the wooden swords from her soldiers and faced her liege.
"I cannot be treated any different from my soldiers, Her Excellency." Her hands gripped the sword, placing herself inside the ring.
From inside the plane of Euthymia, Ei had been silently monitoring the situation. With those words of impartiality, she decided to take over her control from the Puppet. A quick blink was all she needed to get accustomed to the outside world.
"Very well. Show me your worth."
The Archon seized up her opponent in a matter of moments. Though Ei took duels seriously, she couldn't help but enjoy this one. It had been years since she had the opportunity to use her skills. And with Inazuma in danger, this was a fine opportunity to shake off some rust.
She placed her dominant hand on the sheathed bokken and waited for the General to make the first move. Like in the previous moves with the soldiers, Ei was going to react to her opponent at first. She would only punish severe mistakes.
From Sara's stance alone, she already saw all possible movements and measures she could take to prevent them. When her opponent took a step, Ei discarded some predictions and added another few. This analysis was accompanied by careful movements in her own stance, making the beginning of any duel seem like a dance.
After a few seconds of circling each other, the Shogun willingly left an opening in her form. Sara hesitated to take up such an offer, but she rushed nonetheless. Ei gracefully dodged her slash, taking the opportunity to lurch at her opponent.
Showing a great deal of respect, Sara backed away immediately at the mere movement of the Shogun. The Tengu's wings spread for a swift moment to gain extra speed as she widened her distance. Ei identified the weakness instantly. Her retainer knew of the Archon's power, but unlike her soldiers, Sara moved with an added handicap. She was a Tengu, yet fought like a human. Her enhanced agility was there, but there was no sign of the wilderness and strength of her mountain home. Finesse and savagery were not mutually exclusive, and because of that, the General would lose the same way as her soldiers. A mistake that had to be punished.
Switching her stance, Sara tried to attack from a lower angle. This time, Ei unsheathed her wooden sword and blocked the attack, shifting her weight and lunging toward the General. The latter backed away again, but the Shogun didn't let her gain any distance from her.
Running out of room, Sara's wings propelled her up in the air. But she couldn't fly, gaining no breathing room as Ei's lightning speed followed her into the air, striking the Tengu general down to the ground and out of the ring. The Shogun slowly levitated towards the ground, glancing at her beaten opponent.
"Against an overwhelming force, you must have realised that there's little you can accomplish on your own. I want no hero mindset in any of you. The only way you'll be able to capture strong vision users is by cooperation."
She touched down the ground and turned to Sara. "I will have to pry out your true abilities. Do not let the city customs hold back your wings. You should set them fr-" Ei bit her lower lip in an attempt to suppress herself.
"Once my training is finished, all of you will be completely compenetrated with each other. You shall be the lightning that follows my wake." The Shogun continued. "General, I shall leave you in charge for today. Share the information we've gathered so far, and make them understand who our enemy is."
Sara got up from the ground and bowed slightly, before turning to the soldiers. But Ei didn't register any of that, walking towards the main keep of Tenshukaku. There was an odd feeling rushing through her veins. Mellow like melancholy but everpresent like anxiety.
Then, she felt a small rush of air. Had it not been for Barbatos' teachings, perhaps she'd never noticed the elemental energy it carried. The plume of smoke rising in the distance acted like an omen of things to come.
"A fire?" She thought out loud, catching her subordinate's attention.
Sara turned on her heel and followed the Shogun's eyes. The Tengu had to focus her enhanced sight to even distinguish the faint column of rising smoke.
"We've been attacked," Ei threw away the wooden sword. "Ignore the training, investigate the matter immediately."
The General barely had time to acknowledge her orders when the Archon's form turned into electricity and zapped up into the highest point of Tenshukaku. There, Ei landed on the roof and observed her city.
A fire raged on the main gate of the Tenryou district. An elemental spell was the cause of it, that much was certain. A disgruntled vision holder? Or something darker and more deplorable?
Regardless of the reason, she couldn't let it go. Her hands glowed with electricity as she pulled the Mushou Isshin, her true vessel, out of the puppet's body. She raised the sword before pointing it at the main gate. She'd appear right in front of the fire and put it out, her mere presence calming anyone in the city.
And as she prepared a thrust, her mind froze.
"If you wish to investigate the incident, order me to do so. You can return to your duties." The Puppet's emotionless voice stopped Ei from acting. "Your current actions are not allowed within my parameters."
Ei clicked her tongue, her pose relaxing. She closed her eyes, her soul returning to the Plane of Euthymia.
"Observe the commotion and receive Kujou Sara once she returns."
The dimension was dark and empty. She hadn't been very long outside yet it seemed like centuries. It had been a mistake to leave. Mingling with the Tengu… why did she even do that? Pity for the girl, that was the only reason. Pity, sadness, anger. Those emotions were not fit for Eternity.
Even without facing Barbatos, she had already committed an error. Not once, but twice.
Yet…
The puppet kept watch of the city. Ei once believed that the view from Tenshukaku was the best view from all of Inazuma. No matter the weather, no matter who visited her. There, she could meditate peacefully. And now, she had to learn and seal the emotions that were never supposed to be there.
A millennia ago, Ei found herself doing that very same thing. On the highest point of the keep, she enjoyed the view of Inazuma city. Surprisingly, the capital was bigger back then. Makoto's stewardship meant many things, but for the average citizen, it meant wealth and prosperity. Because of that, the whole of Inazuma was more densely populated than after the Cataclysm.
Her only duty back then was to protect Makoto's successes. Protecting Inazuma meant forsaking the protection of her friends. When Watatsumi rose from the seas, it had been her tunnel vision that led to Sasayuri's death. But then, she wondered, if it hadn't been bad luck or carelessness.
Perhaps protecting Inazuma was incompatible with protecting her loved ones. And if that ever happened, if the choice between her people and her sister came, what would she choose?
"Your sister, obviously." Barbatos' voice was met by Beelzebul's polearm directed straight to his throat. "Woah, it's me, it's me!"
Barbatos' floating vessel backed away, his hands raised.
"Taking advantage of my meditation. You're truly awful, Wind Imp." Ei stopped her meditation, deciding to use her height to intimidate Barbatos. "How did you know my thoughts?"
"You mumbled the same things a few times, it would be weird to not notice." The bard sat down on the roof tiles, observing the view. "What a beautiful view, isn't it?"
"I do not come here to share thoughts." Ei crossed her arms, making it clear that she didn't enjoy his presence.
His eyes stuck to the city, Barbatos barely whispered an answer. "I'll keep quiet."
Though she tolerated his visits to her sister, she disliked their randomness. Why Makoto put up with that, she couldn't know. When Ei talked with Morax, it seemed the latter suffered the same meetings, yet for some reason, he enjoyed them too.
With two respected archons maintaining a healthy friendship with him, she was starting to believe that Barbatos wasn't that bad. It was either a convoluted plan to make Ei drop her guard or he truly was a kind soul. Like her sister usually said, the simplest explanation was usually the right one.
After half an hour of looping those thoughts, Ei broke the silence. Cordiality was not hard.
"You," She started. "Imp, I'm talking to you."
Taking the clueless approach, Barbatos looked around before pointing to himself.
"Me?"
"Yes, you." Ei tugged her braid, uncomfortable. "Do you… enjoy the view?"
"Indeed. High points like these are a favourite of mine. A steady wind and a nice view fuel the imagination, you see." He understood that Ei was still suspicious of him, so being honest was the best approach.
"I understand."
With that, Ei decided she had been social enough. It was clear she still held contempt over the God of Rebellions. Besides, he had ruined her meditation.
"Say, about your sister… Have you taken her up here?" Venti asked, not letting the conversation die.
"I have. I don't know what you're planning with her, but I do not approve of it." Ei immediately raised her guard. One thing was tolerating his visits, another one was approving of them.
"Gee, relax. I only feel admiration for your sister, nothing more."
"You came here to visit her, didn't you? And when you didn't find her, you came to me." The accurate deduction prompted an awkward laugh from Barbatos. "You didn't want to meet with me."
"Yeah, well… You're always busy when I come, so you know. I just visit whoever's here."
With the sun shining behind them, it became obvious for Ei that deciphering the God of Freedom would be nigh-impossible. Trying to decode when he lied or told the truth would be a waste of time. The more they talked, the more aware of that fact she became. She was a warrior, not a diplomat.
"My sister will be home shortly. Her visit to the Narukami shrine was mostly to gather certain materials to weave…" Ei shut her mouth.
Makoto wanted to knit something. But as he observed Barbatos' expectant eyes, she realised what it was. And the horrible feeling deep in her stomach only confirmed her fears. She didn't understand why her sister felt the need to make gifts for the living threat that was the God of Freedom. First musical instruments and now clothing.
"Are you okay? You're somehow paler than before." The bard stood up, taking a few steps towards her before she shook her head.
"I'm fine, do not approach me." She rubbed her temple, looking away. "I cannot understand why this had to happen."
"Well… I know when I'm not welcomed," Barbatos swayed on his feet before floating. "Oh, right. Before I go, did you like the gift I brought?"
Heaving a sigh, Ei faced Barbatos and answered. "It was good. Thank you for your present." She snapped her fingers, summoning an electro swirl that forced Barbatos to the roof once again. "Makoto also told me of your offer of mutual assistance. I reject it. I do not need anybody else to protect Inazuma."
"That's a moot point. Besides, I never promised that. I distinctly offered to help you and Makoto. Were you not facing this same dilemma before?" He decided to not fight the electro spell bounding him to the roof tiles. "You can either protect Makoto or Inazuma. And while Inazuma is a concept, your sister is not. So I give you this offer. If trouble arises, and both your sister and Inazuma are in danger, call my name. I will defend Inazuma in your stead while you defend her. Mondstadt's Four Winds can defend their homeland on their own, for a while at least."
Ei's immediate thought was a no. But his theory was sound. She couldn't be at two places at once. And she would rather defend her sister rather than let some weird wind creature do it. Nobody else would suffer Sasayuri's fate.
"I see no malice in your heart, yet… I do not care for your words. I want to see your strength, only then I will see if your offer is acceptable. If I deem you worthy, I will allow you to defend Inazuma once. And I will defend Mondstadt, if the chance ever arises."
Barbatos smiled and kneaded his shoulder. "I see that throwing a mountain away is not enough nowadays. My pitching hand is pretty rusty, but I'll take you on." Then, he winked at her. "Then I'll see if you can really protect Makoto. Cause you know, I'll be pretty mad otherwise!"
"Amusing, but I have no doubts about my chances."
Ei opened her eyes in the Plane of Euthymia. She mumbled a curse before rubbing her wet eyes. To think that she was the one to break that promise was a continuous reminder of her failures.
And what happened when the Khaenri'ah Revolution against the Gods occurred? That dreaded scenario happened. Inazuma and her sister in danger. The result weighed her down even centuries after.
She lost her half. Her twin. Makoto.
To blame Barbatos for Khaenri'ah's rise to prominence would be ignorant. No matter what other Archons or Celestia believed. Because there was only one person to blame for Baal's death. And that was Ei herself.