If Kujou Sara had to describe herself, loyal would be the first word that would cross her mind. No matter what the Shogun wanted, she'd accomplish it in a heartbeat. Arrests, mobilisations, executions or law enforcement, Sara would do it all within a heartbeat and without any delay. The Shogun could only concentrate in Eternity if Sara did her job immediately.
Nowadays, however, Sara wasn't so sure. Almost three days ago, the Shogun had commanded her to do one thing. A task that no matter what she tried, the Tengu found impossible to accomplish.
To talk with her adoptive father one last time.
She had made several excuses. Hunting visions, investigating the latest events and, of course, protecting the Shogun. But those were that, excuses. She had plenty of time to, at the very least, say a heartless hello. And now time was running out.
In thirty minutes, the Shogun herself would execute Kujou Takayuki in front of a morbid crowd.
Her mind was a stormy sea, riddled with questions and uneasy emotions that she couldn't properly manage.
Her father was a traitor, so she could not talk to him anymore. But he was still her father, the one who raised and moulded her into the perfect servant. So the least she could do was talk to him. Yet it was that very education that had killed him, so she shouldn't apologise. However, it had been her override of the chain of command that sentenced him to death. But he was a traitor, so he deserved it. Looping that ceaseless chain of thoughts, she could barely sleep.
Only by ignoring them could she function normally. But now, with the deadline upon her, all those pent-up feelings had overflowed.
In front of the Kujou estate, Sara couldn't move further. As if the very existence of her father inside was preventing her from entering. The Shogun had shown some mercy allowing Takayuki to remain under house arrest until the execution. Mercy for some, torture for her.
How long had she stood there? She wondered if the guards were thinking of her being crazy. She didn't care. Worse rumours existed, and she didn't mind those.
"An imposing mansion, isn't it?"
Sara swiftly spun around to face the sudden intruder. It was Kamisato Ayato, deep in thought. If there was a Commissioner Sara found hard to deal with, it was Ayato. His demeanour had always an air of control so subtle and underhanded, that it clashed with her upfront nature. Ayaka's soft nature could only be achieved because of her brother's foul hands. That's what she believed, at the very least.
Ayato noticed the lack of an answer from the Tengu General, his eyes meeting with hers once.
"I apologise, I didn't mean to interfere with your thoughts." He bowed slightly.
"Whatever do you want, Yashiro Commissioner?"
"I was merely wondering why the Shogun's bodyguard is not with her," Ayato answered, turning once again towards the mansion. "I was wondering if yesterday's… attack, had put a wrench in your safety protocols."
"No." Her answer was immediate. "You do not care for me, so ask what you truly want."
He, however, refused to do so. "My, why do you say that? I'm a few years younger than you, but even I still remember the first time we met. I believe… it was not too long after my sister was born. I was accompanying my father to Tenshukaku when my childish curiosity led me to explore the palace. And then you came along and yelled at me like I had stolen the crown jewels."
Shifting her weight from one foot to the other, Sara managed to recall that memory. "That's because you stepped on the floors I recently cleaned. If my father found any imperfection, he'd make me clean them all again."
"Is that so? You gave me quite the scare at the time," Ayato replied with a soft chuckle. "I honestly believed you were chasing me with a knife as I ran away in terror. That's why the next time we met, I almost fainted in fear."
"…Surely you jest." She muttered, rubbing her forearm. "I'm sorry, I do not recall much of those years. I only remember you as a troublesome kid who always tried to belittle me."
Ayato paused, not hiding his surprise. "Really, how come?"
"You were always asking me if I needed help in the most menial tasks like I wasn't to be trusted with the slightest of responsibilities. Or defending me from my siblings like I couldn't protect myself. And for your actions, I was the one punished by father." The General retorted, not holding back. "Even now you act like you have everything under control as I continuously fail to prevent even the most basic attacks on Inazuma." Sara faced Ayato, crossing her arms. "So what is it you want, Commissioner? Because I do not care for your words in the slightest."
"I was unaware I left such a bad impression on you. I never meant to be patronising," Ayato turned away from Sara, facing the mansion once again. "I came here to speak about your father and his actions."
"The Shogun's sentence is unshakeable. There's no point in discussing it."
"I do not mean to imply he was innocent. I've been a witness to his continuous efforts to block my petitions and continue his underhanded dealings… But all that has happened in this week has an air of rot that I cannot identify."
"My father hid information from me. Troop movements, police activity, even the true numbers of our army. Even now I've been shuffling through reports of partisan activity from months ago. He was a traitor, no doubt about it. A traitor to the Shogun and me." Her body was completely still as she talked, aware that any movement could push her over the edge.
"So you were unaware of Watatsumi's resistance signs. Even before the Vision Hunt Decree, I heard of their constant petitions for tax breaks and a request for an expansion of the grain dole to their citizens. All were refuted by the Tri-Commission, much to my opposition." Ayato folded his hands behind his back. "Though even I was unaware of the more… violent rumours. Perhaps if we had maintained some communication between each other, Sara, we might have been able to alert the Shogun."
"No point in debating hypotheticals. The damage is done." Though Sara was strict in her answer, a semblance of doubt sprouted in her mind.
"Of course. And has Takayuki talked about his ties with Mondstadt?"
"Only the Shogun knows. Her Excellency took it upon herself to interrogate him." Sara was honest in her reply, eased up by Ayato's upfront words. "That is as much as I'm willing to share. I am only engaging with you because you are loyal to the Shogun, and she has placed her trust in you. I need to keep up with the defence of Inazuma, and my dislike for you has to take a second place."
"Don't beat yourself so harshly, General. Your worth is not measured by your productivity. If you feel like hating me will accomplish anything, go ahead." Ayato shifted his posture, glancing at Sara. "The guards are getting impatient. You should escort Takayuki out of the residence. I can help if you wish."
Sara shook her head, walking towards the Kujou mansion. "He will try to kill you. Some in the Kujou clan believe you to be responsible for his downfall. They blame me as well, but they don't dare to say it."
She walked up to the three steps leading to the entrance. Then, she stopped and turned to Ayato.
"Your sister was quite respectful and asked me to treat you in the same way. If… you wish to ask my father questions, you can do so on our way to the plaza."
Ignoring Ayato's reaction, Sara entered the residence.
Her mind was set. He wasn't her father anymore, just a traitor. That would help her cope with the pain.
Shogunate soldiers were already inside, with no servants around. They seemed to be slacking until she had entered, though she was too nervous to berate them.
She walked along the long hallway, passing by a few other soldiers, before reaching the main room. Looking at her feet for a brief moment, she breathed in for a few seconds. Then, the soldiers opened the sliding doors.
Inside Takayuki was kneeling in the middle of the room. A shell of his former shell, he looked tired, decrepit and on the brink of despair. He seemed somewhat confused as Sara entered the room.
"It's time." She immediately put up a strong front, though it was brittle.
"You have not removed your shoes." He didn't look up, his eyes glued to the tatami floor.
Sara clicked her tongue but remained passive. "Get up."
"Where's the Shogun?" He asked again, not moving from his spot. "I heard her soul talk to me."
With a sudden jerk, Sara pulled him from his arm. The old man wavered and almost tripped on his knees. The Tengu was able to keep him steady and pushed him to his feet.
"The emptiness surged from her sword and left a spine within my spirit." He blurted out again. "Five hundred years of stillness and pain, we are not worthy, not worthy at all."
"Father, stop it." Sara had trouble keeping her eyes on Takayuki, his mere shrivelled form saddening her further. She softly pushed him forward, making him walk. "You're the head of the Kujou clan. Act like it, please."
"That's true, that's true." Takayuki nodded as two soldiers joined him. He looked at both of them, hoping to find someone. "Where's Masahito? Is he in Mondstadt?"
Sara swallowed hard. "Kannazuka island, father. He's been stationed there for three months already."
"Good… good… He has the heart of a warrior. He should not let it be corrupted on the mansions of Narukami. We have all been afflicted, we're not worth it. Kamaji's too soft, he doesn't have the backbone to represent our clan. And Sara… her loyalty lies not with the clan."
It was then that Sara realised that Takayuki's mind was too far gone. Whether it was the Shogun, his treason or isolation, something had snapped on his mind. It didn't seem he recognised Sara at all.
"Kujou Sara is adopted, she's not your daughter," Sara said tentatively, getting an odd glance from the two escorting soldiers.
"Sara was supposed to be the perfect weapon, yes… But she's still my daughter. A fine-tuned instrument whose song I love to hear. She bears our family name like any other member, be it by blood or contract. I understand why she hates me now, I am not worthy. Perhaps I was too harsh with her, but now she's a grown woman. She'll understand what a horrible father I am. That's something to be proud about." Takayuki glanced around again. "Where's Masahito? Is he in Mondstadt?"
"…No, father." Sara's words choked on her throat, barely holding back a cry.
"Freedom is dangerous… he should return soon. He'll be corrupted, yes. Just like I was. We are not worth it after all."
They reached the entrance of the mansion, but Sara did not follow through. She observed all the soldiers leave her household. Then, she sat down on the mansions genkan and covered her face, her tears unworthy to be seen.
Outside, Ayato observed Takayuki's march-past with a heavy heart. There was no way he could ask any sensitive questions with so many soldiers around. Instead, he waited until all of them left the estate. Then, he glanced at the mansion, hearing the soft pitiful whimper of stress and devastation. Like his sister the day they lost their mother, how he loathed that sound. To intrude at that moment, however, would be unwise.
He waited for quite a few moments, once again admiring the architecture of the mansion. Keeping his mind occupied.
After five minutes, the clattering of wood moved his gaze towards Sara. With an impeccable form only betrayed by her red eyes, her aura was quite different from before.
"Why are you still here?" She immediately asked, her voice firm.
"You do not need to be a witness." Ayato's words were direct like she preferred them. "No children should watch their father's execution.
"I believe I told you I don't like your patronising attitude." Sara walked up to him. "I am the Shogun's bodyguard, I will not leave her alone."
"And I am her trusted Commissioner, I can't leave her alone either." Ayato retorted with a slight smile.
"Then start walking. I will not leave you out of my sight. The Shogun's the only one I need."
Her heart felt light, and her head was set on an objective. The worst day of her life was not yet finished, but the anxiety that had gripped her whole body had all but vanished. Through the darkest of times, her wings spread and found light in making peace with her father. And ultimately, with herself.
Because her father was right. Her loyalty laid not with the Kujou Clan. She needed not their love or hate. All her devotion was directed at the Shogun. With Her Excellency, she needed nothing else.
The square containing the Statue of Baal was moderate in size, with each street leading towards it being protected by checkpoints. Even before that, a bigger checkpoint was hastily established on the bridge leading into Tenshukaku. The crowd inside it was kept in check by rows of soldiers who managed to control the people without much trouble.
Then, electro energy appeared in the centre of the raised platform, flickering for several seconds. And with it, Baal herself. With the flick of her hand, the small eruption of whispers in the crowd ceased. All who could observe her became quiet, engrossed at the sight of their latent God.
"People of Inazuma," Her voice was loud and imposing, yet somehow not overbearing. "Every day my heart bleeds for our nation. With the outbreak of war and the gruesome attacks of yesterday, even more so. I have defended Inazuma for centuries, against gods, monsters and demons. But today the enemy is none other than our fellow compatriots of Watatsumi. The island whose fate I spared millennia ago, whose descendants are now throwing it all away for a lie."
Baal wagged her finger, motioning the soldiers constraining Takayuki forward.
"They have been misled by the dreams of ambition of the Recreant Priestess of Watatsumi. And helped by the corruption inlaid within the Tri-Commission." Her gaze followed the pair of soldiers until they placed the restrained Takayuki in front of her. "But worst of all, none of that could have happened without foreign intervention."
She leaned in slightly, her glare piercing Takayuki's head. "Kujou Takayuki, former Commissioner. You are before the people of Narukami. Tell them the truth, who did you collude with?"
The old man could do little besides staring at the wooden floor. He mumbled an answer before a zap of electricity forced him to shout. "Barbatos! And the Knights of Favonius! They offered me wealth and freedom!"
The jeers and whispers of the crowd lasted for a few seconds before Baal raised her hand and stopped them.
"To sell your fellow countrymen for your own benefit, how low have you fallen? You lied to your family, to your equivalent Commissioners. And you lied to me." She looked at the crowd. "Thus, you lied to Inazuma. For that, there's only one punishment."
Lightning emanated from her body as the Shogun's legendary sword, Musou Isshin, appeared from her chest. The slow and methodic way had two objectives. To bring respect to the innocent citizenry of Inazuma, and fear to their enemies.
Then, she held the sword up high before slowly bringing it down to her side.
"Let this be a message to Watatsumi's traitors, to the miscreants of Mondstadt and you, Barbatos." Then, glancing at Takayuki once, she muttered a low prayer.
To the untrained eye, Takayuki was beheaded in an instant. The Musou Isshin gleamed once before it was suddenly on the Shogun's left hand. Others, however, saw glimpses of the Shogun's efficient movement.
No blood poured out of the former Tenryou Commissioner. The heat of lightning had completely cauterised the wound, making it look like it was a headless puppet being thrown to the ground.
"No more harm will come to Inazuma." The Shogun walked over the body, placing herself on the edge of the platform. "From now on, I will uproot all corruption, saboteurs and those unwilling to hand over their visions. Convince your friends, family and acquaintances to hand over their visions, for the good of Inazuma. Yesterday's attack proves that unmanaged ambitions cause only pain and death."
"It is true we are at war. But it was a war forced upon us. A sin that I will bear for the good of you all. For the ambition of rotten traitors, you must not suffer! It is your cries that have forced me out of my meditation, out of our quest for Eternity. So fear not, I will take care of everything."
She soaked the crowd's jubilant cries. Yells and emotions that only Makoto had experienced. To maintain her sister's legacy, she'd do anything. It didn't matter what nations or Gods faced her.
"We will be victorious, for nothing can stop thunder." She proclaimed, this time certain of her words. "Sangonomiya Kokomi's head will be the next."
As the Shogun punished the Traitor Commissioner, the roofs of Inazuma were subject to a high-stakes investigation. Ever since the Main Gate attack, Tomo had been chasing the perpetrator to the bitter end. Though the night had allowed him to escape, Kazuha joined his friend shortly after. Once the sun rose, his bloodhound sense of smell managed to track a foul odour of miasma lingering through the buildings.
Despite static electricity from the execution suddenly filling the air, the two ronin continued to slowly trace the steps of the culprit.
"I don't understand the point of blowing up the Main Gate." Kazuha broke the silence, touching pieces of scorched roof tiles. "Those people died for nothing."
"The resistance wouldn't do anything so heinous either," Tomo added, overlooking their position in the housetops. "That man shot from here and escaped south when he saw me. His clothing was plain, with nothing to hide his face… It feels like we're missing something. Like the music that popped out of nowhere."
Standing up, Kazuha turned south and jogged through the sloped roof. Before he was able to jump to the next building, Tomo stopped him.
"Come on, Kaz. This is not our field of expertise. The Tenryou Commission has more resources than we do, and I'm sure they want to find out the truth as much as you do. You need to rest." He placed his hand on Kazuha's shoulder, but the latter removed it.
"You don't need to come."
The wandering samurai jumped to the next building, crossing the ten-metre gap with little effort. Tomo, however, used his vision to follow him without delay.
"It's not your fault. You know that, right? Think about it logically; why would a random musician start to follow you to then suddenly provoke a random attack? It was just an unfortunate coincidence."
Acknowledging Tomo's words, the ronin responded in kind. "When tragedy struck Inazuma, the divine winds of Kazemaru pushed a storm that devastated the enemy. A coincidence it was, but not without meaning." Kazuha looked back at Tomo, walking backwards. "Whoever is behind the attack, it wants something with me. And when wind faces a mountain, it can only go through it or around it."
"Don't get all poetic on me." Tomo cracked a smile, putting his hands behind his head. "Just tell me what you think. Don't you know poets are more likely to suffer mental curses and die?"
"Thanks for the cheering up." Though he appreciated the joke, Kazuha was too focused on his surroundings to laugh. Then, as he was getting ready to jump again, his nose smelled something sour. "Hold on."
Tomo nodded, covering his nose. "Rotting flesh."
They were standing on a saltbox roof, which had a short but slanted plane on one side and a longer but walkable roof on the other. Using a bit of ability, they reached up to the ridge and peeked over the side.
Confirming their fears, the source of the foul odour was the bloated body of a thirty-some-year-old, lying on his back. A piece sticking out of the roof was holding his collar, which was teetering and about to break. Besides the flies and doves flying all around his body, what seemed out of place was the gun strapped around his torso.
"How the hell…?" Tomo pushed himself over the ridge. "Hold me, Kaz. Gonna pull him over."
Not finding the sudden request odd, Kazuha did as he was told. Holding his left hand, Tomo slowly descended through the other plane of the roof and reached up to the corpse's collar.
"Oh god, smells worse than I thought. I have him, pull me!"
Pulling a dead weight was exhausting enough on its own, and Tomo's added weight only exhausted him more. However, after his friend managed to grab the ridge again, everything became much easier. They managed to pull the dead man over to the more levelled side of the roof.
Now they could see that the corpse no longer had eyeballs, with his whole body being covered in small punctures. The rigor mortis kept his jaw completely shut, and his arms were crossed in a strange T position hugging the weapon.
"This is the man I was following. He even has the same gun." Tomo covered his mouth and nose without hesitation.
"Are you sure? This guy… looks like he's been dead for days." Kazuha's nose had effectively clogged up from the strong smell, though the odour entering his mouth was enough to make him retch.
He reached for the man's rifle, and with the help of Tomo, dislodged it from the man's grip.
"Fuelled by death..." He muttered, carefully inspecting the gun. It had some sort of pyro fuel near the trigger, with a crude barrel almost crippled by the heat. It was a makeshift, low-quality weapon. But that didn't explain the miasma surrounding it. As if a God's residue was inside it.
"Like somebody cracked open a vision," Tomo added, rummaging through the man's pockets. He found nothing, not even lint. "I'm positive this was the man… Maybe somebody just planted the gun over some dead guy to throw any investigation off?"
Kazuha ignored his friend's deduction, noticing something in the bloated man's cheeks. With a bit of strength, he opened the man's mouth. His tongue was black, with bleeding gums and rotten teeth.
"What the… give me a heads up beforehand, will ya?" Tomo held back his gag reflex as Kazuha inserted his fingers inside the corpse's throat. "You're really something else, gross."
Unwavered by it, Kazuha pulled out his hand. In the back of his throat, the man had an odd paper seal that was imbued with unknown energy. More questions they had no answer to.
"This rabbit hole keeps getting deeper and deeper. This is getting surreal. Let's just leave the guy, that gun and the seal on some back alley while we can, this is part of something big."
With a small moment of doubt, Kazuha nodded. This was something someone with more resources should investigate. They were fugitives, and they only chased this man for retribution and answers. They received none, and should not get entangled in whatever this was when they had other goals in mind.
Unstrapping the gun, he placed the weapon over the body once again.
"Just place the gun over him and…" Tomo trailed off as the condensation of his breath suddenly became noticeable. It was cold out of nowhere.
The coldness that had suddenly taken a grip on them became an icy wind that pushed them against the roof. The sudden temperature shock broke off many of the roof tiles they were standing in, leaving broken ceramics free to fall on the gentle slope. The feet of both Kazuha and Tomo, however, were completely stuck to the base of the roof, leaving them completely unable to move. Tomo had been more unlucky, as he was using his hand for support as well, now frozen against the ridge. The thin layer of clothing did little to prevent the freeze burns that started to cause them severe pain.
"Curiosity killed the cat, little kittens." The voice of a woman appeared from the pitch of the roof. She snapped her fingers, completely freezing the corpse of the culprit. "Luckily for me, you two are outcasts…" She placed her eyes on Kazuha. "Though one has some use."
A tall, pale woman was standing on an ice column, with half her face covered with a mask. Her only visible light grey eye was focused on Kazuha, like a wolf looking at her prey. She certainly didn't look from Inazuma.
"A foreigner using her vision all willy-nilly won't be taken too lightly in Inazuma, psycho lady." Tomo half-joked, trying to use the hilt of his sword to break the ice. It was too hard, however.
"The seal, now." The woman moved from the ice column, an ice bridge forming as she walked towards Kazuha, who answered immediately.
Anemo power surged through him, breaking the ice tying him down. Then, with a flick of his wrist, he unsheathed his sword and freed Tomo with a gale of wind. With both men free, they immediately turned to face the unknown woman.
"Who has ever put neither yokes nor hindrances upon a hurricane?" Kazuha recited with a sober tone, referencing an old song.
"Or ever trapped lightning inside a cage?" The woman finished the verse. "An anemo poet, colour me surprised. Even in these lands, I cannot escape that scamp's song." She raised her catalyst in the air, prompting an answer from the duo. "Your role was not to investigate, little runt."
The friends glanced at each other, understanding what the best option was. They dashed immediately, jumping over to the nearest roof. That proved to almost cost them their lives, as icicles the size of a dog proved hard to dodge in mid-air. Luckily for Kazuha, his vision allowed him to dodge them and pull Tomo with him.
They had a rough landing, breaking a few roof tiles before continuing their sprint.
"How the hell did she sneak up on us?!" Tomo shouted as he dodged even more projectiles. "I hate skirmishes!"
Kazuha pointed to a nearby wooden warehouse, lacking the roof tiles and stones that were difficulting their escape. It was only a few stories high, and it seemed somewhat abandoned. The two friends understood that the levelled roof was the only way they could gather enough speed to flee.
But the idea was too grandiose and perfect to work. Only after they made the jump, they realised their mistake.
With a heavy thud, the wooden roof collapsed moments after they landed on it. Remaining in almost one piece, the roof fell on top of the floor below, causing it to collapse in turn. With the added weight, the remaining floors crashed as well until they reached the ground floor. The duo, with some skill and luck, had managed to avoid their untimely fate by once again using Kazuha's vision.
The ice missiles kept coming, however, so they descended to the ground level of the warehouse and sliced the wooden walls to make their own exit. They continued to break through walls until they reached the outside.
Tomo stopped Kazuha as he was heading outside, pulling him towards an open door leading to an interior room. He then closed it slowly, holding his breath. That room was completely dark, so even Tomo's hearing became hyperaware. They expected, at any moment, that the door would break down and they'd be assaulted by ice. But as long as they waited, that moment never came.
"…Who the hell was that?" Tomo muttered, leaning against the wall and sliding to the floor. "My feet feel like slush after they were frozen."
"I wish I had an answer." Kazuha sat on the floor as well, taking a few minutes to regain his breath. Then, he noticed his clenched fist. Inside it, he found the unknown seal. "Say… do you think the Mikos of Narukami Shrine will know about this thing?"
"…Either them or the Divine Priestess of Watatsumi." Tomo touched his frozen hand, hiding a grimace. He then forced a laugh. "Man, did you really have to go and tell her the verse of a song? I almost thought you were mocking her."
"Not so. My ears were sharp enough to hear her raging flames inside her body, only suppressed by cold air." He explained, closing his eyes. "My nose is clogged from messing with that corpse, so I wanted to know where she attained such curse. It was a song from Mondstadt, so it's either a coincidence…"
"Or all of this is really Mondstadt's work."
Regardless, there were too many unknown variables to find a straight answer. After all, why would the God of Freedom impose the shackles of fear on a foreign land?