The sound of rushing water stirred Venti awake. Birds chirped every now and then, yet they seemed afraid of something. He could hear in the distance the sound of the sea as well, but it was far and almost silent.

He rubbed his eyes, realising that Tomo was carrying him on his back with little effort.

"How long have I been out?" He asked while rubbing his eyes.

"Oh, you're back, Kazemaru. Around two hours after sunrise, remember?"

Venti had a vague memory of eating some type of porridge, but nothing beyond that.

"Yep. I'm sorry for being a deadweight. I used to be much stronger, you know? But turns out 500 years of napping doesn't do too good on your body."

Tomo nodded, hoping that they'd be able to traverse Chinju forest before nightfall. Even if Venti could move, he wouldn't be able to move much faster than him.

"I'll bless you with speed and strength with my little strength." The bard said as if reading the ronin's thoughts. "I'll pass out but we'll reach Grand Narukami Shrine before tomorrow morning."

"Slow down." Tomo readjusted Venti on his back. "You're going to burn out before you accomplish anything."

A heavy sigh was the only answer Venti could muster. Chinju forest was but a few minutes away, but he remembered walking through it with the twins. And the fight he had with Ei that one time. It seemed that everywhere he looked, memories sprung up like bad weeds. Everything was so different, yet so similar at the same time.

He remembered making foam float on a beach five minutes away from there. Ei would complain every time he tried to splash her before Makoto joined him in a brief water battle. On that very beach, he destroyed countless Rifthounds in the cataclysm years ago alongside Lady Saiguu.

Turning his head towards Mt. Yougou, he wondered what horrible event had happened for the mountain to be ripped apart. The spot where Makoto used to sit down and enjoy the sight of Narukami island was gone too. He could only feel corrosion and corruption all around the mountain.

He imagined that the other islands weren't in much better shape either. But he didn't want to think about that.

"You know the Shogun, don't you? I know you travelled with her around Teyvat."

"Did I speak in my sleep?" Venti didn't hide his surprise.

"I saw murals… on an underground shaft. You and the Shogun fought other Archons." Tomo briefly explained his experience below Inazuma City.

"That's surprising. Murals, you say? I suppose… the Shogun must have drawn them. We did travel to many places, but we didn't exactly fight other Archons." Venti carefully explained, aware that this information wasn't supposed to be public. "As I said, I will talk with the Shogun and make her stop this madness. She's always been a good friend, after all, so you can count on it."

"That sounds like a typical statement when things are absolutely not going okay." Tomo glanced back at Venti. "I've had many run-ins with bandits and Shogunate soldiers. I've got an eye for easy excuses that hold no weight."

Venti giggled at his guess. "Hah, if you want the truth, so be it. I'm pretty nervous about meeting her again. I am certain that I'll cry like a kid after scraping their knee… It will be like facing my demons. A very angry and purple demon. Regardless, I trust her. So I know she will not do anything rash."

A soft breeze blew past them as the trees of Chinju forest loomed ever closer. Away from the sun, the forest was cold and somewhat barren from any activity. Venti could barely even notice any mischievous Tanuki around. Makoto could probably spur it into a frenzy with her mere presence. But that wasn't possible anymore.

"She's already done pretty rash acts, Kazemaru," Tomo replied, not hiding his feelings. "Regardless, there may be Hilichurls lurking in the forest. Stay on guard."

Venti wanted to say that it wasn't Ei's fault. But couldn't bring himself to say it. After all, whether acting in pain or not, she was doing very questionable acts. He couldn't defend executions, the Vision Hunt decree or the exile of all people of Mondstadt.

"Yet you still revere the Electro Archon, Ronin? All of Narukami island follows the Shogun regardless of her actions because the golden years of eras past are still remembered everywhere."

It was Makoto who had driven Inazuma forward while Ei protected it from the shadows. Beelzebul had always been aware of that fact. Ei had maintained Makoto's legacy, but she wasn't her sister. And everywhere Venti looked, signs of decadence appeared without needing to dig around.

Tomo processed his question for a few long seconds and then answered. "You can revere someone and still smack them in the head when they do something stupid. That's what the people of Inazuma do not understand. But I believe that… As long as one person challenges injustice, as long as one person breaks that myth, the rest of the people will see that it's possible to face even the fastest of lightning. It is better to die standing than to live on your knees."

"A laudable way of thinking. But misguided. Sometimes, it is true that one person is enough to shatter a misconception. But the truth is that these people are always backed by as many people as you can think of. To do it alone is no different from suicide. The moral high ground matters little when your death will be forgotten by everyone but your closest friends." Venti rubbed the nape of his neck, finding it awfully cold. "Living for a just cause is leagues better than dying for one."

"I see," The Ronin was pensive, but shook his head. "That sounds like something Kazuha would say. I hope he's doing alright."

Venti didn't insist on maintaining the heavy conversation. "Ah, Kaedahara? Were you brothers?"

"I found him along the road and he followed me. We were both trying to make our own paths, and I suppose we hit it off from the start. We're quite opposites in some ways, but he believes we complement each other… I do wonder if staying with me is becoming a shackle for him. Kazuha needs to spread his wings, you know? He's a wanderer at heart, a lover of the world. While I'm merely trying to better my swordsmanship and myself."

"As ruthless as it sounds, fledgelings sometimes need to get pushed off the nest so they can fly. But you're no shackle, Ronin. Even wanderers seek a familiar place to return to, and I'm sure Kaedahara would love to see you again after a long trip." Venti noticed Tomo's silence. "Or perhaps you feel that he's hampering your progress? You have fought a lot these past few days, and you couldn't measure up to your opponents."

"How do you know those things?" Tomo changed topics.

"Ah, the wind carries a lot of things! Your names and the fears of Inazuma are all an open book to me." He proclaimed with a laugh. "And the whirlwind that is your soul also tells me quite the story!"

"Ominous. But I want to clarify something. Kazuha hasn't hampered my progress in the slightest. I'm wondering how after all my training, I couldn't measure up with the Tengu General. If I had been less cautious, Kazuha wouldn't have been caught."

They slowly entered the forest. It was mostly silent as well, but the sound of rushing water became more apparent. After the long trip, the small stream seemed like a gift from the Gods.

"I see… What about Arataki? What happened to him?"

"I'm… not sure. After we got separated from Kujou, I remember fighting the Masked Woman. But… I don't know what happened. When I came back to my senses, I was running away from Inazuma City, alone." Tomo stopped walking, heaving a sigh. "I don't understand. The Boss was right beside me, and we could have cut through the ice and gotten Kazuha. But, why…?"

Venti narrowed his eyes, realising that there was foul play at hand. "Well, take a rest. You've been going for quite a while, and there's a stream right ahead."

Tomo walked for a couple more minutes until they found a calm stream of water running through a shallow ditch. The water seemed clean, but there was no way to be sure unless they boiled it. The Ronin had a metal water bottle, which in unison with his powers, could easily sterilise the water.

"Say, you don't mind if I sing for a bit? It's a song about the Almighty Raiden Shogun and the God of Freedom, I'm sure you'll like it." Venti jumped off his back, landing on his good foot and sitting down below a tree.

The real reason for his singing was to fix the oddly patchy mind of Tomo. Something was clearly dubious in him, so perhaps abyss magic still lingered in his body. If it didn't, then it was something else. In his depowered state, he could barely tell.

"As long as you don't attract enemies, go right ahead."

On the shade of a Liyue oak near Stone Gate, two Archons had appeared to parlay with the Geo King. Barbatos and Beelzebul waited eagerly as the tall man slowly stood up from the ground, and observed the both of them before proceeding to answer.

"For two friends, I am willing to offer you some services. As for Beelzebul's request, few minerals can seal up a God's remnants. And those who can don't last very long. An alloy would be needed, but… such a thing is dangerous. I hope you realise this." Morax then turned to his old friend. "As for your request, Barbatos, I can give you two a place to sleep. But your nature is not to stay holed up in a room, Barbatos. If you two wish some intimacy, I can very well arrange some other accommodations."

"We don't want any intimacy," Ei answered, crossing her arms and turning her body away from the bard. "The imp believes that I need to sleep. And I already slept a few minutes seventy-two years ago. So as you can see, he's delusional."

"She's cranky because I couldn't afford almond tofu," Venti whispered to his old friend.

"I'm not 'cranky'. He wasted my dessert money on alcohol."

"No, no, no. It was my money. And she said she couldn't eat anymore."

Morax closed his eyes, nodding to himself. "I see. So you two want mediation in your childish relationship."

"It's not childish." They answered at the same time.

With his hands locked behind his back, he started walking through the field. Venti and Ei saw no reason to not follow him.

"I see little to no reason for your animosity to exist. You both seek to protect that which you love. You two have suffered the same types of pain, as well as the same grievances. If you two opened up to each other, we could come up with a compromise during your year-long punishment." Morax calmly explained. "I believe it would be better for the future of Teyvat as well."

The field gave way to a small hill, where there were three stones interlocked with each other in the shape of a triangle. Morax whispered something to the air and turned to face his two friends.

"Wait, we didn't come for this." Venti suddenly realised. "In fact, you're way too prepared for our random visit."

"Ah, Barbatos. Do you wish to start? Very well. Why don't you tell us how you feel about Beelzebul?"

Venti glanced at Ei and then at Morax.

"Makoto told you to do this, didn't she?" The bard sighed. "I don't hate Ei, okay? We're just different, that's all. There's nothing wrong with that."

"Yes, I agree." Ei nodded along with Venti. "I like routine and he acts on whims. I'm more stoic and he's more hedonistic. And we understand that it's normal to not be friends."

"To put it simply, you two tolerate each other." Morax looked at Ei and then at Venti. "I tolerate Barbatos as well. He's quite the scoundrel, meddling where he is not needed while always acting positive. But because of that, I know he will always have my back when I need him. I believe we're quite good friends; differences are what makes a relationship healthy and stable."

"Gee, I love you too, Morax!" Venti said with a hearty laugh.

"Don't misunderstand." Ei ignored his joke. "I do believe he's not the revolutionary rebel everyone makes him up to be. I've come to understand that he will stand up when he's needed, be it in Mondstadt, Liyue or Inazuma. That doesn't mean we have to be friends."

"If that's your mutual assessment, then I can't do much to fix it. However, I have one doubt that perhaps you'll clear up. The source of your animosity is Baal. Can you confirm this, Barbatos?"

Ei tried to interject, but a simple glare from Morax was all it took to shoot down her attempt.

Venti faked a cough, his eyes quickly moving from Ei to Morax. Knowing his friend, the bard knew that Morax wouldn't be so easily convinced to drop the matter. The only way out was to say what he thought. "Maybe! It's because Ei is too clingy with her sister, and can't stand me sharing a moment with her. In fact, I know she's always in the shadows whenever I'm with her."

"That's a lie, I ne—"

"Beelzebul, please wait. Let Barbatos explain himself."

"From the moment we met, she's always looked at me like I'm her enemy number one. So I've always tried to be honest and kind to her to no avail. But what's the point? Even if I do so, she just berates me anyway."

Morax pondered as he listened to Barbatos, crossing his arms. "And what is your opinion, Beelzebul? Is Baal a source of friction between you two?"

"First of all, I only eavesdropped on the first few conversations. And that was because he kept showing up uninvited, so I was worried he'd try something. I may have misjudged him, I can admit that." She then looked away, averting her eyes from the two archons. "Besides, what if he's just faking it all?"

"Do you think I can conjure up a hundred-year conspiracy just to get back at you?"

"Don't interrupt her, Barbatos." Morax reminded him.

"I do believe you can. I have only heard praise and fear of your actions. And I do believe you'd be a formidable opponent if you ever turned your arms against us. I cannot fight words as luring as yours." Ei twisted her lips before managing to direct her stare towards Venti. "I am complimenting you."

"Oh. Thank you."

"That is why I don't think of you as an enemy anymore. Or why I do not mind your feelings towards my sister." Ei continued. "Your sloppy act is completely unacceptable if you were truly conspiring against us. I just wished… that you'd talk with me more, instead of focusing on my sister so much. Like the first time we interacted. You taught me how to drink wine, remember? That was the first time I learnt something new in centuries. I still keep that wine glass as a souvenir."

There was a moment of doubt in Venti, weighing whether or not he should reciprocate her honest words. Deciding on an answer, he chuckled briefly.

"I suppose… I've been ignoring you a bit. And that's my fault for assuming. Ever since that day, my life changed a lot. And if it wasn't because of you, I'd never be here. After the debacle that occurred in Mondstadt with the Lawrence family and their overthrow, I considered entering stasis for a while. That Archon Gathering was going to be my last in centuries. And if you wish to know, I haven't lied to you, now or ever."

"Then, maybe… we could catch up on lost conversations?" Ei smiled for what seemed the first time in centuries, steepling her fingers. "Maybe we could focus this year on that."

"Well, if the mighty Shogun says so, who am I to say no?" Venti said with a similar smile.

"Oh, was that the issue?" Morax suddenly made his presence known. "I was under the impression it was about the incident."

Both Barbatos and Beelzebul turned towards the Geo King. "Incident?"

"Do you not remember what happened last time I invited you over?" Morax questioned them, slightly surprised.

"What do you mean? When we hung out together with Makoto?" Venti immediately didn't like the tone of his voice.

"Indeed. You two got along very nicely. In reality, I was under the impression that this tension between the two of you sprung from that interaction." He continued, not realising the glares from his two friends.

"What happened?" Ei's direct voice didn't budge Morax in the slightest.

"I cannot say. You two were supposed to talk about it."

Venti threw his arms back and folded his hands behind his head. "Ah, forget it, Ei. I just remembered that Makoto told me to not ask, and I'm sure Morax is going to be even harder to convince. We couldn't convince Murata either, remember?"

"Yes, we di-… Oh. Yes. I get it." Ei suddenly stopped and nodded inconspicuously. Or so she believed. "We're going to leave without any issue." Her voice suddenly grew too monotonous.

"Exactly. So yeah, see ya Rock of Ages."

Venti and Ei started walking away, muttering something with each other. And then Morax's shield stopped a gale of wind coming from all sides. He sighed exasperatedly as he felt a blade pressed against his neck. He glanced back to see Ei's lightning surrounding her and her polearm.

"Tell us what happened." She demanded. "What did we do that requires silence between you and my sister?"

"Are you now following Venti's mischiefs?"

"So now it's Venti, is it?" The bard mentioned, leaning against Morax's shield. "We basically destroyed Murata singlehandedly, didn't we? Do you think you're going to stop us, old man?"

"No. I mean. Yes." Ei tried her best at copying Venti's smarmy attitude. "You should fear our might?"

"Okay, you're doing great!" Venti whispered with a thumbs up. "So yeah! Tell us what the hell did we do! Cause I can't honestly remember a thing. And not in an 'I drank too much way'."

"I am in no mood to fight." Morax summoned another shield between him and Ei. "And I have a meeting in Sumeru in a few hours. Make me lose more time and you will suffer my wrath."

Ei teleported beside Venti, who also backed away showing some needed respect.

"Okay, sorry… We're not going to get between you and your dendro date. But it wasn't anything bad, was it?" Barbatos asked again.

"It was not. Besides the part where you two forced me to knock each of you out. Do not drink together again, please."

Swallowed by the earth itself, Morax disappeared from their view as if he was never there, to begin with.

Venti rubbed his nose and turned to a thoughtful Ei.

"Morax had to stop us? That sounds like a blast. Wanna drink again?"

Ei simply smiled and patted his back. "No."

"I have to say, you have a beautiful singing voice. But, err… sorry to say this, but the story made no sense." Tomo said as he cleaned his boots in the stream. "That story makes it seem like Barbatos and the Shogun are actually friends."

"Well, it depends on whether you believe the song of the mighty Kazemaru or the circumstantial evidence you've found along the way." Venti shrugged and yawned loudly.

"…If it's not Barbatos behind all of these acts, then who is it?" The ronin dipped his hands in the water and splashed his face.

"Good question! Who benefits from having Inazuma unstable and hostile to Mondstadt? The continuous attacks on the populace, the use of abyssal magic and the creation of a fake Mondstadtian enemy. All of this to make the Shogun come out of her Palace under the belief that Inazuma is under attack by a foreign God." A northern wind suddenly chilled the whole forest. "If Inazuma goes to war with Mondstadt, that will spur other Archons into action for the first time in centuries. The Seven must uphold the principle of stability and non-aggression..."

"But everyone would agree on stopping the aggressor, Inazuma, wouldn't they?" Tomo turned to Venti.

"Ah, will they? Between the God of Revolution and the God of Eternity, the sides won't be so clear cut. Nations still hold Mondstadt accountable for their respective issues. Teyvat might find itself divided into two factions that could slowly turn into a Second Archon War. Perhaps that might awake them again." The bard was looking up, towards the floating island of Celestia. "However, nobody wants that. Not even the Tsaritsa."

"Too much information for my brain. Point is, regardless of who is doing all of this, if I bring you to Grand Narukami Shrine you'll stop the Shogun from doing anything stupid, right?"

Venti turned the ring Zhongli gave him, showing the amber jewel in it. He flexed his hand and got up from the ground.

"That's right. And I've thought of a faster way of moving." One-handed, Venti prayed for a few seconds and two wings appeared on his back. He stumbled for a moment, leaning against the tree behind him. "Okay, never use wings while having a stump for a foot."

"Can you really fly?" Tomo was really sceptical, especially as the bard's breathing became more apparent.

"Oh, not at all. But let me show you how these babies work. Let me on your back again."

Tomo put back his boots and crouched. As Venti climbed on his back, he immediately noticed a difference. The bard felt weightless. Even Tomo's own body was lighter as he lifted Venti.

"Alright, be careful now. Your strength is the same as before, but you weigh very little. I will use my wings to glide, maybe give you a little boost if I'm able to."

Tomo took a few steps as a test. Then he picked up the pace, each stride almost taking up five metres of distance. Then, he jumped once. The height was so unexpected they crashed against the branches of the treetops. However, their fall was slow as Venti's wings slowed their descent.

"…We're reaching Grand Narukami Shrine tonight," Tomo announced, removing leaves from his hair.

"Oho! We'll save Kaedahara and Mister Boss tomorrow at this rate!"

Tomo laughed in response, waiting for his feet to touch the ground. As soon as he made contact, electro flowed through his body, dashing with incredible speed and agility through the trees of Chinjou forest.

The riots had been somewhat controlled after the first day. Not because of military intervention, but because people's hostility had been directed towards Kanjou officials. Once they fled, got beaten up or worse, violence declined. Any bandits or robbers that had gotten advantage of the situation had been stopped by the few soldiers that had abandoned Hiiragi's command. The fires that had taken place were put out. And as people cleaned the streets of rubble and rocks, a semblance of normalcy returned to the main streets of the town. The same couldn't be said for the surroundings of Hiiragi Estate.

People returned to the limits of the mansion every day to chant hymns of resignation or for the hope of Kazemaru returning. The Estate gates remained shut as the small garrison inside it wondered if the protests would ever be quelled. So far, though loyal to Hiiragi, they were not too keen on using violence against the citizens. They hoped the Shogun would show up and bring the rule of law back to the city.

The checkpoint that controlled Inazuma's border, however, was completely deserted. This meant that any Mondstadt resident could sneak into the city to flee the Islands or to hide and hope everything would soon end.

Beidou and Mona had been witnesses of every single event of the small trading town. The docks had been the only place where rioters had not gotten through, thanks to the Captain's resolve to guard its entrance. Mona, however, decided to stay near the Alcor to ponder whether to return with the crew to Liyue.

"The trip is free for ye, astrologer. Barbatos killed that Harbinger, so I understand that yer matters are finished." Beidou explained while walking through the docks. "Had I known that he was actually the real deal, I would have accepted his drinking challenge."

Mona had to hasten her march to even match the Captain's walking. "So you didn't know who he was until he fought. Why did you let the Harbinger into your crew, then?"

"That bard found the truth about what happened to the Mizar and told me the dangers of this Harbinger. So I decided to let that Wanderer into the Alcor because it was my best chance at dealing with him. Had I known he controlled more than one element, I might have reconsidered." Beidou then patted Mona's back. "But who cares! We got rid of him."

"But now Venti…"

"Don't get involved with the Gods or they'll drag you to the briny deep. He did us a favour by distancing himself from us." With those words, Beidou pointed with her thumb towards the Alcor. "We'll weigh anchors in but a few days. Ye better be ready."

Mona silently watched as Beidou distanced herself from her and started a conversation with another sailor. The astrologer sighed and walked away from the pier, pondering what she should do from now on. The rumbling of her stomach lured her nose towards the faint smell of roasted vegetables deep inside the city.

She had to be careful with her money, but at the very least it would make her mind focus on some other trivial topic. After all, if that idiotic bard wanted to die in some ditch, she wasn't responsible for it! It was Barbatos who kept asking for help and running away. She didn't feel guilty in the slightest.

The only thing Mona wanted at the moment was that inviting smell of charcoal and fish that permeated Ritou harbour. That mouth-watering food scent was coming from a small restaurant right on the exit of the docks. She had been on Inazuma for almost a week, yet she had barely had any local dishes besides a sad miso soup. But the money she was carrying was supposed to last her until the end of the month. And in the middle of a warring country, she'd rather not spend it on useless things such as warm, delicious food.

"Mona of the Seas!"

The high-pitched voice of a girl alerted Mona that trouble was on the way. Not only did she have to deal with that stupid nickname, but now everyone in the town knew who she was after that little Kazemaru incident. Luckily, however, she recognised the girl. It was Aiko, the kid she helped barely two days ago. Besides her, however, was a man that she didn't recognise. Immediately, Mona readied herself for any scenario.

"I brought a friend of Kazemaru!" Aiko proclaimed, pulling the tall man in front of Mona. He didn't seem much older than her, with green eyes and messy hair that reminded her too much of the bard. His clothes also seemed a fusion of both Mondstadt and Inazuma.

"Yep, that's me." The man casually waved at her. "I'm Thoma, nice to meet you. Judging by your outfit, you must be that Witch of the Seas?"

Mona furrowed her brow, annoyed, but didn't see any indication that the man was lying at all. However, the claim that he knew Venti had to be verified.

"Yes. Sadly, that's me. What's this about being a friend of this Kazemaru?"

"He saw Kazemaru going to Inazuma City! Cause Kaze is friends with the Shogun!" Aiko interjected. "And Mister Thoma is very nice, he feeds doggies!"

Thoma giggled at her explanation. "Ah, yes! But that was before we evil Mondstantians got the short end of the stick. And I suppose by that glare of yours that you don't believe me?"

Mona, again, saw no indication that he was lying. But she couldn't just believe him because of that. "You guessed right. Can you leave us alone, Aiko?"

"Okay. But I will be watching!" The kid took a few steps back, her eyes shifting from Thoma to Mona now and then. "Still watching!"

"Alright, well… he goes by the name of Venti. And aside from smelling like something rotten, he's missing a foot and a hand somehow?"

"Fine, fine! I believe you. Can't he keep his identity a secret for even a minute or what's going on?" At least he hadn't revealed his real identity, which could be quite the uproar in Inazuma.

"Ah, so you two are acquaitances? That explains why he told me to meet you. He's quite the jolly guy, isn't he? Anyways, what's the plan?" Thoma gave Mona a big smile.

She awkwardly smiled back, unsure of what he truly meant. "What do you mean… by that?"

"Oh. He told me to search for you. I supposed you'd know." Thoma now realised that perhaps he hadn't explained the situation at all.

"No…?" Mona bit the inside of her cheek. "That cryptic idiot. Why can't he just tell things like they are?"

"Well, Gods can see the future, can't they? Maybe he knows something we don't." He attempted to explain.

"If he could see the future, why would he be in that sorry state?" Mona retorted, clicking her tongue.

"Fair enough." Thoma scratched the back of his head, thinking about something. "He told me to mend the bridge between Inazuma and Mondstadt… whatever that means. You know, maybe I should have asked when he told me. Then again, he passed out immediately after."

"And you just… came here because he told you, without any sort of backup plan or any idea why." Flabbergasted by the sincere blind trust of Thoma, Mona could barely close her mouth. "You really are from Mondstadt."

"When you get to the bottom, any prospect of help is welcomed. If you were given the chance to fix what is going wrong, you'd take it as well even if it came from the devil." He off-handly explained. "Besides, I'm tired of running away. I just want to return to the family and focus on cleaning the floors. I didn't get the chance to do it before I had to flee."

"I guess I get it. I'm only here because I believed I'd be able to attain some sort of new knowledge. Instead, the idiot left me behind with no second thoughts. I'm as much of a fool as you are." Mona sighed before pursing her lips. "I d-didn't mean that you're a fool! Just that the situation…Argh!"

Thoma didn't think much of her words and laughed it off. "It's fine! Say, were you going to have lunch?" He pointed with his thumb to the restaurant. "I can treat you if you don't mind?"

"Oh, er…" Mona fidgeted in place, trying to look anywhere but Thoma. "Where's Aiko?"

With a mere gesture, Thoma found her immediately. "She walked backwards until she hit the sign of that shop. Then she turned around and is looking at the sailing ships. I have quite the ability to find lost things, you know? And you shouldn't look away from unsupervised children."

"Gee… Inazuma's discipline and Mondstadt's carefree attitude is a powerful combination." Mona muttered, looking at Aiko pointing at the ships on the horizon. "That reminds me, let me check your fate. Perhaps that will give me a clue on what we're supposed to do."

"Ah, is that a no to my invitation? No worries, maybe I came in too strong."

Thoma looked at Mona's scryglass before focusing on the kid. Then, his eyes slowly drifted to the ships on the horizon. He had seen many ships come and go to Ritou, many of them carrying exotic cargo and even more exotic people on board. But even with all that experience, he had never seen the odd ship in the distance. It seemed too sleek, yet with masts bigger than any other ship.

The hull itself wasn't as big as the Alcor, but it was sleek and beautiful in its own way. Its sails were completely unfurled with the wind on their back, moving towards Ritou harbour escorted by two smaller Inazuman ships. Even from that distance, he recognised the craft of the full-rigged ship. It was a ship from Mondstadt.

"That's not a good omen," Thoma muttered, noticing that sailors and the traders around the harbour began to notice the odd ship.

Mona suddenly shook his arm, her face drained from any colour. Her scryglass shined for one moment before it was suddenly dispelled. She stepped away, visibly shaken. Unsure of what she was feeling, Thoma asked her a question. "What's wrong?"

"We need to go."

Pulling him away from the harbour, Mona started running as if her life depended on it.

"Hey, stop! Why are we running?!"

"Kazemaru gave me the constellation of somebody close to the Shogun! Ever since then, I've been feeling very susceptible to electro! And I think that sh—"

Thunder cracked through the whole town, as a wave of electro energy reached the city with little reaction time. It came from the Hiiragi Estate, not too far away from where they were currently at. They immediately froze in place. There was only one being capable of such a feat. The Raiden Shogun.

"She's going to kill us. She really is going to kill us!" Mona started to lose her nerves.

"We're in Ritou, the Vision Hunt decree doesn't apply to you. I know it's hard, but try to control your breathing." Thoma tried his best to calm her down, stopping her from running again.

"That's not the issue! Kazemaru is Barbatos! And guess who has been cosying up with him?!"

Thoma blinked before the reality of the situation settled in.

"Oh. Oh, no. That's not good. Holy… Barbatos started a riot on Inazuman soil. That's really not good."

"Yes! And if she can sense that we've been helping him, we are dead! That idiot really had to run away at the worst of times!"

"Then that means he already knew, right? He knew that the Shogun would come here to meet him... But he's injured. Right, he wanted to heal in Grand Narukami Shrine." Thoma bit his tongue from his quick speech.

"So what, he wanted us to distract her? After selfishly getting injured like that? The guts of that fool! I'm going to kill him if I ever see him again!" Mona looked in Hiiragi Estate's direction. "As long as she spends some time there, we'll have room to think… Come on, Venti, you have to return soon."

Thoma sighed. "If there's something you have to learn from Mondstadt, is to not rely on Gods. I think that's what he wants us to learn."

"Sure, that's why he's been continuously taking the brunt of it all… But it does feel like something he'd do."

Taking Mona's hand, Thoma pulled her towards the harbour again. "Alright, Mona of the Seas! We need to clean up this mess! And there's nobody in Inazuma better than me in that field!"

The air was still filled with the distasteful essence of electro. The Raiden Shogun was in Ritou, her eyes set on finding her old friend. Wind filled Mt. Yougou and its surroundings as Barbatos climbed towards Grand Narukami Shrine. And as these two Archons seemed bound to clash, the Yashiro Commissioner worked tirelessly to prevent Fatui interference from getting worse. Watatsumi Island was suddenly emboldened by the aid of a powerful mercenary, set on attacking Kannazuka Island. And a lonesome ship of Mondstadt approached Narukami island.

It seemed that, regardless of location, tension and unrest would follow soon. As if the air itself foretold the winds of revolution.