"The enemy is positioned in a camp beneath the cliffside." Sara said, stabbing her finger at various circles on her map. "I recommend we wait until most of them are asleep to…"

The Shogun wasn't really paying attention to what she was saying. They were sitting in the lavender grass of Serai, which despite the island's hostile appearance, was rather comfortable. Sara had procured a map from her travel bag- allegedly given to her by the Traveler- nearly an hour before. Her intense strategizing had begun almost immediately after, and she seemed so into her rambling explanations of various battle tactics that the Shogun couldn't bring herself to interrupt her. They didn't need a plan, really; she could've strolled into the enemy camp and killed them all without much hassle.

Though the Shogun wasn't listening to the tactical briefing, she was still paying attention to the tactician herself; the way her brows furrowed and her lips pursed in careful concentration as she poured over her plans. The way her purplish hair faded to a light grey at the tips. The way her shirt clung interestingly to her torso, especially after a night sleeping in the wilderness.

Speaking of sleep, the Shogun was still in disbelief that she had experienced it for herself. A whole twelve hours completely missing from her memories- lost to the darkness of unconsciousness. A moment where she had experienced absolutely nothing, and time had brushed past her like a gentle breeze. So gentle that she hadn't even noticed it.

Waking up had been surreal, too; bleary eyed, unsure of where she was, and in a tangle of limbs with Sara. The untangling had been somewhat awkward, but she couldn't say that it wasn't worth it.

"Shogun," Sara waved her hand in the Shogun's face, startling her out of her thoughts. "I know you're not listening. You have a rather particular look when you're spaced out."

The Shogun blinked. "I do?"

"Yes." Sara's eyes glazed over, and she lolled her head, staring off lifelessly into the distance. She looked like she was trying to play dead. "Like this."

"I-I do not!"

She laughed. "Yes, you do! I swear it on… well. You."

The Shogun huffed, crossing her arms. "Hm. I should demote you for that egregious disrespect of your Shogun, but I suppose I can't. You being the only member of my army and all."

Sara smiled. She had a rather goofy grin that showed too many teeth. It made the Shogun want to smile too. "I'm very lucky, excellency. Thank you."

"You're quite welcome. Of all my generals, I'd have to say you're my favorite."

Sara flushed, her grin becoming embarrassed, looking aside like a shy schoolgirl. "Oh, my. T-That's very sweet of you."

"I'm glad you think so. I've been saving that line for a while."

Sara's schoolgirl shyness suddenly vanished. "But-" she said, furiously tapping at her map. "Just because you're being sweet doesn't excuse the fact that you've been completely ignoring my strategic council! I know you don't like this kind of thing, but plans are important! Having a well-laid plan of engagement could very well mean the difference between a smooth attack and our untimely deaths!"

"Sara, I didn't want to say this. Really. I enjoy your passion for planning, and I don't want this to come across as hurtful." The Shogun paused, unsure of how to continue. "But… we don't need a plan. I'm the Raiden Shogun, remember? I'll simply slaughter them. Then we can go home, perhaps read a book."

Sara's eyes widened, and she recoiled ever so slightly. "Shogun, please. I know you're not a callous or cruel person, but when you say things like, 'I'll simply slaughter them', I can't help but worry for you. Maybe… maybe this isn't such a good idea."

Sara's fear cut worse than the Grasscutter's blade. "Worry for me? Why? What's wrong?"

"I… shouldn't say. It's not my place."

The Shogun sighed. "Sara."

"Sorry. I'm worried because you don't know what it's like to kill someone."

"Yes, I do. You know I do. You personally watched me cut down countless offenders after they lost their Duels."

Sara shook her head. "No. You have killed people. But I don't think you've felt what it's like to take another's life. It's not something that can be treated coldly. Every life you take, you must take knowing that there was a being who lived it. And it must be taken in necessity."

The Shogun frowned, her annoyance growing. "So… you're, what? Afraid I'll kill these bandits and feel nothing? Or are you afraid I'll get a taste for it? The Traveler called me 'murder-bot'. Is that how you think of me, too?"

Sara scooted closer, grabbing hold of the Shogun's hands and clasping them within hers. The warmth of her skin melted away the Shogun's annoyance instantly. "No. No, I don't think that. I think there's a very clever, kind person behind all that power, one who I'm very grateful I get to know. And excuse me if I'm overstepping my bounds, excellency, but you are not a murder-bot. Which is why I also think that, perhaps, you should stay away from murdering."

The Shogun was suddenly lost in the stare of Sara's predator eyes. Ei had called her simple, but she had been wrong. Beneath the awkwardness and the military decorum lay a beautiful mind.

"…I see."

"That's not all," Sara continued, not letting go of her hands. "You can be hurt. I saw you get hurt. I held you as you sobbed from the agony. That moment will be vivid in my mind until the day I die. Do you understand what I'm saying? The perfection of this plan is doubly important for me now, Shogun. I would never send my troops into a battle I thought would bring unnecessary losses. So part of this is about keeping you safe, and I'm not going to pretend it isn't."

"Keeping me safe?" The Shogun said. The words felt alien in her mouth. Nobody had ever tried to keep her safe. Mostly because they never had to, probably. She was invincible.

Despite herself, she liked that Sara thought she wasn't. Maybe it made her seem more human.

Sara squeezed her hands tighter, narrowing her eyes. "Yes, my Lord."

The Shogun laughed. She couldn't help it. "I'll be fine, Sara. My body regenerates faster than most weapons can hurt it, and unless Ei decides to turn my pain sensors back on, I shouldn't even notice most wounds. But… it means a lot to me. That you thought about it."

"What if she does? Turn your pain back on, I mean."

"She won't. Say what you will about the uninvited guest in my head, she's not cruel for the sake of cruelty. She wasn't simply taking pleasure in my suffering. She was making a point."

Sara let go of her hands, folding them in her lap. "If that's your read on the situation, I won't question it. But I must plead that we go in with hopes of detainingAugustus and scattering their organization, not slaughtering them by the dozen. At worst, we give them a chance to surrender now and return with reinforcements later."

"Noted, general."

"Thank you." Sara said, breathing a sigh of relief. "I should go scout out the camp. I don't think these bandits will have any surprises in store for us, but it can't hurt to be sure."

"Scouting? Please. 'The All-Seeing God of Inazuma' isn't only a cute moniker, Sara." The Shogun closed her eyes and inhaled deeply, clearing her mind. Her third eye opened, the air crackling in agony above her head as the veil of reality tore away. Images flashed through her head, most too fast to make out: people, landscapes, animals, pain, joy, violence. Mortals living their lives, playing out before her Eye of Judgement like a carousel of color and emotion.

After a moment of cycling, the images started to focus. A cat, breaking a mouse's neck. An old farmer and his wife, dancing in their home to silence. The Traveler taking a bath, the tub full of bright pink bubbles, humming to herself as she played with a toy boat.

Wait. What?

The Traveler's head suddenly snapped over, staring right into the Eye. She winked.

The Shogun's eyes flew open. Spying on mortals had always been one of her favorite ways to kill time, but in all those hours and hours of people-watching through the Eye, she never had someone notice they were being watched.

Intriguing, but highly disturbing.

"What is it, Shogun?" Sara asked, looking at her intently. "Is something wrong?"

"Yes. I just saw the Traveler taking a bath."

Sara frowned. "Are you joking? I can never tell if you're joking. Your tone doesn't shift very well. Which isn't a criticism, of course! I love how flat your voice is. And I don't mean flat as in boring, I mean flat as in… deadpan?" She buried her face in her hands. "Sorry. I'll stop talking."

"No, no. I know very well I have trouble emoting. But let it be known that behind my flat affect, there is a woman of many powerful emotions."

"Of course, Shogun! I know that!"

The Shogun didn't know how to tell her that had been a joke, so she didn't. She just sighed and opened the Eye again, searching for her target.

She found him.

"You've gotta' be kidding me." Augustus said. He sat cross-legged in the center of their camp, coolly sharpening his blade. His oni-styled mask didn't reveal much, but he didn't sound very threatened.

"I'm afraid I'm very serious, sir." Sara said, crossing her arms. "I offer you one chance to face me in single combat. If you lose, you come with me willingly. None of your subordinates will be injured, and some may even have a chance to escape before the Guard swoops down upon this den of vileness."

She was right about the den of vileness. The bandit camp looked like more like a trash heap than a living space, broken bottles and other various pieces of garbage littering the ground. The bandits themselves were slowly accumulating to watch the showdown between Sara and their leader, gathering like hungry rats at the edge of the shadows. The Shogun wasn't quite sure if the smell came from the camp or the rough characters inhabiting it, but the putrid stench of sewer water and rotten meat was heavy in the air.

"Really? You'll spare my men? Well, I'll be. That's awful kind of you, sweetheart."

"It's a good deal. I suggest you take it."

Augustus laughed. "Sure. I'll think about it. While I'm thinkin', you wanna' know what we do to little girls who wander too far from big brother around here?"

The bandits collectively cackled, some of their number creeping closer. The smell was definitely coming from them.

"Do you not know who I am?" The Shogun said, speaking up for the first time since they had entered the camp.

"You're a big bitch, that's for sure." Augustus said, to much laughter from his audience. "How fuckin' tall are you? Actually, never mind that. I've got a better question. What's your cup size? Triple-D?"

The Shogun rubbed at her temples. She couldn't believe that they didn't recognize her. Had she really been out of most peoples' sight for so long that they didn't remember her as anything more than a faceless overseer? Or were the bandits just unbelievably stupid?

"C'mon, Augustus." A scrawny bandit stepped from the crowd, rubbing his hands together. "Look with your eyes, man. They're both super fuckin' hot. Let's just take 'em before they try and run. It's been forever since the last adventurer wandered out here. And you know how the boys get, trapped out here on this fuckin' island."

His fellow bandits broke out in an uproar of support.

Augustus held up a hand, quieting most of his followers. "Now, now, Roach. I know how you guys feel, I do. But that one's got a vision." He pointed at Sara. "I'd kill her without an issue, sure. But one of you dumb fucks would inevitably get killed along the line, and you know how I love all you goofy little bastards. 'Sides, they're not that hot. That one is freakishly tall, and the other one is a little thick around the middle, honestly."

"C'mon, Augustus. The vision girl doesn't look so tough. And her friend…" Roach was practically drooling, his eyes wild.

Augustus shook his head, turning his attention to his blade. "Shut it for a second, Roach. As for you dumb bitches, listen up. I respect the hell out of the stones you must have to walk in here making demands of me, so here's my counteroffer: if you leave right now and never come back, I won't let my boys turn you into their torture dolls. Deal?"

Sara jutted out her jaw. "I don't think you understand who you're talking to."

"Don't try the tough act with me, little missy." Augustus slammed his fist against his breastplate. "I am the tough act, got it? Now get outta' here before I decide to shut you up."

The Shogun's head buzzed from fury. The storm overhead rumbled, and lightning screeched through the sky.

She dug her nails into her palm in a vain attempt to calm herself. Blood dripped from her hand, but there was no pain. The storm continued to boil. How dare he talk to Sara like that? Who did he think he was, doling out those kinds of threats?

Sara set a gentle hand on her arm. She seemed unfazed, her expression the picture of perfect calm. "It's not worth it, excellency." She whispered, leaning closer. "This isn't a good fight. Their sheer numbers are a massive risk. Too many things could go wrong."

"Sara. I can't forgive what they said."

"I'm not asking you to forgive them." She said. "I'm asking you to use tactics. Now that we know these men are truly evil, and in much greater numbers than expected, we can talk to Ms. Kamisato about getting her forces out here to clear them. Please, my Shogun."

The Shogun took a breath. It didn't help, but she nodded anyway. "Fine."

They left. On their way out, the bandits jeered and laughed.

"Come back soon!" Roach screeched from where he hid in Augustus's shadow. "Me and my little buddy'll be waitin' for you!"

The storm boiled.

"Well," Sara said, once they were in safe distance from the camp. "That could've been worse. We got valuable intel on the enemy and their camp, and we can now go into battle with our conscious clear, knowing we gave them a chance to surrender."

"Certainly." The Shogun said, only half-listening. She was focused on the vortex at Serai's heart, watching the monstrous storm tear the very sky apart in its rage. "A resounding victory."

Sara came to stand beside her. "Oh, Shogun. Don't let what they said get to you. Maybe I'm simply used to it, but as a female warrior anywhere in the world, your adversaries and allies are overwhelmingly male. The weak ones use those kinds of threats to intimidate you, back you down. They know the thought is terrifying, but that's all they have to rely on when their strength as soldiers fails."

"I know. But that doesn't make me any less furious."

"And I think your fury is legitimate. Just know that we'll get them eventually, ok?" Sara set a hand on the Shogun's shoulder. "I'll go call the Traveler. Allegedly, all we have to do is call out her true name three times and it summons her. I'm excited to try it out, truthfully."

"You can leave without me." The Shogun said. Lightning flashed, briefly lighting up the world. "I have an urge to watch the storms. Only for a moment or two."

"A-Are you sure?" The Shogun didn't turn to look at her, but she could tell that Sara wasn't entirely pleased.

"I'm sure. Thank you, general." Sara said nothing, but she probably bowed, or something.

The grass crunched as her footsteps receded.

"Are you going to do it?" Ei said, watching the storm alongside her.

"Are you going to try and talk me out of it?"

Ei scoffed. "No. They dissed your girl. I've killed many more for far less, in my time."

The Shogun gave her a sideways glance. "They 'dissed my girl'? Where'd you hear that from?"

"You're not the only one who can use the Eye. I've been brushing up on my modern linguistics. Just because I'm Eternal doesn't mean I can't remain cool, you know."

"Fair enough. You're not going to sabotage me while I'm fighting, are you?"

Ei grinned. Her violet eyes flashed like the storms of Serai. "Go, Shogun of Inazuma. Show them what it means to anger a god."

"No fucking way." Augustus said. He was still sitting in the same place, sharpening his blade. Could it get any sharper?

At her approach, the lazing bandits came to life, tossing aside bottles and excitedly grabbing for their weapons.

She ignored them, continuing her slow advance through their camp. The lightning lit her path. "Do none of you know who I am? Truly?"

"Listen, lady." Augustus said, sighing. "I don't give a shit. What are you, famous? Do you want us to ask for your autograph? Fat chance. You really pissed me off, coming back here. So I promise you now, I'm gonna' find your little girlfriend and let Roach have her. You hear me?"

The Shogun halted. "Hm. Sara told me I couldn't enjoy killing you." Her fingers twitched, electricity crackling in her hands. "Fortunately, she's not here."

"Get her, boys!" Augustus called out. Countless bandits rushed her like a horde, snarling and hooting as they came.

Thunder boomed. The storm had arrived.

"Perhaps this will remind you of who I am." She reached into her chest, tearing the Musou Isshhin free from her body in a burst of brilliant violet light. The forerunners of the bandit horde simply crumpled underneath the shockwave, their charred corpses still twitching as the stench of burnt flesh hit the air.

The bandit charge faltered. From the sudden horror on their faces, many of them knew exactly who she was.

She blinked forward, her tachi flashing. The blade of energy cut through armor and bone like it were paper, severing limbs and sending bits of bandit flying. It sizzled satisfyingly as it struck flesh, superheated blood splattering as the wounds cooked. Men screamed as she appeared and reappeared, her blade and her body like bolts of lightning dancing across the camp.

More screaming. More dead men.

Some of them started running. They didn't make it.

In the chaos, she saw Roach. He was kneeling on the bloodied ground holding the head of another man, screaming as he sobbed. She advanced towards him, the vulgar way his beady rodent eyes had appraised Sara fresh in her mind.

There was an impact in her torso, like getting clapped too hard on the back. She frowned, looking down at the arrow jutting from her chest. It didn't hurt. She tore it from her body with a cool disdain, her blood spurting and mingling with her opponents' in the grass.

She blinked within reach of Roach's pathetic form. She dispelled the Musou Isshin, glaring down at him.

"What the fuck are you?" He whimpered. Snot ran down his face. "What the fuck are you?!"

"I can't believe the pieces haven't fallen into place for you." The Shogun said. She grabbed him by the head, lifting the scrawny man in the air and forcing him to drop his friend's head.

"No!" He wailed, thrashing against her iron grip. "No! Please, I'm sorry! I'm sorry! I'm sorry I killed those girls! I'm sorry I hit on your friend! I'm-!"

She stuck her thumbs in his eyes, applying pressure on his skull. His screams became feral. She squeezed harder.

His head burst like a rotten gourd, a burst of hot gore striking her in the face. His body dropped to the floor, crumpling like a broken doll.

She looked down at her hands, stained scarlet. Sara would've been so mad at her.

The Shogun finished the last of them like that. With her hands.

"Holy fuck." Augustus said, as she tore apart the last of his men. He was surveying the carnage from his spot at the center of the camp, his blade limp in his hand. He didn't even sound afraid. Simply dumbfounded.

She dropped the mangled corpse she held, turning to him. "You're still here?" She asked, raising an eyebrow.

"What the fuck am I supposed to do? Run? I saw how that worked out. Fight you? I saw how that worked out." He knocked a fist against his helmet. "I'm such a moron. You're literally a god. Of course you are. Fuckin' duh."

"Mhm."

He shook his head. "I had such a good thing going here, too. I should've taken your friend's deal, man. She was waynicer. You're fuckin' psycho."

"Mhm." The Shogun said. "Are you ready to meet Death, samurai?"

"Sure. But first," Augustus raised his sword. "Let me try my blade."

She blinked, hoping to surprise him and get her hands around his neck. But he was bigger than his comrades, and her reach was awkward. She wasn't used to having to look up at people, but as she got close to the kairagi she realized he towered over her.

He was faster than his comrades, too.

His blade came up to meet her, and one of her arms went spiraling away. Unfortunately for Augustus, he seemed to have expected such a strike to stun her. She blinked behind him, kicking at the back of his leg. Her shoe connected with a sickening crackle, and his knee buckled. He cried out, swinging wildly with his arm, striking her across the face.

She blinked away, rubbing at the odd numbness in her cheek. Her stump had stopped spitting blood, and the flesh was already starting to knit itself into the shape of a replica limb. Her sleeve wasn't, though; something that more than mildly irritated her. "Do you know how hard it is for me to find clothes?" She said, shaking her ruined sleeve at him.

"I think," Augustus said, his voice muffled by not only his helmet but by gritted teeth. He was in pain. "That all the blood and gore splatter already ruined your outfit, your majesty."

"Hm." She said, looking down at herself. "You make a rather fair point."

While Augustus was struggling to get back on his wounded leg, the Shogun summoned Grasscutter, hefting it in her hand. Ever since Thoma had stopped her from finishing the Traveler off at her rally all those months ago, there was something she had been dying to try.

"Alright," Augustus said, panting. "I cut off your arm, you took out my leg. How about we just call it a draw and-"

She wound back her arm and threw Grasscutter, the spear whistling through the air. It struck the samurai in the lower torso, punching through his armor and skewering him like a fish.

His sword dropped to the grass, and he followed it, falling to his knees. He grasped at the spear sticking through him, uselessly. The Shogun made her way to him across the blood-soaked earth, carefully stepping over corpses.

When she reached the fallen giant, she ripped off his helmet, looking into his face. He was a rather handsome young man, with bright blue eyes and chiseled jaw. He looked like she thought a prince should. He tried to say something, but only blood gurgled from his lips.

The Shogun let his face drop into the dirt, then stomped on his head. Then she stomped again. And again. And again.

She left the camp and discarded her ruined clothes, tossing them in the ocean. Then she returned to the spot where she had slept beside Sara. She sat there, cross-legged in her underwear, feeling the harshness of the storm winds against her skin and listening to them scream in the distance.

Sleep didn't come to her.

If only she had remembered what the Traveler's name was.