The electric mines littered all over the backwaters of the nation of electro were headaches to most merchants attempting to smuggle goods in and out of the closed country.

It was the only way anyone could avoid the customs check at inazuma's trading port- making the price of profit high.

However, the seas of Inazuma had much to offer, and this was just a small obstacle this woman had to conquer in her quest for greatness.

She was known for her strength.

She was known for her honor.

It came as a surprise that this outlaw has earned the respect of even local authorities.

After all, it's almost wishful thinking that a pirate would be willing to share half her loot with charity.

Her small fleet was notorious for attacking ships of corrupt officials and giving its wealth to the needy.

These acts of heroism were almost elevated to fantastical in the eyes of children.

Beidou was that hero everyone in Inazuma desired to become- to stand up for justice and bring honor to the family.

She smiled as the ship sailed swiftly toward the direction she desired.

Barbatos was on her side today.

She was making her way back to Inazuma to drop off the latest batch of goods at a nearby orphanage.

She knew she couldn't stay long to entertain the kids like she used to.

She clutched her electro vision tightly and her eyes narrowed.

Just what was the raiden shogun thinking?!

Confiscating all visions?!

Madness.

Beidou needed to make her entry and departure as quickly and discreetly as possible.

She won't be losing her vision.

Not to the arrogance of a false god.

"Captain!" One of the crew cried from the crow's nest.

"A ship's approaching!"

A ship?

That's odd.

Most ships would have avoided these mine infested waters at all costs.

They're either very brave...

Or they're pirates as well.

Beidou felt uneasy.

Most pirates were known to despise her honorable behavior, and would not hesitate to end innocent lives.

Should there be a confrontation, both sides would suffer massive losses.

"Be vigilant. It might be an enemy vessel!"

She ordered, prompting her crew to prepare their weapons.

A gust of cold wind greeted the Crux, as the ship edged closer and closer, cutting through the choppy waves.

The menacing transport seemed to be sporting an insignia on its sails and somehow, Beidou felt that the boat looked familiar.

Where has she seen this ship before?

Then, the brand on the sails caught the rays of the sun, illuminating its crimson glow upon beidou's deck.

This crest.

A crimson snowflake laced with the eyes of a god.

It's a shneznayan ship.

Suddenly, the crux shook violently as a blasting sound rang everyone's ears.

Then, screams came form the deck of beidou's ship.

"What's happening!" She barked.

She ran from the captain's post to see what was going on as the gurgled shrieks continued.

What she saw was unthinkable.

All her cannons were engulfed in flames, with her men desperately attempting to put out the unrelenting auras of heat.

Then, her cannons began to blow up, destroying the deck of her ship and taking chunks of both flesh and wood down into the depths of the sea.

Beidou cursed as she ducked for cover.

Her canonballs were infused with electro energy... and fire was the perfect catalyst for spontaneous explosion.

She had to thank the gods that her ship was sturdy enough not to have capsized by now.

However... the damage was inconceivable.

The sails have all burned up due to the searing shockwaves created by the earlier explosions, and her weapons were decimated.

She looked around has the dust settled, desperate to find any survivors in the devastating aftermath.

Blood was splattered all over the planks, with limbs and heads strewn across the floor.

The sight was horrifying.

"Captain!" One of her crew stumbled towards her.

He was missing an arm.

"Are you alright?! Where are the others?!" She screamed.

A few of her crew emerged from the smoke an rubble, all battered, bruised and missing some part of their bodies.

"It's terrible Cap'n! The cannons just... burst into flames! We didn't even do anythin!" One of them cried.

Then, squaks and shrieks filled the air.

Beidou and her crew looked up apprehensively and saw a flock of vermillion birds fly from the crows nest toward the schneznayan craft, leaving behind sizzling ambers and ash.

A single feather glided down toward one remained of the deck, prompting beidou to catch it.

It burned her palm.

She could feel blisters forming on her skin, but she couldn't feel anything.

She only felt emotion.

Raw anger.

But above that...

Fear.

"I know who this ship belongs to," she said, face ashen white and sweat trickling down her face.

The Fatui ship sailed right beside the crux, before lowering its anchor.

The enemy carrier was made of steel, unlike beidou's.

A giant metal ramp clanked onto the crux from the unknown vessel with a resounding bang, connecting the two boats.

From the metallic hull of the ship, came haunting clacks and clangs- a warning that their assailants would be coming out to greet them head on.

The remaining crew of the crux went silent with repudiation as a single figure emerged from the darkness.

"Bei-dou."

A sarcastic voice called out.

A luxuriously dressed man stepped into view.

"Small Ocean." He smirked.

Beidou gripped her claymore, charging it up with electric energy.

"Too small... Capitano." She sneered.

The extravagant figure invited himself to the smoldering wreckage of Beidou's ship, looming over her and her crew menacingly.

"You're still holding a grudge?" Capitano smiled sweetly.

"Our battle ended 15 years ago!" He shrugged.

"Tell that to yourself when you attacked our ship." Beidou snarled.

Capitano swaggered around the remains of the crux, scrutinizing the charred surfaces of the ship.

"The men who perished were weak. I did you a favor by helping you get rid of the dead weight. You can thank me for helping by the way, after all... we do know you hate getting your hands stained with "dishonor".

Beidou wanted to hack and slash at the man before her.

But somehow... she couldn't.

"Don't be shy, I can feel the killer in you." Capitano said, turning back to face her.

"Or have you once again forgotten what I've taught you all those years ago?"

Capitano gripped beidou's face, forcing it upwards to look at him.

"What do you want?!" Beidou screamed.

Her crew stared at her, shocked at her outburst.

"What I want, is what I've always wanted." Capitano smiled softly.

He released his grip.

"Your little rebellion has gone on for long enough. I mean look at this!"

He gestured around.

"Charity?! For a woman of your talents?!"

"Her strength lies in her kindness! Fatui scum!" A voice called out.

"Even if you're stronger, our captain is more powerful, more honorable than you will ever be!" Another shouted.

Beidou's eyes widened in horror.

No.

No no no.

What was her crew thinking?!

il' Capitano simply cackled.

"Kindness. Honor." He began.

He walked toward the huddled group of beidou's crew with a sick grin on his face.

"Look where that has gotten your captain? Gotten you?" He laughed.

"There she stands! Helpless! She didn't even have the courage to place herself between you and me to protect you!"

Capitano continued to chortle as the expressions of beidou's men turned darker.

"She wouldn't even fight for you! But I? I would die for you, if you follow me." Capitano held out his arm, inviting any to take it.

Silence.

Then, came a single hand, resting on il' capitano's.

It was beidou's.

The crew gasped and and whispered.

"That's enough. You want me? Take me. Leave my crew in peace- I know better than to leave anyone with you... I wouldn't even wish that on my enemies." She growled.

Capitano's grin grew wider, before whispering into her ear.

"Don't try to kid me with this righteous nonsense. I know you. You'd rather join me than see your crew betray you."

Capitano led her up the steel plank into his ship, the fallen angel.

"Not that I mind, anyway."

Beidou just remained silent, sparing one last glance at her friends.

Her family.

Then, the door slammed shut, leaving her in darkness.

Beidou was led into a small room just beside Capitano's personal quarters.

"Just how you've left it... first mate." Capitano smiled, before continuing," rest up. We have a mission from her majesty the tsaritsa. Your expertise in the navigation of these waters will be most helpful."

Still no reply.

Capitano smiled.

"Your big brother knows best, Beidou. Even if you'll never understand why."

With that, he closed the door, giving Beidou the space she needed.

Capitano walked up the stairs to the top deck, seeing the stranded crux still filled with people.

"Sir. Shall we..." a Fatui agent asked.

"No." Capitano corrected.

"I shall."