A/N: Nearing 30k reads so big thank you to everyone! Comment your thoughts on the chapter and what I can improve on. Any feedback helps :).

Book One: Chapter Thirteen

[Bearings]

"Mmm…" Slowly waking up, the first thing Relon meets is a dim shade of purple.

Blinking as his consciousness begins to make sense of his situation, he breathes a gentle breath lifting the sheets off of his upper body.

"Am I…?" Looking around to the ornate-styled room, his suspicion is confirmed upon recognizing the familiar polearm resting against the futon he currently lays in. "I am… I'm back in Inazuma." Mind lingering to his dreamscape with Ei, his eyes furrow for a moment before he calms himself.

Shifting over to Qiqi resting peacefully, her blade on the other end of the bed, he caresses the top of her head. A smile gracing his features as he stands to his feet.

That world I dreamt of, where had it come from? Dreams are weird, yes, but… that house, the neighborhood, even the outfits we all were wearing; it all was just too surreal.

Indeed.

"The hell?!" He jumps, snapping to look around. "Who…?"

The manifestation your consciousness conjured. Your plane is much different from my own.

"You have got to be kidding me…"

It was… otherworldly. Yes, that would be the right term I suppose.

"Ei?"

Yes?

"... Tch, of course. We're one after all." He scoffs departing from the room as to not awaken his little sister.

We are-

"The Raiden Shogun. Yeah, yeah, how about you tell me something that is actually useful?" Not getting a response, he stops down the neatly decorated hall. "I thought so. If you're not going to tell me anything, then there's no reason for us to talk." He dismisses resuming his trek.

Looking out a large circular window, he is met with the sight of Inazuma in all its glory. The view seems to be from one of the palace's numerous floors as the civilians and soldiers tend to their everyday activities as noted by the stalls and other duties.

Our home is as we left it it would seem.

"Your home. I barely remember anything about this place. Only a handful of memories from the others." He corrects walking off.

You're upset.

Pausing at the simplicity of her statement, his eyes give another glance back out a window to the sky, noticing a single gray cloud begin to form within the clear sky.

It would be wise to ease your-

"Shut up!" He growls. "As far as I see it, we're nothing but strangers. Some 'god' or 'goddess' who made me her host because 'something' was happening. So considering you're not going to tell me squat about my own damn past, I seriously do not want to hear shit from you. A stranger. I'm going to figure out where Miko or Sara is so I can get my own body back as well as some answers."

… Very well.

Breathing a breath to calm his nerves, he feels the sensation of Ei disappear as does the growing storm cloud. Lingering upon the unfamiliar city, he continues on eventually finding the staircase after peeking into numerous rooms. Touching down on the first floor, he stops noticing a mirror for him to inspect his attire. Scruffy mane ending past his waist and vermilion eyes, the same as ever, with a pair of shorts and long-sleeved black shirt.

"These attires make no damn sense." He mutters finding a pair of sandals before reaching what is most likely the front door.

About to open it, Relon takes note of the guards outside lined up. Backing away, he retreats down the hallway not wanting to get caught in any drama.

Though they may help out, they may also have orders to keep me here. And that's something I don't plan on doing. The memory of Shenhe from his dreamscape flashing for his motion to cease once more as he holds a hand against his face. How long was I out? Qiqi seems fine but… Argh, this is pissing me off! He mentally growls banging his fist against a wall before continuing on back up a flight of staircases to what seems like the back end of the palace.

Walking out, he is greeted by small lanturn columns that seem to illuminate the small bridge to a platform with the Inazuma flags draped under said platform. Looking over the railing as the slight elevation difference, he gulps.

Landing from this height should pose no trouble. The voice of Ei comments, the sensation of her presence vanishing before Relon can retort.

Remembering his feats during the battle, he shakes away the unease before carefully moving to hold onto the railing from the other side.

"If I break my legs or worse, so help me…" Closing his eyes for a moment, he opens them letting go.

Feeling the brisk rush of the wind against his body, he begins to lean forward quickly righting himself to land on his feet before stumbling to the ground.

"Oof!" Blinking, he shakes away the slight dizziness as well as messing with his legs to find no pain aside from the bothersome wracking of his joints. "Note to self; stretch before I jump from a few stories…" He mutters ignoring the idiocracy from his own words.

Peering over the cliff at the shore below, he quickly backs away. Looking to his left at a purple tree, he departs hugging the stone perimeter. Carefully descending the ledges, voices come from above for Relon to dive into a bush on instinct.

"His lordship is nowhere to be seen!" A man's voice calls.

"Send out a scouting party and fan out the area! We must ensure the Shogun's safety!" Another responds.

"I'll let the General and Lady Miko know as well!" A third adds in.

"Very well. They should be atop Mount Yougou at the Grand Narukami Shrine."

Hearing numerous footsteps fan out in different directions, Relon curses his unfortunate outcome before slipping out of the bush.

"Grand Narukami Shrine? Where the hell even is that?" He mutters climbing a small cliff to take sight of a mountain with pink sakura trees atop of it.

There. Ei answers fading away.

Blinking at the easy answer, he takes off only to skid to a halt shortly after.

"Damn!" He curses hiding behind a bush as a squadron of soldiers march across a bridge. "There's seriously only a bridge connecting to the city? What the hell kind of design- Oh wait, safety and security reasons. That's obvious." He answers to himself. "But how do I get across? Using my ice?" He wonders to focus on his hand for nothing to happen. "If only I knew how. Come on…!" Trying again, the act does not occur. "Great." Looking at the bridge, he finds guards stationed at both ends.

Run and jump.

"Can you stop coming and going?!" He scolds having had nearly another heart attack. "And what do you mean just run and jump?"

Feel the power flow to you. Let it surge throughout the core of your body. You will feel it and once you do, time your jump correctly.

"You make it sound too easy." He scoffs walking a ways back.

I am the Archon of Electricity.

Clicking in annoyance, he takes a breath to steady himself. Focusing on the portion of land outside the perimeter of the small estate across the gorge, his gaze remains steady. Slowly walking forward, Relon bursts into a dead sprint.

"This better work!"

Running with all his might, a sudden sensation rushes through his legs as he jumps. Vision all but a blur, he's immediately met with the rough collision of grass and dirt in his face. Coughing the minerals that gained access into his mouth, he rubs the remains off his face.

"What… the…?!"

Well done. Ei compliments before receding once more.

"The hell…? Whatever, I got past that hurdle so let's just hope there aren't any more."

Taking off once more along the outskirts of the city, time passes as the sun once high in the sky eventually changes shifts with the moon.

"If I have to hide in a bush from another patrol group one more time…" Stopping before a sign, Relon reads it.

[Chinju Forest]

"Chinju Forest, huh?" Glancing up the cliffside towards the mountain, his eyes falter to the path before him now illuminated by glowing blue flowers. "Pretty." He murmurs departing under the paifangs.

Aside from the constant sounds of frogs croaking and the numerous glowing butterflies, Relon found the forest to be quite peaceful. The stillness of the environment helped to ease his mood. Stopping by a small stream, he crouches down taking off his sandals dipping a toe in before walking into it. Inhaling a deep breath to exhale through his parted lips, he eases himself. The cool touch of liquid against his skin making his mind come to a halt as if like magic.

His worries over Qiqi, his once sporadic plate of situations, the dream that his mind somehow conjured, even him being a supposed God albeit sharing the body with an actual one; all of it just… swept away as he finally allowed himself to relax. It was an odd moment more than anything else. Relon honestly didn't know what to make of it. Though considering how bitter he had been up until this point, he knew right now was as good of a time as any for a break.

Taking a seat against the grass, he could only gaze at his legs halfway under the passing water. His mind running through numerous thoughts though not one could be sounded out. Only silence hung both inside and out. Refocusing on the area itself, Relon began to gain a fondness for it. It was nature at its purest form. Aside from the gates and stairs, nothing human-made was in sight. The croaking of the amphibians, the swaying of the evergreens illuminated by the blue flowers that shone a beautiful color, the shimmering insects hovering through the air, the sound of the gentle water running along the banks where Relon sat; it was… tranquil. As if a remedy for the worst ailments, he couldn't find it in himself to be upset. It seemed taboo to regain such an emotion in such a sacred place. As if an unspoken law he dared not to break.

"... Ei." He calls in a soft tone.

For a moment, nothing came in response. Then the slow pull in the back of his head came. She was there, she simply did not respond and he knew. He simply continued on.

"Sorry." He utters, his gaze falling back to the running water before him. "About how I've been acting. And for what I said earlier."

Relon did not know what it meant to be a supposed God. Were they capable of destroying the very lands and sea itself? Were they almighty but gentle to all beneath their status? His memories combined with the knowledge he's accumulated since his reawakening on Serei Island couldn't answer that. Yet, as soon as his words left his mouth, everything went quiet. The gentle breeze ceased followed by the trees hushing, the frogs going mute, the water becoming an audible hum. If he didn't know any better, he'd suggest she too had the power to affect their surroundings just as he could the weather.

As am I.

As soon as everything had stopped, it started back up. Her words were completely understood by him. Their situation, the burden she's placed upon him, his memories kept away from him, all of it. She, a woman not to be trifled with, an Archon who attached herself to him for some mysterious cause genuinely was apologetic for putting such a strain, such a burden on him without her host even knowing the cause for. Since waking up with Qiqi, a smile graced his features. Not one of pride or giddiness, nor silliness much less sly. A simple smile, possibly wry, donned amongst his features.

Getting to his feet, he raises a hand as if to take another's, his eyes blink as the world around him changes. Before him, their hand linked atop of his own, stands Ei. A fond smile gracing the face of the beautiful woman. With another blink, he returns finding the woman no longer in front of him. The gentle touch of her hand already gone though the compassionate warmth felt by it lingers.

Shifting his sight back to the path, Relon gives a brief glance up to the mountain top.

The Grand Narukami Shrine. Ei speaks for Relon to lift his head up in response. That is where Miko resides.

"Then we better get going." Feeling an inner nod by the feminine deity, he takes a single step to stop. "What the…?"

Approaching from further up ahead, a slow flicker of light nears. As the anomaly nears, the silhouette of a figure can be made out.

Oh, it's Hu… Hm, what was her name again?

"Who…? Do you mean-"

"RELOOOOOOOOOON!"

"OOF!"

Cut off and knocked over by a force seeming to be equal to that of Trishula, he skids to a halt as a groan escapes him.

"Ow…"

Tao! Yes, I remember now. Hu Tao.

Ignoring the entity's poor communication and possible pun, Relon's eyes wince open as deja vu hits him. Atop of him, a familiar girl donned in what he can only guess to be an Inazuman garb of sorts. Eyes a bright scarlet with her pupils the same oddly-shaped blossom pattern. Her hair is the same long dark brown with the tips a shade of burgundy, though she has it free down her back as opposed to her dream counterpart's twin tail style. Though out of all of this, what makes his recovering eyes soften in slight confusion are the tears building at the ends of her eyes where her makeup would be.

Furrowing, Relon takes in her trembling form. For a moment, his plane's Hu Tao overlaps the one before him. On instinct, he wraps his arms gently around her. Hu Tao's eyes widening as he rests his chin atop her head.

"It's alright." He whispers, her hands gripping his garbs tightly. "Let it out, Hu Tao." Holding back the heavy emotion from within, it's released in an explosion of wails and tears. "There, there." He soothes by rubbing his fingers through her locks. "I'm not going anywhere."

Relon.

I know. I mean what I say. I'm vanishing without a word. Not this time.

Eventually, Hu Tao's emotional outburst would come to pass. Helping the young woman to her feet, her sniffles still rang loud to his ears. Wiping at the corners of her eyes, her free hand remains gripped on his sleeve.

"You… jerk!" She punches him for a small plume of fire to send him back to the ground.

"Ack! What was that for?! That stung!"

"O-ya? Good! I wonder why, Mister I'm going to up and vanish one day without a word and leave behind a note only to come back a year later!" She exclaims to cross her arms. Though she attempts to come off as upset, her puffy cheeks don't help her case much.

"Whoa, whoa, whoa. Wait a second, Hu Tao." He raises a hand. "Did you say a year?! Like, 365 days? And did you use fire?"

"Yes and Yes, Mister Amnesiac." She pouts, dropping her arms to her hips.

"And she knows I have amnesia and still… Ugh." He mutters twitching an eye. "Okay, how old was I when I left?"

"17."

"So I'm actually an adult now. Great." He blinks to himself, taking in the sudden fact. "And you know I have amnesia." He arches an eyebrow for the girl to nod. "Plus you can use fire so you're a… pyro I think?"

"Yup yup." She smiles with confidence for her face to stagger back to a pout. "I'm still mad at you."

"Please be mad at the me of the past, not the me who can't remember anything." He chuckles, Hu Tao looking on to drop her demeanor as her hand lifts up taking his sleeve.

"Fine. You're innocent until proven guilty." She gives a small smile. "I missed you, Relon." She greets resting her hands behind her back

Hearing the heartwarming words, he feels his cheeks heat up to avert his gaze from the girl. Out the corner of his eyes, he takes in the mischievous grin.

"Hehe, take this!" She lunges.

"H-Hey, get off my back!"

"Nnnnope! Hehe, consider this payback for making me worried sick for a year!" She giggles, wrapping her arms and legs around him.

"Hu Tao, come on!"

"Oh, what's wrong? Did my elegant, pure, and cute self combined with my words make your heart skip a beat? Did it? Did it?" She chides for Relon to twitch an eye in irritation.

This girl, I swear. Whether in my plane or here, she's still a tease!

Her personality remains the same as when we left. She has always found it difficult to remain upset, especially at you.

You don't say. He mentally groans to peer over his shoulder at the girl giddily smiling as she rests her head over his shoulder. At least some things remained the same so it's not all bad I guess. He muses, leaning his cheek against hers to the pyro's surprise..

"Feels like only a day has passed since I last saw you, Hu Tao." He gives a gentle smile feeling the heat increase drastically on her cheeks though he isn't bothered by it.

Adjusting so she sits more comfortably on his back while ignoring the effects her body is doing to him, he departs. Hu Tao easing into the safety of his hold.

"Don't leave me again." A low plea comes as her grip around him tightens slightly. "Please."

Continuing his pace, he keeps his eyes on the uphill path. His movements unwanning.

"I won't. That's a promise."

Temsen: So Relon was a modern world character inserted into Teyvat. Interesting.

Indeed. Let's see how much of his memories affects his time.

A/N: Am I choosing favorites? Kinda. Could it have been Ayaka considering the location? Yeah but it wouldn't be as impactful as stuff will happen later on. Then again, I've had this reunion planned since publishing this story and am honestly pretty satisfied with how this chapter turned out.