A/N: HAPPY BELATED BIRTHDAY EI'S CHOSEN. Normally I'd do a Character Profile of my OCs buuuuuuuut we got only three so that'll have to wait. This was going to be a bigger chapter but I decided to split this and let Chapter 19 be centered around Eula and 20 be a nice plot stopping point for the time being. Also, we're nearly at 200 followers. This story now having passed my MHA fanfic Academia's Destiny. Once again, thank you all for taking time out of your days to read this fic :)
This chapter goes out to my cat, Tiger, that recently passed. Much like his sister, he was always there for me when it came to writing. Rest easy buddy, my will to write took a blow but it remains stronger than ever.
Book One: Chapter Eighteen
[Fabricated Realization]
Entering, Relon follows Sara up to the second floor where a sliding door stands before them. Opening it, they enter for his eyes to fall upon Miko seated atop a cushion with Qiqi sleeping soundly against the woman's lap.
"How did you-"
"I'm quite skilled too, you know." She quips, silencing the teen as they near.
"Understandable." He eases himself resting a hand to his hip. "So now we're just waiting for the others?"
"Correct. The lieutenants shouldn't be much longer." She muses caressing Qiqi's head. "So, how are you two?" She wonders, a smile of amusement gracing her features for both to look at the other.
Giving a smile of their own, they turn back.
"As good as good can be." Relon says with a shrug. "I still have plenty of questions but those can wait." He takes a seat on a cushion next to Miko, Sara taking his other free side to rest her head atop his shoulder.
"There's much that needs to be discussed. Not just us but between you and everyone." Sara notes.
"You're right. Now that you mention it… You made the comment this morning about seeing Ei soon enough, right?" He looks at Miko. "What did you mean by that?"
"Oh, that? Quite simple really. We'll enter into the Plane of Euthymia through her power. Of course, we'll need her conduit to do so."
"The conduit being me… Wait, that's possible?"
Yes. Ei answers, Relon's head lifting up in response. Bringing others into the Plane of Euthymia is rather a simple action.
"You make it sound simple but bringing people into my head doesn't exactly sound safe."
That is not entirely true. You are correct in experiencing my plane from within the depths of your own consciousness, but it is possible to manifest physical bodies inside as well.
"Wait, then I can enter via body or mind? So that's what you were referencing earlier about the two…"
In a way, yes I suppose. Through the process of thought, your time is significantly faster as opposed to being there physically.
"Huh."
"I'm guessing Ei is speaking?" Miko comments, Relon jumping only slightly to laugh bashfully.
"Y-Yeah. Sorry about that."
"Ah, having a voice in your head speaking at random must be quite the experience."
"Haha, I'm… adjusting."
"You've been doing fine thus far." Sara notes peering upwards to meet his eyes.
"It helps when I have such a supportive family." He smiles, their eyes returning over to Miko. "Thanks again, you two. You as well, sis." He adds caressing Qiqi's head to which she squirms with an audible mumble to the three's amusement.
Just then, the sound of the sliding door gains their attention. Looking to, Relon's amused grin grows wider as Sara lifts her head off of him to the sight of Hu Tao and company.
"Everyone!"
"Heya, did ya miss us?" Hu Tao greets with a wave and a wink.
"He saw us yesterday, Hu Tao." Keqing eyes the girl with a roll of her orbs.
"I'd be lying if I said I didn't." Relon chuckles, the look of Keqing's face quickly shifting to mild embarrassment.
"Awe, teehee."
"Why, is that a blush I spot Keqing?" Lisa hums with a sly smirk.
"N-No!"
"Definite blush." Razor mumbles to earn a glare from the girl to which the wolf boy looks away.
"Nothing wrong with being honest, ain't that right Fischl?" Beidou grins, wrapping an arm around the girl and Oz.
"Huh?! Why the heck are you- I mean, Hmpf. Thou mirrored image reflecting the fabric of such emotions dwell not in me."
"At least at this moment, no milady?"
"O-Oz!"
"Hahaha, good to see everyone in high spirits."
"A-Ahem!" Keqing interrupts, she and Fischl adjust themselves. "Anyway, is everything ready?"
"Yes. Qiqi, dear, it's time to wake up." Miko lightly rustles for the resting girl to release a hum, her vermilion eyes fluttering open.
Watching everyone take a seat, Relon blinks at the realization of him being in the middle of their position.
"Uh-"
"You're the Shogun so as our leader, you are seated in the middle." Miko explains.
"But-"
"Even if you're still recovering." Sara quips as Qiqi seats in between herself and Relon. "That is why Lady Miko and myself are situated as we are."
Twitching an eye at the two's answers, he silently exhales.
"But are you guys forgetting that they know I have amnesia? Why present ourselves like this if we're trying to cooperate? We don't need to show off absent power."
"Who said anything about cooperation?" Miko arches a brow.
"Or having an absence of power?" Sara adds copying the gesture.
"Then what do you have planned in mind?" He questions looking between the two.
"We lost half of our soldiers, Relon. Good people who fought to protect their home."
"We no doubt will need reparations." Miko cuts in. "We cannot forget that their original cause was still to invade Inazuma. Even if their hearts changed midway through the battle, that fact still remains. Because of them, many lost their loved ones. You understand, don't you?"
Scrunching his hands against his lap, his vermilion eyes lower to the floor. Waiting for his response, the group notes of his posture losing its tension.
"Where are they?" He sighs.
"Are you asking or are you declaring an order, Almighty Shogun?" She smiles with narrowed eyes.
"Enough of your sneaky manipulations, Miko. You too, Sara." He says as though disciplining the two. "Just as we lost those dear to us, so did they. Right now, we need to come together and figure out a way to end this madness of a war." He silences, all looking to the two commanding individuals.
"... Darn. He really is picking up on things faster than anticipated." Miko mutters under her breath.
"Glad you saw through such a deception. Even if it was partially truthful, it was also painfully obvious." Sara adds.
"Brother…" Qiqi calls crawling to lean against him.
"Don't get up too fast, okay?" He chuckles, lifting his arm for the girl to hug his side.
"'Kay…"
"I'm still learning slash recalling everyone in particular but I think I know enough to figure you out, Miko." He smiles at the woman who arches an eyebrow.
"Oh? Is that so…?" She narrows, a mischievous glint in her eyes causing Relon to shiver.
"For now!" He quickly adds. "Please spare me from any more of your teasing..."
"Whatever are you talking about?" She shrugs.
"Relon in danger." Razor cautions.
"And no help is coming to his aid. Except maybe dear Qiqi's." Lisa giggles, eyeing the girl who in turn looks to the woman with her usual innocent expression.
"Regardless, don't push yourself Relon." Keqing speaks up. "You're still adjusting to everything."
"I won't. I'm involved in this just as much as the next person. No way I'm missing something like this." He focuses forward crossing his legs as Qiqi moves to sit in the small space his legs make.
"Same…"
"Looks like we're all ready, eh?" Beidou quips.
"Yes." Fischl nods. "Let this conference within the mortal realm decide our future!"
Looking at Relon and then Miko, Sara nods before snapping her fingers. In response, the doors slide open. Lifting his eyes, his mouth curves upward into a smile. Entering to seat themselves, both sides look to the other.
"Ganyu, Ayaka, Kaeya, Chongyun, and Rosaria." Relon smiles, gaining their attention.
Making eye contact with each, his smile grows slightly larger upon reaching Ganyu's as does her own.
"Good to finally see you all again."
"Yes. It is relieving to see you healthy Almighty Shogun." Ganyu greets with a curt bow speaking for the group. "I believe we have finally been summoned to speak on an important topic?"
"Yes, but before that…" He pauses, turning his head to look at Miko. "Where's Eula?"
At his question, the ears of Miko perk up. Meeting his gaze, the first thing that came upon instinct was to answer with her usual mannerism; coy with a hint of satire. Though once her purple eyes met his vermilion, that infamous smug attitude dissipated in an instant. He wasn't overly upset by his facial features but he also wasn't particularly offering to hear another tease. Neither too bothered nor too uncaring; that neutral visage was a rare sight from the young man.
"Currently bound in her cell."
Now, Miko has had plenty of time to develop a keen eye for things. For wondrous material regarding books, people of interest, the difference between an expert chef and a total novice in regards to her prized fried tofu, the list goes on. She's had over 800 years to refine such a technique after all. So picking up on the fact that the still air around them became the slightest bit thicker, the teen's visage not waning an inkling, even his breathing remaining calm; it all surmounted to one conclusion. The union of himself and Ei has already made changes to him albeit subtle.
"Hmm…" A hum escapes as he goes into thought.
Normally, that childish nature would lead to an array of different reactions upon such negative, if not down-right dire, news. Yet, he's calm. She already knew he cared a great deal for Ganyu and the rest of the cryo lieutenants. Even the woman that beat and chained him herself. She's long since quit questioning such childish causes. Afterall, it was Relon. Although at this current point in time, it was he and Ei whom were deep in thought.
With all eyes on him, she could only wonder inwardly if he was having a conversation with Ei. She wouldn't deny she held the tiniest speck of jealousy as did some of the others. Her best friend, whom she's known her whole existence, took the only male she's come to harbor feelings for. That dispute would come later. All she could do was look on at the male harboring traits both he and Ei shared. The humming, his raised hand resting against the side of his face in thought, the seemingly stoic if not stone-still demeanor he's wearing now; all of it reflected Ei. It was as though the kitsune was looking at an image of Ei herself and not Relon. The resemblance couldn't be anymore canny.
"I'm going." He suddenly declares.
Sure enough as she expected, he said it. Next would come the mixed reactions. Sara would no doubt refuse the very notion.
"No you're not." Sara denies equally as calm, though some surprise from his sudden outburst could be caught in her tone.
Then they would either lightly bicker or one would somehow shut the other down.
"Why?"
"To free her."
The equally shocked looks on everyone's faces though amusing only became even more shocked. Even the cryos were taken aback by the bluntness.
"She'll most likely attack you."
Oh?
All turn to the voice belonging not to Sara, but rather Ganyu. That's right. There is another part of Relon's equation she nearly forgot about; his time with the cryo-users. Judging from her speaking out, it's possible they're closely acquainted. There were their interactions during the recent battle. Oh well, add investigations to her personal to-do list for later. She supposed now was as good of a time to reign the child back in.
"Now, now, let's take a moment to think properly." Miko claps, gaining their attention. "Before we do anything hasty, there is something we need to discuss that does involve the woman in question."
Looking at Miko, Relon finally releases the breath he's held in. His stoic demeanor subsides as his curious expression returns.
"What do you mean, Miko?"
"Let me ask you five. Has there ever come a point in time when Eula's attitude drastically changed?" At this, both Kaeya and Rosaria widen at the realization.
"Changed?" Chongyun arches an eyebrow before going in thought. "I didn't know her until joining the army and I've known.
"What are you insinuating, Miko? That there is some sort of cause for a possible change in character?" Relon wonders, noticing Qiqi grip his sleeve slightly tighter to reassure her with a pat atop her head.
"That is exactly what I am implying. You two seem to be in realization of something."
At her words, all looked to the two cryos in deep thought.
"The three of you did arrive at the same time to Snezhnaya." Ayaka notes.
"Back then, when that happened…" Rosaria pauses biting her nail. "Tch! To think that was the cause after all. I thought her ego just took a turn for the worst because of the war! Son of a-"
"Calm down, Rosaria."
"Don't tell me to calm down when something this drastic is being laid before us, Kaeya! If what she says is true, then our comrades, our army, every nation, even our own archon is being controlled by some evil plague!"
"Rosaria." The irate woman looks at Relon. "Just now, you said 'back then'. And Ayaka..." His gaze shifts to the swordswoman who straightens slightly at her name being called.
"Yes, sir?"
"Back when I was a prisoner, I recall you mentioning Eula's aggressiveness being a rare sight."
Widening, the Kamisato recalls her words.
"I've never seen her this worked up since… you know." Her words from the past speak.
"So here is my question; exactly what happened?"
"Simple." Once more, Miko is the one to answer. "The Harbingers happened."
AndyKurosaki98: Oh the chaos, they probably went through all of Inazuma during that game, I just feel it...
All of the first island practically and of course, Qiqi is Relon's sister. She can be equally as clever. And indeed as you say, he's starting to let go of the doubts. I'm trying to make it seem like a slow burn to make it adequate and realistic. Anything that happens in Relon's plane doesn't count unless he deems it so lol.
Jay: Breasts are cool but the thighs and rear are the true treasure.
*Me in the back of a church*
Ahem. FUCKING PREACH XD
Temsen: What a rollercoaster of emotions this chapter.
Exhilaration from the tag game, melancholy(?) from the vision and...
I honestly don't know which will be used more in this story. The "storm is approaching" or the usage of "lap pillows." And as mentioned by Miko and Ganyu, Relon still has plenty of tendencies as that of a child. So he's gonna take himself up on any fun offers when he the situation calls for it. Of course, everyone will have fun at some point.