IMPORTANT UPDATE FOR READERS INTERESTED IN BEING A PART OF THE STORY AT THE END!
HAPPY NEW YEARS! HERE'S TO HOPING 2023 IS AN AWESOME YEAR FOR ALL!
Book One: Chapter Twenty-Three
[Fated Meeting]
"You seem well." Looking to the perpetrator behind cutting the silence, his eyes fall upon Miko sporting crossed arms. "Then again, I expected no less given the circumstances."
"Yes. For a time, I did not know if the process would work back then so for a time I drifted in nothingness. Then, I reawoke here."
"That's the actual Electro Archon?" Chongyun mutters for Ganyu to nod.
"Yes. Just as I recall."
"Just looking at her, I can feel it." Kaeya notes placing a hand at his hip in an attempt to calm his nerves. "Such power is equal to our once Cryo Archon."
"Well, we're here." Rosaria notes. "So can someone explain the obvious tension?"
"I feel it may have to do with the circumstances regarding Relon." Ayaka says shifting through the mixed expression of Electro including Hu Tao sport.
"It seems there is vengeance that must be tended to…"
"Quite clever, I must say." Miko continues for Ei's face to furrow. "Stealing away the child for yourself instead of confiding in your own familiar much less those most loyal." She walks forward with a finger to her chin. "Quite clever indeed, Ei."
"Wait, Miko. We shouldn't-"
"Hush, Relon." The kitsune cuts off, his body stiffening by the glimmering slits in her eyes. "Our business is with her so stay out of it."
This pressure… This is Miko's…?! It's even more dense than Trishula and Eula's entity!
Steeling his shaky nerves, his own gaze hardens.
"Considering my circumstances are because of her, I'd say I'm very much involved in this ordeal!"
The others haven't said anything. Could it be that they're letting Miko be the voice of their frustrations?
"You have every reason to be upset, not to mention despise my very being. Each of you do." Returning to the moment, his eyes look back noting of Ei copying Miko's poised posture. "The world had changed once and we were unable to find any further causes as to how to stop those responsible. Instead of looking for a cure and wasting time, I simply took a safer route."
"And in doing so…" His eyes now shift to Sara quickly bringing up Miko's rear and passing the yokai. "You turned Relon, my fiancé, INTO A PUPPET?!"
If they were still in Inazuma, he'd bet the lottery that everyone far and wide could hear her outcry. Wait…
"A… puppet?" He blinks. "What do you mean, Sara?"
Marionettes were constructs controlled by puppeteers. One couldn't move without the user pulling their strings. He remembered that much at the least. He clearly knew he was in contro-
My fight with the entity, my body moved on its own. I thought it was just my instincts in action but now… the horror on Sara's face says otherwise.
Slowly, their eyes return to Ei.
"You haven't told him…?" Sara musters out a whisper.
"No. I have not yet." Ei answers without missing a beat.
Murder. It looked as obvious as the sky was blue. Sheer murderous intent exuded from Sara's very being. It took the tension in the air along with both Miko's and Sara's own auras to make him tremble and yet… Ei didn't look fazed in the slightest.
Noticing Sara's hand ball into a fist, the subtle movement of a light purple goes noticed.
Qiqi? If things escalate even more, will I have to hold back both of them? Can Qiqi's abilities even hold them long enough? Will Ei intervene? What about the others? There's too many possibilities to narrow down a concrete action!
Frantic eyes peering past the fuming women, they land on Ganyu. As if reading his eyes, she slowly takes a step forward ready to assist.
We just all got on the same page. Something like this… can't be the cause for such a sudden discourse whether the actions made a year ago led to this in the making or not! Sara… please!
Taking his attention away from his own personal ordeal to the situation at hand, he moves directly in front of Sara who widens before narrowing.
"If you're controlling him…!"
"She's not!" He shakes, stretching out his arms. "I understand that you're upset! As a matter of face, I bet the rest of you are to some degree and you have a right to be! But this isn't the way to go about this! I want answers just as much as all of you put together so let's cool it, alright?! We can be civil about this! It may feel better to duke out that rage inside you all!"
"Relon…" Ei murmurs in mild astonishment.
He could see it in her eyes and in Miko's; the raging conflict. The pure anger over fighting the Goddess that took him away versus the reasonable side willing to hear him out. The only thing that made Relon's worry increase was he could practically see the rage slowly winning.
Peripheral noticing Sara's hand relax, he eases himself as does the two women.
"Relon, you're…" A sigh escapes the tengu warrior as her gaze hardens at the Electro Archon. "Why Relon? Had I not proven my devotion and capabilities?"
Seeing Sara no longer with murder on her mind, he subtly signals to Qiqi and Ganyu with a nod of appreciation.
Seems the reasonable side won after all.
"Before I answer that, there is something Relon must do." Ei notes. "Do you recall the mysterious place you awoke in?"
The place I awoke in? Surely she doesn't mean Serei Island. After that was the prison cell. Next, was-
Widening at the realization, he gives a slow nod.
"Show them. Bring it to the forefront of your consciousness and I shall assist in materializing it. Your plane is a better place for discussion whereas mine is meant more so for meditation and training."
"Show us what?" Sara questions.
"So he has a plane too." Miko muses, the glow in her eyes vanishing as Sara comprehends her words.
"Relon has a…!"
"Just think it, huh?" He mutters, memories from the location resurfacing as a light begins to obstruct their visions.
"Now what?!" Rosaria calls out as all cover their eyes.
Relon's Plane (Living Room)
"I'm not getting used to that." The voice of Rosaria sounds through the darkness.
Vision coming to, he finds himself back in his mysterious home. Scattered all around lies the others. Unlike before where there were two couches and a chair, that count had practically doubled. Had Ei manipulated that or had he to accommodate the large group.
"Where… are we?" Ayaka wonders in awe. "The furniture, the layout of this home, everything is unlike anything I've ever seen before."
"We are in a realm similar to Ei's but vastly different from the looks of it. Relon's realm."
"Relon's?" Ganyu wonders for everyone to look at the male in question.
"Yes. One of the abilities he's gained from our merging." Turning around, he finds Ei seated comfortably in a cushioned chair with one leg crossed over the other.
"Ei…"
"Do not be shy." She gestures. "There is plenty of space for everyone."
Eyeing the Goddess for a moment, his eyes look back to Sara still close by before they wander past Qiqi to the staircase. Despite her friendly and nonchalant attitude, some of the others only responded with the stink eye before seating themselves down. Lisa and Beidou were the only ones that simply nodded at her offer.
About to seat at an end of the couch, a sudden yank causes a yelp to escape the male as he's dragged onto the furthest couch from the Archon.
"What the-"
"You're staying right here." Hu Tao orders seating and latching herself to his arm. "Away from her."
"H-Hey! We don't need any more hostility!"
"For once I'm in agreement with Hu Tao." Keqing voices eyeing Ei.
If the situation wasn't so tense, he'd find it comical at the 180 Keqing's opinion of the Pyro has done within the last few minutes.
"It's fine, Relon." Ei waves off. "It's understandable."
"Still…" He tries to respond but falls short at nothing coming to mind.
Letting it go, his eyes note of Qiqi sitting next to him with Keqing on her left. On the couch to their left, Fischl with Oz atop her shoulder, Beidou, and Lisa. On another, Sara and Miko with Ei directly across from him in the single chair. To his right on a couch, Ganyu, Eula, and Ayaka. Then to their right, Kaeya, Chongyun, and Rosaria. He was just now noting their positions but the furniture had been adjusted for their group to be in an oddly shaped circle.
"Alright. We're all here and situated so let's get this started, shall we?" Beidou speaks up.
Taking that moment to situate himself, he looks to Qiqi lean on his other side holding his sleeve. Watching Hu Tao tuck one leg over the other on the couch, he plucks her irate visage.
"Ow!" She winces to pout at him.
"Lose that look or it'll get stuck on that face of yours." He mutters.
"Hmpf! I have every right!" She dismisses leaning against his shoulder tightening her hold on the male.
"Save it for after the discussion is over at least." He sighs glancing at Keqing and Fischl having noticed their hasty banter to lessen their own frowns.
My head's already aching from the drama. I don't need anymore when I need to be focusing. Glancing to his sister once more, he returns to focus on Ei. It's finally time. Time to get some answers to a whole lot of questions.
"Before we begin, those of Cryo." She looks to the latter half. "I apologize our meeting couldn't be under better circumstances and I shall accept any questions any of you pose moving forward from this point."
"Understood. Thank you, Lord Shogun." Ganyu nods her head on behalf of her group.
"Furthermore, from peering through his eyes, I know each of you are capable individuals so I thank you for your assistance and commend each of you for your valence under the leadership of Dantalian."
"We're humbled, Milady." Ayaka bows.
Smiling fondly, he notices the fond smile Ei gives towards Ayaka.
"Dantalian?" Relon decides to ask.
"Ah, yes. Do you recall an earlier discussion regarding our many names?"
"Yeah?"
"Ei is my real name just as Relon is yours. Our title, the common alias used by all, is the Raiden Shogun. Then there are specific names only we Archons address one another with. Ours is both Baal and Beelzebul. The Cryo Archon, commonly known as the Tsaritsa, is referred to by us Gods as Dantalian for that is her specific name."
"Why so many names?" He shakes his head.
"We have a reputation to uphold amongst ourselves and such names are used as a sign of respect. That is the short version."
"So when Baal, Beelzebul, or Dantalian are brought up, it's regarding another Archon and vice versa."
"Correct."
"Got it. Continue."
"Now then." Ei continues shifting to Sara. "You asked if you were worthy of being my chosen and not Relon?" Clenching her fists atop her lap, Sara nods.
"Yes. That is correct."
"Simply put, yes. You were and still are." She answers matter of factly for the tengu to blink before gawking.
"Then why?! Why take Relon over me?!"
"Because he asked me to."
The simplicity behind her words immediately makes his fiancé pause. The sheer sight of her attempting to compute the Goddess' very words reminded him of a computer with an error. Wait.
What's a computer? He furrows. Where did that come from? That's twice now I've thought of something so random that I don't even know. The first being my hair styled like whoever I compared it to. This plane of mine. Whenever I'm here, things occur out of nowhere…
"Relon… asked to be chosen. As in a replacement for myself?" Sara questions still struggling.
"Yes. If you do not believe me, then take a look for yourself." Eyes illuminating in a bright purple as does the lower portion of her braided hair in a lighter hue, Ei extends her palm outwards.
Widening, he quickly recognizes the electric orb containing his memories.
"What is that?" Hu Tao wonders.
"My memories." He speaks for everyone in the room to gawk.
"She has your memories?!"
"Why?" Miko simply asks, composure kept and all.
"Before the ritual was commenced, Relon himself requested that I hold onto it until I deemed him worthy."
"You're joking." Sara blatantly says in disbelief.
"No." All look back to Relon. "She isn't, sadly."
"Behold." Ei speaks regaining the center attention.
Looking into the orb, all see the perspective of Ei herself departing from her tower. Walking through the city, she stops outside of an estate similar to the one Relon had had his reunion with the others. About to step forward, a voice catches her attention causing her to halt.
"Ei? What are you doing here?" Turning to the lone figure, all eyes recognize a noticeably younger Relon.
"Three years prior to today, a presence, as if a wave rolling over Inazuma itself, was sensed." Ei begins her narration. "At the time, the cause for much was unknown. Individuals from all regions began to enter Inazuma and those once affiliated with the nation began to depart. After two years, fearing what was to come, call it a gut feeling if you will, I took actions into my own hands. Originally, I was going to request the sole being who I deemed the most worthy but…"
"Relon… How do you know I am not the Shogun?"
"The Shogun never leaves the tower after midnight." He chuckles. "Plus she doesn't wear perturbed expressions unlike you."
Grasping his words, she allows a breath to escape her.
"Was it that obvious?"
"Don't blame yourself. I've had a couple of years to get to know you. That and hearing your number one follower fangirl over you everyday has given me some interesting insight into you and the Shogun."
"Hmm…"
"Come on." He gestures with the bag of goods. "Sara's training late and Qiqi's staying with Hu Tao tonight. I'm happy to offer an ear for your thoughts."
"I was hesitant given my reasoning for being there. Given this would likely be the last time I would be around Relon, I decided to take him up on his offer."Ei's expression turns somber.
So Ei really does… Halting the thought, Relon continues to watch and listen.
Watching as Relon and Ei situate themselves, he eventually comes back. Two cups in hand with straws.
"Here's one of your usual favorites. Dango Milk." He slides said item across the small table before seating himself.
"Anything you make is something I favor." She gives a soft chortle savoring the deliciousness of the beverage. "My thanks as always, Relon."
"Always happy to be of assistance, Ei. So what's on your mind?"
"... Relon." She begins running her straw in a slow rotation. "I have made decisions in the past. Some I am proud of and others not so much. The Vision Hunt Decree being one I feel foolish over allowing. If it weren't for your intervention against I and the Shogun, then my quest for eternity, Inazuma's future, may not have become what it is now. No amount of thanks will ever equal the work you've done."
"Eternity…" Relon murmurs so low that only Qiqi and Hu Tao hear.
So that's why that word stuck out to me. It's connected to Ei…
"You don't need to thank me. We're all here safe and sound. That's what matters, Ei. Now then, tell me what conundrum you're in." Young Relon smiles that innocent smile he's heard so much about.
Pausing her stirring, her eyes look in disbelief at the young boy.
"Despite my centuries of experience, Relon always left myself at a loss for words." Ei chuckles from her narration. "So I told him. All of my concerns. For the present and future of not just Inazuma, but of its people, new and old, as well as those whom I've come to cherish. As well as my plan for Sara Kujou."
"I'm sorry." Ei apologizes. "You just became engaged, something so sacred between humans, and I've borne such selfish news."
"... It's not selfish. Not in the slightest. Though there are some issues with what you're requesting."
"I… am aware. Though I suppose a third voice aside from my own and the Shogun's would prove fruitful in this endeavor."
"If you merge yourself with Sara, the Electro Army will be without a general. Given Sara's recent ordeal with her father, there's no one with the skills and experience to lead an army as well as her. The only one close to that is Beidou and she's already stated she doesn't wish to do that due to circumstances. It can't be me given the army hasn't really recognized me as someone worthy of such a title. And Miko is just a no. Not by herself at least. A poor leader in your absence will lead the nation to capture. Possibly ruin."
"So what do you suggest?"
"Even if you choose someone else, everyone will be sad and upset. It can't be Sara. After everything she's been through, she's the most capable of leading Inazuma towards a bright future. If anyone can do it, she can. I'm saying this not as her fiance, but as someone who's been by her side for the last two years and seen her capabilities first hand. Taking her away will be detrimental to the nation as opposed to me. A nobody."
"... You're serious."
"I am."
"To the nation, you've become an odd individual whose status has gained the respect of myself, Miko, and even the Shogun. That is all they will see you as. None will know of your momentary sacrifice until you return."
"I'm okay with that. Qiqi, Hu Tao, Razor, Sara, Miko, Keqing, Fischl and Oz, Lisa, Beidou. As long as everyone survives this possible calamity, then I'm okay with that. That's why I can ask without hesitation… Let me be the one, Ei. Let me be your chosen one."
"Even with such determination etched onto his very being, I hesitated in response to his proposal." Ei speaks as the orb of the memory recedes into nothingness. "Five hours. That was what I assigned him to think over his final answer. I would await at our designated meeting place. Either he would appear or Sara." Ei ends.
Widening as the connection clicks, his mind goes back to an earlier memory regained. Specifically the one of he and Sara.
"Much is still in need of preparation. Should one of the nations decide to attack, it can only be by ship." She notes looking at scattered documents.
"Unless they have someone that can teleport or something close to it." He hums looking over some documents.
"That would be troublesome. Hmm. My own is but a short distance. The Almighty Shogun is the only one I know of that can teleport great distances."
"We'll need our forces vigilant both outside and inside the islands. A well placed surprise attack can mean the death of us."
"Quite blunt today, aren't you?"
"Am I? Sorry, I didn't notice. Got a lot on my mind as of late."
"That was when…" Relon murmurs.
Following Ei's proposal, Sara came back and we strategized. To think that would be the last thing I would do before leaving with Ei…
News Announcement (Swear it's not much)
Keeping it as simple as possible. I have a thing about reaching 100k before shifting focus to another story. This story will hit that goal next chapter then I'm breaking from it. That doesn't mean I'll stop updating all together. Just expect updates less often (like every few months). My schedule is on my profile or you can join the discord for updates and whatnot.
Here's where you lovely people come in. This story will consist of a pattern. A Rest Period and then the Exploration Period.
Every Rest Period marks the beginning of a new Book (Arc). It also involves Relon with bonding events regarding various characters with some plot stuff in between said events to further the story. This is meant to further the relationship with not just the characters but to refamiliarize Relon with the world.
Exploration Periods is where the heavy plot lies as Relon and company will engage someone/something nation-affiliated (person or army) at some point and/or venture out to various nations. It could be one of the two or both instances could happen. It may even happen multiple times within one book. Ex: Defend nation, invade nation, defend nation, victory/defeat.
I'm explaining this because I like for those fond of my story to be a part of it. Hence where you all come in. Regarding the Rest Period, we have a list of characters and groups for Relon to bond with but I do not know who to add first. Here's where you all come in.
Either through review, DM, or Discord (Code: nJxvDjhtZs), I'd like for you all to suggest who Relon should bond with. Would you all like to see a focus on his past with Sara or one of the girls, a focused exploration on his budding relationship with Ganyu, his status as the new Raiden Shogun to the army and its people, or his time with Razor and the guys? The choice is all up to you all. I'm open to any requests. Only rule is no specific location requests. I have those saved for special stuff. Only characters for now.
Thank you for your time and see you all next chapter :)
Reviews
Guest: Just found this story. Interesting read so far. I don't really know the structure of the story but I enjoy the character interactions...
Ayyyyeeee, happy you're enjoying it :D. I feel that. Having the main character on a team in any game makes it feel more realistic. Everyone I know has Zhongli but me and I still have yet to use a single Geo character haha. As a Hu Tao main, she's super fun. I sometimes just watch her take tic damage from the flames when I'm with my friends. Funily enough, I just started to focus on my own Ganyu. Just leveled up Amos Bow to lv 80. Can't decide between 4-piece wander's troupe (since I already have great artifacts) or sticking with the 4-piece strayer and grinding better ones.
AndyKurosaki98: Thank God, I genuinely thought you were starving him or something...
Nah lol. Tempting considering he's a demigod so food and water is something he can go a long time without. The thought was there to make it so he kept forgetting due to distractions. Had to have another Miko because it's Miko. We love mischief. Happy you enjoyed the gift my friend.