3rd of 5th Cycle
Perhaps it was to be expected that a divine storm such as the Kamikaze would be as whimsical as the gods themselves.
The clear blue sky stretched endlessly above them, devoid of any clouds. Drifting on calm seas, it was as if there was never a storm in the first place. In fact, the horizon was flat and peaceful - the blues of sea and sky merging at the end of sight in every direction. A single seagull flew above them, swooping in before rising once more, as if it wanted to land on the mast yet was too wary to do so.
The Deicide's sails were swollen in the wind, the ship plunging through the open seas to the rising landmass in the distance.
It was discomforting, Aether thought, for the fact that the Divine Winds weren't as anchored as he thought meant the Electro Archon had consciously let them pass through after realising they wouldn't be stopped. And that meant the Lord of Storms was prepared for their arrival.
With a clearer head, he was able to muse through Paimon's words. From what he managed to understand, there appeared to be two Electro Archons. The only problem is, until now he was always told that along with the Anemo and Geo Archons, the Electro Archon is the last of the original Seven that yet remained. Does that mean the death of the previous Electro Archon was dead, and that their successor replaced them without any mortal knowing?
Perhaps that could be so, considering that from what he could tell, both Barbatos and Morax were mostly reclusive gods who weren't public figures in the mortal eye. Only, the Electro Archon made no illusion about being the ruler of their nation - hells, there was a reason why the Shogunate of Inazuma is the entity that rules the Land of Storms. The Shogunate, named after the Shogun, the Electro Archon.
He found it difficult to believe that an Archon as public as that could be replaced without a single person noticing.
Or perhaps this was a case of twin godheads? The supposed names of the Electro Archon echoed in his head - Baal and Beelzebul. Such similarity couldn't be a coincidence, Aether thought.
"Aether, who is this woman!?" Mona's voice struck him from his thoughts.
That's right, the Electro Archon would be a future issue - and he was currently dealing with a more present one.
"My name is Paimon," Paimon answered.
"That's not what I meant- why are you like this!?"
"Rude. Well, you're a smart one, aren't you?" Paimon lounged, "Can't you figure it out yourself?"
"You-!"
Those two have posed a nuisance since morning, with Mona constantly demanding answers while Paimon continued to side-step her attempts.
"Aether!" Mona shouted again, "When did she get here!?"
"Right before the storm," he said dryly, "This is the third time I told you this."
"But that doesn't make any sense!" she frustratedly pulled at her hair, "How can someone-"
"Not many things make sense in Teyvat, don't you think?" Paimon smirked, "Not unless you know where to look."
Mona paused, narrowing her eyes. Lightly huffing, she brought her hands up and manifested a Hydro scryglass before her, peering into the instrument while glancing at Paimon's lax form once in a while. After some time, Mona frowned viciously, before waving the scryglass away.
"I can't scry you," she stated matter-of-factly, "So, what are you? Why can't I find your constellation?"
"What reasons can there be?" Paimon mused, "Can you scry Aether?"
"Of course I can!" Mona huffed, "I managed to locate his constellation - the Viator, yes?"
"How did you do that?" Aether asked curiously.
"There was a big hole in the Sky."
"Ah," Aether felt quite foolish, "Right."
"So," Paimon droned, "Why do you think you can't find mine?"
Mona paused, staring up at the Sky in thought. Then, she looked back down and met Paimon's gaze, squinting, as if trying to pierce the goddess' pleasant facade.
"I accept your challenge," she finally announced.
"That's what I like to hear."
Aether clapped, drawing their attention, "Now, that's all well and good. Glad that's out of the way."
"Mona," he addressed the astrologist, "Do you know how the gods are named?"
"Why are you asking this now?" she asked, justifiably.
Aether glanced at Paimon, who met his gaze with an amused smile dancing upon her lips. It was a distasteful sensation - the idea of being a puppet dancing upon another's strings in the darkness, trying to piece together a puzzle that could illuminate it all. A puzzle that someone just doesn't want to help with.
Was this how Mona felt when dealing with him - and Paimon, now? If so, he truly owed her an apology. Not that he would change his ways, some things aren't meant to be told.
"Something about the Electro Archon's name is a bit off, to me."
"Well," Mona scratched her chin, "I don't know. However, there are many theories, and most scholars - at least in the Academia - agree that there are two origins for a god's name. Either they name themselves upon apotheosis, or they are named by their believers."
"So… Barbatos named himself?"
Mona shrugged, "I'm a Rtawahist, not a Haravatat or Vahumanan - I study the stars, not dusty old scripts and histories. Though, if I dare guess, I'd say his people named him - because Barbatos could trace back to the High Teyvatian word barbatus, which means 'bearded.' So I guess he is the 'bearded one?'"
Paimon indiscreetly coughed into her fist, her whole body shaking with amusement.
Mona's head snapped around to face the goddess, "You got something to say?"
"Barbatos," Paimon snickered, "B-Bearded? That's quite the image…"
Mona threw her hands up in the air, "What in seven hells do you want from me?"
"What about Baal?" Aether ignored the goddess' stifling laughter.
"The Electro Archon?" Mona mused, "Baal is Old Teyvatian for 'lord' or 'ruler,' so I guess the old inhabitants of Inazuma called them that, and it stuck."
"And Beelzebul?"
"Beelzebul?" she stared at him as if he had grown a second head, "I have never heard of a god of that name."
"Just," Aether insisted, "What do you think of it?"
"Well," Mona cleared her throat, "'Beel' is likely a corruption of Baal, and as for 'zebul…' I'm afraid I haven't a clue."
"Zebul means 'house' or 'shelter,'" Paimon helpfully supplied.
Mona stared at the goddess again, "How do you know Old Teyvatian? I doubt the tongue is even taught in the Academia anymore."
Paimon unhelpfully shrugged, turned to stare off into the distance.
"...Anyway," Mona turned back to him, "I suppose Beelzebul either means 'lord of shelter' or 'the lord's shelter?' Does that help you?"
"...Yeah, it does."
"Why are you so interested in etymology now?"
"Agh," Aether scratched his head, "No need to complicate our situation for now. We're just here to visit the Statue of the Seven, then get out of Inazuma."
Mona looked as if she wanted to push further, but after a brief silence, it seemed she finally relented.
Aether sucked in breath, before breathing out slowly. He was now more than certain that Beelzebul was not simply a replacement of Baal's, but something closer. Perhaps his twin godhead theory does have some credence to it - or perhaps it was two gods sharing one godhead? Or, the 'lord' refers to the godhead, which belonged to Baal - who then gave it to Beelzebul for safekeeping.
Thus, the 'lord's shelter.'
Or- no, Aether shook his head - he ought to take his own words to heed. It was not the time to speculate and complicate their situation. He mustn't forget his own goal - unseal his nascent power from the Statue of the Seven - and get Paimon off his back. Finding himself entangled in divine politics would be the last of his desires, and was something he desperately wanted to avoid.
Though, he thought, that might already be too late.
Aether's gaze bore into the back of Paimon's head, the goddess staring out to a point on the horizon. He started forwards, walking past Mona to stand beside Paimon, leaning over the railing in an attempt to sight what she was looking at.
"What is it?" Mona asked, stepping forward.
In the distance, a speck on the horizon was slowly enlarging. A ship, a lateen-sailed caravel. The rustling of seagrass canvas caught his attention, and Aether looked up to see the yardarms shifting, turning the ship to port side.
"Do you recognise those colours?" he asked Mona.
Mona made a hand sign, forming a Hydro spyglass and putting it to her eye.
"...Fatui," she finally said, "The canton bears the emblem of the Fatui."
"Alone?" he asked, "A single Fatui ship bound for Inazuma?"
"The fact that they are blatantly bearing their colours means they are lawfully entering Shogunate waters," Mona murmured, "Or, that is the independent decision of their leader."
"Their leader?"
Mona nodded, "On the fly side of their flag is the Crimson Lotus Moth, the personal sigil of the Fair Lady."
"Can't say I recognise that name," Aether scratched his chin, "You know her?"
"Know her?" Mona laughed derisively, "Which self-respecting thaumaturge doesn't? The Fair Lady is the greatest mage in the millennium! Though, that's a bit ingenious, considering she is a Fatui Harbinger."
"Fatui Harbinger, huh?" Aether murmured, "That's all I need to know. Shall we intercept them?"
"I would advise against it," Mona shook her head, "Before she was the Fair Lady, Teyvat knew her as the Crimson Witch of Flames. It would not be an overstatement to say she is a legendary figure in thaumaturgical circles, considering she has found a way to live for five centuries. Most already consider her a demigod. I would consider her one of the most powerful Harbingers, undoubtedly more so than the Young Lord, at least."
"Sounds like more the reason to get rid of her here, then."
"Don't forget," Paimon muttered so that only he could hear her, "I will not help you here."
"..."
"While it could be said that her own pride dictated that she bears her own colours," Mona continued, unaware, "It is far more likely that the Fatui have diplomatic immunity in the Shogunate. Further compounding this theory was the fact that she appeared to cross the Divine Winds completely unscathed, which means she has the Electro Archon's favour. It would be unwise-"
"Alright," he cut in, "I got it, I got it. Where do you think she'll port?"
"Ritou, where else? Ritou is the only Shogunate harbour open to outlanders, diplomats or no."
"I'm guessing we don't want to run into her," Aether turned around, tapping the railings, "Come one girl, lend us all the speed you have."
The Deicide rumbled, and the yardarms extended - studding sails unfurling like black wings, catching the wind. No, commanding the wind, forcing the crosswind into a tailwind. The entire ship lurched forwards, virtually skipping across the waves towards Ritou Harbour.
Aether noticed that Paimon continued to eye the Fair Lady's ship, strangely concentrated. Not to mention, uncharacteristically focused on a mortal - or at the very least, an ex-mortal. He caught her eye, and recognised a telltale sharpness within them, a sharpness he has come to wearily dislike.
"What are you planning?" he asked.
"Mona, my dear," Paimon ignored him, "Tell me a bit about this Fair Lady."
"Huh?" Mona spun around, "W-Well, I can't say I know much about her… all I have heard are rumours and stories."
"All rumours must come from somewhere, no?"
"Well," Mona started, "She was born in the Land of Wind five centuries ago, and enrolled in the Sumeru Academia as a Spantamad. During her studies, the Dark Sea invaded Teyvat and she was forced into combat. When she returned to Mondstadt after the war, she learned about the disastrous Seventh Crusade, and the desolation in the wake of the Eighth Crusade."
"From there," she continued, "She swore vengeance against Barbatos for his ineptness, and against the Dark Sea for the death of her people. The Crimson Witch went berserk, wandering across Teyvat purging the remnants of the Cataclysm for years until the Fatui found her. The rest is history - she became a Fatui Harbinger and now serves the Cryo Archon as the Fair Lady."
"Why?" Paimon narrowed her eyes, "I want to know why she chose to serve the Cryo Archon. Does she seek power that the Cryo Archon offers? Did the Cryo Archon promise her vengeance?"
"Well…" Mona hesitantly spoke, "Both make sense. But why do you want to know anyway?"
Paimon wasn't listening, fully immersed in her own head. The goddess leaned over the railing, staring at the Fair Lady's ship fading behind them with sharp eyes, muttering to herself.
"Power… vengeance… how shallow…" the goddess murmured under her breath, "If an oath isn't binding, then it's so easy to pull it apart…"
Mona crept over to him, lightly stepping on the floor boards.
"What is she talking about?" the mage whispered.
Aether grabbed her shoulder and led her down the stairs onto the main deck, leaving Paimon alone on the quarterdeck.
"What is it?" Mona asked.
"She's up to her schemes again," he answered, "Best leave her alone. In any case, have you figured out who she is?"
Mona's eyes widened, and she wetted her lips in nervousness.
"I have my guesses… she is clearly a deity of some sort, maybe even a major one- but it just doesn't make sense, why would a-"
Aether swiftly covered her mouth with a palm and hushed her.
"Gods don't make sense, let's leave it at that," he warned, "With luck, our ways will part after Ritou."
"...I hate this," Mona frowned.
"Hate what?"
"This sense of ignorance- this powerlessness of not knowing what is going on," she explained, "As an astrologist, I've been blessed with the ability and knowledge to seek answers from the stars - but this is the first time that I find not even the stars have answers."
"Ever heard of ignorance is bliss?"
"That's for the ignorant," Mona snorted, "For those who have no foundation at all. But I am versed in all things, and thus not knowing is quite torturous."
Aether wetted his lips, leaning over the balustrade and looked to the stern. The Fair Lady's ship was long gone, swallowed by the endless horizon. Swivelling his head to look in the direction of the bow, he watched as they approached a small landmass.
"Recognise that island?"
Mona clambered up the stairs to the forecastle deck, where her workstation was set up. After perusing some of the maps on her workbench and scrutinising her starchart, she finally shouted down at him.
"We are approaching from the north! That's Jinren Island!"
As if in response to her words, the Deicide swivelled to starboard on its own accord, ropes twisting and snapping as the vessel adjusted its bearings. Aether swiftly climbed up onto the forecastle, finding Mona scouring through her books.
"The Jinren Islands are known for the pirates who plague the area," the astrologist muttered, "They prey on the shipping lanes back when the Shogunate was an open country. However, this information is outdated, and it is unclear if they still exist after the Sakoku Decree."
"Likely not, considering there is not much trade to raid anymore," Aether said, "That said, it is still best to stay on our toes."
4th of the 5th Cycle
The Deicide drifted into port under the heavy gazes of countless civilians.
Undoubtedly, the vessel was quite the sight - a large, heavy ship built in a design very foreign to Inazumans, with a high backed stern and pointed bow. Not to mention, the entire ship looked to be risen from the depths of the ocean itself, crafted of coral and stone, with vast sails of seaweed.
And the living figurehead, which met the gazes of the onlookers - prompting them to recoil at the monstrous sight.
Military vessels controlled the harbour, spanning from smaller coastal patrol vessels to colossal castle-ships - massive, squarish vessels similar to Liyuean junks. Except, built on the hull were high studded wooden walls reinforced with steel, bristling with carronades and archer holes. It was clear where the castle-ships sourced their moniker from. Despite their stockiness, the vessels towered over the Deicide, acting as escorts to usher the ship towards a pier bristling with soldiers.
Ritou Harbour was the third largest city in the Shogunate, he had heard, behind only the capital and another city. That being said, Ritou certainly didn't look the part - no, in fact in the eyes of a Liyuean, Ritou Harbour could be treated more as a small town, despite having a population in the tens of thousands. The buildings were low and built of wood, with slanted green roofs. The streets were very clean, in stark contrast to continental harbours - perhaps a result of the Sakoku Decree. Far from the bustle of Liyue Harbour, Ritou was more quiet and quaint, with neat cobbled streets arranged into an organised pattern for easier navigation unlike Liyue Harbour's labyrinthine passageways.
On the other hand, the civilian docks were anything but orderly - criss-crossing lengths of piers and walkways built atop the water, many even having small houses and dwellings built atop them. Civilian vessels clogged the waterways, covering the waves in a bobbing layer of wood and caulk. It was as if much of the city was floating.
The Deicide coasted into the far more orderly military port, ropes and chains automatically zipping through the air as the sails were stricken and anchor lowered. Dock lines sprung forth on their own volition, shocking the crowd as they wrapped around the metal cleats on the pier.
Aether stepped off the gangplank and onto the pier, Mona and Paimon close behind him. They were greeted by a tall man clad in armour, flanked by a squadron of some two score soldiers.
"State your purpose, outlanders!"
"Just visiting, sir…?"
"Ebina Gonshirou, of the Kanjou Commission," the man gruffly introduced himself, "Just visiting, you say? In a warship such as that? Where is the rest of your crew?"
"Indeed," Aether smiled pleasantly, "Just the three of us, I'm afraid. As you can see, the… my ship is quite independent."
Aether hastily stopped himself from uttering the Deicide's name, as he felt that the reaction would be quite unpleasant, to say the least. In any case, at his words, the figurehead roared furiously, its five necks extending to snap at the crowd and soldiers. Screams and shouts broke out of the mass, and the soldiers reacted hastily to push the civilians away, drawing their weapons.
Sir Ebina himself swiftly brought a hand to his sword, but paused after noticing the Deicide didn't do much more than intimidate.
"I just wish to… pay my respects to a Statue of the Seven," Aether tried, "Do you know of one nearby?"
"...Allow us to inspect your vessel," the officer demanded, "And then we shall see."
In response, the Deicide visibly bristled, gunport hatches swinging open to reveal two decks of bristling carronades. Each cannon swivelled independently, bearing down on the soldiers on the pier menacingly.
"Ah…" Aether smiled sheepishly, "As you can see… I heavily advise against it."
"Did… did you just threaten an officer of the Shogunate!?" the man half unsheathed his blade, "I ought to have you arrested-!"
Aether could feel Mona shift behind him as the soldiers lowered themselves into stances, the sound of steel being drawn filling the air. He glanced backwards, noticing Mona's fingers tapping her thighs, her Vision lightly glowing. Paimon, on the other hand, had closed her eyes, the seemingly ever-present amusement dancing upon her lips.
He sighed deeply, golden motes coalescing in his hands as he made a show of drawing Aphelion from thin air.
They were locked in a stand-off, as Aether was unwilling to be the instigator of the fight. At the same time, the Kanjou Commission soldiers were eyeing the Deicide warily, the black maws of the ship's cannons bearing down upon them.
"Do you really wish for this?" he finally asked.
"No," someone called from behind, "He does not!"
"Who-!?" the officer's head swivelled around to find the perpetrator.
Not a moment later, a man pushed through the crowd - and surprisingly, the soldiers seemed to notice him and let him through. The man in question was tall, taller than most Inazumans. Furthermore, he did not have the features of an islander, with larger eyes and a sharper face. No, the man looked like a northerner. In any case, he sported an easy-going expression despite the sweat clinging to his skin - clearly from rushing over.
"Kamisato no Ason Tooma!" the officer frowned, "How can I help you?"
"I apologise for the misunderstanding, Sir Ebina!" the strange man bowed, though interestingly the officer hastily moved to bring him back up, "These fine people came here under my invitation!"
The man, Kamisato no Tooma, stealthily winked at them, before returning to Sir Ebina.
"Your invitation?" the officer released the hilt of his sword, prompting his men to relax, "For what purpose-?"
"Ah…" the man laughed, "You needn't worry about that, my good sir, I have already explained the situation to Miss Kageyama. Here's their entry papers."
"Miss Kageyama- the inspector-!?" the man exclaimed, "If that is the case, then I have no choice but to wash my hands of this affair."
"Much obliged, good sir."
"Likewise, Master Tooma," Sir Ebina waved a hand, and his men began to march back down the length of the pier, "However, I must beseech you to take them to the Outlander Affairs Agency - if only for the record."
"Of course," the man smiled easily, "I will get this out of your hair, so that you can handle to arrival of our Snezhnayan guests later without worry."
The officer merely shook his head silently before following his men back to the promenade, who were forcefully dispersing the crowd. Just then, the man beckoned them to follow him as he presumably began to lead them to the Outlander Affairs Agency.
"I must thank you for your help," Aether started, "Though, if I may ask who you are…?"
"Oh, right!" the man laughed good-naturedly, "Name's Thoma, nice to meet'cha!"
To their surprise, he spoke in fluid - if slightly accented - Reitz, the guttural tongue flowing smoothly from his lips.
"You- you're a Windriic, aren't you?" Mona asked, a lilt in her voice, "Who are you exactly? And why-"
"Ah…" Thoma chuckled, "That's a long story. Anyway, I'm a retainer of the Kamisato Clan, have you heard of them?"
"If only a little," Mona admitted, "But I understand that they are one of the most powerful clans in Inazuma."
"Inazuma, huh?" Thoma muttered, "That's no good, looks like you all need to learn some customs."
"Customs? Wait, no- just tell us what you want!"
"Ehh? We're all from the Land of Wind right? Can't one outlander help another?"
Mona's response was simply to stare at him with a raised eyebrow. Seeing this, Thoma just raised his hands in surrender.
"Alright, alright. I heard of you all from a Liyuean friend of mine who arrived before you, I wanted to scout you out is all."
"That's… surprisingly honest," Mona murmured, "Scout us out for who, your master?"
"That's right, the Kamisato Clan- ah, here we are."
The Outlander Affairs Agency was located in a large compound, marked by a large tower that rose above the rest of the city. Soldiers - known as doushin - patrolled the grounds regularly, and guards inspected everyone who walked through the gates. Thoma told them to wait at the entrance while he went on ahead, easily passing through the gates just by showing his face to the guards.
"...Think we can trust him?"
"Well," Mona said, "I can always tell when he says a lie, so I don't see why not."
"What do you think, Paimon?"
The goddess in question looked down at him, before crossing her arms and shrugging - for some odd reason upholding her strange habit of silence since they have stepped on shore. Nevertheless, it was only a short while before Thoma returned with three sealed scrolls.
"Here, your travel permits."
"That was… fast."
"I'm a retainer of the Kamisato Clan," the man grinned, "I guess you can say I get a little leeway around these parts. Anyway, I heard you are all looking for a Statue of the Seven? I can guide you to the closest one, it's just on this island."
"That would be grand," Mona beamed, "Thank you."
"No problem," Thoma returned her smile, "Though, in exchange, I would like you all to meet my masters at Sazanka. I can say that they are very eager to meet you."
Aether paused, sharing a glance with Mona. They did not wish to tarry any longer in Inazuma than necessary, considering the ongoing civil war as well as divine complications - but on the other hand, it would be quite distasteful to not accept the man's invitation, given all that he has done for them.
"Of course, we look forward to meeting them," Aether decided he would deal with it later.
"Well then," Thoma handed them the travel permits, "Guess I can finally say- welcome to Narushima!"
"Akitsu…shima?" Mona tested the word.
"That's right," Thoma began as they followed him to the Statue of the Seven, "No one actually says Inazuma here, the word actually comes from Kuni no Inazuma - or, the Land of Thunder. As you can tell, calling this land Inazuma does not make much sense."
"Then what does Narushima mean?"
"The Thunder Isles," Thoma answered, "Named after the Narukami, the Thunder God. In other words, the Almighty Shogun. Best remember that, that Inazumans believe the very land we step on is the body of the Narukami."
They walked into a large plaza in the centre of the city, surrounded by storefronts on all sides. In the centre of the plaza, a great red maple tree dominated the square, casting the area in cool shadow. Scarlet leaves fell pleasantly to the earth, covering the stone floor in a red-orange layer. A high protective fence was raised around the tree, curiously hanging dozens of wooden plaques.
"This is the Five Kasen Plaza," Thoma said, "Heard of them?"
"Can't say we have."
"Well, they are a group of legendary poets whose names were lost time," he explained, "Their story is quite tragic, but they left behind some of the greatest wonders of Inazuman literature."
Thoma moved over to a man nearby, and easily began conversing in Inazuma-go. It seemed the man was well recognised in Ritou, which did not make much sense considering the Kamisato Clan had no jurisdiction over the area. Aether decided to chalk it up to the charisma and charm all Windics seemed to be born with.
A moment later, the man returned with a scroll, handing it to Aether.
"This is the Five Kasen's last poem," Thoma said, "Gifted to the Narukami. However, a page was lost, and thus the Narukami brought divine punishment down upon them - disbanding the Five Kasen. Or at least, that's how the story goes."
Aether stowed the scroll away, and Thoma took the cue to continue towards the Statue of the Seven.
"Next thing you need to remember," the man's easygoing voice took on a more serious tone, "Lineage is everything in Narushima. Names hold power here, so don't call anyone by their given names - especially nobles, you could be executed for it."
"How backwards," Mona idly noted, "Much like old Mondstadt and Li Yue in that regard."
Thoma shrugged, "Well, this land has been trapped in time for so long, it is only given that tradition runs deep."
"Why is it that you are considered a Kamisato, then?" Aether asked.
"Because I was adopted by them," he replied, "Sort of. I am not Kamisato Tooma, I am Kamisato no Ason Tooma. The Kamisato Clan is the family, and Kamisato no Ason is the lineage. Thus, I am Tooma of the Kamisato Clan. Think of it as the difference between families and clans in Mondstadt."
"Adopted?" Mona questioned, "What happened to your old family name?"
"Outlanders aren't allowed to serve Inazuman clans, especially ones as prestigious as the Kamisato. To prove my loyalty, I discarded my old name to take on theirs. In the eyes of Inazumans, that is considered absolute loyalty."
"...How rigid."
"What does 'Ason' mean?" Aether asked.
"It's the title of the clan, personally granted by the Almighty Shogun," Thoma stopped, and Aether realised they were just before the gates of Suzume Castle, "Ason is the second highest rank, given to clans considered family to the Shogun."
"And the highest?"
"Mahito, only two clans have that title - the Raiden and Sangonomiya Clans. Since the Kamisato are considered an adopted branch of the Raiden Clan, my master's title is Raiden no Mahito Ayato."
"Suzume Castle," Thoma noted, "Seat of the Sukune no Hiiragi, the Kanjou Commissioners. The Statue of the Seven is located in a shrine at the rear of the castle, at the highest point of the island."
Suzume Castle was an imposing fortress, which was sensible, considering it was the gatehouse of the Shogunate. Like most Inazuman castles, it was a mountain redoubt - built in three layers stacked atop each other with a keep right on top. On each layer was a fortified courtyard, designed into slaughter fields for any attacking army.
The idea was; after fighting through three separate fortified courtyards, the enemy would have no army left to attack the main keep itself.
"I have business here," Thoma said, "Just take the mountain path around the castle and it'll lead you to the shrine. I'll meet you all here later, alright?"
Aether shared a glance with Mona, and came to an unspoken agreement.
"Of course," he lied, "At dusk?"
They parted ways, then. Aether swiftly led his companions up the mountain road, which snaked around Suzume Castle and wound up the mountainside. The path was covered in the golden hues of maple trees, the cool breeze whispering through the leaves and branches - creating the illusion that the entire mountain was alive and breathing. Shafts of sunlight broke through the canopy, illuminating the forest in ambient glow.
Inazuma - Narushima - for all the rumours and stories, was undoubtedly a beautiful land.
If what Thoma spoke of was true - that the people treated the land as if it was their god - then it only made sense that much of nature was treated sacred and left untouched. They broke through the shrubbery at the top of the mountain, the treeline opening up to reveal a shrine overlooking the Great Sea.
Despite being empty, the land around the shrine was well taken cared of - the shrubbery trimmed and grass devoid of weeds. They passed under the torii gate with their heads bowed, and passed through the shrine until they reached the Statue of the Seven.
There was a man standing before the statue, hands together in prayer and head bowed. Upon their approach, the man raised his head and turned around, revealing a clean-shaven face with sharp eyes. His hair was dark as night, unkempt and feathery. He wore strange clothing, a type of sleeveless vest and long baggy pants. Tied around his head was a red, beaked mask, shifted slightly to the side.
"Hail," Aether called softly, "Are we intruding?"
"This sacred land is open to all," the man replied, "I am Ajari, the daitengu of this mountain. You are travellers from a foreign land, I see."
"We are," Aether stepped forward, "We hope to pay our respects to the god of this land."
"Our god is the land," the tengu replied, "Do not disrespect the earth, do not defile the forests, and you have already done your part. Alas, all are welcome here, no matter one's origins."
"We shall take your words to heart."
Ajari smiled, "Then I shall grant you some privacy."
The tengu strode past them, back into the refines of the shrine. Aether curiously noticed the man's strange shoes - a block of wood on a single heel in the centre. Once the tengu had disappeared out of sight, he turned to Mona.
"Should we be worried?"
"Depends what you're about to do."
Aether glanced at Paimon, who was staring at the Statue of the Seven with an odd expression. He followed her gaze, and beheld the statue. Just as with every other Statue of the Seven he had seen yet, on the base of the statue was a golden plaque, embossed upon it-
BAAL
ELECTRO ARCHON
Standing upon the pedestal was the stone-sculpted stature of the Electro Archon. She stood tall and proud, wrapped in linen as all other Archons were. A ring of stone was borne of her back, mirrored by the stone drum held above the hands folded over her stomach, bearing six orbs of glowing illumination.
Aether placed his palm on the plaque, and repeated the now-familiar action - reaching in for the telltale tingle of Elemental energy. He found it - much quicker than Anemo or Geo - a prideful, malevolent mass that actively fought against his transgressions. Unlike Anemo, which craved to be set free, or Geo, which was innate and unmoving, Electro was vicious and territorial. It lashed against him, unwilling to be moved from its place.
Almost unnecessarily antagonistic, he daresay.
So he forged forwards, lashing back in a counterattack - wrapping his grip around the energy. But just as he captured it, the energy slithered away deeper into the recesses of the Statue - evading him, taunting him. Aether mentally snarled, clenching his fist as he once more honed in on the Electro, and just as the grasped it-
A dark, malevolent sky of black.
A muted, lifeless land of stone.
Faded shrine gates rose from the earth, their vibrancy long gone. Shadows danced in their midst, weaving in and out of the columns. Songs of the children, cries of warriors. Tales of a land borne of war, stories of a land dwelling in earned peace. Memories of a bygone era, locked in wood and stone.
A god, still and silent.
A moon, corrupted and sinister.
The god opened her eyes- scenes of blood and despair writ in her gaze. A land swallowed in darkness, lands cleaved apart by divine thunder, sovereign storms to sweep the world of impurity. A rebellion against heaven and earth, endless war against an endless tide, a nation borne of strife and steel.
The death of a sister.
The death of a People's Dream.
The moon cracked, a great rift - a rumbling sound to fill the world - to reveal a lone, bloodshot eye. The omnipresent gaze of an omnipresent god.
"There is a price to pay," a voice echoed across the desolate plain, "For foolish transgressions."
A hand grasped his shoulder, and pulled him back into reality.
Aether fell to his knees, desperately gasping for breath. His heart pounded in his ears, sweat dripping from his orifices. He spun around, and found the daitengu staring down at him, the man withdrawing his hand from his shoulder. Paimon stood straight, a small smile dancing upon her lips even as she held Mona back.
"Y-You planned this…!" he gasped, "You-"
"Peace, outlander," the tengu rumbled, "I fear you are not sound of mind."
"Oh- I am very sound of mind, thank you!" he snarled, glaring at the goddess, "I know exactly what happened!"
He was tricked- he was deceived. Played like a puppet on a grander stage.
"Then you know that you have received a vision from the Narukami," Ajari narrowed his eyes, "You must answer her summons."
Oh, he will. Aether has no choice, now more than ever. He had to make it to the capital of the Shogunate, he had to confront the Electro Archon. There was no other choice, he glanced at Paimon's infuriating smirk. He should've realised something was terribly wrong when the proud goddess had decided to keep her trap shut for so long.
But now, it was too late. Aether could feel the empty void within him, a piece missing from a puzzle - a torturous nothingness within his soul. Everything had already gone her way, and now he was in a far worse position than he could ever imagine.
Aether called upon his powers - the Anemo, the Geo, his innate authority - and all that answered was the rustling of brush upon the mountain breeze.
"It appears," Paimon smiled, "We will not be able to leave so hastily."
Aether tried to call upon Aphelion, his trusted companion - but there was no response.
The crushing reality hammered upon his mind, the unimaginable consequences of arrogance.
The Electro Archon had revoked his power - his authority - his immortality. Indeed, he could feel time creeping across his skin, his body finally ageing for the first time since its creation. He could feel the weight of the world upon him. And he could only wonder, was this how a mortal sees creation?
He had to come to terms with it; Aether finally understood what Paimon had been warning since the beginning. The reason no god dares trespass the Kamikaze, the Divine Winds.
It was no storm, but a barrier that separated the Land of Thunder from all of Teyvat.
They were no longer in Celestia's reality, but the Electro Archon's, now.
Aether was a mortal, a human.
Author's Note:
Sorry for the long wait, exam week's coming up and my schedule is packed. Once my papers are over I can get back to the semi-daily updates. Anyway, a bit of a slow chapter, I wanted to set up the context of this act and get all the exposition out of the way before the plot can get moving.
Rewritten on 10/8/2022