Prelude to Eternity
"This betrayal is unforgiveable… Takayuki, you've got some explaining to do!"
"Easy there… we wouldn't want to do something rash now do we?" A stern voice. Coming from the stairs, spoke.
Sara was surprised and taken aback as she took a step backwards, "General Fujo?!" She exclaims.
Behind her, Yae Miko looked displeased and frowned as she crossed her arms. While Lumine took a stance, alerted by his presence.
"Yes, that's me. Now, what's this about hm?" He asks in a condescending tone, "this isn't a conspiracy now is it?" he chuckles.
"General Fujo, you better read this!" Sara hands him a document, a small, but significant document nonetheless, it is signed by the Tenryou commission, after all.
Taking the document from Sara, he takes out his reading glasses and begins reading. Letting a amused chuckle afterwards. His pyro vision jiggling in his side.
"So it seems… tell me, what were you going to do before i appeared?"
"Confronting Takayuki about this… he has to answer for all of this!" Sara exclaims in mild anger.
"Haha, so we're both in the same page it seems." The General smirks.
"What do you mean?" this time, Yae Miko spoke up after hearing this.
"You think nobody else noticed? People aren't stupid, especially those in the military." He snorts.
"Fujo, tell me, what are you planning?" Yae Miko asks in a suspicious voice.
"What else? I'm going to confront Takayuki too," He pauses, "And I'm going to remind him who we serve and who we take orders from."
"This isn't what I think it is, is it?" Yae Miko enquires further, only to be met with silence from the General, "You're playing a dangerous game, Fujo." She warns.
"Sara, you're free to follow me. The rest of you…" He turns to Miko and the traveller, "I'm afraid I'll have to lock down this place." He finished as soldiers came from behind him and began to secure the Shrine.
"Weapons are not permitted in this Shrine!" Miko shouts, only to be ignored as Fujo and Sara walks down the Grand Narukami Shrine.
That day, citizens of Inazuma city felt a sense of foreboding dread, as if something big were to happen at some point.
Well, probably just another round of vision hunts and enlistment. Many shrugged it off. The struggles of the elite aren't the concerns of the common people.
But to some, they can't help but nervously prepare for the time it may arrives.
To a certain few, however, they have to make sure this plan succeeds to the utmost.
"Generals" A tall man bowed at Sara and Fujo, who had just entered the tent.
They were in a camp near mount Yougou, which were guarded by soldiers loyal to Fujo.
"Right, how's the progress?" Fujo takes a seat and crosses his arms.
"As planned, we have secured control over the Grand Narukami Shrine and are keeping a strict watch over Guuji Yae Miko." The man from before straightens up, before rolling up a map of Inazuma, "Technically, the coup had already begun."
"How long have you planned this, Fujo?" Sara said with interest as she examines the scribbled map.
"A year ago, since I found out that foreign interference has made this war with the Watatsumi separatists drag on for longer." He sighs.
"Separatists? Aren't they a resistance movement formed in response to the Vision Hunt Decree?" Sara asks with a hint of doubt as she looks at him.
"Ha. Separatists, that's what we'll tell the people." He chuckles dismissively, "Nevertheless, Akio, what about the others? Are they in place?"
The man, now named Akio clears his throat and points his fingers to Chinjiu forest, "General Ichiro and his men are awaiting orders to place the Yashiro Commissioner under house arrest,"
He then slides his fingers to Ritou, "Admiral Kyoko's assets are on standby in the port, under the guise of resupplying. She believes that her movements will be swift and that she will arrest Hiiragi Shinsuke unimpeded." Akio looks up, "She also stationed troops near Konda village in case the commissioner escapes." He concludes.
"The navy is onboard?" Sara questions in surprise as she took a seat.
"I'll assume that there are no puns intended," Fujo coughs, "But yes, Kyoko believes that the Tri-Commission has been neglecting the Navy for far too long. She only asks for an increased funding after the storm clears. No pun intended." He crossed his arms.
Sara nodded and crossed her arms, "So? How do i come in play in all of this?" She looks at him.
"I need you to act as a vanguard while I lead my troops to the Tenryou commission headquarters." He explains, "and I need you to secure the city, stop any elements that may try to stop us, and maintain a sense of stability there."
"Wouldn't the people be uneasy, confused, or let's say, a bit angry?" She questions.
"Ideally, we want the people to know that they can't fight back. At least make it seem like we're already in control," Fujo leans back, "To them, the struggles of the elites are of no concern."
Sara closed her eyes, and after a bit of silence, she curls her hands and said, "Very well, I shall help you overthrow my traitorous Father." Then she looks towards Fujo, "but, let me be clear, I want you to make the lives of the people of Inazuma for the better. Can you promise me on this?"
"Of course. The objective of this coup is not to destroy Inazuma, after all." He pauses, "It's to preserve it."
"Ahem. Let's not get too rash, shall we?" Akio coughs, "There is still the matter of the Shuumatsuban to be addressed first."
"Ah, right. Almost forgot about them." Fujo straightens up, "Considering the fact that they stole a important document from the Tenryou headquarters, it's safe to assume that they have already caught wind of what we're doing."
"Wouldn't that compromise us, then?" Sara questions.
"Normally, yes. But the Shuumatsuban only answers to the Kamisato family, and therefore the Yashiro commission," He explains, "Considering the hostility between the Yashiro and the rest of the Tri-Commission, it's unlikely they would report us."
"Though it means The Yashiro commissioner had already caught wind of this, then." She concludes.
"Right. Considering he isn't doing anything to stop us, it's safe to assume that Kamisato Ayato will be watching from the sidelines. Which..." Fujo then stands up, "I believe it's almost time, ladies and gentlemen."
Ritou Island
Kurisu didn't understand what was happening as he was suddenly woken up in the dead of night by his colleagues in the International Trade Association. They said soldiers were banging and shouting angrily at the doors of the ITA.
They were asked to go outside by the Inazuman soldiers, rather forcibly at that.
Gripping his sheets, he went out grumbling whilst wrapping it to his body, it's cold outside. He swears that Fontaine is colder than this, is something happening?
They were asked to stay there where the soldier can get a good view of them. A crowd gathered in the square.
A tint of calmness was visible under the looks of worry and tiredness which permeated through their faces.
Clearly, the ITA members have gotten used to this. Nothing new to them. Perhaps another Tax? Some new decree that requires them to pay with another random minerals? Heck if anybody knows.
He noticed that this isn't limited to outsiders of the ITA, there were also confused Inazumans being escorted by the soldiers.
"Hey! What are you doing? Unhand me! I know the Kanjou Commissioner!" An angry looking man yelled as he was being manhandled by soldiers.
In response, the soldiers beat and tied him up. It's clear who is in control here.
"Good night, residents of Ritou! I'd like to apologise for the intrusion, but I assure you, no one will be harmed. Unlike him." The confident laughing voice caught their attention. It came from a dark-haired woman wearing the white uniform of the navy, she quickly changes her tone to be more serious, "Please stay calm. And do not obstruct our movements." She said ominously.
That's when it hit. They were not soldiers from the Kanjou commission.
Kamisato estate.
"Master Kamisato!" a servant opened the door to the Yashiro commissioner's office, panicking, "Tenryou soldiers have surrounded the estate!"
Kamisato Ayato, the Yashiro commissioner simply puts down his pen and sighed.
'They're really doing it, aren't they?' He thought.
He pinched the bridge of his nose, "Jut let them be. Don't Disrupt them." He orders.
The servant blinked, "B— but!"
"That was an order." Ayato states, sending a glare to the servant, "Withdraw the guards into inside the estate."
The servant seems hesitant, finally, he the servant answers, "It shall be done, sir."
After the servant left, Ayato opened a drawer and pulled up a letter from the Shuumatsuban.
As far as knows, Ritou and the Grand Narukami Shrine are currently the only places occupied by the 'General's revolt' as he called it.
The Shuumatsuban had reported to him the revolt is led by Ketsugo Fujo, the general that was in charge of the cavalry over in the front lines in Yashiori island.
As well as being supported by more hardline factions within the army headed by General Hayate Ichiro.
The whole navy under Admiral Marin Kyoko is thought to have joined in on the revolt as well. Ritou is suspected to be currently occupied by the navy.
More worryingly, his spies had reported that Kujou Sara has joined in on the revolt as well.
Which is why he elected to sit back and observe from the sidelines.
If Fujo managed to convince Sara, who is known to be loyal to the Shogun, to join the revolt, then perhaps the revolt had already succeeded. And make it seem that the revolt had some form of legitimacy.
His concerns, however, will be what would happen after the dust had settled. As he prepares the Kamisato family for the seemingly inevitable future.
Grand Narukami Shrine.
Yae Miko felt uneasy as she leans on the railings overlooking the city.
Ever since that general Fujo ordered the occupation of the Grand Narukami Shrine, she and the other priestesses were being watched every day.
The commanding officer, Kazuo, often orders the soldiers to train in the middle of the shrine. As well as playing board games all day long.
He doesn't seem to be taking his post seriously and has a laidback attitude. Being all smiley and respectful to the priestesses.
The soldiers under him probably saw this deployment as some sort of break.
While she can easily remove them, she ultimately does nothing, as she views off into the distance.
Plus, that would bring unnecessary trouble with the military forces.
Her plan to use the traveler to convince Ei was thwarted in the last second, and the traveler fled to Watatsumi.
Yesterday, a Shuumatsuban spy handed her a letter written by the Yashiro Commissioner, Kamisato Ayato.
In it, Ayato wrote that he would sit back and watch, in other words, do nothing.
He also wrote that the Kamisato estate has been surrounded and that he is effectively under house arrest. And requests to her that, if things were to go south, she would take in Ayaka and protect her from harm.
Sighing, she decides to trust in Ayato and whatever the generals are doing.
Hopefully Ei is watching all of this.
Yashiori island.
Gorou and his men noted the lack of activity in the frontlines on Yashiori island.
Not too long ago, Shogunate forces has been assaulting their entrenched positions. While they held on, Shogunate forces have the advantage in men and material and therefore, they have the initiative to stage countless assaults on their position.
However, the assaults stopped altogether lately.
Scouts reported that there were still Shogunate soldiers in their camp, but in reduced numbers.
Although it may be the perfect opportunity to launch a counterattack, Gorou felt the need to report the situation to Kokomi first.
Kokomi had to know.
And so, he took a boat and left Yashiori island. Leaving the resistance camp under the supervision of a couple officers.
Officers who might not agree with his reasoning.
Inazuma city.
In the dead of night, the normally empty streets during this time were flooded by hundreds of soldiers who were marching and officers who barked orders loudly that managed to wake up residents.
Sara led her men to secure the police station, which greeted her warmly as she was technically still in charge of them.
The adventurer's guild was broken in and its management put under supervision, thereby securing the Adventurer's guild branch in Inazuma.
The guild, which doubles as an inn for adventurers, woke up the adventurers there, and caused a commotion were adventurers clashed with the soldiers. Each yelling something at the top of their lungs.
The adventurers were detained and sent to the police station for temporary lockup.
Sara then orders her soldiers to occupy the city, as General Fujo and his men marched towards the Tenshukaku complex.
Reaching the Tenryou commission headquarters, Fujo dismisses the confused soldiers guarding it.
He and his men barged in and stormed the headquarters, making a beeline to the commissioner's office.
Along the way, he was met by soldiers who either bowed or stared in confusion.
Reaching the office, he barged in whilst pointing his katana at the surprised commissioner who was busy writing a document.
"Kujou Takayuki! You're under arrest for treason!" He declares as his men moved to arrest Takayuki, who resisted fiercely.
"What is the meaning of this?!" Takayuki shouted with voices of confusion and anger, "I am your superior!" He declares, "you are violating the almighty Shogun's Tenryou commission!"
"Not anymore, you are under arrest for treason, conspiracy, and corruption. Do not resist." Fujo came up to him and hit him with the handle of his katana, knocking him cold.
Seeing the former commissioner go limp, he turned towards one of his officers and ordered him as well as some of his men to take him to the police station.
"Yes sir!" The officer saluted and ordered 5 men with him to carry Takayuki out.
He then turns to another officer, "Secure the headquarters and find any documents you can get your hands on and disarm the guards." He orders.
As he stepped to leave the office, an officer came up to him to deliver a worrying news.
"Sir! There's confirmation that the 'fair lady' of the Fatui harbingers is inside the Tenshukaku!" the officer announces.
Fujo raises his eyebrows, surprised at this revelation.
'What is she doing with the Shogun?' he thought.
The coup is an overall success. They had detained the commissioners of the Tri-Commission, all they needed now was an announcement to the public. And to gain recognition from the Raiden Shogun.
The harbinger being in one room with the Shogun complicate things a bit.
The Fatui must absolutely not know of current events.
Therefore, change of plans. The Shogun shall temporarily be kept in the dark about the change in leadership. This is a must.
"We're going to the Tenshukaku." He said to his men, who responded with nods and 'yes sirs'.
Exiting the Tenryou headquarters, he made his way to the top of the Tenshukaku, where he was joined by Sara on the way.
"Takayuki has been detained. What are you doing now?" She asks as she walks up beside him, matching his pace.
"Fatui harbinger in the Tenshukaku. Might've complicated things a bit." He states in a serious voice, "We gotta hurry."
Minutes later, they reached the Tenshukaku and he enters with hurry, interrupting two imposing figures.
"My my~" The fair lady seems amused, "what's this? I didn't know the Tri-Commission can be this unruly to foreign diplomats and to your own ruler."
Fujo kneeled to the ground, followed by Sara, "Your excellency the almighty Raiden Shogun, and your excellency La Signora of the Fatui harbingers. I implore you to evacuate out of here." He states.
He looks up and continues, "there is a confirmed Watatsumi rebels terror plot aimed at assassinating your excellency."
His statement was met with silence as the Raiden Shogun and Signora staring at them with their piercing gaze.
After a deafening one minute, Signora chuckles, "let them come. I can overpower them."
"I insist that your excellency come with us to ensure your safety and our relations with Snezhnaya." Fujo immediately responds.
Signora squints her eyes at him. A dangerous game to provoke a Fatui harbinger, but the plan hinges on this.
"Fine. Lead the way." Says as she walks over to them.
Breathing a sigh of relief, Fujo apologized to the Raiden Shogun and led the harbinger away.
They went down the stairs and made their way to the gate of the Tenshukaku complex.
They were greeted by two and a half familiar people.
Lumine, Paimon and Kazuha. One of them Fujo remembered to be a wanted criminal for defying the Vision hunt decree.
Lumine rushed towards the harbinger. Sensing a immediate danger for the 'VIP', Fujo unsheathes his Katana and infused it with his Pyro vision.
He moved in between Lumine and Signora with lightning speed, blocking Lumine's anemo attack with his Pyro infused Katana, sending burst of flames into the sky as the anemo reacted with the Pyro.
"Get her out!" Fujo yelled at Sara, who understood and orders her men to escort the harbinger to safety. Sara left to escort Signora.
Both Lumine and Fujo staggered backwards, as Lumine prepared another attack creating geo pillars and going up them to deal an aerial strike.
The general channeled his energy and in one swift motion, slashes horizontally at the pillars, cutting them in half.
Fujo immediately rushes to cut down Lumine, who sidesteps him and launches an anemo attack, launching him away from her.
Fujo manages to regain his stance and sent a pyro slash at her, only to be blocked by her anemo projectile.
He then rushes at her, launching several strikes in quick succession, overwhelming Lumine with his lightning speed as she struggles to parry his every strike. As he prepares for a final decisive strike, Lumine was pulled back by Kazuha who launches him into the air with his anemo powers.
Fujo was sent flying into the stairs of the Tenshukaku complex. Being in pain, he struggles to get up, using his katana to support his body.
Kazuha and Lumine left, escaped.
"Fuck..." Fujo curses. He makes his way to the police station, where Sara, Kyoko, and Ichiro were waiting for him.
The sun was starting to rise, and many citizens of Inazuma city had already begun their daily lives. Many were staring at him as he limps into the police station.
"Good morning, ladies and gentlemen." He greets his colleagues. Who were chatting excitedly with each other.
"Ah. You're here. We've been waiting for you, old man." Kyoko smirks, "The commissioner guys, two of 'em, are all inside that building," She points with her thumb behind to the police station.
"Right, is everybody here?"
"Everybody's here." Sara crossed her arms.
"Let's just get this over with." Ichiro said with an uninterested voice.
"Right. Let's get this over with." Fujo sighs.
A crowd had gathered around the police station. For once, the streets of Inazuma was filled by thousands of people. Eagerly waiting for what he had to say regarding recent events.
Fujo steps up onto two bricks to make himself elevated, and clears his throat to get everyone's attention.
"Citizens of Inazuma,
After carefully considering the security situation of Inazuma, especially with the way the war is being handled, and the way in which governance of the islands of Narukami and Ritou are being handle.
The Tri-Commission has decided to enact further security measures for the foreseeable future. These measures are taken with the public interest in mind. As well as support from her excellency the Raiden Shogun.
These measures are temporary, and will be lifted once security situation in this nation has stabilized.
We ask the public to cooperate with these measures.
Thank you for your time"
He bows and steps down. Leaving the crowd whispering among themselves.
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