DISCLAIMER: I own nothing. Metal Gear is created by Hideo Kojima and owned by Konami. Genshin Impact is owned by miHoYo.

METAL GEAR SHOGUN

Episode 1
TEARS FOR FEARS

Six years. It had been six whole years since Ei first arrived in a new world. Though, she was able to endure the passage of time with very little issue. As a goddess, her perception of time was much different than that of a mortal. Years could pass by, being nothing more than an instant from her perspective. Yet, a body of six years would be nothing more than that of a child's, and her powers were still lost to her.

Ei had not learned much about the world she had been brought into but was still able to find out small pieces of a larger picture. She was born in a nation named Liberia, in a continent known as Africa. The most prominent detail about this and the surrounding countries was that a majority of people had dark skin. There were few exceptions, which included various men and boys with lighter skin – some with a slight tan on their bodies – but for the most part, most people in Africa were dark-skinned.

"Hello?" Her mother's voice called out. "Are you in here?"

Her parents, of course, were outliers in this case. Ei was born into a family of somewhat lesser wealth, but it didn't seem to matter to her parents. Ei had concerns about humans pursuing their dreams, believing that it would only result in suffering and loss. However, despite her family's financial situation, they seemed content with their lives – possibly even happy.

"There you are, sweetie!" Her mother said, stepping through a rough wooden door, its hinges squeaking slightly. Ei was scooped off the ground and cuddled in her mother's arms yet didn't resist. Though she still had many questions, namely how this life would help her understand Eternity.

"It'll be just a moment before daddy gets home, darling. Just sit with me until then." Ei's mother took her over to a slightly worn couch and sat down, resting her daughter on her lap and braiding her hair.

While Ei's mother was a kind-hearted woman who sought happiness in a family, her father was somewhat different. He was a hard-working man who often worked multiple jobs to help those close to him. Ei could certainly respect the lengths he was willing to go for his loved ones.

And speak of the devil, her father walked through the main door of the house. He was an unusual sight, even among people who had lighter skin. The first thing that one would notice about him was strangely enough, not his androgynous face. While her father's face was slightly effeminate and reminded her of the Anemo Archon of Teyvat, Barbatos, his main feature was his bright platinum hair, a trait that seemed unique to only him.

"You're back!" The wife called. "I was just here with our daughter, passing time."

"I see." Her father said in his slightly raspy voice. "And how's my little sweetheart doing?" He asked.

"I'm… okay." Ei answered.

"Good." Her father responded. "That's good… Do you think you could sit tight while your mother and I talk in private?"

All of a sudden, the mood changed. Ei's mother went from her usual loving smile to a muted face of worry. Ei nodded in response to her father's request.

"Don't worry, this'll only take a minute. We love you." With that, Ei's parents walked through the and into another room of their house. Ei knew what they were talking about. They had been this way ever since the beginning of the new year, 1990. She placed her ear on the wooden door and eavesdropped on their conversation.

"How bad is it?" She heard her mother ask.

"It's gotten worse." Her father replied. "The fighting's getting closer with each passing day. Soon enough, it'll be here, and none of us will be safe."

"My goodness…" Her mother whispered.

Her parents had tried to keep this news secret from her, Ei had listened in on their conversations. In truth, Liberia was undergoing a civil war. A mix of ethnic persecution and corruption within the Liberian government led to an armed group of rebels retaliating against the government in an attempt to liberate the country. Ei had heard of horrible things done by both sides of the conflict, including the mass murder of unarmed civilians and prisoners of war. She could hardly believe what she heard.

"What are we going to do?" Ei heard her mother say. That was when her father spoke up.

"We have no other options…" He began. "We're going to have to get out of the country."

"What?" Her mother cried. "But… what about our daughter? She's lived here her entire life!"

"She shouldn't have to live through this kind of conflict. She deserves a life of happiness, freedom – one that won't be cut short by this war."

"How are we going to tell her…? She's only a child…" Her mother sniffed.

But Ei already knew. She was already aware of the horrors of the civil war. And even still… this was not the first war she had experienced. The Cataclysm was still engrained in her memory, clear as day. She took her ear off the door and stopped listening. If war truly was coming to their home, what could she do? With her childlike body and lack of powers, she would be helpless. Ei pondered the possibilities and shuddered.

Her parents walked out of the room, having finished their discussion. They looked over to Ei, an anxious look on their faces. Her mother approached her and crouched down to speak to her.

"We're going to be leaving soon." She spoke. "I know this place has been your home for a long time, but you're going to have to say goodbye."

Ei was silent, taking in what she had said. She had thought about asking them about the war but didn't quite have it in her to speak up.

"Go to your room and pack only what you need. We're going to be leaving tomorrow."

"I know that this is hard to take in," Her father added, raising her chin with his hand. "But you have to stay strong. We're going someplace safe, somewhere we can live happily… You have to understand."

Ei looked into her father's eyes, filled with hope for his daughter. "I do." She answered. He smiled back at her.

"I'm happy to hear that."

BGM:

Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain – Introduction to Africa
By Ludvig Forssell

The vehicle they were riding in was hot and dry. The ride itself was rough, with the vehicle hitting a bump every now and again. In the distance, there was the sound of cracking, but not like thunder. This was quieter and more frequent, as if tiny bolts of lightning were striking hundreds of times per minute, from multiple sources. It almost sounded like fireworks.

Nearly twenty refugees, including her and her parents were crammed into the back compartment, sitting shoulder to shoulder. The other refugees in the vehicle gave occasional sideways glances at Ei and her parents, as they were the only ones inside with light skin. Ei couldn't help but feel anxious in their gaze but was still able to bear it. Eventually, the vehicle came to a halt.

"Alright, everybody out!" The vehicle's driver shouted to the back. "End of the line!"

With that, all of the refugees stood up and clambered to the opening in the back, spilling out of the compartment. However, Ei's parents remained seated.

"What?" Her mother asked. "But we're nowhere near the border!"

"I know." The dark-skinned man acknowledged. "But it's far too dangerous to keep going. You hear the gunshots too, don't you?"

So that's what that cracking sound was. Gunshots. Ei didn't like the way that sounded.

"And you think going the rest of the way on foot's any safer?" Her father retaliated. "It's still several miles to the border!"

"Listen, I don't care if you're too cowardly to walk the remaining distance or so suicidal that you'd run headlong through the battle." The driver said. "But I'm not risking my life just because you can't go for a little walk."

That was clearly an understatement. It was too far to be considered a "little walk" and he knew it. Ei's father exhaled and clasped his head in his hands. He whispered something to himself before pulling a roll of paper bills out of his jacket.

"Here." He said, handing over the roll. "That's all the money we have. That should be enough. Do we have a deal?"

The driver accepted his offer and took the money. "Good enough, my friend." He answered. "So, what'll it be?"

"All the way to the border. If we get across and you survive, you'll be a very wealthy man."

"You got it." The driver responded. He got back in his seat and started the vehicle again, driving further.

Ei's mother looked to her husband. "What are you thinking?" She called out. "That was all that was left!"

"I know." He said. "This at least gives us more of a chance. It gives her more of a chance."

Her mother wanted to speak, but decided not to. She silently nodded, before wrapping her arms around Ei and seating her in her lap. Minutes passed. The sound of the gunshots got closer and more frequent. They were about to pass through the warzone. Ei's mother held her daughter, trying to comfort her.

"Hold on!" The driver shouted. "We've got soldiers!" With that, the vehicle dramatically increased in speed. The family in the compartment braced themselves for the worst. The gunshots were practically barking in her ears now, being so close. In addition to that, the vehicle's quick turning shook the back compartment wildly.

A burst of gunfire rang out, and holes were punched through the tarp covering the back of the vehicle.

"Get down!" Ei's father shouted, dropping to the floor of the compartment. Her mother did the same, dragging Ei down to shield her from the gunshots. A tight swerve sent the family sliding across the floor, where Ei got a clear view of the battlefield.

They were in a village of dilapidated houses, their walls lined with holes. A group of soldiers armed with strange weapons emerged from one building and aimed the ends of their weapons at the inside of another. Bright flashes came from the weapons' ends as gunshots roared each time a flash appeared. Ei figured those weapons must be where the gunshots came from. Some of the soldiers flinched and collapsed, bloody holes appearing on their bodies. Those weapons… they shot projectiles like that?

"Don't look!" Ei's mother cried, covering her eyes with her hands. "Don't look! Please! Don't!" She didn't want her to look at the horrific battle transpiring. More and more holes appeared in the tarp, tearing bigger holes wide enough to put one's head through.

The vehicle swerved again, bouncing the compartment. Then came another swerve in the opposite direction. The vehicle was moving in a zigzag at this point.

"Just a little longer!" The driver shouted. "The border's only a few–!" Just then, the glass window separating the driver from the compartment shattered, and the driver went limp. He must have been killed.

"What happened?!" Ei's mother asked.

"The driver just got shot!" Her father responded. "Hold on to something!"

With that, the vehicle began to accelerate. With the driver dead, the vehicle began to drag to the right, before slamming into a building. Ei and her parents were knocked to the side, disoriented. Finally, the vehicle made a sharp turn to the left, and the sudden change in direction caused the vehicle to roll, tumbling the passengers inside.

"SHIIIIIT!" Ei's father shouted. Ei shut her eyes tightly before they crashed.

BGM end

Ei woke up, bruised from the vehicle's crashing. A light pain coursed through her body, her eyes too tired to fully open. She also felt cold water flowing down her body. Eventually, Ei found the strength to open her eyes – but soon regretted her decision, as what she saw almost made her heart stop.

They were in the wreckage of the crashed vehicle, now half-submerged in a river. Ei's father was groaning in pain, as if most of the bones in his body had been broken. Her mother, on the other hand, was in far worse shape. Her abdomen had a large cut in it, which was bleeding badly. Her husband quickly took notice of her condition and rushed to her aid.

"Don't worry, just breathe…!" Her father said, wrapping his jacket around the wound. "You're gonna be alright. Everything's gonna be alright. Just stay with me…!"

Ei's mother weakly opened her eyes, looking right at her. "Our child…" She muttered. That got her husband's attention. "She has… to be safe…"

With that, her father looked over to Ei as well. She was panicking at the sight of her parents so badly injured. She felt even more helpless than she did before. She had seen friends and family die before, but never in this kind of situation. Back in Teyvat, she had godly powers. Back then, she felt strong in the wake of danger. But here, Ei was powerless. The world seemed to blur around her. Her ears rang. She was hyperventilating.

"Wake up!" A muffled voice called to her. She was broken out of her trance. "Come on! Don't you die on me!" It was her father, holding his wife in his arms, trying to care for her wounds.

"You need to listen to me, and listen well…!" He continued. "This place is very dangerous. If you stay here, you'll surely be killed. You need to run away, as fast as you can. And don't turn back, or you'll be dead."

"But, I…!" Ei tried to protest.

"Listen!" Her father shouted. "You have to do this! It's the only choice you have!"

"I can't do this!" Ei cried. "I can't just leave you!"

"Please…" Ei's mother whispered. "You need to be safe… Just go… and be happy…!"

Ei was horrified. With her father injured and her mother dying, her brain could hardly function. However, one part of her brain was screaming, a constant reminder of what she had lost. She remembered the death of Makoto as clear as day. She didn't want to lose another family.

Suddenly, voices started approaching the wreckage. "They fell into the river! Find them!" Ei no longer had any time to think. She had to act, and very soon.

"Go now!" Ei's father yelled. "RUN!"

Ei then ran down the river. Her childlike body ached all over. She stumbled and almost fell. Tears streamed down her face. But she still ran. Ei ran away from the only family she had left in this world.

And with that, the first look into the Liberian Civil War is done. I'd like to commission an artist to make some cover art for the fic, if for no other reason than for aesthetics. Now, for the reviews.

Maniacalharp747: Yes, indeed. I actually designed Ei's "father" to be a little like Jack, with the androgynous face, platinum hair, and raspy voice. Obviously, it's not him, but I still wanted to connect the fic back to its origins, and I felt this was a nice way to do so.

Anyways, that's the chapter. The next one's going to introduce someone we all know… and someone Ei will come to know all too well.

-Azzy Asbourne

Music: watch?v=SVyCxsiuxWw