Episode 3: Duty Calls
Within a few weeks, Aether reached the resistance base and become a member even holding back an attack by Shogunate forces. Despite the warrant for his arrest, the people see Aether as a hero trying to fight against the corruption of the Shogunate.
Ayaka is waiting for Aether within the teapot to be taken care of by Tubby and Endora. Tubby is servicing tea with them sitting within Tubby's house on the side of Aether's manor. "Thank you, Tubby," Ayaka said bowing her head.
"No problem, the tea is good with company," the bird spirit said as she takes her wind to grab onto her warm cup and put it up to her beak. "Oh delicious," Tubby said.
"It's the best, it's nice being with others enjoying tea like this," Ayaka said as she drinks her melon tea.
"You sound so lonely," Endora said as Ayaka sighs at this.
"I was for a long time, it's hard to make connections when everyone sees you as a model of perfection," Ayaka said with a somber tone.
"What do you mean?" Endora asked as she drips into a bowl of tea to absorb it into her body enjoying the warmth and sweetness of it overflowing her.
"I am placed onto a very high pedestal by the people. An image of perfection, the ideal woman in Inazuma terms but…" Ayaka said.
"People can't relate to perfection," Tubby said as Ayaka nods her head.
"Yes, status is everything in my world which makes it very hard to be myself with people even like Thoma and Sayu who are close to me and always call me Lady Ayaka. Like I am above them which is not true," Ayaka said.
"That sounds tough," Endora said.
"Indeed, status in Inazuma is everything and it wore me down. I am not perfect, not in the slight. I have wants and desires that are not considered 'pure'. I wish they understand that," Ayaka said.
"What do you desire Ayaka," Tubby asked.
"I want to seek adventures, fighting evil and tasting delicious food across the world while I sit at events looking pretty and doing nothing as my people suffer around me," Ayaka sounding very upset by this.
"Terrible," Tubby said.
"I wonder, why do you think so highly of Aether?" Endora asked to switch to something less dark.
"Because he is what I want to be. He is my ideal self, an adventurer who aids people in need, going to unique lands and following their sense of justice," Ayaka said.
"He is like your hero right?" Endora asked as Ayaka nods her head to blush at that.
"Yes, he is my hero. Still is now and always," Ayaka said with deep love and admiration for Aether.
"So how did this connection with you and Aether begin?" Tubby asked.
"Oh well, it started over a year ago when I heard word about a Traveler through gossip from the others. All his feats on the mainland seem like something out of a book or manga. Fighting dragons, stopping hostile takeovers, taking down god-like beings, and saving Liyue and Mondstadt twice over," Ayaka continued,
"I was so interested in him. I always keep a watch for rumors and stories about it, it was out of this world. He was living a life I might never have, so I lived through his stories and I became a big fan of his. I am excited to know he was coming to the Inazuma isles and wanted his help to fight the Shogun's vision hunt degree," Ayaka pressed on.
"I was a bit disappointed he declined before about helping us but when he saw the people suffering. He jumped to the challenge as I thought. When I got to know him, he is kind, sweet, and brave. And quite cute to boot, I have a weakness for him being a pretty boy. Anyway, my admiration turned into a crush. Then I have fallen in love with him. He was the guy of my dreams and he treated me like an equal unless everyone else. He loves me for who I am and not the perfect image that everyone pins on me," Ayaka finished as both Endora and Tubby can tell of her deep devotion to Aether is quite real.
"Wow, you seem like a match made in heaven. It's nice that Aether has someone who always has his back," Tubby said as Ayaka nods her head.
"I will not let him down," Ayaka said as she hears a snapping sound to see Aether and Paimon coming inside the teapot. "Oh, hey Aether," she said as she goes up to him to kiss him on the cheeks.
"Hey there Ayaka," Aether said kissing her cheeks in return. "I brought back some seeds. I wanted to set up a garden," Aether said as Ayaka looks excited about it.
"Oh really, let me help out. What seeds do you have?" she asked.
"I got Sweet Flowers and Neku Weed," Aether said.
"Perfect for making good tea," Ayaka said as they go over to the garden in the back to see a prepared field ready to be used. "This is good we can make our food just in case. We can't buy any if something bad happens," Ayaka said as she helps plant the seeds into certain sections.
Paimon is patting down seeds with Aether pouring dirt over them. Ayaka waters and set up the fertilizer to keep them healthy. Ayaka bends over for Aether and is very distracted by her cute outfit which consisted of a white shirt, blue knee-length skirt, and white stockings underneath along with blue sandals. He sees the curves of her plump rear hugging the back of her skirt.
Ayaka felt Aether's hand pat her butt making her jump as she turns around to be blushing in the face. "Oh Aether," she asked meekly.
"Sorry, I really like your butt," Aether said playfully for Ayaka felt good from his firm slap.
"I can see that but if you behave yourself, Darling. You can see more of my shapely rear in the future in a proper manner," Ayaka said meekly to grace her slender fingers across his chest imagining him with his shirt off. "Hmm, his sleek warm chest," Ayaka has naughty thoughts popping into her head.
"Alright, seems good. Tubby, you want to tend them in the meantime?" Aether asked as the bird spirit nods her head.
"Of course, another thing for me to work on. Come on Endora let's tend the gardens," Tubby floats away with the water sprite following behind.
"What are your plans today?" Ayaka asked.
"I am going to the resistance camp, Kokomi wants to inform me of my next mission including some big company Arisaka," Aether said as Ayaka has a look of concern.
"Arisaka, that is troubling," Ayaka said.
"What is wrong?" he asked.
"Arisaka is the most powerful company within Inazuma controlled by the Arisaka Clan who are under the Kanjou Commission," Ayaka said as Paimon knows that name.
"I heard rumors that the Fatui are paying them under the table to gain influence in the clan," Paimon said as Ayaka sighs at this.
"Yes, I heard reports about that but those were swept under the rug due to the Fatui giving Arisaka technology like guns, airships, and other things to help modernize our nation. Lots of the Samurai oppose this since it would give too much power to the common folk," Ayaka said as this made both Aether and Paimon quite upset.
"That is terrible, just more dumb greed," Paimon said.
"I know not to mention all the xenophobic growing rapidly in their ranks," Aether said as Ayaka is deeply worried about this.
"Baal isn't the only problem within this nation that needs to be fixed," Paimon said.
"Indeed, I need to do my commission to a farmer who is being attacked by monsters and bandits," Ayaka said.
"Hope that goes well," Aether and Paimon warp out of there. They use a teleport stone to be within the resistance camp to see the leader Kokomi talking with Kazuha. "Oh Kaz, you are here too," Paimon said saying his nickname.
"Aether and Paimon, good to see you here. We will be paired up for a mission," Kazuha said.
"Oh really?" Aether asked as Kokomi nods her head.
"Yep, you two are going to seek out a prototype airship that they harbored within a navy base to the north of the main island," Kokomi said as Aether and Paimon were surprised by this.
"An airship, they got something like that?" both questioned.
"Yes, the Arisaka Company is very busy taking designs from the Fatui and adapting it for the Shogun's army along with their own private army. They can slap guns on those armored blimps and they will gain a massive edge over us. You need to destroy them and find out where they are making them at. We need to pin down where their secret factory is where they are being made, dismiss," Kokomi said as they bow their heads for her.
"Okay, I suggest we use your Waverider to sneak onto the island where their navy base is held," Kazuha said as they head for the beach with Aether getting ready to summon the sleek watercraft.
"It's cool we can go on a mission together Kaz," Paimon said.
"Yes, it is. It's good to be able to fight by your side once more. Hopingly more in the future," he said as they are on the beach. Aether summons the boat onto the shores for them to enter inside. They speed across the water to head for their desired mission location.
"Yeah, seems likely since things are getting more complicated," Aether said as Kazuha nods his head.
"I think so as well, the Tri Commission beside Yashiro Commission seems to be corrupt beyond repair. They need to be reformed but I severely doubt that would ever happen," Kazuha said as these somber words made Paimon depressed.
"Gee, Ayaka and her clan try to stop through legal means but the other commissions keep blocking them," Paimon said.
"Safeguarding their power to abuse the systems to get what they want," Aether said as Kazuha is cleaning up his sword Freedom Sworn with a rag.
"Nice sword," Paimon said.
"Why yes it is, I found it in some ruins in Mondstadt. I lose my original katana when I was fleeing from Inazuma over a year ago. This sword is a fine replacement for the time being until I get my original sword back," Kazuha said as Aether is driving the boat to head forward to their mission. "I been hearing the news," he said.
"About my fight with Baal?" Aether asked.
"Yes, all of the people in the capital city saw your final bout with Baal. She took some serious damage which didn't happen for a long time. You gave her one hell of a beating from the photos that were taken," Kazuha said.
"Yeah I was holding her back but it was very hard," Aether said for the battle felt like a nightmare to remember.
"Well, your act of defense for another. Made people see she is not undefeatable, the fact you lived is an act of defiance against the Shogun. Your legend of the Traveler continues to become more impactful here," Kazuha said as Aether feels uncomfortable about that.
"I didn't ask to be a big shot, I just wanted to find my sister and make a new life," Aether said as Kazuha places a comforting hand on his shoulder.
"I know but you bring people hope in these dark times. That's worth something right?" Kazuha asked as Aether nods his head.
"Yeah, I know. After seeing how Baal is, I can't stay back and let this happen," Aether said as they drive to the chosen location.
Elsewhere Ayaka and Sayu walk down a dirt road with them seeing fields of wheat and rice surrounding them. "Gee, these fields are three times my height," Sayu said as she lets out a big yawn.
"Stay focused," Ayaka said as Sayu shakes her little head.
"Yes Lady Ayaka, I need a nap," Sayu said as they approach a large farm to see an elderly man waiting on the steps for them.
"Lady Ayaka, good morning to you," the old man said as Ayaka bowed for him.
"Good morning Mister Dai. This is Sayu, she works under me and will aid me in helping you with your problem," Ayaka said.
"Oh okay, first can you help me secure the animals," he said.
"Of course, Sayu stay awake," Ayaka said in a sisterly tone,
"Yeah, yeah," Sayu said as the trio goes into the barn to see cows and goats eating hay inside.
"Do you have animals taken or eaten by monsters?" Ayaka asked.
"Nope, not lately. Bandits are harassing my stocks and selling them for huge profits. Speaking of which," the old man said as a bunch of ronin appears.
"Gee, this is going to be annoying," Sayu summons her Claymore called Katsuragikiri Nagamasa with Ayaka wielding her Mistsplitter katana.
"Let's take them out quickly," Ayaka said as she goes in with a quick slash to take out one of the criminals. She cloaks her blade with frost and lets out several icy crescents to kill off more bandits.
Sayu tosses her kunais to strike the ground unleashing gusts of wind to entrap them inside. Ayaka tosses ice swords into the air spheres causing a Swirl reaction to tear up the enemies.
Ayaka uses her ice dash to disappear into the grass to avoid a ronin's slash to get behind him to stab her katana into the back of the bandit quickly putting him down. She goes back into her sleet form to slip up to take down bandits in quick sword dashes.
Sayu rolls into a ball to be infused with Anemo and Ayaka's Cryo to cut down the remaining bandits with ease. One of the wounded bandits pulls out a revolver from his pocket to point it at Ayaka. "Milady, he has a gun," Sayu shouted as Ayaka puts up four ice swords around her like a barrier to deflect the bullet with ease but destroyed one of the swords leaving her three left.
Ayaka leashes out an icy crescent to cut him in half to put an end to him. "Well, that is over. Sir, are you okay?" Ayaka asked to put away her sword to ask about the old man's well-being.
"Yes I am fine, the young lady you are quite skilled with a blade. Very understandable for a lady Samurai like yourself," Dai said.
"It's nothing, we will be roaming around the area to spot any more threats to the crops," Ayaka said.
"Good, there could be demons roaming around as well," Dai said as Ayaka and Sayu move around the large property to see long stretches of crops.
"Gee, this is so big," Sayu said looking into her ninja pouch on her side to get ready for another fight.
"Indeed, we have a lot of ground to cover," Ayaka brushes her armored skirt to prepare Mistsplitter in hand. They noticed large monster birds chewing on crops with Ayaka tosses an ice sword into its head killing it instantly.
"Hey birdie, let me whack you with my big sword," Sayu leaps onto a tree to launch herself to slice in the flying monster with her claymore. The monster bird fires a beam of fire with Ayaka counters with an icy crescent to cancel them out.
Sayu infused her ninja stars with Anemo to nail the beast to trap them in wind spheres. Ayaka dodges a lunging attack with chops its neck off.
She disappears into her ice dash to avoid an attacking monster bird. She leaps out of the sleet of ice to stab her katana into its head. She gathers blades of ice around her body like a saw blade with the birds swooping in to get cut into mincemeat from the spinning blades.
She sends out ice blades to pin down a monstrous bird onto a tree. She uses a quick draw attack for a vortex of icy slashes to appear suddenly on the bird's body to destroy it easily.
"Okay, there are more of these guys. I think we should split up to cover more ground," Sayu said.
"I agree, be careful," Ayaka said as they go off to see Hilichurls in the distance with Sayu coming in with her turning into a ball. She tears through groupings of Hilichurls as she rolls over a small Electro Slime to infuse her attack with lightning to kill off more enemies.
She rolls up onto a Mitachurl to kick it in the face as she is dodging its blazing ax. She blocks an incoming strike with her Greatsword for she rolls away as she tosses out wind-powered kunais.
They made their marks onto its target for it let out a big wind blast tearing open its ribcage and killing it instantly. "No problem," Sayu said as she leaps on the trees to scout the area for more monsters and bandits.
Ayaka is engaged with bandits and their dogs. There were a bunch of them as she is using her dual-wield sword style. With Mistsplitter in the right hand and Jade Cutter in the left hand. She is being more agile blocking and evading their sword strikes.
Two more bandits pull out their guns as Ayaka puts up a sword barrier to block a few shots before all four ice swords break. She swiftly cuts down several bandits in a fast flurry of slashes. She blocks an incoming blow while striking the ronin down.
She cuts the air to form an icy cross for it to tear through multiple enemies. She gathers her energy into swords to let out a powerful whirl of sharp icy winds to cut down the remaining bandits scattering their bodies.
"That should do it," Ayaka said putting her swords away for she rejoins Sayu at Dai's house. "Mister Dai, we manage to take care of your problem," she said.
"Thank you milady, you are a truly kind young woman," the old man said as Ayaka feels humbled by this.
"Oh, it's nothing, I wanted to help," she said.
"I can take a nap now?" Sayu asked as she stretches out her limbs for she lets out a big yawn.
"I will give you snacks for your hard work. Also, the Mora for the commission," Dai said.
'That would be lovely," Ayaka said as the two women go inside to see it's a humble little house in the middle of the farming fields. "It's a cute little house here," Ayaka said.
'Thank you, sadly I can't make repairs to it due to my age," Dai said as he pulls over warm tea over their cups and a plate of Mochi.
"Oh Mochi, this looks good," Sayu said taking one to bite into it. "This tastes delicious," she said as Ayaka takes one to agree.
"This is good, thank you for treating us," Ayaka said as Dai sits down with the girls.
"My pleasure, a little kindness is needed in these dark times. especially with the Arisaka Corporation being shady lately," Dai said as Ayaka is interested in this.
"You have a problem with them?" Ayaka asked.
"Of course, they are buying up farmlands to make their corporate farms. Working people to the bone with barely any pay at all. Downright crime," Dai said.
"Yes, their business is very cutthroat, to say the least," Ayaka said as she sees a few of the bandits using Type 9 Revolvers which are made by the Arisaka Corporation.
"Now those bastards are making foreign weapons like those handguns and lever-action rifles. Bandits and other goons are getting their hands on it. Heard about secret factories are making these weapons along with others by bad people," Dai said.
"Pretty wild," Sayu said as she is chewing on her treats.
"Seems like the Shogunate is getting played by the big shot Mr. Arisaka who runs his family business which is getting too big for its own good," Dai said as Ayaka feels sad about this.
"I know, I tried to stop them but the other two commissions seem too attached to them because of their funds and technology developments," Ayaka said as Dai sighs at this.
"People care more about money than people's lives. The Shogun and her rules are not the only things wrong with this nation," Dai said as they finish their snacks with him handing them 50,000 Mora for their hard work.
"Thank you, sir," Sayu said as Ayaka and Sayu leave the place. "Gee, this Arisaka Corporation is becoming that big of a problem?" Sayu asked.
"Yes, the other commissions are covering for them despite the very bad record with workers, exploiting resources, and price gouging. It's disgusting," Ayaka said.
"I wonder what Aether and Paimon are going now?" Sayu asked as Ayaka felt worried naturally but feels good about his mission.
"He is the Traveler; he will be able to complete the mission. I wish I can fight by his side in the open," Ayaka thought as she hated that she didn't help him when saving Thoma before but the nation's politics were holding her back. They go on the dirt road to head back home.
Elsewhere Aether, Paimon, and Kazuha had arrived at the island naval base to see a huge, armored blimp stationed there. "Goodness, it's huge," Paimon commented as the two guys are looking up to see it looming over the ground.
They spot several soldiers of the Shogun's army wielding swords, spears, and lever-action rifles. "They are using guns?" Paimon asked.
"Yes, only some sections of the military have access to them like the Samurai naval forces. I need to find a way to take it out," Kazuha said.
"I can charge up a lightning bolt to destroy the upper section which has gas inside it. I will ignite it and make it become a fireball," Aether said.
"Perfect but first let's clear out the base," Kazuha said for them to separate with the samurai wielding his Freedom Sworn to crave into a soldier's back. He blasts him across the field with a gust of wind.
"It's the criminal, gets his vision from him now," the base commander ordered as Kazuha is swiftly evading and slashing down enemies. He leaps into the air leaving behind a powerful vortex of sharp winds to tear into the soldiers. he slams his sword down to unleash an even bigger gust blowing them away. The soldier aims his Type 12 Lever Action rifle at Kazuha as he avoids getting shot by leaping via wind gust into the air.
He swings his sword to let out wind crescents to cut down the gun-wielding trooper with Aether getting into position to see more soldiers. He zaps them with lightning bolts to cook them alive. He ducks under a sword slash to launch them away with a wind blast.
Aether summons a boulder to deflect incoming gunfire as he conjures another bounder to crash onto the soldiers from above Kazuha double jumps using the wind current to lunge his blade into a soldier's chest as he sweeps his hand to blow away other soldiers nearby off a platform to fall hard onto the ground below.
Paimon takes the rifle to hand it to Aether. "Kaz needs some help. Start sniping them," Paimon said as Aether checks the ammo which has 9 in the tube magazine.
"Right," he looks through the iron sights to see Kazuha surrounded by soldiers with him using torrents of wind to disburse them to give him room to breathe. He fires a shot that punches through the skull of a Samurai as he pulls back the cocking lever.
Aether is picking off troopers from a long range with Kazuha taking down the rest of the soldiers. Aether can see all the soldiers had been cleared out with him inspecting the rifle. "This is nicely made," Aether said as he tosses the rifle to the side. He sees the massive prototype ship as he begins to charge up a lightning bolt into his sword.
His Sword of Descension is overflowing with electricity as he prepares to aim at the huge blimp. He fires a huge beam of lightning to strike the airbag which explodes into a fireball consuming the airship and turning it into a flaming heap.
"Mission complete, I got the coordinates of the airship factory on this map on the dead commander," Kazuha said.
"Good work, let's get out of here before more guys show up," Aether said as they go into the Wave Rider to head back to the resistance camp.
Elsewhere within the main HQ of the Arisaka Corporation, the CEO Mr. Arisaka is in his private quarters for one of his servants comes into his room. "Sir, I have terrible news," she said.
"My dear, what is it? I am busy with my pet parrot Banana," Mr. Arisaka said as he feeds his parrot Banana with his favorite sunflower seeds.
"The naval base of the Shogunate was attacked and your prototype airship was destroyed by the Resistance," the servant said as Mr. Arisaka is quite upset by this.
"Oh my, that work of art was swept away by those degenerates. What a shame, I need to tighten up security. Those lockjawed Samurai are too dumb to tie their own sandals," Mr. Arisaka said as the servant bowed before him.
"Yes sir, I will relay the message at once," she said as she runs out of the room. Mr. Arisaka pets his cute little bird to look out of the window to see his massive complex around his corporate HQ in the middle of a large private island.
"This nation has gone to the dogs and the Raiden Shogun is whacked out of her mind. This Shogunate is not going to last but I need to be in a position where I will take control when the time comes," Mr. Arisaka said as he smiles for he begins to plan for the future he will forge for this broken nation whichever they like it or not.