Shadow Redeemed 4 - or 'The Journey of a Broken Man in a world of Gods' (Post-Castlevania LoS x Pre-Genshin Impact)
Ei was Makoto's Shadow.
Such was the nature of being the twin of the Raiden Shogun. So, why wouldn't her sister accept this? Perhaps it would be foolish for her to claim her sister was perfect, but Ei would have expected someone as wise as Makoto to not push her to meet individuals that were clearly not interested in any conversation.
The direction and clue she got from that little rascal of Yae helped in finding the one that had saved Ritou from the Oni's attack, but Ei could tell, without the shadow of a doubt, that Gabriel was not a person that sought more trouble to himself. He had reacted on genuine goodness of heart and not for the fame that would come to it.
As much as Makoto may have a point in trying to grant rewards to those that deserved it, Ei had seen many soldiers of old wasting their lives just for the sake of doing the right thing. They weren't there for a medal or a title, they just hurled into danger because, in that moment, it made sense to her.
Plus, Ei found Gabriel unnerving due to a very simple reason that wasn't his fault: he reminded Ei too much of herself, but 'older' and jaded. It was frustrating, it was like a distorting mirror of sorts.
Was this also one of the points Makoto wanted to raise? That her dutifulness and impatience could lead her to this? To lose everything? It sounded awfully cruel if it was the case, thus Ei rejected the possibility that her sister had seen that deeply into this man's own soul.
Still, her stay in Ritou didn't soothe her own worries. Makoto required a proper protection- the kind of protection only Ei could guarantee as she was driven by love for her sibling and would willingly put her life to waste for her.
Her friends would disagree with this mindset of hers. Chiyo would cry and scream at her, Saiguu would call Ei heartless for thinking so little of herself, Sasayuri would… be genuinely upset and call her a dolt.
And Makoto- her beloved sibling would be the most miffed of them all. And while she hardly saw the Raiden Shogun showing any sign of displeasure towards others as of late, Ei had seen what an Angry Makoto could do.
Ei wasn't interested in being the subject of her sibling's wrath.
But while her mind was constantly besieged by the dread of what could be unfolding back in the capital, Ei would also be a liar if she just refrained from telling the full scope of feelings she felt during these talks with Gabriel. He would always be there, carving on wood while on breaks.
He was far from chatty, but he would be keen to answer simple questions. Sore topics were avoided the best she could, turning that interaction into a sort of game that really perplexed her.
After all, this was the first time ever Ei had started an interaction as extensive as that. Her friends had been the one approaching her, her passive understanding of social cues limiting her means to truly create these bonds herself.
She knew how to foster those, barely so, but this was the first ever situation where she had to build trust for the sake of answers. And not even the kind of answers that were imperative to know if not within the limits of her own curiosity.
Thus, Ei exposed herself with her demeanor, allowing herself to lower her 'weapon' and seeing this yielding some results on the other side. She could tell that Gabriel was distrustful of everyone- that his effort to keep away not just by a lack of emotional understanding but of pain that felt too buried for her to fully understand.
He lost someone, but the reach this passing had on him was far too damaging than anything Ei had seen the pain of loss inflict to others. Her musings were getting somewhere, this much she could tell but…
Her presence was not bound to last long. Not by pleasant reasons, she had to depart back to her sister. A messenger came running, her sigil confirming that this was an important matter, and the letter gave her a grave mindset on what had to be done. The garrison was recalled, these troops were needed not for protection anymore.
War was now upon Inazuma by divine imposition.
"Yashiori Island was attacked by a rogue god! That's what's happening and why the Shogun will soon call for arms to face the deity and their followers."
"This is… horrible."
"They will start conscripting young people to the army-"
"Against a God? They will be slaughtered!"
"Speak for yourself! The Shogun would never lead us astray!"
Gabriel had a tendency to ignore people's conversations whenever he was at work or going back to his hut. Yet, this time, the loud voices made the topic known to him. War was on the horizon, and not of the kind that Gabriel was keen to be a neutral witness of.
This reminded him too much of the war between the Light and the Dark, yet it was a matter of different gods mustering followers to fight with them. It went beyond the scope of just limiting the infighting to mortals, but it was going to raise the toll on each side with the Gods known to be able to use incredible powers.
From his understanding, a God had recently formed a new terrain near the domain of Inazuma, and had subsequently struck one of the islands recognized as part of the Electro Archon for the sake of… conquest? There was much left in the open, but it was clear from the sudden recall of the garrison that this was not a planned war for Inazuma.
Despite the valid concern that losses were going to be monstrous, Gabriel wandered back to his current bedroom. It wasn't going to be a war for him. This was his home, yes, but this wasn't a war he was going to take part in. He served no God and no nation.
But as he was finishing preparing his bed, his attention was claimed by the sound of soft knocking by his door. "Come in."
The door shifted open, and he was surprised to find the elderly lady that had taken him in standing there.
"My apologies for disturbing you."
"It's alright," Gabriel replied softly. "How may I help you?"
"...You are a good man. You helped us with that Oni and… and I wished to know if you are a monster hunter."
Part of him felt irked by such a request. He could tell what the woman wanted, yet he felt there was more than just 'ideal hopefulness'.
"Was."
"B-But you would fight for the sake of others, yes?"
"It was a one-time thing. The oni- I just returned the favor."
She looked deflated at this response. "I see… My apologies for sounding so desperate now."
A pause, then a loud worried sigh.
"I caught my husband trying to put his old armor on," The woman then explained, her sorrow manifested. "He thinks he can replace our grandson for the recruitment. I asked him to don't do this, that he was too old to serve the Shogun but…"
She snorted dryly. "He said that he sought not to serve a God or Inazuma. He just doesn't want our grandson to perish in a horrible war. That he had suffered long enough to not die without regrets."
…
"You don't want him to die. So you want me to go and face the God," Gabriel summarized, and the old woman nodded.
"Can you blame me? A worried wife and grandmother? I don't want anyone in my family to die at all. I think it's a bit selfish, and I will apologize to you for this too. Still-" She paused, kneeling down and fully bowing before Gabriel. "Don't… Don't let my family die before this senseless war, Gabriel. I beg you."
Conflict in his mind rekindled pain. Dark thoughts hurled slurs at the 'hag'. Calling her a manipulator, selfish and foolish to think she could just beg someone to die for others. He had sacrificed so much for a humanity that will never know of how much he lost- how much he had to give up for the sake of some selfish Deity that gave him so much and rotted his soul in return!
…
But…
The woman that begged him was not a bad person. A worried one, one that had seen lost too and knew how much this meant for him- how much it was going to hurt him to do. After all, he doubted he was going to lose against this deity, but it wasn't the issue.
It was the principle. The fact he had to expose himself once more. This time in a 'flashier' manner and drawing utmost attention to himself. It would be the day he could not be bothered to keep in Inazuma out of fear of being taken in as a recurring warrior. He didn't need that- he could not afford that.
Was it a sacrifice worthy of his own sorrow being rekindled?
…
Yes.
As much as it pained him to admit it, this had nothing to do with his past. There was no God over him and acting as his puppet master. He would be doing this by his own decision and…
And he would then leave Ritou for good once the deed was done.
"I will do it."
Relief and then-"
"But this will be the last day we will face each other," Gabriel truthfully added, leaving the woman stunned but understanding.
"I am so-"
"No," Gabriel stopped her. "This is my decision, and I have to personally account for the ramifications. This is not your fault, and you don't need to apologize to me."
She still bowed her head, tears manifesting as she left him be after that. Soon, Gabriel was painfully staring at his equipment, now unearthed from the box he had stacked it all inside. He slowly removed his shirt and reached for his armor. Then his weapons. And finally… the Battle Cross.
He also fetched the hooded cloak, leaving within the night despite the lack of light guiding him through the path, for he knew the one he needed to take as it was the very same as usual. The docks.
Once there, he stared at the small ship that had been docked for a long time. Once owned by a local fisherman that perished last year, it had been left to 'rot' in the pier. Just like him, it was an aimless tool. But no more.
The next day, the Docks' Owner would notice the missing boat and a message with a bag of Mora resting on his office's desk. The letter had just a sentence written on it.
There will be no War for Inazuman Blood to be spilled.
AN
Gabriel vs. Orobashi! I will not detail it, but skip to the aftermath as there isn't much to really 'focus on' within the battle. It's not a matter of 'me giving it importance', it's just how it would turn in that eventuality: Gabriel wins by Attrition.
Still, next time will see Ei's POV once more. This time with a few familiar yet new faces
