Chapter 2: History of the Electro God
Cloud made his way to the person whom posted the request for handling the bandits. Much to his surprise, it was Saburou whom made the request.
"Imatami-san, pleasure seeing you again." Cloud replied.
"Oh, Strife-san. Indeed it has been a pleasure. I see that you have taken my request from the Kamisato Estate." Saburou noticed.
"Yes. I've also taken another request involving on finding certain fruits called Lavender Melons. I do not know what they look like so I figured if I can ask you what they appear to be, it'll make the other request easy for me to handle." Cloud said.
"You're a lucky man, Strife-san. I was able to procure a Lavender Melon earlier. This is what the fruit looks like." Saburou said, showing the fruit to Cloud.
Cloud inspected the fruit with a meticulous gaze. The fruit was a light purple color from it's whole body. The top of its head was an orange tan color near the stem. A piece of the stem showed some bark, indicating it grew from trees. After looking at it for a while, Cloud gave the fruit back to Saburou.
"Thanks for showing me what the fruit looks like. I should be able to find it without an issue now." Cloud said.
"Happy to help, Strife-san. In regards to the rogue samurai, they're up north at the outskirts of Konda Village. There's something about them that makes me feel as though they are not normal." Saburou said.
"What do you mean?" Cloud asked curiously.
"Most samurai that went rogue tend to be young and rebellious. The ones I've seen appeared to be at their middle ages, almost becoming elderly." Saburou explained.
"That does sound concerning. Thanks for the information. I'll keep that in mind." Cloud bowed.
Both males left to their devices. Cloud made his way north of the outskirts of Konda Village. Saburou resumed his farming, no longer hindered by his back pain.
Cloud soon stumbled upon a small camp of bandits and rogue samurai. A group of five males were present. Two were just bandits while the other three were samurai wearing their battle armor.
"Looks like we got another would-be hero to handle us." Bandit #1 commented.
"It's not like we're invincible. Not many adventurers have been coming since the Sadoku Decree was enforced. Easy for us to loot." Bandit #2 noted.
"You two like to run your mouth a lot I see. I am not a hero, though I wonder what lead to that belief." Cloud spoke, hinting his disgust.
"Quite a sharp tongue for a foreigner. Perhaps my blade shall cut you down." Samurai #1 replied.
"Don't hog all of the fun. My blade too seeks blood to satisfy." Samurai #2 followed.
"I will help in this endeavor. I wish to practice my new technique with this trinket that I got from those foreigners." Samurai #3 said.
Cloud noticed the third samurai was holding what looked like a Vision. It was glowing purple, crackling with electricity.
'A Vision? It doesn't feel like the same thing as the one I possess. Plus, this strange smell… Something about that item doesn't suit well for me.' Cloud thought.
The swordsman heard the samurai raising their blades up for a fight. Cloud brought his Buster Sword up. He got into his battle stance, ready to fight them.
"Very well. If it's a fight you want, then it's a fight you'll all get." Cloud spoke.
(Play Genshin Impact OST - Dual in the Mist)
"Let's have some fun." Bandit #1 replied.
The first bandit attacked by performing a drop kick. Cloud dodged by side flipping to avoid it, leaving the bandit momentarily stunned.
"How boring…" Cloud spoke with disappointment.
"Boring!? I'll show you boring!" Bandit #1 replied.
The bandit performed a left spin kick. Cloud also dodged the attack by moving back, out of its range. This allowed him to follow with a counter. He performed a leg sweep, which caught the bandit off guard, tumbling on the ground.
"You overestimated yourself." Cloud soon replied.
"Damn you!" Bandit #1 answered angrily.
The bandit was rushing to Cloud in anger. This caused the swordsman to shake his anger in disappointment, seeing the futile effort the bandit was making.
'Sorry to say, but this has to end. No hard feelings…' Cloud thought.
He raised his sword before making a swift cut just as the bandit got near him. Cloud spun his sword above him before placing it on his back. The bandit grunted as his wound soon made itself appear as a fissure of blood erupted. His front side was cut deeply, leaving him a mortal wound. The bandit soon died from blood loss.
"Who's next?" Cloud asked, looking at the others with a cold gaze.
"I'll take this dance." Bandit #2 replied.
"Didn't you see what that swordsman did? He just cut down our ally with just one move." Samurai #1 questioned.
"Don't worry. If I fall, it's up to you guys." Bandit #2 reassured.
"For a group of bandits, you sure are optimistic." Cloud remarked.
"Helps boost morale when facing tough times. Now enough talking. Let's settle this." Bandit #2 said.
"No words were shared." Cloud said.
The second bandit was equipped with a crossbow. Cloud was forced to use his sword to block the shots. Each time he did, it made him get closer to the bandit. However, his opponent proved to be agile. Before Cloud could attack, the bandit dodged at the last second.
"So it appears you're agile. Too bad for you." Cloud remarked.
The second bandit was about to question till he saw the wind being channeled from Cloud's sword. A crescent wind current soon formed, racing its way to the bandit. He had no time to dodge, resulting in several lacerations appearing on his body.
"What was that…? You're a Vision bearer?" Bandit #2 groaned.
"Yes. As to what that was, it was my technique that took you down." Cloud replied.
The second bandit got angry and held a throwing knife. Cloud got ready to block the attack just as the knife was thrown at him. Upon hearing a dull clanging, he spun in response and made impact. The bandit made a loud scream as he felt his arm being crushed.
"My arm!!!" Bandit #2 screamed.
Cloud soon kicked the bandit on his head. The bandit felt his life fade as he fell on to the ground.
'It never gets east handling this… I was trained to fight, but not brutally.' Cloud thought with a disgusted feeling.
The three samurai held their swords up, ready to join the fight. Samurai #1 held his sword in its scabbard before leaping forward. It was an iaijutsu technique that Cloud recognized.
"Iaijutsu… I'm not easy to take down. Give it your best shot." Cloud said.
"Taste my blade!" Samurai #1 spoke, hinting his voice being younger.
'It seems to be a coincidence that these rōnin were once young. Something afoul must have aged then rapidly for them to be older than they are now. This confirms my suspicion from the request I took. I may have to speak with the Shogun about it later on.' Cloud thought.
Dodging the horizontal attack, Cloud performed a frontal flip, swinging his sword with extra might. This caused the first samurai to lose his sword as it cracked under intense pressure. It was soon broken, leaving the rogue samurai without a weapon.
"My sword!" Samurai #1 exclaimed in shock.
Leaving no choices for his opponent to recuperate, Cloud viciously swung his sword horizontally. The sharp edge managed to cut the rōnin's neck. He gurgled due to the cut as it was deep enough to spray a sizable fountain of blood. Cloud kept his eyes on the rōnin as life faded from the body.
'This is what it means to fight… If I didn't do so, more people will fall prey to them. It didn't have to be this way, but they left me with no choice.' Cloud thought grimly.
This enraged the remaining two rōnin as they held their blades up. Samurai #2 had his sword engulfed in fire while Samurai #3 had his sword enveloped in lightning.
"Feel our blade art!" Samurai #2 shouted.
Both rōnin swung their blades, creating a current of electricity and fire. The two elementals clashed and caused a violent reaction. Cloud was forced to back flip as he felt an explosion happen near him. The force almost blew his sense of balance away, but he held on.
'An explosion from mixing thermal and electrical energy… Those two could make explosions that may rival the force of my attacks. I need to make sure to push forward and force those guys in their own predicament.' Cloud thought.
Soon, the two rōnin started to act ravenous. They growled like animals, losing their humanity. Cloud noticed this and was surprised on their sudden change.
'The rapid aging and their sudden animalistic rage is something to make note of… Whatever they're using, I can pick up the same smell that the samurai I've slain has.' He thought.
"Damn you…!" Samurai #2 spoke, fire raging on his blade.
"I'm not easy to be taken down. You'll have to do better than that trick." Cloud provoked.
"I'm shutting that mouth of yours permanently!" Samurai #2 roared, charging forward.
Cloud could see the charging samurai was leaving himself open. He performed a feint stance, obviously guarding the attack that was about to happen. This gave the swordsman the opportunity to flank the samurai. Once they got close, Cloud dodged a horizontal swipe by performing a ten foot leap in the air. This surprised the samurai, leaving him open.
"Tough luck…" Cloud spoke.
He soon barreled his way back to the ground with an overhead attack. The force caused a noticeable dent on the ground. More importantly, the samurai was hit by the blade, bouncing on the ground like a ball. A loud cough was heard with a glob of blood spilling from the samurai's mouth.
"Gwah…! What strength…" Samurai #2 groaned.
"This ends here…" Cloud said.
He soon connected his sword to the samurai. Wind was channeled around his body before he began spinning like a helicopter propeller. The force was fast enough to let Cloud and his opponent rise up in the air for a few seconds. Soon, Cloud performed a diagonal slash, sending the samurai flying away. Blood was raining due to the numerous cuts shown on the samurai's body.
"You win…this fight…" Samurai #2 croaked, losing his life.
Cloud focused his attention to the last samurai. He could tell this one was being cautious after observing his abilities.
"I will not be that easy to take down, foreigner. Though my comrades are slain, I will fight to the last breath." Samurai #3 spoke, vowing to take Cloud down with him.
"If that is what you intend, then I will make this encumbering for you." Cloud retorted.
An aura of blue energy soon began to engulf Cloud. He charged forward to the last samurai, forcing him on the defense. The sudden change of pace got the samurai with surprise.
'What is with this person? He's wielding an odachi sized weapon as though he's wielding a one handed sword. No person can make such movements… No… No human can do so, even on the brink of death…!' Samurai #3 thought with fear.
Cloud clashed his sword with the samurai's. Both fought for dominance to overcome one another. Lightning danced along with wind from their respective owners.
"You're no ordinary odachi user…" Samurai #3 realized.
The realization was too late for the samurai. Cloud pushed forward, breaking through the clash. This not only staggered the last samurai, but left him open for a powerful attack.
'Cross Slash.' Cloud thought.
A series of five slashes soon traced the kanji for bane (凶). Upon throwing the last one, the last samurai soon felt paralyzed from the technique.
"What!? My body can't move…!" Samurai #3 groaned with shock.
"It shouldn't. Now this ends here…" Cloud spoke.
Wind soon surged within his body. The swordsman began to dash forward before throwing his paralyzed opponent in the air. The samurai had no way to retaliate as Cloud began dashing forward, slicing through the armor.
"Haaaaaaaaah…!" Cloud grunted.
It only took a moment before a series of dash attacks began happening. Cloud was glowing in a bright yellow aura as the wind surged around him. The gusts were hot, enhancing his sword. Each attack cleaved through the armor as though it was butter. Blood was shown flying in a small shower. The samurai groaned as his life faded away.
"This battle…is yours…as the victor…" Samurai #3 croaked.
Cloud soon caught the item the samurai once held before dying. He pocketed the item in question before feeling a brief wave of fatigue.
(Dual in the Mist OST ends here)
Cloud landed on the ground, breathing heavily. It took him a second before standing up with some fatigue.
'Using two limit breaks at once can be taxing for me. Yet, I felt the wind surge with energy in me.' He thought.
He noticed his Vision glowing in response. The Anemo symbol was glowing bright in a turquoise color. It also felt warm to him.
'No doubt this new power helped me in performing my Omnislash, but this one was different than the one I used against Sephiroth.' Cloud thought, recalling how he used his technique.
Pondering briefly of the technique he used with his Anemo abilities, Cloud recalled of the commissions he took. To his luck, he spotted a nearby tree bearing plenty of Lavender Melons to harvest. There were six that were ripe and ready for the taking.
'Might as well pick them from the tree before heading back to the Kamisato Estate to confirm my task was completed. Since there was more than needed, might as well help myself to some.' He thought.
Taking one of the fruits in hand, he bit on it. Upon tasting the juice, Cloud almost shuddered from the sweet taste that tingled in his mouth. Holding his reaction at bay to compose himself, the swordsman soon finished it.
'Have to admit… It was quite sweet. No wonder the inhabitants love this fruit.' Cloud thought.
Holding the other fruits, Cloud look at his map and teleported to the Kamisato Estate.
(Play Genshin Impact OST - Kamisato Estate)
Arriving in a flash, Cloud got his bearings together from the brief disorientation.
'Ugh… This is not something to endure… Motion sickness can be rough.' He thought, shaking his head to get his sense of balance.
Having regain control from the brief experience, Cloud walked his way to meet with Madarame to confirm his completion of the quests. The same person was near the quest poster board.
"Hyakubei-san, I've come back to confirm I finished the two quests I've picked earlier." Cloud said.
Madarame soon noticed the proof of Cloud's efforts. He saw the Lavender Melons and the strange item he procured during his fight against the rōnin.
"Thank you for your assistance, Cloud-san. Feel free to request another task if needed." Madarame replied.
Cloud was about to leave the Kamisato Estate. He was outside from the entrance.
'Perhaps doing the commissions for the general populace is rewarding in the later run. If this is what I'll be doing, I don't mind doing some odd jobs or requests here and there.' He thought.
Before leaving the premises, Cloud sensed someone nearby. Sayu soon made herself known, arriving from the thick bushes near the forest.
"Lady Kamisato requests you to come over. Please come inside the estate." Sayu ordered.
Cloud was briefly surprised. He relented, letting his curious mind overtake any reasonings that could hold him back.
"Very well. Please lead the way." Cloud requested.
Sayu nodded as she guided Cloud back to the estate.
Cloud was within a guest room. He left his sword near the sliding door entrance. It was leaning carefully, not causing any dents or scratches on the floor. His boots were taken off and left at the foyer. This caused him to recall of Wutai for a moment.
'Despite the texture, the floorboards are tougher than they look. I know they're called tatami mats and are sometimes made from bamboo. It is quite elegant to even step on it.' He thought, reminiscing of his time in Wutai.
(Play Genshin Impact OST - Lingering Blossom)
Cloud heard a nearby sliding door open. From within the hall, a graceful figure made itself known. It was a female person with below average height. She had long, pale white-blue hair tied in a high ponytail by a black armored headdress accented with gold. Her hair is styled in a hime cut, with evenly chopped locks framing her face tied off with white accessories bordered with gold, fastened with bright pink cords tied in cloverleaf knots. Her light blue-gray eyes are accompanied by thick lashes and a mole underneath her left eye. Her outfit consists of a kimono that displays nobility and resilience. a royal blue pleated knee-length skirt embroidered with an assortment of patterns, bearing gold accents and small white flower print, and black geta sandals with ankle-length white socks decorated by pink cloverleaf knots at the back. She has a black breastplate with a golden Kamisato Clan emblem in the center and matching armor platings on the sides of her skirt. Underneath her breastplate is a loose elbow-length shirt with gradients of blue to white. Her cuffs and collar on her top are navy with a variety of gold stripes. She wears black sleeves underneath the loose shirt, sling over her middle fingers, and covering both of her thumbs. On top of her black sleeves are white armored platings lined by gold metal, tied together by red knots. Cloud noticed At the back of her outfit is a large royal blue bow, tied together by a mint blue jewel and another bright pink cloverleaf knot. The lower half of the ribbons darken in color with gold markings seemingly native to her homeland. As an accessory, she carries around a gold-navy fan that matches her skirt.
"My apologies for making such a drastic moment for a meeting. I wished to speak with you, traveler from another world." The girl said.
"Rumors about me travel fast, I suppose… In any case, I would like to know of the person whom scheduled this meeting." Cloud requested in a polite tone.
"Forgive me for my lack of diligence. I'm Kamisato Ayaka. I'm currently the eldest daughter of the Kamisato Clan, whom are members of the Yashiro Commission." The girl named Ayaka introduced.
"I'm Cloud Strife." Cloud followed.
"I've heard about you from the Tenryou commission. Though we are part of Lady Shogun's officials, we have been in a stalemate due to opposite beliefs." Ayaka said.
"The Vision Hunt and Sakoku Decrees…" Cloud realized.
"You're well informed of the circumstances. Yes, those decrees are what the Yashiro Commision members are fighting to abolish. We often fulfill tasks for the people and general populace." Ayaka explained.
"So you guys manage the general population. Keeping an eye out for any possible threats so things could be a sense of solace for Inazuma. Quite an admirable goal." Cloud complimented.
"Yes, but it is not so simple. Due to the decrees that were established, management of the cases has been dire. The number of rōnin or rogue soldiers have been increasing. A year ago, Inazuma was prospering for quite a while. Once those people from abroad came in, things changed for the worst." Ayaka spoke.
"The Fatui… Those guys may have played a role to cause Inazuma's current state. I can suspect as much due to the negativity from the populace back in Inazuma City. Despite the welcoming presence, they all had a less welcoming feeling, commenting openly about the possible changes being their fault." Cloud explained.
"That has been prevalent for some time now, I'm afraid. What's worse, my clan and I have noticed the rōnin have been securing these strange objects. They look like Visions, but they're not." Ayaka said, showing a jewel.
Cloud soon provided the one he discovered. Both noticed a strange symbol on the jewel, despite being aligned to their respective element. The one Cloud found was purple and surged with electricity. The one Ayaka procured was mint turquoise with wind billowing around it.
"These are not Visions. Plus they exude a strange scent, akin to a plant. I don't know what plant it is, considering it has a rich, peppermint scent." Cloud said.
"I recognize the smell. This is from Mist Flowers. Frost bearing plants found around Teyvat. They're known for the Cryo elemental alignment. These plants can freeze puddles of water." Ayaka explained.
"Mist Flowers, huh? That's worth knowing. In any case, that's the scent coming from these items." Cloud noted.
"In any case, I request your aid since you also encountered rōnin and bandits with this. Lady Shogun needs to be informed about this. I may not like her current laws being in effect, but I don't want her and the people of Inazuma being threatened by an unknown cause." Ayaka said, bowing to Cloud.
"Please raise your head. I have close connections with the Lady Shogun. I should expect her trusted friend to arrive and pick me up at any time." Cloud reassured.
"That reminds me… How do you still bear your Vision? You're not part of any of the Tri-Commission or any subdivisions. What is it that makes you an exception from her law?" Ayaka questioned.
Cloud soon began explaining from the start. Hearing of Cloud's apparent arrival to having his Vision providing a foreshadow to the Shogun got Ayaka in surprise. She could see there was more to Cloud, yet even he was unaware of his role.
"I can almost picture this being a fairy tale. You have Lady Shogun's support after providing your Vision to her. She saw something in the future, which convinced her to return it to you. Not only that, she trusts you enough to contact, even speaking with her. I truly envy how mysterious you are." Ayaka said, still feeling shocked.
"I'm still processing the whole ordeal. I find it rather far fetched at first, but I've seen my fair share of mysteries. I just have to follow where the wind takes me now." Cloud said with wisdom.
A breeze from outside wafted inside the Kamisato Estate. Cloud closed his eyes as the breeze embraced his body, causing his hair to briefly billow. Ayaka watched, mesmerized as Cloud was showing a serene expression on his face. He soon opened them, feeling Ayaka's staring.
"Is there something on me?" He asked, tilting his head in confusion.
Ayaka was staring at his eyes, lost in their color. This got Cloud feeling bashful, causing him to reflexively look away. His cheeks were briefly dusted red before composing himself.
"Kamisato-san, you're staring deep on to my eyes." Cloud pointed out.
Ayaka soon shook her head to regain her bearings. Her cheeks turned rosy, having been spotted by her guest. She opened her fan to cover her face in a bashful way.
"Forgive me for my actions, Cloud-san. I was lost staring deep in your eyes." Ayaka apologized.
"Please don't fret about it. My eyes are often the first thing anyone I've met will notice. They hold some significance from where I once lived." Cloud followed, catching Ayaka's curiosity.
"From where you once lived? You sound as though you're not from Teyvat at all." Ayaka noted.
"Perhaps much further away from Teyvat. I'm from a different world all together. For what I can see, it reminds me of a region called Wutai." Cloud spoke with nostalgia.
"Wutai?" Ayaka asked, feeling curious.
Cloud began explaining the similarities in culture between Wutai and Inazuma. This got Ayaka completely interested, hearing of the world of Gaia. Though her guest was not a native to Wutai, he was well versed of their culture.
"So that's how you were able to adapt so well here in Inazuma." Ayaka realized.
"Indeed. If there are such parallel worlds with the culture I'm currently seeing, I wouldn't be surprised. Though they all have different origins, the principles remain the same in terms of practice." Cloud said.
After some time passed, Cloud was exiting the estate. He felt a sense of belonging, having spoke with Ayaka for some time. He could tell the girl was interested in him, due to her paying close attention of his descriptions.
'She really does seem eager to learn from where I came from. Oddly, it does feel somewhat comforting to talk with her.' He thought.
Looking at the sky, he felt the breeze. His hair was gliding in the wind. Closing his eyes in comfort from the wind, he felt a sense of relief, despite from before never feeling such a sensation.
'It's strange. I never felt this way when the wind blew back in Gaia. Could it be a side effect from the Vision that was given to me?' He pondered mentally.
His thoughts were interrupted when a flash of electricity got his attention. An eye -like symbol with a mitsudomoe (three tomoe in a triangle outline) appeared before opening a portal. Within it, Sara appeared. Her face showed a serious expression, catching Cloud's attention.
"Cloud-san, Lady Shogun requests your presence immediately. It's imperative to attend for events need to be discussed." Sara spoke.
"Very well then, Kujou-san. Please lead the way." Cloud responded.
Sara nodded as she and Cloud walked through the portal.
A sense of displacement soon happened to them. For Cloud, this was entirely different. He felt as though his body was turned into electricity.
"This is your first time traveling to Tenshukaku so it may feel tingling due to the ambient electricity. Lady Shogun is capable of such to transport her troops or those she trusts across Inazuma and vice versa." Sara explained.
"I'm quite curious of the meeting she is planning. I have found some evidence of strange occurrences happening in Inazuma." Cloud said.
"If it entails to the meeting or if it is of importance, then you can speak about it. Just know that she has displayed a great deal of trust to you. I too trust you as well." Sara spoke in a professional tone.
"I have nothing else to go to. If Inazuma becomes my new home, I would not mind helping out the populace under the Shogun's name." Cloud replied.
"Wise words from a warrior. Also serene at best." Sara complimented.
"Please elaborate for me, Kujou-san. Tenshukaku is the palace grounds of Lady Shogun?" Cloud questioned.
"Yes. You were there, but weren't given a thorough explanation. My apologies for the lack of information." Sara responded.
"Please be at ease. We all make mistakes, yet we continue to grow wiser." Cloud reassured.
Sara couldn't explain it, but she felt a sense of relief. It was oddly foreign, yet it felt welcoming. She briefly questioned what it was that made her feel peaceful, only to allude it to Cloud's wisdom.
Cloud and Sara arrived at the premises of Tenshukaku. The palace grounds had several soldiers injured. Some were lying in the ground, groaning in pain from a recent fight.
"What happened here?" Cloud asked.
"A fight from the rōnin and bandits broke out. They attempted to raid Tenshukaku but we were able to repel them. However, it left several troops wounded. Some may not come back to us to help fight our enemies." Sara spoke, hinting a defeated tone.
Cloud's thoughts to help the injured soon resonated with his Vision. It began to glow in a mint green color. Soon, a gentle breeze began to billow around the palace grounds. The wounded soon found their injuries healing from their very eyes.
"What is this? Wind?" Soldier #1 questioned.
"This wind looks silver. My wounds are healing from this wind!" Soldier #2 said with astonishment.
"Not only my wounds… I even feel at peace. All my concerns and depression have faded." Soldier #3 spoke, feeling jovial.
Sara was shocked of the sudden events. All the wounded had their injuries healed, not to mention feeling as though a mental weight was lifted. The morale of the soldiers was now strong.
'It could be from Cloud. He was making that same presence from earlier. Could it be his Vision bestowed us with a healing effect that is widespread? If so, I'm grateful he healed the troops.' Sara thought.
Soon, an electric eye with mitsudomoe appeared. This time, Raiden came out. She held a concerned expression on her face.
"What happened here? I felt an elemental force of a Vision bearer being used." Raiden spoke.
"Please be at ease, Lady Shogun. Somehow, Cloud used his Vision to heal our troops. Not only that, their morale has been positive." Sara explained.
"You have healed my troops?" Raiden asked to Cloud.
"Yes. I do not know how I've done so. When I noticed the wounded, I did desire to find some way to help them. My Vision must have responded to my desire subconsciously. It created this healing wind, which resulted in what occurred." Cloud deduced.
"Regardless, you have my thanks, Cloud-san. I'm thankful you healed my troops." Raiden spoke with gratitude.
"I'm still grasping with the power my Vision has bestowed me. Not only it helps in combat, but to think I can heal others…" Cloud spoke, hinting his surprise.
Raiden soon cleared her throat, hiding her amazement from hearing Cloud's deduction.
"Nevertheless, we should discuss in a meeting now. This concerns of recent events that you may or may not be aware of." She said.
"Let's proceed then. We should also bring Kujou-san into the meeting. It's imperative for her to be informed." Cloud suggested.
"Truly you read my mind. Let us proceed." Raiden commented.
Inside the Shogun's palace, Cloud was sitting in the seiza position on the floor. He held a serious expression as he faced Sara and Raiden, waiting for the meeting to start.
"It has come to my attention that circumstances beyond my sight have been occurring. Bandits from around Inazuma have been getting bolder in their actions. Plus, the number of rōnin have been increasing. We had some casualties from a prior battle that you encountered earlier, Cloud-san." Raiden began.
"Kujo-san briefly informed me of what happened when we first arrived here. Due to a subconscious desire to aid the injured, my Vision responded, which healed them." Cloud followed.
"This is where things have been troubling… The rōnin seem to possess a strange object that looks like a Vision, but it is not. The gem bores a strange symbol in place of the elemental power symbol." Raiden followed.
"I've dealt with a request from a villager from Konda Village. There were two bandits and three rōnin. Only two of the rōnin possessed this strange power, which allowed them to manipulate the elemental force of fire and lightning respectively." Cloud added in.
"You were successful in dealing with them?" Raiden questioned.
"Yes. I was able to take them down. When I took down the last rōnin, I was able to procure the source of their elemental power." Cloud said showing the item.
Raiden inspected the item, along with Sara. Both noticed it looked like a Vision, but they could feel a strange, almost alien-like, pull to it. It's as though the item was enticing them to take it and use its effect.
"This is rather troubling from what this item is…" Sara admitted.
"I agree, Kujou-San. It is as you said though, Shogun-dono. It looks like a Vision, but it is not. One thing I noticed is that it bears a scent of Mist Flowers." Cloud answered.
"How did you know of the scent in question?" Raiden asked.
"Kamisato Ayaka from the Kamisato Clan informed me about it, even giving details about the Mist Flower scent and comparison." Cloud replied.
"Interesting. I did recall you leaving their estate prior to my arrival. What happened before I arrived?" Sara questioned.
"Kamisato-san was providing details about this case. She wanted me to inform you as such. To be frank, the meeting that is happening served its purpose to inform you about this situation." Cloud answered.
"Interesting. Even the Yashiro Commission had their quarrel with rōnin possessing the same strange power?" Raiden asked.
"Apparently so. From what we can correlate these incidents to, the people whom arrived to Inazuma have been linked to the increasing cases of bold attacks from the rōnin." Cloud spoke.
"It seems we have a shared interest about this incident regarding of the rōnin showing elemental abilities." Raiden noted.
"It appears so." Cloud agreed.
"These incidents, though happening on separate occasions, have warranted several requests from the local populace." Raiden continued.
"My recent talk with Kamisato-san also gave some insight… It seems that her clan are being short staffed due to the number of requests involving the rōnin. I don't want to sound pessimistic, but having a large pantheon of rogue soldiers doesn't suit well." Cloud noted.
"It appears that we've also established an impasse. Cloud-san, you can continue helping out the Yashiro Commission on their requests. After hearing from Ayaka-san, I must ensure my forces are ready in the event a battle is about to occur." Raiden said.
"I'll do what I can to help Inazuma. From the way things are going, a battle may come to us." Cloud spoke, hinting his displeasure.
"I'm thankful for your efforts and willingness to inform me. As thanks, you can use the bathhouse near Tenshukaku. I see that you look tired after dealing with the rōnin." Raiden said.
"Lady Shogun. Surely you jest. Not many are granted to use the bathhouse." Sara spoke with surprise.
"At ease, Sara-san. Cloud-san has earned my trust in providing his part of the meeting. He informed us that we're not the only one dealing with this issue. It's the least I can provide at short notice. We need you to boost our troops' morale in case they feel mentally taxed." Raiden reassured.
Sara nodded in response. She watched Cloud with an analytical expression, wanting to understand him.
Cloud was outside the main palace. He asked the soldiers whom he healed for the location of the bathhouse. The men were all surprised to hear he was granted permission to use the bath, relenting upon hearing his explanation. He was at the entrance to the bathhouse after being guided.
'I'm glad the guards were able to guide me to this place. It's called the Royal Hot Springs, which is managed by Mikawa Akane. If anything, I would definitely be relaxing in the bath after today's events.' Cloud thought, chuckling quietly.
Upon arriving inside, he was greeted by a young woman. She had shoulder length brunette hair, indigo eyes, and pale skin. For clothing, she was wearing a dark purple kimono with floral designs and light purple socks with sandals. She had a pair of glasses on.
"Hello, traveler. You must be new here in Inazuma." The woman said.
"Yes. I did have trouble finding this place." Cloud admitted.
"Well, might I ask why you were looking for this place? Unless otherwise provided, no outsiders were given the right to use these hot springs." The woman said.
"I was granted a limited usage for these hot springs. It was due to Lady Shogun's gratitude." Cloud said.
"Do you have proof of this limited usage?" The woman asked.
"He has been granted by Lady Shogun herself, Akane-san." Sara's voice echoed.
Cloud turned to see Sara nearby. Near her feet, a cluster of black feathers were shown. This got him uneasy, seeing the feathers near him.
'I didn't sense her presence till she made herself known.' Cloud thought.
"K-Kujou-san! My apologies, traveler. I did not know you were granted of such occasion." The woman named Akane apologized.
"Do not fret. You were doing your job to watch the hot springs. My name is Cloud. Strife Cloud." Cloud reassured.
"I'm Mikawa Akane, commissioner of the Royal Baths. I overlook the Royal Bathhouse for those who are granted Lady Shogun's blessing. I also maintain it as well." Akane followed, explaining her role.
Cloud awkwardly moved his shoulders in a 'don't know' gesture. He could tell it was quite a surprising moment, even for him.
(Play Genshin Impact OST- The Land of Her Serenity)
Cloud was inside the bath area, wearing an opaque white towel on his waist. He was sitting in the water, leaving his upper body exposed. The hot water relaxed his body, causing him to sigh. The bath area was divided by a wooden fence, allowing a sense of privacy for the male and female populace.
'It sure is nice here. I guess coming here was a much needed moment to rest.' He thought.
Numerous scars were on his body. One of them was a puncture wound from a blade on his right shoulder. It changed his skin tone with a paler complexion with a near glassy luster. It made him recall of his previous battles against Sephiroth.
'I wish this scar would fade off… It has been an ominous reminder since that horrific day…' Cloud thought with aversion.
A dull ache soon came from the scar, causing him to grunt softly. He placed his left hand near it, assuring himself it was a phantom pain.
(The Land of Her Serenity OST ends here)
"Do you think you're able to forget the pain from your wound?" A hollow, calm voice echoed.
(Play Final Fantasy 7 Remake OST - Those Chosen By the Planet)
Cloud gasped in response, turning around to find where the source of the voice was. He looked deathly pale, knowing who it belonged to.
'Damn it… Sephiroth…!' He thought.
"I still can plague you, not just from your physical scars, Cloud. Even the very thoughts and memories can help me manifest, choking in your mind." Sephiroth's voice spoke.
"Whatever your plan is, I won't let you threaten anyone." Cloud spoke in defiance.
"Oh? Am I hearing this? Do you care for the people in this world more than the people from your home? I never would have guessed." Sephiroth taunted.
Cloud closed his eyes in a sharp manor. He was building up anger just from hearing the person he feared and despised.
'Get out of my head…' He thought.
"You will never be rid of me. Mark my words, Cloud. I will one day arrive here in this new world. It is abundant with energy just as potent compared to our home." Sephiroth spoke.
"Shut up!" Cloud shouted.
Sephiroth's voice vanished, leaving Cloud breathing heavily. He rested back in the hot spring, easing his mind.
'I hope he stays quiet… His presence is already making me feel I'm losing my head.' He thought.
(Those Chosen By the Planet OST abruptly stops)
While calming himself, a splash from the other side was heard. It alerted Cloud for a moment before composing himself.
"Cloud-san, I heard shouting from afar. Is everything okay?" Raiden's voice called out.
"I'm sorry for the shouting. I'm okay though. Just some past memories from my former home." Cloud responded.
"Are you sure?" Raiden questioned.
"I'll be fine. I will talk about it later on." Cloud reassured.
"Very well then. I hope the bath is to your liking. We're using a special machine that is heating the water." Raiden said.
"I must disclose… The bath is calming to one's mind." Cloud admitted.
"I'm happy to hear from your opinion. It also helps that this bathhouse also has rooms to provide for sleeping. It acts like an inn, but it only provides to those whom have earned my trust." Raiden revealed.
"That is convenient. I'm convinced this world almost has everything necessary." Cloud spoke.
Raiden quietly giggled, hearing the swordsman's voice sounding with wonder. She started displaying some curiosity to Cloud, finding his presence mysterious, yet welcoming.
(Play Genshin Impact OST - Lingering Blossom)
Cloud was out of the bath, now at a small room for himself. His face and body looked flushed, evident by his cheeks blushing with a rose tone. He was wearing a tan kimono that reached down to his feet. His feet were bare, letting him relax.
'Chalk up another reason to thank Wutai… Without their aid, I wouldn't have learned how to put this kimono on.' He thought with amusement.
While musing with his thoughts, Cloud crossed his arms. He was lost in his thinking, knowing to later talk with Raiden due to the recent events.
'It will come to light that I may have to share my past with her. Why is it that I feel the need to do so…? I know she is the current ruler of Inazuma, not to mention a god. However, none of those titles are what inclining me to speak with her.' He thought.
Before he could question himself any further, a knocking sound interrupted Cloud, garnering his attention. Now focusing at the door, he called out.
"Who is it?" He asked.
"It is I, Raiden Shogun." Raiden's voice answered.
Cloud soon opened the door, allowing Raiden to see Cloud. Upon seeing him in his kimono, she could admit, it looked good on him. Her cheeks were dusted red as rational thought was replaced by innate curiosity of the man in front of him.
"Is there something to discuss, Shogun-dono?" Cloud asked.
"Oh, nothing of the sort. I wanted to inform you of the meals prepared for us." Raiden replied.
(Lingering Blossom OST ends here)
(Play Genshin Impact OST - Dream of Scattered Petals)
Cloud understood. Upon opening the door, he was graced with Raiden's appearance. She was wearing a light purple kimono that was more formal and elegant. Several floral patterns of cherry blossoms petals and bellflowers were shown. The robe hugged her shape, but it reached down to her feet.
'I'm honestly surprised of her current appearance. I guess she wanted to be presenting without risking her dignity.' Cloud thought.
Raiden was leading him to the dining hall. There, an assortment of meals consisting of sashimi or specialities of the region were provided. The sight amazed the swordsman, having been lost in a sense of nostalgia.
'It's just like Wutai… It's almost difficult to compare this world and my home…' He thought.
Cloud sat near one of the tables. Raiden chose to sit near him. Her curiosity from earlier did not diminish.
'This individual from another world has perked my curiosity since I first met him. Though he's an outsider from beyond Teyvat, his role acts similar to an exception of my dream for Eternity. Yet, what is it that compels me to be drawn to him? Is it his presence, his appearance, or something I've yet to know about?' Raiden thought.
Cloud could feel Raiden staring at him, despite eating his meal calmly. He admitted, the taste of the food was succulent. Despite his surprise, he felt nervous after being stared for a while.
'She has been staring at me for quite a while. I'm surprised that she barely touched her food. I don't know exactly how I'm getting her like this, but it's making me feel self-aware of how I appear. To think I'm feeling an awkward moment.' Cloud thought.
Raiden soon shook her head, regaining her focus. She resumed eating her food, not wanting to get it cold.
'He hasn't picked up of my intentions of staring at him yet. How mortifying of myself to find such interests to a man… I thought my heart was sealed off due to the trauma of my past. Yet, it still beats with vigor when I'm near him.' Raiden thought, suppressing a blush.
(Dream of Scattered Petals OST ends here)
(Play Genshin Impact OST - Blue Dream)
Cloud was outside from his room, overlooking an open view at the atrium. The wind blew at him, causing him to close his eyes in peace. It was a sense of comfort he was still feeling foreign from, yet he embraced the feeling.
'No matter how I question it, the wind brings a sense of relief in my mind. Maybe it's a much needed request to wish, after what I've been through.' He thought.
While he wasn't paying attention, Raiden walked by, noticing Cloud with his eyes closed. The wind was blowing around him in soft breeze. Seeing his face in a relaxed tone caused a blush to form on her face. She was spellbound, unable to take her eyes off of what she spotted.
'I can't seem to look away… He has been garnering my attention since we've first met. I'm inclining to be near his presence.' She thought.
Cloud sensed her presence. He opened his eyes to the night sky. The sensation of peace from the wind was prevalent, but not enough to distract him. His eyes soon laid to Raiden's eyes. This time, Cloud felt lost staring into them. The violet glow seemed enticing.
'What is this…? Why am I feeling this way? I just feel lost staring deep into her eyes.' He thought.
Raiden was also lost in Cloud's eyes. The vibrant color of turquoise with a heterochromia green ring surrounding his pupils was an enchanting sight to her.
Both were lost in watching each other's eye color. Cloud shook his head to regain control, closing his eyes in the process.
"Excuse me for my staring." He said, looking away bashfully.
Raiden got her focus back, noticing Cloud was blushing in response. She too looked bashful, having been nearly caught watching him.
"It's alright." She reassured.
Both remained silent for a few seconds. It was a brief, awakened tension as both felt shy to ask any questions. Cloud soon took the initiative, wanting to know about her reign.
"Lady Shogun, is there anything that you wish to talk about? What is it that you promised to your people of Inazuma?" Cloud asked.
"It's okay for you to call me Raiden, Cloud-san. In regards to your questions, I promised the people an everlasting Inazuma. I intended to make it become a land of eternity." Raiden responded.
"A land of Eternity… Has this dream you sought for had any significance?" Cloud questioned curiously.
"It dates back centuries of Inazuma's history. I was born in a family during a time of peace. However, numerous conflicts emerged, causing the people whom I once knew to pass on. As the years passed, numerous friends whom I have acquainted began to die. They didn't die from old age. Rather, they mostly died due to illness and battle. Countless friends whom I once new during my tenure have been lost. Thus, I envisioned the dream of making Inazuma the land of Eternity." Raiden explained.
"You've lost a great deal of people whom you once knew… I too had my losses back from where I come from." Cloud sympathized.
"You too as well? Have you lost your friends from your world?" Raiden asked.
"Yes. I have… I bear the scars from my losses as reminders of those awful times." Cloud replied.
"We both share the same scars. Not physically, but within the mind. Some have healed while the others continue to ache." Raiden spoke.
Cloud began listening to Raiden as she continued.
"Each Thunder Sakura in this land has bore witness of such terrible events. As lightning flashes in the sky, a shadow is casted. I've overcome many obstacles, but each time I do, losses followed in my nation. A sight was soon engraved in my mind when I witnessed a nation beyond my realm disappear in a terrible war. The nation I sighted is forever gone, lost in the passage of time. This became the basis for my promise to Inazuma. Believing the present to be an illusion, I sought to make this land eternally bound in the Lightning's flash. Not bound by time nor afflicted in conflict, I wished this dream to help heal from my wounds." Raiden finished.
Cloud could see she was like a kindred spirit. She wanted answers of what was witnessed and experienced. He too wanted answers for the previous events that were beyond his control. Sympathizing Raiden due to her background story, Cloud closed his eyes as the wind blew. This compelled the Shogun to not only place her hand on her chest in concern, but also feel the need to be near Cloud. Seeing him look conflicted, she took the initiative, leaning on his back. Cloud didn't show any reaction as she leaned on him. The only thing he could tell other than feeling her touching his body was the scent of lavender.
(Blue Dream OST ends here)