Chapter 6 – New Moon
"When I'm with you... time seems to slow down and speed up at the same time."
Thoma was right. Inazuman festivals were indeed a sight to behold.
Aether looked up, watching multicolored lanterns sway to and fro at the breeze's command. For what was probably the first time since he'd arrived in the Land of Thunder and made an enemy of its Archon, he had the opportunity to wind down. This part of the district was not as heavily patrolled as Hanamizaka, and the dense crowd made it easier for the two of them to disappear if need be.
He breathed out a sigh of relief. Getting chased by the local authorities was nothing new to him, but he had felt a tinge of guilt upon dragging Yuki into this. If she really was the well-bred and upstanding type as he'd suspected, he could only hope that this little thrill wouldn't end up pushing her down a slippery slope.
"Sorry I took so long. Here you go."
Or he could just be worrying for nothing. Yuki was positively brimming with a delight he could almost call childlike. Her excitement was visible even through the mask, as she skimmed over towards him with a pair of snacks in each hand. He grabbed the two she kindly offered, and appraised the mellow candy on a stick – dango, he gathered.
Although he wasn't expecting anything in particular, the taste did not disappoint. All tri-colored glutinous balls vanished in the blink of an eye, and the thought of taking Paimon to this stall once everything was over briefly coursed through his mind. He could allow his companion to behave like a kid every once in a while. In fact, she was probably stuffing her face with mochi right now.
"So?" Yuki's head tilted. "What do you think, is it good?"
He took in the sight for a moment before nodding. "I'm usually not a fan of overly-sweet things, but dango does it for me. Thanks for the recommendation."
"I'm glad you like it." She sat down by his side, looking up at the stars above them. "They perfectly fit with the atmosphere of a festival, too. Colorful and lighthearted, making everyone around them smile regardless of age, gender or background." she breathed. "This might be my favorite feeling in the whole world."
Humans were born with eyes, but too often do they weep. They were born with hands, but too often do they do evil. So those who do not wish to cry nor to hurt create reasons for others to laugh and to share. Thus, celebrations and festivals are purely human, born from the rare goodness of their fragile hearts. The Traveler couldn't recall where or when he had first heard these words, but looking at this girl now, he was forced to admit that they probably held some truth to them. He was certain that her eyes were dazzling.
"Yeah, festivals are great like that." He leaned back, balancing the weight of his upper-body on one arm. "They allow your mind to escape its current troubles while staying in the same reality, and when you get back to your usual life you feel like you can take on anything."
Ah, right.
She was going to have to go back to her own reality eventually. Kamisato Ayaka's reality.
A world made of meetings, politics, deception and treason. Such was the path her brother had decided to tread, and though he knew his way around the twists and turns, she could not possibly say the same for herself. She was cunning, but the role of directly supporting the Commissioner as his sister meant being entrusted with the lives of countless people. It demanded willpower and dedication that could only be found in a hero.
For now, she would cling to every last moment she could experience here. She would burn each and ever sight, sound, or scent deep into her memory, and use this joy she once felt as a flame to light up her world when things would get difficult in the near future.
The Traveler stood up as if he'd just read her mind. "Well, I'm pretty sure we've seen all the stalls in this street. Want to move?"
She nodded without a word, secretly thankful that the mask hid the glum shift in her mood. Moments of joy were meant to be shared, not spoiled. At least she had the chance of not experiencing them all by her lonesome, even if it was with a man she did not know all that well. Deep down, she already considered Aether to be more than a stranger.
The streets of Tenryou displayed more stalls and new sources of entertainment with every step, each attracting more customers than the last. Their stroll was punctuated with fresh experiences and bouts of laughter, and before neither knew it, they had ended up in the highest district. Unlike the rest of Narukami City it was draped in solemn silence, with no passersby nor lanterns, and seemingly detached from the rest of the capital. Aether's smile began to fade when he set foot in the deserted streets, and he soon understood why.
Though he could still hear laughter and cheers in the far distance, his mind was completely captured by the sight in front of him.
A hooded deity carved out of stone was kneeling before the imperial palace's steps, a pair of massive wings unfurling from its lowered shoulders. Eyes flared up between the intricate feathers, embedded with jewels of many colors. He almost thought it to be reminiscent of Mondstadt's Statue of Barbatos, but this foreign deity did not bring any sort of benevolence nor protection to the people. It looked incredibly out of place.
"Aether?"
Yuki lightly tugged on his cape, leaning forward as if to gauge his expression. He forcibly tore his gaze from the statue, only to realize that his breathing was short and labored. He tried to act natural and frictioned his neck, where the mark's burning sensation had suddenly increased.
He unknowingly winced. "I'm fine... Just thinking this statue is very peculiar, that's all."
She followed his gaze, and her face immediately went somber. "The Statue of the Omnipresent God... not a sight I'd recommend to someone visiting Inazuma for the first time. It's meant to represent Her Excellency's permanence over all Inazumans. She has always been watching her people and will forever be, even when we cannot see her or feel her presence." Just when he was thinking her speech sounded quite pious, the young woman sneered. "It's really just a symbol of the Vision Hunt Decree now. A giant proof of her people's oppression, but both she and the Tenryou Commission seem quite content about it. Of course they are."
"Hold on, is she saying that...?"
Before he could ask her to elaborate, she rose a finger and pointed it at the deity's wings. "From this distance, they look like mere gemstones, but don't be fooled. Those are my people's ambitions and aspirations, senselessly taken hostage by the Shogunate. Each time a Vision is claimed, the doushin embed it into the statue, as if to taunt its rightful owner. And this insult to all bearers was ordered by the Almighty Shogun herself, no less."
As a part of the Tri-Commission, the Kamisato Clan was naturally expected to support the decree. Officially, it was the case - they never took action in its favor but never openly went against it, either. But deep down, both her and Ayato already knew that pulling strings from behind the scenes would be their only way of resisting without compromising the lives of all those who worked under the clan's protection. So in public, they could only smile. Put on a mask, like right now.
Kamisato Ayaka was compliant and kept a straight face when witnessing these crimes. Yuki had yet to vent her frustration to a willing ear.
She bit her lower lip. "Sooner or later, I will have to surrender my Vision as well."
"So you're..."
"A bearer, one of the more fortunate ones thanks to my status." She finished for him while gesturing at her purse with a weak smile. "I can't really wear it in public, of course. But eventually, once all other Visions in Inazuma have been claimed, I will enter the imperial palace and it will be my duty to give up on both it and my ambitions. Most noble clans think they're safe, but their social status is merely delaying the inevitable."
Inevitable?
"And you're fine with that?" He moved in front of her. "Just because a god said so, you're willing to hand it over like everyone else? You said it yourself: the ambitious are getting spat in the face by the Shogunate, while those supposed to maintain order and security sit by and do nothing. Are you really willing to give up on your dreams for whatever eternity means?"
"Of course not." she muttered.
"Then why-"
"Aether. I won't."
A faint whistling sang through the air in the far distance, but neither could be bothered to look. In the far distance behind them, an expectant murmur spread through the crowd. The first firework reached its apex and bloomed, before its detonation resounded across the entire island. Crimson red and bright orange illuminated the girl behind the mask, as she placed a resolute hand on her chest.
"I'm going to put an end to the Vision Hunt Decree, whatever it takes. Even if I have to be cleaved in half by the Almighty Shogun's Musou no Hitotachi, I swear by my life and my family's name that I will."
It was the boldest of statements, especially coming from a mortal, but Aether remained silent. He of all people would know that it was the height of blasphemy, thinking that this girl in front of him could change anything to what her god had decided. In any other situation, both her and those who believed in her would get smited on the spot.
"It's preposterous of me to be saying that, I know." She looked out at the blazing fireworks display, swarms of explosions lighting up the night sky before falling like stars. The Naganoharas were truly going all-out. "If someone like me could really change anything, things wouldn't be the way they are now. But I believe that-"
But he couldn't stand that jaded vision of godhood.
"No. You're definitely going to do it."
Yuki's eyes trailed from the starry expanse above down to the lone star standing by her side, contemplating him in silence after what he'd just said. She was stirred into a mix of fluster and disbelief, while he acted like his words were perfectly normal. Because he was serious. He believed everything he'd said, and more importantly, he believed in her.
"Aether... you don't have to-"
"I'm not kidding. I'm not telling you what you want to hear either." The blooming flares reflected in his golden eyes as he offered a kind smile. "When you oppress a nation, it can only go two ways. Either they kneel and accept their fate, or eventually something will happen. It takes one person - a single spark, to set the entire country ablaze and wake everyone up. And when there is no one left to defend the common folk, they stand up for themselves, unite, and become a force capable of challenging any god."
Her mouth was still slightly agape, so he continued. "Gods wield immense amounts of power, but the truest form of strength is the one people like you bear within their hearts - the spark. So yes, I believe that repealing the Vision Hunt Decree is feasible for anyone with your kind of ambition. Because only those who think like you can truly make a difference."
Not her. She is Yuki. A persona born from Ayaka's desire of being normal, a mere continuation of everything Tsubaki stood for. It is the voice through which Ayaka, the normal and helpless girl, makes herself heard. So why?
Why does he look so confident in what Ayaka can do?
"Hang on, that's not... not what I had envisioned." she shook her head. "Sentiment is nice and all, but what Inazuma needs is someone with a good head on their shoulders and a strong sense of responsibility." She clung onto her own arm. "Not me. They deserve someone who can carry the people's wishes without making any mistakes-"
"I don't believe someone like that exists. What these people need is someone who's not perfect, but willing to at least try. As far as I'm aware, this falls in line with your previous claim."
"…"
"Unless you're all talk, like these Tenryou politicians you despise?"
"Do you really mean what you're saying, or are you just trying to provoke me?"
"Why not both? If provoking you is the only way, I'll gladly do it as much as necessary."
The Shirasagi Himegimi was the standard for perfection. She was the daughter her clan needed, the leader her people relied on. Ayaka herself could only become that person if she wished to be of any use to them.
Or so she thought.
She shouldn't let the ideals ingrained into her since childhood be so easily shaken by a stranger's words. She mustn't. Even if he was warm, comforting, and she felt like she could entrust him with all her doubts. Even if he gave her hope, told her she could be true to herself, and that everything would be alright. All her life she had craved those words, this safety, and now that the person she'd always needed was here, she couldn't bring herself to believe him.
She couldn't allow him to break through the ice around her, because she was scared of revealing herself. Of not being good enough. Of being a disappointment. She could not, would not, take this step forward by herself.
And so, he took her hand.
The fireworks display's grand finale was nearing, countless flowers erupting into the black canvas above. It should have been chaotic and deafening, especially for her first festival experience.
Yet she could only hear his voice when he spoke.
"I am going to fight the Vision Hunt Decree. It's not my first time doing something as reckless as picking a fight with a god, and I'm well aware of a thousand ways things can go horribly wrong. But there are people who can't stand up for themselves, who need a light. And that's reason enough. You don't have to do anything for me, you can even pretend we never met. But if not for me, do it for yourself... Yuki. Give yourself a chance."
Listening to him was the most dangerous thing she'd ever done. If she was strong, then what did that make him? Some sort of god, surely? No fair. She came from a family of ruthless negotiators, and yet... How was she supposed to say no to that?
Before she knew it, the mask had fallen between them.
Ayaka hesitantly glanced into his eyes, before trailing off with an embarrassed smile. Was there something else she could say? He had melted her down, plain and simple. He tried to meet her blue-gray orbits for a short while, but she shyly averted her own gaze. So Aether just sighed.
"So you're not some faceless cryptid after all. That's a relief."
Pfft...
It was too much. Ayaka burst out into the most genuine, unladylike fit of laughter of her existence. Her world seemed brighter than ever before, with him at its center. She clutched her sides, while waiting for her own hysteria to die down, and only then did she lock eyes with him. For the first time, someone could see Ayaka, the normal girl and eldest daughter of the Kamisato Clan.
This sight had not been revealed to her brother, Thoma, or anyone from the Yashiro Commission. It would eventually, of course.
But the first one to witness her rebirth should be this foreign star.
…
Like Yoimiya's fireworks, the festival eventually came to its end. It left a strange, lingering aftertaste in her mouth as she watched passersby slowly leave the area, like waves receding on the shore. It was not easy for her to let this experience go, but what she had gained tonight was more important.
And if the occasion ever presented itself, Ayaka would definitely go to another festival.
Quietly, she stole one last glance at her companion. What a crazy festival indeed, and now it was time to go back to her regular life. But this time, things would be vastly different. Thanks to him, her goal of being a second pillar for Inazuma's people didn't seem like a mere pipe dream anymore.
Both of their footsteps rustled on the grass as the city's buildings began to shrink. Once they reached the edge of Chinju Forest, she stopped and turned around to face him.
The Traveler looked past her, at the eerie lights dancing between the thick trees. "I take it this is where we part ways." He drew a long sigh, and she hoped, wished for a brief moment that he'd miss her. "It was an unexpected meeting, but I enjoyed your company. And, apart from discussing ambitions and decrees, I hope you had as much fun as I did tonight."
"It was more than fun. I'd say this festival was amazing, but your presence made it... unforgettable." She wistfully smiled. "If only I could go back in time, and relive this memory again and again... hmm, on second thought, no."
She took a few steps forward, her hands entwined behind her back. "There will be more festivals to look forward to, and thanks to you, more amazing experiences where I will be able to give it my all. That being said – and I apologize if I am stepping out of line by asking this but..." Ayaka looked back at him, her fond gaze almost mischievous. "Will I get the chance to see you again, Aether?"
"If will be up to fate to decide." He accompanied his statement with a vague hand motion, too happy that it was now his turn to act cryptic.
"No, I believe someone like you can easily defy fate." she tilted her head. "Whether we cross paths again will be up to you."
"Is that a genuine compliment, or just a convenient way of cornering me?"
"Can it not be both?"
He chuckled. "Alright, you got me. I certainly hope we meet again, even if it's on a less festive occasion. May the stars look after you, Yuki."
She hated goodbyes, but this one did not bear the tragic weight of parting. Rather, it felt more like the unspoken promise of a reunion. Ayaka treaded into the dark forest while humming a soft tune, not without a glance back in his direction. Aether weakly waved her way to bid her farewell, until her silhouette disappeared behind the trees.
Then his arm dropped akin to a stringless puppet's.
It burned.
He ignored what exactly triggered it, but sometime during his conversation with Yuki, the brand on his neck had become painful like hot iron being pressed against his skin. Something was going on, and the striking pain gave him the hint that he'd once again stepped out of line in the eyes of the Raiden Shogun. Gritting his teeth and holding back a scream, the Traveler staggered with difficulty towards Narukami City.
His senses greatly impaired, he failed to notice the pink kitsune-like being that observed his every move.
Komore Teahouse's boss was a dog, but he was in too much pain to care.
Mere seconds after Taroumaru expectantly wagged its tail at the mention of 'Thoma', the shiba boss witnessed an outlander stumble into another room with a pained groan. A glowing violet hue emanated from his neck, faintly crackling with sparks that seemed to burn its host. The teahouse owner's ears twitched as he perceived the sound of a wooden panel sliding open, soon followed by a body heavily hitting the floor.
The Traveler was thankful for Yuki not noticing the mark on his neck, but holding back this pain seemingly caused it to release all at once now that he was alone. The Electro symbol pulsated faster than before, its brand sizzling and burning through his flesh. Aether bit his own gloved wrist to repress a scream as parts of his body twitched erratically on the ground. The burning sensation hurt him past a limit he did not think was possible, overriding his senses and dimming the warm lights around him. Before he lost consciousness, Aether's mind came to a stop.
He saw a single sakura petal gently descend into his vision, and fall on his chest.
…
This time, the first sight that welcomed him was a cloudless, azure-painted sky.
His chest heaved rhythmically as he awoke on a soft bed of flowers, slowly feeling his body materialize in this plane. He sat up as a sudden gust of wind brushed past him, plucking several petals and carrying them away. When he turned his head to look around, he noticed that the brand on his neck had stopped hurting.
Aether took in the unfamiliar landscape that unfolded before him. Countless sakura trees surrounded the clearing he'd appeared in, forming a pink forest he couldn't quite fathom the boundaries of. He stood beneath a large torii gate, connecting to a small beaten path that winded deeper into the woods.
Compared to the barren warzone from the first time, this was a significant upgrade. There was no trace of the Sustainer, either.
He followed the petal-covered path through the scented trees, looking for a hint of some kind. If this dream had been instigated by the same woman as before, she probably knew how to lure him out. He was wholly unfamiliar with this enchanted forest, but the troubling circumstances and lack of any living beings made him feel awaited. If his hunch was correct, she would be here.
And hopefully she had answers for him.
Following the beaten path was apparently the right move, seeing as it sprawled out into a large open field, gradually sloping up towards a hill in its center. Atop the hill stood a gigantic sakura tree, reminiscent in size of the Symbol of Mondstadt's Hero. The blond hesitantly stepped forward, shielding his eyes from the imaginary sun as he approached the dream's epicenter. And when he was finally close enough, he saw her.
A purple-haired woman was sitting in the shade, her back resting against the trunk. She was draped in a pink kimono that bordered on white, the fabric fading into a deeper shade of violet as it descended past her sleeves. Her eyes slowly opened when she felt him get closer, and he immediately recognized the mysterious glimmer they held. And just like last time, she smiled without a word.
Simultaneously, he felt a flow of memories surge forth.
"So for simplicity's sake-"
Right, Makoto. How did he even manage to forget that name in the first place?
"What a pleasant breeze. This feels better than standing amidst a pile of rotting corpses in a foreign land, no?" She idly breathed, while patting the ground next to her. "Come, sit beside me. I don't think you're in any hurry."
He obeyed without question. "We meet again, Makoto. It is a much better place than last time, although I might need to be more careful if you're going to pull me into a dreamscape each time I have a near-death experience."
"Ah... I'm afraid I have no control over that." She raised a hand before he could formulate the next question, while repressing a giggle. "No, I don't know if it's decided by your subconscious or a higher entity either. I can sense when you're in this space, and can draw you towards me to some extent, but that's about it."
He dryly stared at her for a brief moment, before letting his muscles fall softly against the tree trunk. "I take it this conversation won't get me anywhere if I focus too much on what my eyes perceive when I'm with you, then. Fine by me. If it's really a dream, then I won't nitpick on the details."
Makoto took a closer look at him and lightly squinted. "You look like some big things happened since the last time we spoke. I at least hope you have some good news for me. How is your journey going?"
"I'm taking it slow, but I also get to see firsthand what the Vision Hunt Decree is doing to Inazuma. It's... arguably worse than I'd predicted." He shrugged. "But you already knew that, right? How Visions are really just a medium to channel their bearer's ambition?"
"Ambition is one of the factors contributing to humans receiving Visions, yes. So, I take it witnessing the effects of Vision loss must not have been a pleasant experience?"
Aether watched a sakura petal slowly fall into his palm. "I wouldn't wish it on my enemy. That's precisely why the Raiden Shogun must be stopped." He tugged on his scarf, revealing the brand on his neck to her. "But it's not easy to devise a safe plan with a mark on my neck that's actively trying to kill me. I have no idea what will happen if I face her and this thing reacts in a way I don't want it to. What's even the point of branding me if you can't carry out the execution directly, anyway?"
"Preventing you from using Electro power seemed to be her emergency response - and quite an effective one, I must say. Of course, I needn't tell you to avoid physical confrontation with her. Should she enact judgement upon you, your body might not be able to sustain the damage from an enhanced Musou no Hitotachi."
His hand rested under his chin. "The original plan was just to get an audience with her, but I don't think the God of Thunder is very open to discussion at the moment. I'll see if I can get the Yashiro Commission's support, but I also don't want to get those who oppose the decree in trouble."
As she tended to do whenever he spoke of taking on the Raiden Shogun directly, Makoto covertly avoided his gaze. "It is a given that you would make allies to help you out in this endeavor. After the drastic measures she's taken against her own people, it comes off as no surprise that the Shogun would have no shortage of enemies."
"Some people have indeed lost too much to care about the Shogunate cracking down on them or their families. Understandably so, however..." He swallowed. "There is one person who can get in more trouble than the others, and yet is the most unafraid of all. We only met recently, but it feels right calling her an ally. But if it comes down to it... I hope I can be the one to shoulder the repercussions for my actions, and no one else."
"Are you seeking my approval?"
"I'm looking for guidance."
She remained silent for a brief moment, until an epiphany curved her lips into yet another smile. "Though you are strongly opposed to the Raiden Shogun's methods, you mustn't forget that this battle is for the Inazumans to fight. If you get caught up in your own sense of justice, you won't be able to save anyone in the end." Though he looked slightly skeptical, she kept going. "You are correct on one thing: the Raiden Shogun must be stopped. And that's precisely why you must help her people unite to challenge her decrees. Their ambitions are the very key to victory, and all those who think like the person you met can be called your allies."
Ambitions were supposed to be the dancing lights guiding humanity through the dark. Hardships like the Vision Hunt Decree probably came in batches throughout the ages, but each and every one of these flames hurt to see go out. Yuki's ambition was different – it was a nascent flame, a flickering ray of hope for her nation. What he saw in her eyes back then, what compelled him to step forward was really his instincts screaming at him to protect this ambition, no matter the cost.
But at the same time, this Eye of Stormy Judgement seemed to hold him back, to prevent him from getting too involved with those who defied their god's authority. If he truly was the only one to get branded while the others moved on ahead, then this little torture was nothing.
He placed a hand on the brand with a sharp breath as he stood up. "I'll keep that in mind, Makoto. You keep enlightening me on things I would have otherwise overlooked, and that makes you my most valuable ally by a mile." He rose a clenched fist up to her level. "When we see each other again, the Vision Hunt Decree will be repealed."
Makoto seemed to be vastly unfamiliar with the foreign gesture, which led to her leaving him hanging as she tilted her head to the side. The smile on the Traveler's face almost faded.
"It's... a fist bump." he explained. "A way humans have of showing their trust and complicity to one another, but it's also a form of greeting or farewell."
Her eyes seemed to light up as she made her fist meet his, although a bit shakily.
"To your future victory, then. Be safe."
Aether waved as a storm of sakura petals engulfed him, and once they flew away he had completely vanished. Now alone, Makoto let her back slide against the tree with a long-winded sigh. A pink petal fell from the heavy branches into her open palm. Willingly or not, she closed it.
"So optimistic. I do hope you're aware of what you and these people are going up against, Traveler." she whispered to herself, as her expression seemed to grow somber. "Because my beloved sister will show you absolutely no mercy."
Though the moon was currently shining, there was little time left before the storm.
And here we are! Happy belated New Year everyone, I hope your dreams come true this year. My short term dream is to make sure this story is good enough for the writer I aspire to become in 2023. Once again, insight, advice, or constructive criticism are all welcome and appreciated.
We can finally move on from the Ayaya arc, which will be topped off by an extra short scene soon. Even though some scenes are going to be crucial for both exposition and oncoming character development, I'll try to make them dynamic without rushing things. My focus on the Inazuma cast is going to get a lil bit larger, meaning there will be more characters to manage at once, but it's fine. I've already got a plan on how things can flow more naturally.
Oh, btw, new year means new birthday one-shots! Feel free to suggest a character you'd like to read about, and I'll see what I can do.