Chapter 7 - All Crashing Down
The retainer had been awaiting his two friends for quite some time now.
Well outside the estate, leaning against the outer wall by the road, Thoma felt the minutes pass by. Judging by the sun's position above him, the meeting time had been exceeded by nearly an hour. Though he wouldn't have minded had this been a relaxed get-together between friends, the reason for their visit was a matter of extreme importance that would probably decide the Yashiro Commission's next course of action.
He understood that the Traveler was of the unpredictable sort, but still-
"Thoma!"
The sound came only a few moments before a white comet flew into view. The blur he assumed to be Paimon spun around his head at high speeds, before floating back towards her companion. The Traveler weakly waved in his direction, tilting his head to avoid the fairy's dangerous momentum. He seemed slightly amused by her display of energy, but still felt the need to hold onto her scarf lest she flies off like a bullet again.
"Sorry about that. Paimon hasn't had the chance to freely fly around like this in a while."
Thoma pushed himself off the wall to greet the two with a smile. "No worries. Have you been well? I hope both of you managed to enjoy the festivities without me acting as your guide. There were a lot of things to handle on my end too, so... I'll make it up to you two the next time we go out, alright?"
Aether shook the hand he offered. "It went well... mostly. Someone else was kind enough to show me around, no worries here. I'm more interested in hearing if your lady is well. Someone already went after you near Konda, I hope nothing got out of hand with your employers this time."
Paimon remained silent about her short prison trip with the Arataki Gang a few days ago, which the blond was grateful for. Securing a collaboration with a clan of nobles who also happen to be major decision-makers in Narukami Island was difficult enough as is.
"It was somewhat of a false alarm, I'm afraid." Yet he briefly looked over his shoulder. "My lady had apparently gone for a walk in the forest, and collected herself through meditation there for a long time. She only returned to the estate late into the night."
A walk? He found that hard to believe, especially for a key member of the Commission. If she could just disappear for several hours at a time despite having a network of people scattered around the island, then there was probably something going on behind the scenes. Her own housekeeper didn't seem to fully believe the story either, but who was he to doubt her word? It was not his place to interfere as an outlander, either. If that disappearance ended up being somehow tied to his mission, only then would he share his views with Thoma.
The retainer clasped his hands together. "Well, I was supposed to bring you two in the estate to meet my lord and lady a long time ago; let's not delay any further." The two guests were invited to proceed by an ample motion towards the gate and an impeccable bow. "Master Aether and Lady Paimon, the Kamisato estate's doors are open to you starting today. Now please, if you could follow yours truly inside..."
The Kamisato estate was a sizable residence, its large courtyard sprawling out over the cliff and surrounded by high walls. A few guards were posted at strategic angles to guarantee the clan's safety, and the smaller buildings were spaced and surveyed enough to let even the most skilled of assassins be discovered. At its center was the clan's abode which also served as the Yashiro Commission's headquarters, a pristine building that rivaled the Hiiragi Castle of Ritou in both scale and grandeur.
The city's highest district was off-limits to passersby and a military ground for the Tenryou Commission. The peninsula of Ritou served as both a filter to the main island and a commercial hub by the docks. But the Kamisato clan resided away from the hustle and bustle of the city, nestled under Mt. Yougou. Though they probably had just as much to hide as the other commissions, the Traveler could sense a lot more ninja activity around the residence than anywhere else on the island. Even in this moment, he felt countless pairs of eyes scrutinizing Paimon and himself.
If this meeting turned out to be a trap, then congratulations were in order. So much effort had gone into bringing the two of them here.
Thoma was still leading them in, past the courtyard and inside the main building. Inside, the mansion was draped in a mysterious silence, as if to preserve the fragile luxury of its interior. The first thing Aether was the many curtains that welcomed them, some being placed were it should have been possible for a guest to walk. Their path was guided towards what seemed to be the main reception room, devoid of the other opulent furniture save for a low and long table in the middle. Four cushions were arranged on around the table. Two were lined exactly in front of where the Traveler and Paimon stood when they entered, another was on the opposite side.
The fourth seat was already taken.
A man of tall stature and fair complexion slowly lowered a cup of warm tea. His pair of purple eyes lay on the three newcomers, his lips displaying a neutral smile. He was draped in a tailored outfit made of fine white silk and gold trimmings, the fabric cascading down his forearms and wrists into ample sleeves. Everything about him exuded stability, like a pool of water so still it became a solid mirror. Yet there was a hint of an impetuous flow somewhere within him, so well-concealed no one could tell it even existed.
Thoma bowed in the presence of his master, closed eyes locked on the floor. "My lord, your honored guests, the Traveler and Paimon, have arrived."
As if it was not obvious, this was the man who sat atop the Yashiro Commission.
Kamisato Ayato, Honored Lord of Rain. One of the three most influential men in the whole of Inazuma.
"Thank you, Thoma." Seeing as his retainer had already spun on his heel to leave, he raised a hand. "You may stand by the door and listen. What we are about to discuss here concerns this clan, yourself, and the future of our nation. There is nothing you are not supposed or allowed to hear within these walls."
The housekeeper nodded and stood back, close enough to hear yet far enough to give the impression that he was not there at all.
"Oh, and you two needn't wait for an invitation to take your seats." he addressed the outlander and his companion, who had both gone stiff.
Aether took a seat next to his travel guide, shuffling until he found himself in a more comfortable position. The tea in front of them had gone cold, which reminded him of just how awfully late they were. To top it all off, when he tried to read the man's expression, he drew a blank. Not knowing whether to trust his eyes or his ears, the blond remained silent.
"Please forgive my sister's tardiness, but we were expecting your arrival a little sooner." Ayato sighed. "With the current state of our affairs, she had no choice but to get back to work on some pressing matters regarding the decree. Someone has surely gone to inform her of your arrival, she shall arrive momentarily."
"We... should be the ones apologizing, Commissioner Kamisato." the blond tried to sound as formal as possible. "Some events in the city slowed us down, and we tried to resolve them as quickly as we could."
It was impossible to tell if the Commissioner was satisfied with his answer. "Of course, I suppose adventurers and politicians have in common a certain proficiency in dealing with the unexpected. Plan for the decades ahead as he may, one man cannot decide what will happen in the next five seconds of his life. This is what the common folk believe, at least."
A test, no doubt. He had capitalized on the two of them running late and managed to put unspoken pressure on them. Perhaps the future couldn't be predicted, but Kamisato Ayato was not a man willing to let an opportunity escape his grasp just because of a few external factors.
"I believe Thoma has already explained to you why the Yashiro Commission wishes to enlist your help for the foreseeable future." He shared a glance with his retainer. "In spite of the Sakoku Decree, a fair bit of rumors concerning your feats have managed to reach our shores. Naturally, we hear such tall tales of legendary heroes slaying many a beast and being praised by the people on the monthly." A few seconds passed as he gauged his guest's reaction. When he did not take the obvious bait of belittling his actions, Ayato continued. "But our clan has its own ways of gathering information, and many trustworthy tongues and ears seem to concur. Once we'd put aside all exaggerated exploits, we found a man who was more than suited for assisting us in repelling the Vision Hunt Decree."
The Traveler almost frowned, but caught himself in time. "It's true that I have accomplished a few things in two other nations that might've altered the course of their respective events. But even though I have already opposed the Raiden Shogun's decree, Thoma will have probably told you that I am waiting to see just how the Yashiro Commission plans on fully repelling it. Of all people, you surely understand that challenging an Archon's decision is a risky gambit for both outlanders and native citizens."
He had seen what the Electro Archon was capable of without even being physically near her. And yet, she inflicted considerable amounts of pain on his body. Whether the few mortals willing to fight decided to keep a low profile or plot behind the scenes was of their own concern, but he knew for a fact that they couldn't afford to have the Shogun strike them herself or issue an arrest warrant.
"If you have put together a sound plan, I am willing to listen-"
"I see you have already begun, good. Time is of the essence after all."
For a brief moment, he thought a heron had pranced into the room. The lady of the clan approached with light footsteps, her face half-concealed behind a folding fan. The aura of nobility and resolve she shared with her brother permeated the air around her like mist, following in her trail as she strode towards the table.
She had been looking at the Commissioner up until now, but slowly turned to her guests. "I hope you can excuse my lack of courtesy for not welcoming you at the same time as my brother. Delighted to meet you, I am Kamisato-"
She could not finish, because her eyes lay on him. Truth be told, he was mortified as well.
The fresh memory of a young woman dropping a mask at his feet under the fireworks played in his mind. The light-blue ponytail that bordered on white, the pair of sparkling gray orbits and the small mole sitting under her left eye were all unmistakable features of-
Fate truly was the dirtiest of tricksters.
"Yu-"
"-Ayaka. Lady of the clan and Shirasagi Himegimi, pleasure to be of assistance."
She voluntarily cut him off before he could mess up, forcing her own mind to process what was unfolding in this room. Opposite to her, the disoriented blond blinked twice as if to check she was real, before his agape mouth closed shut. A contemplating look was still on display in his eyes, but his frown was more born of an attempt to grasp the possible implications of her name and presence here, than outright displeasure. The girl he thought he knew as Yuki sat opposite to him with the stiffness of an automaton, unwilling to even remotely look his way. He was keenly aware that she didn't owe him neither explanation nor apology, but still he was... intrigued.
He thought the Commissioner had squinted for the briefest of moments, but thankfully the man didn't say a word.
Where a conversation flowed naturally a few seconds prior, the attendees now found themselves in an awkward silence. Judging by the way she reacted to seeing him, he was certain that she was indeed his Yuki, but the need for an alias was confusing. Perhaps it was another test on the Commissioner's part, but in that case he had no idea what they were trying to achieve by pulling the rug out from under him like this.
When he sent an intently questioning look her way, she merely trailed off.
Ayaka sucked in a deep breath and put on her most convincing smile, careful not to let her surprise show. Had she been more perceptive during their first meeting, perhaps she would've guessed that Aether and the Traveler were one and the same, but her mind was focused on more personal problems then. Or more distracted by him. Having an ally who'd caught her attention by a chance meeting should have been a source of great joy, but she found no proper way of expressing it. Officially, she was meeting the Traveler for the first time, had only heard of a few tales about him, and knew of neither his name nor appearance.
And more importantly, her whole escapade under Yuki's identity was not a matter she wished to touch upon for now.
Aether took it upon himself to break the silence as he snapped out of his own daze. "The pleasure is all mine, Lady Kamisato. Thoma has sang your high praises ever since we first met, and I've been looking forward to meeting you in person. I completely understand that this current situation has made you a busy person, there is no need to apologize."
"Likewise. I thank you for understanding."
"Traveler? Shall we continue our discussion, or are there any extra pleasantries you wished to share?"
His attention was forcibly torn away from her and onto Ayato, the beginnings of a coy smile drawn on the latter's lips. The blond hadn't done anything wrong, but the sinking feeling that he'd just messed up in front of someone who only knew to take advantage of it lingered.
"By all means," he gestured with his open palm. "go on."
The Commissioner leaned back. "Then if that is alright with you, I believe now would be a good time to get more into what exactly we expect from this partnership of sorts. Ayaka, since you're finally here, why don't you take the lead?"
"Oh, of course. I can do that." Despite being thrown a curveball, she steeled herself in an instant. "The Yashiro Commission has come up with a detailed plan aimed at the Vision Hunt Decree's key weaknesses. For instance, the trade of fake Visions to slow down the soldiers' search was first implemented by our close partners throughout the island. What exactly we have been lacking is in the individual department: We haven't been able to enroll someone capable of keeping up with the Shuumatsuban on more dangerous operations, or a prominent figure backing up the commission in the eyes of the public." Little by little, she managed to meet the Traveler's eyes. "Of course, such an important decree cannot be abolished in fell swoop. These endeavors along with many others are all conscious attempts at lighting a spark within Inazuma's people, a spark that will hopefully change something."
"Do you believe your spark can change something?"
"I know it will."
He was somewhat relieved to know that the views she held back then were not a facade to deceive him. Meeting Yuki had made him hopeful about having allies willing to cause an upset, and Ayaka seemingly sharing the same ideas put his mind slightly more at ease.
Ayato coughed into his fist. "To put it simply, we wish to enlist your skills as a prominent figure and a fighter both. It will be similar in every aspect to a hire coming from the Yashiro Commission, granting you the same benefits as one of our quartermasters or higher. Aside from financial support, the entire commission will of course be at your disposal regarding your personal comfort or the means of advancing our operation. The main difference will still lie in the secrecy of our contract, and the guarantee on your part that this conversation never took place." His purple orbits narrowed. "I believe you are cunning enough to keep a secret, no?"
"That's well within my capabilities." Aether humored the man, as if his sister hadn't considerably tipped the scales in his favor. "Having the Yashiro Commission backing me up would be useful in the near future, and you offer a fair deal. Besides, I've had the chance of seeing for myself what kind of resolve your... collaborators have. The kind of allies I need at the moment."
"Glad to know we are on the same page. Before we begin any significant operations, however, there is something I would like for you to take a look at." Ayato reached into his large sleeve, before pulling out an unsealed envelope that bore a familiar symbol. It was found everywhere on Narukami Island – on the armorplates of soldiers, on the fronts of official buildings, on a brand seared into his neck – the Shogunate's Electro mitsudomoe.
The seal looked authentic, but the letter's contents were the source of the Commissioner's apparent concern. Aether appraised the official paper destined for the Kamisato clan as his companion read over his shoulder, and as his eyes ran down the lines, his expression grew more puzzled.
Finally, he set the letter down and looked at his hosts. "What exactly is a Vision Hunt Ceremony?"
"That is precisely what we cannot fathom." Ayaka's hand rested under her chin. "The Tenryou Commission seems to be holding an event of some kind at Tenshukaku. Rumor has it the Hiragii Clan also received a letter of summons, meaning this ceremony could very well be an informal gathering of the Tri-Commission at Her Excellency's abode."
"Highly suspicious - considering the Tenryou Commission has nothing to do with cultural events. Do you think it could be a trap?"
The short silence that followed almost made the word feel taboo. But it did not take a genius to understand their predicament. Not outright supporting the Hunt already made them potential targets, and it was no secret that rival clans had been on the prowl for a long time, waiting for a chance to strike.
"The thing is, we have avoided most occasions of discussing the law within the Tri-Commission since the enacting of the two decrees, mostly to keep our cards close to our chest. A trap is highly likely, having them host a ceremony in the imperial palace could also be a way of making sure they keep the situation under control at all times – especially when they are so close to the Almighty Shogun, who will most likely attend."
For Aether especially, getting so close to the Electro Archon was a risky move. But at the same time, meeting the higher-ups of the Tenryou Commission, who directly enforced the decree, could only help him figure out his own plans better.
If possible, he would like to not rely on her wisdom as much. He did get ahead of himself and claim that the decree would be no more by the time they crossed paths again, but he also didn't like the feeling of slowly growing dependent to an external force.
"I would like to be a part of your retinue for the ceremony, if possible."
The sibling's faces had been veiled by indecision, but as he spoke they both met his gaze in a similar motion. Ayaka repressed a word of concern, while her brother gently massaged his temples. The latter responded first with a dismissive wave of the hand. "Sure, you can have that sorted out with Thoma and he'll make sure to register you as one of our collaborators. Discreetly, of course."
As he followed the retainer outside, his companion loudly chirped up beside him. "Ugh, can Paimon breathe now? Are the Kamisatos certified good guys?"
"You were not supposed to hold your breath in the first place." He scratched the top of her head as he walked. "But yes, they're trustworthy enough in my book. Thanks to them, we have a better chance at repelling the decree. Happy?"
"Hm. Happy."
Had Paimon not been distracted, she might have noticed that the hand caressing her hair was weakly shaking. Knowing he would come face to face with the Almighty Shogun of Inazuma filled him with a foreign sense of dread, and not knowing why made him even more nervous.
To protect her, or perhaps to shield his pride, he kept that terror to himself.
Tenshukaku was not just an imperial palace. It was a god's dwelling first and foremost.
Aether was reminded of this grim fact when the building's massive outline appeared on the horizon. A large traditional Inazuman castle, towering over the city and all of the Shogunate's dominion. With a brewing storm and the overcast skies as a backdrop, the sight was picturesque yet terrifying. For a fellow god at least, it was vastly unsettling. And so, he pulled the silk curtain and brought his mind back inside the carriage.
The inside was quiet, punctuated by the bumps in the tiled road that led to the highest district. Kamisato Ayato sat opposite to him, arms crossed and eyes closed, probably collecting himself in preparation for what was awaiting them in the palace. His sister was seated to the blond's right, absorbed by a set of notes she had prepared in case things went awry. At least she had something of a contingency plan, as well as his respect for it. Aether only wished to be as carefree as the floating companion snoring on his lap at the moment. The atmosphere during the past meetings had been so tense, so keenly aware of the danger they were facing, that he barely managed to get some shut-eye.
He took a deep breath and steeled his nerves as they entered Tenshukaku's main courtyard.
With the thousand eyes of the Statue of the Omnipresent God fixated on their backs, the three of them exited the carriage and stepped on the gravel path. Thoma descended from atop their ride with a swift leap, bowing to the Kamisato siblings and greeting his two friends with a nod. Even inside the walls the architecture managed to make them feel small, with the main castle area awaiting atop a flight of granite steps. The bathhouse in the north and Tenryou Commission headquarters in the south unfurled like wings by the palace's side, while the large path in front of them encompassed all within.
On the other side of the courtyard, a cascade of ceremonial chimes alerted them of another guest's arrival. What seemed like a procession of shrine maidens in white and red clerical robes, matching the beat of a traditional drum as they walked up the palace's steps. A woman at their center strode solemnly, under the shade of a parasol and leaving at her feet a trail of sakura petals. Long pink hair and white garments flowed behind her, as a pair of foxlike eyes glanced in their direction.
"Guuji Yae and her shrine maidens..." Ayaka audibly noted. "The most prominent religious figure of our nation was also invited to attend the ceremony. How odd."
The Grand Narukami Shrine's retinue was quick to catch up to them. The maidens bowed and stepped aside to let the head priestess through, who nonchalantly strode towards the Yashiro Commissioner.
"Hm? Lord Kamisato and the Shirasagi Himegimi. What a pleasant surprise."
Guuji Yae had the beauty and grace expected of a shrine maiden, but her light purple eyes hid an additional layer of trickery, maybe even deception. Her pink kitsune ears lightly twitched as she picked up sounds from all around, one of the two sporting a very ostentatious Electro Vision as an earring. The Traveler was further struck by how opaque she kept her expressions, better than Ayato himself.
The clan head affably smiled in return. "It is surely a surprise, but I personally think this kind of business to rarely be pleasant. Though seeing as you were invited along with the Grand Narukami Shrine's entire retinue, maybe the event shall not be as austere as I first believed."
"Oh, believe me, our presence here will probably be of little relief. If Kujou Takayuki was desperate to the point of requesting my presence for a Vision Hunt ceremony, perhaps the Tenryou Commission is finally willing to admit to their own shortcomings." Her lips displayed a smile with the apparence of pity. "Well, should that ever happen, the senior will probably find a way to bring the entire Tri-Commission down with him. Neither a clean nor gracious way of doing things, but I shouldn't expect so much from them."
A crease seemed to briefly appear on the man's forehead, but vanished just as quickly. "Weakening the Tri-Commission would certainly be an ordeal on its own, Lady Yae, even for my fellow Commissioner. I assure you that our current stability is not something the Kujou clan could ever hope to stir so easily."
"My, you seem quite confident in these claims, Commissioner. Good for you." She shrugged at the aggravated expression that crept up on his face, half a second before Ayato could fully dominate himself. Without letting him say another word however, her attention seemed to divert onto the blond "Oh, but you seem to be in very good company. If you don't mind, I don't believe I've been introduced to this litte one yet."
She intently stared at him for far longer than what was comfortable, boring her piercing orbits into his nape specifically. The seal under his scarf reacted strangely to her mystical gaze, and he could feel part of the searing pain begin to subside. The Guuji seemed aware of the power she exerted on him, leaning forward as a satisfied smile graced her smug lips.
"Do not be hasty little one." she whispered into his ear. "There will be a lot of occasions for you to die, but try to make sure the mortals walk out of this one unscathed. I have very high hopes for you, so don't you dare disappoint me now."
A soft chuckle escaped her lips as she stood upright, delighted at the bewilderment she caused the party. Her gaze hopped from a mortified Ayaka to a confused Ayato, pausing for a brief moment on their evasive retainer before courteously bowing. "But we have already taken up too much of your time, and you know how much the Tenryou Commission dislikes tardiness. Let's get going ladies, chop chop! We certainly don't want to miss out on the show~"
The shrine maidens rearranged their procession to surround the Guuji once more, who reverted back to her most solemn front as the drum was hit. Her retinue walked up the steps accompanied by the sound of chimes and percussion, until they disappeared behind the palace's main gate.
It took a moment for the Shirasagi Himegimi to snap out of her daze. "Did... did someone grasp Guuji Yae's intentions?"
"Probably nothing of great importance. Let's not get distracted when we still have so much to do." Aether dismissed, a hand straddling his scarf. "Lead the way, Commissioner - we can't afford to be late as she said."
The yoriki posted on each side of the inner gate let them through without need for a check, and they finally entered the castle keep. The lighting within was dim, a few military torches on the walls shedding dancing lights on countless Shogunate banners and tapestries. They stopped before a heavy iron gate for a few seconds, which was then opened from the other side by two heavily-armored guards. An official standing back by the entrance announced their arrival.
"Lord Kamisato of Narukami-Chinju, along with the representatives of his clan. Perennity follows the Yashiro Commissioner and his people in all their endeavors."
The immense throne room was where one would expect an Archon to deliver judgment. A flat plane save for the end, where steps raised towards the divine throne. Four steel basins were placed at each corner of the room, housing roaring flames that allowed the guests to see as if standing in the midday sun. Gold and violet engravings ran across the sturdy walls, bleeding into a painted wooden panel right behind the throne. It displayed mesmerizing purple swirls and red streaks that formed an enlightened eye, looking down on the mortal audience that flocked to her imperial palace on this day.
Aether beheld the Raiden Shogun, and held his breath.
There she sat on her throne, still as a statue, her absent gaze phasing right through all in her line of sight. But even with this lifeless expression, her entire being exuded power, the power wielded by a god capable of leading her armies to war against the Abyss and beyond. Without even needing to move or speak a word, she made it known that this Archon had not gone dormant nor retired. The Almighty Shogun ruled all under this sky, and her reign would endure for eons to come.
Though they were still far from the throne, Ayato knelt and prostrated before the Shogun, followed by his sister and their retainer. Aether watched the three grovel for a second, before he took a single knee. This was as low as he would get.
The Traveler ignored the loud voice in his head that ordered him to fully prostrate, and instead followed the Commissioner's gaze. Sets of cushions under each clan's banner had been prepared for the guests on each side of the room, the Kamisatos' camellia flower on display to their right. Ayato took his seat in the front, with Ayaka right behind him. Aether and Thoma stood in the back, way behind the seats reserved for the lords and ladies, letting the siblings at the clan's reins in the spotlight. The blond noticed that there were five banners in total, three on their side and two on the other, bearing symbols that did not belong to any of the three commissions.
Yae Miko and her shrine maidens sat under a banner resembling a sakura blossom, similar to the golden headpiece worn by the pink-haired woman. According to Ayaka, the represented party was the Grand Narukami Shrine. Though he had no doubt Inazuma held a great deal of importance for its religious leader, he failed to imagine a plausible reason behind her attendance.
His eyes searched for the last banner, but when he finally did find it, his face was immediately masked by a frown. Above several foreign diplomats floated a star-like symbol he only knew too well, and a familiar face who'd haunted his nightmares for a time.
Number 9th of the Fatui Harbingers, La Signora, along with her lieutenants. Even from afar he could see them discussing in hushed whispers and taking suspicious glances around the venue. No one seemed to question the presence of Snezhnaya's infamous "ambassadors" in Tenshukaku's midst, but he knew that seeing the Fair Lady in a nation struck by crisis was never a good thing. If they were trying to get their hands on another Gnosis while his plan was just being set in motion...
Aether managed to keep up a calm front. With at least two parties conspiring within the Shogun's court, and a venue that was obviously thought out to be a trap, he had a feeling the proceedings between commissions would get rocky.
His attention was drawn by the sight of two men; one approaching the throne, wearing a gray kimono with a sheathed blade at his hip. The other stood back a few meters behind, holding a heavy paper scroll next to his chest. Both bowed before the Shogun, and turned to the audience. Simultaneously, the two guards exited the venue, and the gates to the throne room closed behind them.
"Kujou Takayuki, the Tenryou Commissioner." Thoma whispered. "The one with the scroll is his quartermaster and right-hand man, Yasutake Fuusei."
The Tenryou Commissioner was a veteran, his dulled steel eyes having probably witnessed a great many battles. To underestimate such a foe simply because of the silver hair on his head would be foolish. As the entire court held their breath, Aether listened intently to what the man said next.
"Fellow worshippers of Her Excellency the Almighty Shogun, esteemed Lords of the Tri-Commission, precious allies of the Land of Thunder, I extend my greetings to you all. May perennity follow us in all our endeavors, and may our lives forever be in accordance with the Narukami's word." He gestured respectively at the shrine maidens, the Yashiro and Kanjou Commissioners, and the Fatui as he spoke. "It has been far too long since we last gathered within the palace of Tenshukaku. Of course, our nation has become quite busy since the enactment of the Vision Hunt Decree, and hard as work as you all were, we had no real reason of doing so. If I may quote the great Aoi no Okina, being reunited here is akin to-"
"Lord Kujou," The Shogun spoke up, and her breath was like the ominous crackling of thunder, rapid yet making an impact. "this ceremony was organized by your Commission for a precise matter, was it not? Leave sentimental poetry to the mourning and newly-wedded, and get to the point."
The entire room was swallowed up by a moment of silence filled with tension, as the Tenryou Commissioner froze in place. Aether felt all his joints suddenly strain, and audibly heard the retainer beside him shudder. Goosebumps had suddenly crept up over Thoma's arms, Ayaka's shoulders lightly trembled in front of him. Aether himself felt fear attempt to take over.
"O-Of course. My most sincere apologies, Your Highness." Takayuki prostrated once more, this time with more shuddered breaths. "I shall be brief, and explain my intentions at once. Today's ceremony is meant to honor both you and the Vision Hunt Decree."
He stood upright, regaining some of his composure. If there were a thousand flaws within the man, he did not get deterred easily. "For months now our people have been reliquinshing their Visions to the Shogunate, as per Her Excellency's grand design. It goes without saying that this decision was one of the best our nation has taken in the past centuries, and the Tri-Commission as well as their partners have relentlessly striven to enforce it as closely as possible. Thanks to these brave people's hard work, a grand total of ninety-nine Visions have been successfully seized in our borders."
At the end of his sentence precisely, the gates flipped open. Two burly soldiers marched inside the throne room, restraining inbetween them a young man with brown bangs covering half of his face, visibly no older than twenty. He cursed and struggled, but the two men held him firmly as they walked up to the Tenryou Commissioner.
At his hip shone a Cryo Vision.
The quartermaster straightened the scroll in his hands. "Mikoshi Junpei, son of Mikoshi Genjirou, yoriki in the Shogunate's army. Received a Vision at age fifteen, and has been reportedly partaking in illegal underground brawls involving Mora-betting ever since. Was apprehended attempting to flee Narukami Island by boat after his father discovered his illegal activity."
"He wouldn't..." Ayato muttered between clenched teeth.
"The honor of seizing Inazuma's hundredth Vision should not belong to any doushin or officer, and so we have reserved it specifically for you." Kujou Takayuki bowed for a third time. "Please show us the way forward on the road to Eternity, Almighty Shogun."
The boy kicked and screamed, until one of the soldiers forced him to his knees. "Let go! I'll never- I'll never join the military, you hear? I'll never end up like my dad!"
The Raiden Shogun looked down at him from her throne, her expression still inscrutable as she observed the delinquent boy. She briefly regarded the Tenryou Commissioner, who only replied with an inviting gesture and took a step back. Slowly, wordlessly, she rose from her seat.
"I'm different from my old man!" He vehemently yelled at the throne. "I'll show him that I can do great things, you'll see! With the help of my Vision..."
He struggled less and less as she inched closer. Her heels clinked as she stepped down to ground level, unperturbed by all that transpired around her. She marched towards the lowly mortal restrained and kneeling, her piercing violet gaze fixated on the light-blue orb he wore.
Junpei's teeth were clenched from sheer nervousness, tears forming at the corner of his eyes. "I want to figure things out on my own." he breathed heavily. "Using what I was given to forge my own destiny... it's all I can do."
She reached out her hand. Purple arcs gathered around her arm, a mitsudomoe forming in her hand. The Vision at the young man's hip seemed to immediately react to the unspoken command, and began to get pulled away. It flapped against the piece of clothing, on the verge of being ripped off his belt. The cord it was tied to was gradually fraying a bit more with each passing second.
"This Vision... MY VISION'S ALL I HAVE!" He cried out as the elemental orb was stripped from him, and flew directly into the Electro Archon's palm. She brought it up to her emotionless face, gauging the invaluable item she'd taken away from its rightful owner. The young man remained immobile for a brief moment, tears still rolling down his frozen face as he stared into oblivion.
Then, he collapsed onto the ground.
"..."
Silence had never felt more deafening. The Raiden Shogun returned to her seat without a word nor a look for the poor soul, a Vision now in hand.
"The fulfillment of Her Excellency's will is a beautiful thing, is it not?" Kujou Takayuki breathed as the guards dragged the young man's limp body away from the scene. "This is the glorious goal that we have been working towards this entire time. All ambition in the Almighty Shogun's hands!"
There was nothing 'beautiful' or 'glorious' about the horror he'd just made them witness. The more Aether observed the man, the more he suspected him to be less of a conniving politician than a downright fanatic. As an important clan head and a third of Inazuma's governmental core, this made him arguably more dangerous. He had not only the means and the resources to see nearly whatever he wished through, but he was also completely out of touch with the mortal world.
He was twisted, with no boundaries to contain his insanity.
The Tenryou Commissioner opened his arms wide at the audience. "Today, I invite you all to do the same: Vision-bearers of the Tri Commission, relinquish your ambitions before the Almighty Shogun's throne! If we are to claim every single Vision in this nation, then it is only natural that we set an example for the people to follow. I wish to call up to the throne all present by clan, if Her Excellency so desires."
The Shogun nodded. "Your suggestion would be of great assistance to Eternity, Commissioner. I give it my blessing - you may proceed."
It was a trap, but not the one they expected. Kujou Takayuki had simply bypassed all the barriers of social status and nobility and addressed himself to Inazuman citizens rather than members of the deciding commissions. He was forcing them into taking a test of loyalty, where only one answer would be truly correct: Complete acceptance of the Vision Hunt by betraying their own ideals. If they refused, they would inevitably be regarded as traitors to the Shogunate.
Fanatics could also be surprisingly cunning.
Yasutake Fuusei inspected his scroll once more. This was when Aether realized that it was probably a list with the names of bearers they wished to subdue.
"Starting with the Yashiro Commission..."
This was probably the one factor Ayato hadn't accounted for. And the tense silence that came from the Yashiro Commissioner as he processed the wall he was facing told the blond all he needed to know.
He promptly turned to Thoma. "Aside from the Guuji, who else saw me walk in with you all this morning?"
"I-" the retainer blinked, but was quick to provide an answer nonetheless. "She's probably the only one... I mean, there were a few guards, but they see different faces all the time, and it's not like the Tenryou Commission really counts on them as eyewitnesses either."
"Perfect."
He only had a very narrow window to do this, before the general attention could be brought to this side of the throne room. Luckily, he and Thoma were not standing very close to the light emitted by the braziers. If no one could see him... it was worth a shot.
Small sparks of electricity gathered beneath his feet, an eerie violet glow slowly moving up his legs. An impetuous flow of cyan circled his lower body, as Aether crouched down and looked up at the ceiling.
It was intricate enough, large wooden beams supported by smaller steel ones in various cross patterns. The desperate attempt was probably an impossible jump, even with the combined force of two elements. If he failed, there would be no doubt that he, Ayaka, Ayato, and the rest of the Commission would be sleeping in a cell for high treason against the Shogunate. If it worked, he would be making a fool of himself at best.
The curse slowly took hold over his body, arcs of lightning emanating from the brand on his neck and spreading like an infection. The pain was excruciating, but he would only let it last for a brief moment. Putting all his strength into his legs and knees, he leaped. In a feat of acrobatics that surprised even him, his entire body shot skywards, reaching the ceiling much faster than he'd expected. He nearly crashed against a wood beam, blocking the impact and clutching it with his palm.
He hung over the throne room with one arm, and took a single glance below. The Tenryou quartermaster was still listing names that would eventually include the Lord of Rain and his sister, while the rest of the attendees behaved as normal. Save for Thoma, no one seemed to have noticed how he quite literally flew up there. The retainer looked on, horrified at what the Traveler could possibly be doing. The blond replied with a weak smile, and dropped down without a second thought.
Maybe a prayer for his landing.
He fell in a golden flash, successfully creating as much of a shock as he could. Gasps and panicked screams coming from the guests' seats reached his ears as the dust cleared around him. He did not search for the 9th Harbinger, but he wondered. Was Signora surprised? Furious, maybe? He hoped so. He wanted confusion and panic to spread, his entrance to distract everyone as much as possible.
Blade drawn, he walked up to the Tenryou Commissioner with heavy steps. Kujou Takayuki did not even think of reaching for the weapon at his side. The sight of a maniac who'd fallen from the ceiling with a crazed look in his eyes, sword in hand and lightning erupting from the side of his neck like blood was probably a lot to take in at once. Aether's breath hitched as he spoke to the man only.
"I want everyone to leave-"
He didn't get to finish, as he was met with a wall. In the shape of a spear, to be precise.
He ignored how she got here - she was sitting on her throne in the previous half-second, but the Raiden Shogun stood between him and the Tenryou Commissioner, a neutral yet murderous look in her purple eyes. She blocked his entire body with her polearm, and had he not drawn his sword, there would probably be two halves of a traveler lying on the floor right now.
He had no time to react. With a mere flick of her weapon, she sent him flying several meters back, as he landed on his stomach. That same deathly silence. All chaos in the world coming to a stop in front of her overwhelming presence. The sound of her heels seeming to boom tenfold as she slowly stepped towards him.
"Interesting." Her tone had no inflections, but he already knew what death sounded like. "I haven't had an intruder come to me with a death wish in... several centuries."
"You're-"
"Armed assault on a representative of Shogunate authority. Intrusion upon sacred grounds and imperial territory. Disruption of a political and religious gathering with dangerous motives. Unauthorized use of elemental powers, on a forbidden ground, in the midst of a decree regulating the use and ownership of Visions." Her naginata shone faintly, but he could see his own reflection in it. "Tell me: for which one of these do you wish to be executed?"
He was not talking his way out of this one. Aether stood up to a knee, and gripped his sword like never before. He took a deep breath, but failed to hear it as the sound of thunder shook the entire room.
Dismissing her polearm, the Raiden Shogun began to levitate, her body coated in electricity. Lightning streaked around her like the apex of a spider's violet web, as her head snapped back. The hilt of a blade he found oddly familiar sprung up from her chest, and she pulled on it, gradually revealing a curved tachi. She wielded it overhead, blinding flashes of thunder gathering around the tip. Her firm gaze almost wavered when she noticed the similar light blazing on his neck.
"Perhaps I should apologize - your death is long overdue."
She swung it horizontally, and just as he tried to parry a strike, his perception shattered instead. The world around him seemed to dissipate, fragments of Tenshukaku's interior and everything he'd seen in the previous moment slowly falling into the void. The look of panic on Thoma's face. Ayaka hiding her mouth behind her hand, her brother keeping up a stern front as he powerlessly watched it all unfold. Kujou Takayuki who'd lost his footing at his god's appearance. The Electro Archon, frozen as she was about to deliver punishment.
All faded away as he was enveloped into a realm of pure darkness, unable to perceive neither time nor space. Vague echoes of the world he'd been pulled from grew weaker, he felt himself leave this very plane of existence and be swallowed up by another.
And suddenly, solid ground expanded below his feet. A mix of gray sand and gravel formed a circular arena. With a guttural rumbling, stones erupted on the sides, while torii gates materialized above. The darkness was pulled from his eyes, revealing a rising blood moon in the far distance, the sky around it painted blood red and churning with shadows.
As he took in the unsettling sight, he felt a pair of eyes pierce right through him. Aether swivelled around, and was met with a woman who meditated above ground. Her long, purple braid fell below the rest of her body. The crimson and lavender kimono she wore exuded an air of divinity, of the overwhelmingly powerful kind. She was stillness, the moment of creation stretching out forever until the end of time.
For some reason, seeing her made his heart ache.
Because her appearance reminded him of a sakura petal suddenly flying past him.
And everything went wrong! I like when plans go off the rails like this, it's always interesting to see how characters react in dire situations.
The Shogun's arrival was probably my favorite part of the original Archon Quest. It's a massive show of oppression and power along with stunning visuals and amazing lines, exactly how both a god and a key story character should be introduced. I made my version pretty similar, but the setting is of course different, and I think I want the Puppet to emulate Ei just a tiny bit more. She still runs the usual protocol though. The Plane of Euthymia itself is going to be... interesting. If you've already guessed what's up, then congratulations! you're a detective Heizou would be proud of!
(P-S: I've been 1v1ing writer's block lately, so sorry if the next update takes a while. Even when everything is thought out, the words have trouble flowing. I'll be fine...) I can't find a way to end these Author's notes properly ughhhhhh... stay hydrated and keep a good posture!