Chapter 12 - Eve of Battle

The Alcor sailed silently through the gray waves, reaching past the beach and sliding deeper into the thin layer of fog. Slowly, the weather cleared up, unveiling the coast of Nazuchi in the distance. The ship drifted away from the shore where it could be spotted from land, moving slightly north past the Shogunate's encampments.

Above deck, the crew hurried along under the first mate's orders. The crimson sails fell down the mast and swelled in the nascent breeze as the ship gradually picked up speed.
Down in the crew's quarters, the oil lamp on the ceiling swayed a bit as the Alcor heaved over another wave. A first-aid kit nearly slid off the table but stopped right at the edge as the glass instruments within clinked slightly.

Yinxing bent over her patient's leg and began to wipe around the wound with a wet cloth. Thankfully, the arrow had been removed without issue. It wasn't a pretty sight when the Traveler first brought this stumbling warrior below deck, but most of the cleaning up had already been done before she even had to intervene—his condition wouldn't worsen. Once she made sure there were no further injuries, she carefully wrapped his leg in gauze and let his muscles rest.

Teppei was still in a slight daze and in the process of recovering, so the surgeon looked over at the Traveler who stood in a corner. When he noticed that she was done, he stepped forward.

He glanced at the soldier's leg as they spoke. "So, how is he looking?"

"The arrow didn't go in very deep, and his bone is untouched. The trickiest part was removing it without damaging too much flesh," she thought for a brief moment. "He'll limp a bit at first, but his mobility shouldn't be affected long-term."

"That's good to hear. Thanks for your services."

As he reached into his pocket, Yinxing immediately placed her hand on his wrist.

"There's no need for that," she smiled as she shook her head. "I'm just a surgeon-at-sea. I don't expect payment from anyone other than the Crux."

"And I'm not part of the crew, yet you still helped us out." He slipped a tiny bag of mora into her hand. "I insist. For your time and your trouble."

"Mister Aether…"

"Too late to give it back, alright? I'll leave Teppei in your care."

He slipped towards the door, opening and closing it without hearing another sigh from the surgeon. His eyes slowly became accustomed to the glaring sunlight reflecting across the clouds as he stepped outside. The wood of the gangplank creaked under his feet, and he took a step back as two sailors carried a crate past him. The ship cut through the waves, whipping up a saline breeze as the hull rose and fell into the water.

Just as he took in a breath of fresh air, the wind was knocked out of his lungs when the captain's heavy palm hit him square in the back. No matter what, his senses refused to warn him whenever she snuck up on him. Aether massaged his shoulder blades as his eyes met Beidou's, who stood behind him with a proud grin.

"Still not used to that, huh?" She laughed heartily. "Welcome back aboard. How you been? Getting into as much trouble as usual since I ferried you here?"

"Yeah. Same old," he replied on the same tone. "Looks like you guys have been plenty busy since we parted ways in Ritou. I wasn't aware that the Crux could be hired for operations of this magnitude. If you are hired, that is."

The captain stretched her arms behind her head as they walked along the wooden railing. "Eh, it's not that complicated. The fleet isn't officially involved in the war, and according to our contract we're just mercenaries hired to protect Watatsumi Island's ships. We just happen to be well-armed for it." She placed a finger in front of her own lips in a shushing motion. "It's legal enough, and it pays pretty well. Besides, the Shogunate has much greater issues than stirring up trouble with a Liyuean fleet. Our ships are out of their control in these waters anyway, so we can keep whoever we want aboard."

That wasn't actually so surprising, if he thought about it. Beside the Alcor, the Crux as a whole had little reason to turn down the resistance's offer. They made good Mora, and most of their dealings in the eastern sea couldn't be tracked down by the governments of either Inazuma or Liyue. They did pretty well for themselves in this war, especially considering that he wasn't getting paid for his services.

The sound of a certain kitsune's smug laughter invaded his mind, but he forcibly willed it away.

"By the way, you need to sit down and tell us what you've been up to, sometime." The captain firmly wrapped an arm around his shoulder. "You know, even out on the ocean, we've heard word that an outlander has personal beef with the Raiden Shogun. I know that when you pick a fight you tend to look for the big ones, but surely that's a bit exaggerated, no? You gotta tell me the details."

"We're not pressed for time, captain."

A strong wind kicked up, carrying the strong scent of autumn leaves as Kazuha leapt from the crow's nest. The breeze carried his feet for a few seconds before he gracefully hit the deck without a sound. He swiftly plucked a leaf out of his white hair, and greeted his friend with a smile.

"It's good to see you again, Traveler." He shared a glance with the captain. "The three of us crossing the Storm Barrier at the border still feels like yesterday, and yet so much has happened since then. Your scent has changed since the last time: it's gotten richer and harder to pin down. But there's definitely a brewing thunderstorm in the mix. Do you believe it to be a good thing or a bad omen?"

Aether slowly reached out, pulling on an invisible thread that soon snapped. A purple arc jolted out of his finger, bounced, and ran up the mast before scattering high in the sky. His eyes remained for a few seconds after it disappeared, then he humbly smiled.

"Only time will tell. It already turned on me once, but I think we're past that now. I'm still trying to get better at using it, though, so I'm hoping the captain can cover me."

Beidou proudly puffed up her chest. "Leave it to me. I know you're a strong fella, but feel free to lean on me every once in a while. Like Kazuha, you'll always be a part of this crew."

Little by little, the Traveler felt a stirring being quelled within him, like a weight was slowly being pushed off his chest. The Guuji's support was already fine, but there was something reassuring about being with old allies once again. He could afford to take his time and think things through before the next battle. The Raiden Shogun wouldn't appear out of nowhere and start attacking him.

Probably.

"We have some time before we make it to the fort, right? If you guys aren't busy, I'd love to sit down and tell you how everything went down."

"Struck by lightning?"

She couldn't believe her ears. The soldiers remained on their knees as they nodded in unison. For a single moment, Kujou Sara hoped that they were lying. For several trained men to be knocked unconscious out in the wild without any form of protection or awareness was a complete humiliation. Under no circumstances could she allow a story like this one to leave camp.

She stopped walking paces in front of them, and brought her clenched fist to her mouth. The soldiers shuddered a bit when a low hiss escaped her teeth. The general paused for a moment before glaring at them once again.

"I'm going to regret asking, but… the soldier you were pursuing got away, I presume?"

They bashfully nodded, much to her dismay. Yet she tried to maintain a straight face. Her soldiers knew that things were currently looking dire, not that her own status and authority were steadily crumbling apart. Thankfully, there was no confirmation that the soldier who'd slipped out of their grasp was high-ranking. If her men had let a Watatsumii captain escape…

Morale was already at an all-time low since her brother had allowed that Fatui Harbinger to commandeer a third of their forces. If she showed the slightest hint of incompetence or even brought too few results to her fellow generals, they would certainly lose more of their troops to the Snezhnayans. As much as Masahiro's decision baffled her, she didn't have enough authority by herself to oppose the council should their collaboration come to pass. If she wanted that situation to change, she needed to bring back results.

"All of you, dismissed. We're done here."

She didn't have to ask twice. The soldiers sprang up and left, too compliant to escape their tengu general's frightening presence. When the last one of them walked out and her tent returned to silence, Kujou Sara was left alone with her own thoughts.

Right now, she was visibly the only one who believed that the Almighty Shogun's army was being led astray. Her brother's mistake had nothing to do with treason, but his overzealousness made him look for anything that would reinforce their assault power even slightly. He had lost sight of the greater picture just for the sake of getting ahead.

She could feel the beginnings of a frustrated headache stirring within her mind. Even so far from the battlefield, Lord Takayuki still influenced his children's subconscious decisions.

If she couldn't prove that their troops were capable of fighting without Snezhnayan technology, then she could forget all hopes of ever standing up to The Balladeer. In spite of everything, her men were still strong and trained to fight. They wielded the last weapons made of jade steel in the land, and they vastly outnumbered the Resistance's infantry. This battle was still very much in her favor.

Before her confidence could settle on that thought, she heard a commotion outside. The general stepped out of her tent, her eyes sweeping the camp beneath her.

"Men! What is the cause of this-"

She couldn't finish. Her voice was drowned out by the sound of heavy machinery moving, clicking, and crushing the dirt under it as a behemoth of wood and metal was slowly dragged into her camp. Beasts of burden pulled several carriages, the massive cargo covered in thin sheets of black steel, with a long metallic barrel protruding out of the front. Bearing the Shogunate's mitsudomoe, the carriages of heavy artillery carved a road in the dirt as they advanced through the camp, past her tent and the nearby drilling grounds. There were too many of them, and without even stepping forward, she now found herself in the middle of this strange convoy, surrounded as the beasts placidly moved along.

In the following moment, she soared far above the camp, her dark wings unfurled as she tried to comprehend what was happening. Her eyes narrowed, and she immediately spotted someone who wasn't a beast but an officer guiding one of the first carriages ahead. She descended like a bolt of lightning, startling the man's horse as she landed mere inches away from the conductor. The officer barely managed to soothe his frightened steed in time, tugging on the reins to prevent it from running away.

The tengu general didn't budge, staring at the man with an irritated expression. Her feathers fluttered slightly as she pointed at the long line of carriages behind them, which stretched out far past the plain.

"I need your name, the name of your superior, and an explanation for all this."

The officer looked her up and down, confused. "Is the sudden questioning necessary, general? We're bringing the artillery needed for your company, as the council ordered," he said, shaking his head in slight incomprehension while his horse began to settle down. "I personally made sure it reached the frontline in time before the enemy could make a move. Is there a problem?"

"Yes, I believe there is. Why was I not informed that we would be receiving heavy artillery? I don't remember the war council ever approving of this."

"But the general Kujou – your brother – is precisely the one who brought this request to me with the council's authority. The weapons had already been approved for manufacturing, and I was tasked with overseeing their delivery."

She took the paper that the man extended to her and ran her eyes down the lines in a few seconds. It hadn't been forged, she could tell as much. The signatures of the Lords were all authentic, and they explained in great detail how the engineering of these cannons functioned. There were instructions for manufacturing and distribution, amounts necessary per division, and she even recognized the names of a few officers who would be concerned with these matters.

There wasn't a single mention of her name in this document. Her personal seal was nowhere to be found as well.

Her fingers strained around the paper, threatening to rip it in two, but she quickly dominated her emotions. She rolled it up and handed it back to the man. The angry, violet glow in her orbits subsided, and she began to think.

The officer looked around awkwardly, wondering whether or not it would be appropriate to leave. "...General?"

Sara looked past him, her eyes narrowing slightly. "This is not Inazuman technology, is it? These cannons aren't the usual artillery used by the Tenryou Commission, and even the materials used look different."

"That is correct," the officer nodded. "According to the general, we are reinforcing our offensive capabilities with the help of Snezhnayan technology. I'm not privy to all the details, but these were designed with the Kamuijima cannons in mind. The resistance is still expecting them to be stationary and scattered in the backlines, but we can now make lightning rain on them all the way from here." He shifted on his saddle, regarding her with a look of pride. "These are the newest tools for our victory. I look forward to seeing how you will subdue these rebels, general."

"I… yes. Me as well." she replied curtly. The anger in her tone was gone, but something somber remained. A bitter, unpleasant taste lingered in her mouth, and knowing that she couldn't share this matter with anyone else only made it worse.

They had made their choice. The generals sided with the Fatui and decided to cut her out of their plans. Sara didn't need to have it spelled out for her: she had become a nuisance. There would be no further summons to the war council on their part.

In the eyes of the Shogunate, they all fought on the same side. But deep down, the generals only wanted to carry things out their own way – herself included.

If they didn't wish to share information with her anymore, it was their own choice. But now they expected her to do things their way, only use the weapons they wanted her to wield, and obey orders as if she had been demoted to the rank of mere soldier?

Absolutely not.

She managed to conceal her inner turmoil and looked at the man once again. "Where exactly are you bringing these cannons, officer?"

"Since the camp hasn't been organized to shelter that much artillery, they will probably remain behind the outer wall. There's enough space there, and they can be easily accessed when the time to move out comes," he answered. "I must bring the horses back with me; these aren't beasts meant for battle. But the cannons themselves can easily be operated by foot soldiers. You are already familiar with the technology, yes?"

She exhaled. "I am. I trust you to install these without issue."

The officer meant to ask another question, but blinked. A sudden gust of wind hit his face. When his eyes opened again, a singular black feather drifted down, landing right where the general stood a moment earlier.

The cloth of her tent lifted and fell as she stormed back inside. Alone in her quarters, there was no reason to hide her fury. The habit of closing her wings when indoors had been ingrained in her since the Kujou family took her in, but this time they remained unfurled, casting their shadow over her surroundings as she walked back and forth in her quarters. She took out the document once again, and just with the raging intensity of a thought, the paper was reduced to ash in her hands.

Traitors. Every last one of them.

Ever since they had even brought up the possibility of accepting the Fatui's aid, she knew that they were welcoming something they shouldn't. The supposed upholders of Inazuma's law and order were colluding with criminals to get their way, while the Commission she represented didn't even bat an eye. For some reason, she couldn't stop thinking about the Yashiro Commission. Many times she had considered the Kamisato Clan's devotion to the Almighty Shogun to be lacking, but this level of corruption was unconceivable under the Lord of Rain's authority. How ironic. To think that the real traitors would be coming from her side.

They had gone past a point of no return now, and the Balladeer held the army's generals in the palm of his hand. All but one. And Her Excellency above knew that Kujou Sara's words didn't hold much sway in the council.

Even if they won this war, they would do so at the cost of being swallowed up by the Fatui. And the idea of her nation's government owing them a favor terrified her. No one knew for sure what they wanted, but if they could obtain something out of this deal that could somehow weaken the Almighty Shogun's authority…

She would have none of it. Using this artillery while aware of the potential consequences would be equivalent to ingesting snake venom willingly.

Her course of action was still clear, however. If her fellow generals wouldn't listen to her words, she had to carve a way forward with her actions. Her men were loyal to her, and her company alone still outnumbered the bulk of the resistance's infantry. She could win this battle on her own. Just like the Almighty Shogun once led troops on her own against Watatsumi's forces, she would seize a complete victory for the throne.

Her hands stopped sizzling with lightning. She wouldn't go on a rampage here. But she needed more.

The tengu's sharp eyes fell on her blade, sheathed and left behind in a corner of her tent. She hadn't wielded it in a long time – not since Kaedehara Kazuha's escape. Deep down, the bitterness of her failure to apprehend a criminal was still holding her back. She picked it up hesitantly. This sword was hers alone, forged from light, pure jade steel suited for flight in the midst of combat. A blade made for a tengu The familiar, keen sound it emitted as she slowly unsheathed it steadied her heart. Sharp, ready, and eager to draw enemy blood. She needed to be the same as this blade.

It was time to cast her worries aside.

The other generals could use foreign cannons if they so desired. Kujou Sara chose to rule this battlefield by blade and bow, weapons from the land of her birth.

She stepped outside of her tent again with newfound determination. At the snap of her fingers, a roaring thunderclap echoed around the encampment, alerting all available men that their general had an announcement to make.

"We shall crush the enemy's forces and take our first step toward complete victory."

Bearing high the Electro Archon's banner, the tengu general would take to the skies once again.

The fog receded, allowing them to finally see the fort in the distance as the ship docked. Fort Fujitou was more than an encampment, it also served as an outpost and a safe place for refugees. The frequent thunderstorms and the Shogunate's advance had made most of Yashiori Island's villages unsafe, but according to Teppei, civilians could take shelter here until the Resistance could bring them to a neutral zone.

Able villagers also helped around the camp, reinforcing walls and barricades in a large perimeter that went from the beach to the edge of Musoujin Gorge. Since the conflict's very beginning, the enemy soldiers had not gotten close to this barrier even once. Several ships of Watatsumi's navy were anchored by the coast, bearing the crashing wave of Sangonomiya on their sails.

With whatever little resources they had, this army was ready to defend this bastion with tooth and nail if necessary, and the Traveler understood why. They were protecting a lot more than just themselves here.

The civilians watched as the soldiers and sailors disembarked and made their way towards the main fort. Mostly women and children, whose husbands and fathers were away or missing. The Traveler noticed that even though these troops were on their side, none showed even a hint of relief in their expressions. They were tired.

Resisting against the Shogunate was a good thing, but this war had gone on for far too long. If it stretched out for much longer, even a noble cause could potentially lose the people's support.

He was curious to know how the Divine Priestess felt about this.

Shelters made way to encampments, training grounds, and military buildings as they proceeded past the second wall. The general's dwelling looked small in comparison to the watchtowers that surrounded it. Soldiers came and went, quickening their pace when they saw the guests arriving.

The fortress' gates opened, and out walked the general.

He looked young at a glance, but the fierceness in his eyes as well as his sharp, canine features made for a greater first impression. Even as he walked up to them, a heavy warbow strapped to his back and a thick leather plate on his left shoulder, he maintained a sense of nimbleness and keen reflexes. Sharp, white fangs flashed briefly from behind his lips as he saluted the approaching party.

"Captain. It's good to have you and your crew join us." He glanced at Aether, and his ears twitched slightly as he took in the new face. "And you must be the Shrine's Blade. Guuji Yae spoke very highly of you in her letter."

Aether was widely unfamiliar with the new title but still replied with a modest nod. He had fully expected Yae Miko to contact the Resistance first on his behalf, but now he couldn't help but wonder how many liberties she'd taken in his description of his actions. Was it really a good idea to boast about his capabilities when he hadn't proven anything yet?

Probably not, but he couldn't do anything about it now. He forced himself to stop thinking about her before another headache could sprout in his skull.

"Gorou! In spite of it all, you're still in one piece!" Beidou gave the general's hand a warm squeeze, unaware of the strength she exerted on his palm. "How are things here?"

General Gorou winced as he massaged his wrist. "The fort hasn't fallen yet, and that's all we need. We've been keeping the Narukami Army at bay for quite some time now, at the cost of making any significant advances on our side. We've been waiting for your arrival to use the new strategies devised by Her Excellency. Please follow me."

The fortress' calm and eerie atmosphere was a shocking contrast compared to how busy and overwhelming the camp felt. To the Traveler's surprise, there were no guards inside, only a handful of shrine maidens who respectfully bowed to their guests. The meeting room was bathed in silence, and a strange, watery glow danced on the dimly lit walls.

However, there was no sign of the Divine Priestess as the general led them into the meeting room.

The table at its center seemed made of quartz and pearl, caving in its center to reveal a pool of shimmering water. As the seats around it gradually filled, the pool began to swirl with a faint humming. Gorou retrieved a blue pearl from his pocket, and placed it into the water. The pool suddenly became still, then rippled outward with a pink-blue hue.

As it cleared up, the outline of a young woman's face became visible. Her dull, indigo eyes slowly opened as she became aware of her surroundings, looking around as if she were physically present in the room.

"Gorou, captain Beidou. Outlander. I extend my greetings to you all." Sangonomiya Kokomi gave a humble nod. "I am the Divine Priestess of Watatsumi Island, but feel free to call me Lady Sangonomiya. I believe we are not missing anyone. Shall we begin?"

Kokomi was quick to dive into the current situation between the Resistance and the Shogunate. Since this was mostly news to Beidou and her men, Aether took the opportunity to mentally piece together what he already knew. In the long term, the Watatsumi army would get overwhelmed and backed into a corner. Even if they could keep pushing until they reached a war of attrition, the Shogunate had far too many resources to spare. The resistance only had the advantage on Yashiori Island specifically, and forcing the enemy to bring the battle here had been a complex but brilliant maneuver on the Divine Priestess' part. But now she needed a breakthrough significant enough to end the battle before the offense on both sides could slow down and enter another stalemate.

The Traveler had his own thoughts concerning that. Well, the beginnings of an idea, at least. But it was still so wildly out there and barely coherent in his mind that he decided to remain quiet for now.

According to her plans, Gorou and himself would share leadership of the infantry charge during the next battle. He wasn't expected to fulfill the same duties as a captain, but the resistance still offered to provide him with men, weapons, and resources. He was content with that, especially since he'd promised victory to Yae Miko—maybe with slight overconfidence.

Aether couldn't remember the last time he'd fought alongside a large army. It was probably in another world, back when he still had his full strength. This time, he would be cautious. If he wanted a shot at facing off against the Raiden Shogun one more time, he needed to survive the coming battle.

If the Divine Priestess' strategy could take him there, then he had no objections about taking orders from her.

When he looked at her as she explained how the troops would move and proceed on the offensive, he saw a serene force of character backed up by a brilliant mind. He hadn't done a lot of thinking or observing since he'd arrived in Inazuma. How easily he'd fallen for Makoto's deception, his foolish attempt at protecting the Kamisato clan, and more importantly, his utter defeat against Raiden Ei. Those were mistakes he could never repeat. But if getting stronger under the Guuji's training was the solution to his problems, he would be on his way to the next nation right now. Even now, someone as smart as Lady Sangonomiya was doing most of the thinking for him. But he wouldn't have a strategist by his side in the Plane of Euthymia, where each decision made in a split second mattered.

His purpose here was to help an entire army press forward. He needed to focus, analyze the battlefield, and offer help wherever he could. A stronger mastery over the elements and better swordplay wouldn't guarantee victory. If he wanted to catch up with Raiden Ei, his mind needed to evolve as well.

The Traveler didn't make many contributions to the resistance's meeting that night. But out of all the warriors at this table, he was the one who listened to everyone else the most.

He was also the one who needed it the most.

The pool of scrying rippled one last time before becoming still, sending her reflection back to her. With a flick of her wrist, she dismissed the water into a shimmering mist. Sangonomiya Kokomi sighed, and her shoulders dropped slightly as she let go of the pressure.

"Tsuyuko," she called out to the shrine maiden who stood in a corner of her quarters. "Did you get all that?"

The shrine maiden gave a deep bow. "Yes, Your Excellency. Your directives have been written down and copied in letters addressed to the council of generals of the first and second divisions of the infantry. The council will then pass them along to the first, second, and third navy, as per your usual orders."

"No, not this time." She stood up from her seat and retrieved something from atop her desk. A letter bearing her seal, almost identical to the ones in Tsuyuko's hand. "Send the other letters as usual, but this one shall go to the second navy instead. You will make a single copy for my personal archives and deliver this one to their lieutenant personally. See to it that nobody reports any of this to their captain; only lieutenant Nathan must be made privy to the contents of this letter, understood?"

"As you wish, Your Excellency. No one will make a sound." Tsuyuko graciously accepted the letter. "Should I expect more directives meant only for the lieutenant in the future?"

She nodded. "Depending on how the next battle goes, we might have to repeat the process a few times. I don't like sowing the seeds of chaos among my own ranks, but sometimes you must divide the herd to find the black sheep."

The Divine Priestess walked over to her open window and leaned on the railing, closing her eyes for a moment as she let the evening breeze caress her face. The cold allowed her mind to reset and put forward the thoughts she would've overlooked otherwise. Racing through her own mind for possibilities only took a second before she found it. There was one last play she could make for today.

"Slight change of plans." She didn't turn around, but heard the shuffling of paper as Tsuyuko prepared to take notes. "Have Kaedehara Kazuha removed from the Alcor's ambush unit and bring him to the second infantry instead. Make sure he fights on the frontlines with the Traveler and General Gorou."

"That can be done quickly. Is there an official reason I should give them for the sudden change?"

Kokomi looked back, stepping away from the railing. "They most likely won't ask for one, but I can at least tell you: It's because he's a wanted fugitive. General Kujou Sara was the one tasked with his capture, but Kaedehara slipped out of her grasp and escaped. Having him defeat her out in the open in front of her own men should deal a massive blow to the general's spirit."

Tsuyuko seemed more than perplexed, shyly peeking over her notebook at the Divine Priestess. Perhaps going so far into details to ensure victory was excessive, but to Kokomi, this train of thought was only natural. They had a strong psychological matchup against the tengu general, and it would be foolish not to use it to their advantage. Besides, didn't Inazuman warriors consider it a sign of respect to not hold back against a worthy opponent?

"Defeating the generals rather than the soldiers is a much more effective strategy when we're outnumbered. And if we're going to win, we need to start making moves against them now."

Her plans were simple, and she explained them with an even tone. There wasn't a hint of malice in her idea of manipulating the composition of her own troops in order to put her opponent at a disadvantage. It was a stratagem made with victory in mind. And victory was the one thing she'd promised her people.

She sucked in a deep breath, and when she softly blew it out, the air around her shifted. "I will win this war, Tsuyuko. Not with my own martial prowess, but by overwhelming the enemy with tactics, taking initiative, and always doing whatever I can to stay ahead. This is how I fight."

Watatsumi's Divine Strategist knew to always remain calm and soft-spoken. Even when faced with the threat of betrayal, she appeared composed. But for a brief moment, it seemed like her dull eyes had suddenly flared up with something from deep beneath the waves. Hunger.

"If we are to turn the tide, we must start by crushing Kujou Sara."