Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all.
A gift to all my readers for the occasion.
I thank you all for the pleasant response, it has been much appreciated.
Updates will be random and sporadic, as Fox of Remnant is my main focus.
I simply felt like treating everyone this holiday season.
Hope this will at least whet your appetite for what is to come.
Enjoy.
"Oh, now that is quite interesting…" A young feminine voice watched the night sky as the golden light filled it, her eyes sparkling from underneath the brim of a pointed hat, kicking one leg over another as they dangled over the large boulder she sat upon as a roar echoed all around her. "Such raw power with vivid emotional weight. Fascinating."
"And a falling star from the heavens themselves! What a lovely night this is turning out to be." Her voice quivered in excitement as she held out her hand, water concentrating into an orb before expanding, forming, and exploding into a constellation of stars before her. "Let us see what fate has in store for this series of events, I wonder?"
"Oh my, now that is intriguing." Crystal blue eyes watched as the waterborne constellation moved in her palm, and she seemed entranced by it despite the roaring pillar of light ripping through the skies of Mondstadt. "Now, I must see how this plays out. I've never seen anything quite like this during my studies. I cannot possibly pass up an opportunity like this!"
"It's not every day that I get to witness such a story play out before my very eyes. It shall be a grand journey and one I'm sure that old hag couldn't possibly harp on me for taking." A young, water-wielding witch jumped from the boulder she sat upon and momentarily dispersed into a splash of water.
Only to splash out of a puddle on the nearby road, walking toward the golden pillar of light with a mesmerizing look in her eye. "After all, I'm on this journey for her anyways. A detour for such a marvelous story to record would only make her day."
"Now tell me your secrets, God of the Old World!"
It was early into the night, but not so late to turn in from her duties. At least not yet. There was always something more to do. Something that needed to be taken care of.
A small task for Timaeus since Sucrose was out on patrol with Albedo.
Reading yesterday's field reports she received from Amber and Eula.
Filing fiscal reports for local businesses like Angel Share and Cat's Tail.
Getting reports on structural damages of the windmills and allocating mora to pay for the costs.
Dealing with the ever-difficult diplomats from Snezhnaya.
Making sure Klee's homework was done.
Making sure Klee hadn't erroneously created another bomb today.
Or hid one without her knowing.
Or set Wolvendom ablaze again.
A blonde wearing a knight blue uniform softly sighed as she sat at her desk. She had to have Lisa apologize profusely on her behalf to the wolf boy who was her apprentice in the forest for that incident. Razor, she believed, was his name. It was a shame what happened to him and his parents, but for some reason, the wolves adopted him into their culture, and he thrived with them until relatively recently when they started having run-ins with people more often.
"Oh my, are you still up at this hour?" A voice rang out in disapproval and caught Jean's attention as she looked away from the work on her desk to see a woman dressed in rather sultry, witch-like attire strode her way toward her. "My, you need to learn how to relax and take a break."
"Lisa, it isn't… Oh." Looking over at the clock, the blonde knight grimaced as time had forsaken her.
It was much later than she had intended on letting it get as the purple-clad sultry witch known as Lisa giggled at her look of sudden realization. Despite her regimented schedule, she frowned as this on occasion happened and had happened more frequently as of late since the Grand Master had left on an expedition with the majority of their Knights, leaving Mondstadt relatively defenseless if a situation like what had arisen occurred. And now, each time, she had been caught either by Lisa or…
"Oh no, not again." Another soft voice spoke up, and the blonde knight immediately tucked her head as she knew who it was. "You must take care of yourself. I fear terrible things will happen if you keep pushing this hard."
She sighed as she turned to face the voice, seeing what looked to be a young priestess walking into her office looking genuinely worried and upset, seeing she was still so busy at this time of day. "Barbara, I'm fine. I am. I was just about to call it a night. I lost track of time."
"Dear me, that's been happening quite often." A third voice echoed from the doorway, the door being held wide open as a man flicked a hand through his long blue hair draped into a ponytail thrown over his left shoulder and leaned against it. "My, what are we ever going to do with you? You must take care of yourself, Lady Jean. You are our Acting Grand Master with Lord Varka away on his grand expedition. Whatever would we do without you?"
"And what would we do without your patronizing words, Captain Kaeya?" A fourth voice growled as the fourth and fifth person walked past him, the said person speaking as they brushed past him with annoyance as they strutted into the room in an almost regal-like manner. "My vengeance upon you as the northern winds entrapping travelers on Dragonspire."
"Ah, glad to see you're as welcoming as always, Eula." Kaeya conceitedly grinned as if he wasn't worried about the threat as he gazed into Eula's multi-chromatic eyes before turning and smiling at the petite entrant to the room. "And it is good to see our ever-dependable Outrider back in town. I do hope you are taking care of yourself too, Amber. The wilds can get quite dangerous all alone. I know we are low on manpower, but I do wish you would take someone else with you out on patrol."
Bristling from Kaeya's comment, a young woman with long ash-brown hair, similarly wearing a red knight uniform to everyone else in the room, fixed the goggles on her head as she gave Kaeya a stern glare. Amber then brightly smiled as the bow on her head bounced. "Don't worry about good ole me. I might be overzealous, but I take the wilds seriously and am a first-class adventurer! The Adventurer's Guild is always trying to recruit me despite knowing I'm a Knight of Favonious, so don't you worry, I'm always safe!"
Kaeya sighed and shrugged as he gazed at the petite Knight with one visible eye. "Just as long as you are staying safe. Don't want anything happening to our precious Outrider with the recent increase in Hilichurl and Treasure Hoarder activities. It would be quite a shame."
"My vengeance is now twofold and will be swifter than birds catching their prey in the morning sun." Eula sternly rebuked as she did not like the callous tone of Kaeya's voice as he spoke, and he was rapidly moving up on her list of planned accidents.
"Okay, okay. Enough you two. Let's turn in reports and ensure Jean isn't overworking herself!" Amber tried to laugh gently and nudged Eula forward as she tried to keep the peace in her small niche of friends.
"I'm not…" Jean started as both Eula and Amber came to hand in their written reports for the day, which Lisa immediately took from them with a stern frown as she gazed at the Acting Grand Master.
"Oh, yes, you are." Lisa reprimanded the young woman as she gazed at her commander. "I know a substantial burden has been placed on your shoulders with Grand Master Varka having left everything in your hands while he is away with most of our forces, but I do say you don't need to share this burden alone."
"Not all of these tasks require the Grand Master to handle. Delegating is only natural and wise. It's what we are here for." Kaeya stepped out of the doorway and, in a rare moment, seemed to speak with genuine care.
"That being said, I am quite busy myself. So if you could delegate the extra responsibilities to lady Eula, I would be humbly obliged."
Eula twitched as the arrogant tone of Kaeya returned, and her brilliant eyes shifted viciously toward the Captain. "Scorn thrice is the lowest. My vengeance is forthcoming, and they'll never find out what happened."
"Oh, I'm shaking." Kaeya grinned as he successfully goaded the member of the Lawrence clan once more and enjoyed watching her silently fume.
"Behave, you two. This is about my sister, not your squabbles." Barbara frowned as she delicately walked over to her sister's side, looking at her with concern. "Why do you think we're all here at this time of night before turning in ourselves? I don't want you getting sick again because you overworked yourself."
"You do have a history of doing that, and that was before this role was thrust upon you," Lisa added with a soft sigh as she gave a drab one-eye glare at the Acting Grand Master before shrugging her shoulders and threw her hands out in an uncaring expression. "If I didn't know any better, I'd almost think you were acting like you wanted me to take care of you all the time…"
Jean flushed a deep scarlet before her blue eyes darted nastily at the Librarian. "That isn't it at all. I will take better care of myself. There is just so much that I occasionally get overwhelmed, and I lose track of time doing it all."
"Now, put those on my desk. I will get to them in the morning. I'm calling it for the night so you can all get your rest and be ready for your assignments bright and early. If you all wish to help, I will gladly accept." Jean commanded as she stood up from her desk, moving before it and holding her hand on her hip as she stared at all the intruders in her office.
"Yes, mam!" Each of the knights saluted before Jean scowled as he focused her attention solely on Kaeya.
"Kaeya, you are to report straight to Klee's room tomorrow morning and keep an eye on her while Albedo is out for his studies. If she gets into trouble, all punishments will also be reflected upon you. Understand." Jean added as she shot the Cavalry Captain a glance and waited for his acknowledgment of his assignment for tomorrow.
"Understood. Joy that will be..." Kaeya saluted before he muttered as Eula had the slightest of smirks creep onto the corner of her face, feeling quite vindicated at hearing the Cavalry Captain would be put through his paces by the unstoppable force of nature that was the Crimson Knight.
"Eula, I will have you join him if you act so smug about it," Jean added as her eyes shifted to the light blue-haired knight, and Eula's eyes narrowed and glared back defiantly. "You are both captains of the Knight of Favonius. It may do you well to spend time with one another and learn about each other instead of constantly bickering."
Eula scowled but said nothing. She would not concede the point but knew better than to challenge Jean in this measure. She did not want to be stuck on a mission with Kaeya, even if it was with young Klee. She could get along perfectly well with the young Crimson Knight and keep her out of trouble. That was without deception, as he would probably pull on the tiny girl to make her behave, even though it wasn't necessary.
Klee was an adorable child full of hope and wonder.
She just had very destructive habits as she loved bombs and had a way with them that no one understood…
"I can handle the fiscal reports for a few days to give you some time from that." Lisa smiled as she drew Jean's attention from the two bickering captains. "The library is mostly in order, and it will be no trouble for me to take those off your hands for a while. The most laborious thing I have to do daily is making sure overdue books are returned and to keep the sections properly ordered."
"And it's no trouble for me to run any extra errands before I head out on my scouting run!" Amber bounced excitedly with a bright, closed eyes smile. "I'm always willing to lend a hand to those in need! So no need to trouble yourself more than what you already have to deal with. Outrider Amber is on the case!"
"Charmed…" Kaeya commented and drew both Eula and Amber's scornful gazes but paid no heed to them as he slyly grinned. "Well, if that is all, I will bid everyone a good night, seeing that our Acting Grand Master has pulled herself back together…"
"Does anyone else hear that?" Kaeya wondered out loud as a low rumbling grew in the distance, and his grin turned into a frown. "That doesn't sound natural."
"I hear it too. It almost sounds like an eruption of some kind." Lisa agreed as she frowned, as the sound felt familiar to her in some way. "But that's not possible. We're not anywhere near an active volcano…"
A shattering boom resonated through their structure, shattering glass as the overwhelming sound wave tore through. And as they braced themselves from the initial crash, they watched as night turned into day as the earth rumbled.
Books shook and fell off their shelves. Tables and desks rocked as their contents spilled off their tops and onto the floor below. Chairs toppled over. Outside in the main hall, several knights panicked and stumbled, unsure what was happening.
Jean, the moment she saw the golden light fill her room, rushed straight out of her office door and burst out of the headquarters' main door. She needed to determine exactly what was happening outside. And her eyes widened as something she had never seen before filled her vision.
A massive golden pillar of light was tearing through the skies.
It was well past the Stormbearer Mountains, possibly near Stormbearer Point itself, rifting through the clouds and causing shockwaves to echo and rip throughout Mondstadt. Bracing herself as more came forth, Jean narrowed her eyes at the sheer display of brilliance, knowing that this was beyond what any mortal being was capable of.
This was divine.
This displayed power at a level equal to that of the Archons.
Was it perhaps Lord Barbatos returning after years of wandering?
No, he was the Archon of Wind and Anemo. This seemed wrong, and he never displayed his power in such a fashion. He was a free spirit and left his people to reign for themselves, unlike Archons like the Morax of Liyue or Baal of Inazuma. This honestly was more in line with the latter, given their history, but this was not an Electro display.
This was raw light. Possibly raw energy.
A raw explosion of pure energy? This left questions in her mind as several knights stood behind her, watching on in utter reverence at what was happening.
But now wasn't the time to be left dazzled. Now was the time for action. Even as another light streaked across the sky toward the light, crashing nearby and letting off another thunderous roar into the distance, Jean turned her attention to her most capable scouts and informants. Despite the deafening roars and the constant ringing screeching through her ears, most likely theirs, she started giving orders. "Amber, Eula! I'm sorry for giving you no time to rest, but I need you to head out to Stormbearer Mountains to find out what is happening!"
"If you feel you are in danger at any time, do not risk your safety and return immediately! Your lives are more valuable than any information!" Jean ordered as she glanced at her Outrider and the Captain of the Reconnaissance. "I will be preparing all our forces here to engage if necessary. Lisa, I need you to start researching for similar events like this in known history! Kaeya…"
"I intend to scoop around myself with some of my informants, see if I can uncover anything, and tighten security around the city. With something like this happening to coincide with this StormTerror business, you can't ever be too safe now." Kaeya informed Jean of what he intended to do, knowing exactly his role and where his skills suited them best.
"Do it then." Jean sternly commanded before taking a deep breath to calm herself as she glanced at the beacon of light that slowly began to recede but still lit up the night sky like it was the sun. "You have your orders. Dismissed."
And her sister spoke up for her, standing at her side as she uttered a reverent prayer. "May Lord Barbatos guide you and watch over you until your safe return."
With that, Amber, Eula, and Kaeya headed down the stone steps while Lisa returned inside to handle the research in the library. Jean once more brought her focus back to the bright light and narrowed her eyes. Whatever this was, she knew it was a new trial for her to overcome and test her mettle, and like every other trial set before her…
She would conquer it.
Darkness.
It consumed everything around him.
All he remembered was that he was amongst the clouds when he first awoke to her angelic voice in a panic.
He was unsure what was happening, but devastation was everywhere as they fled for their lives.
This world was not like any other they had traveled to. It was far more dangerous than they had anticipated.
And as they arrived at the door to exit this world, she came from nowhere and struck, separating them both.
Despite being outlanders to whatever was happening in what must have been a wonderous place, she simply did not care. She merely saw them as wielding powers humans should not possess and deemed them unworthy.
In an instant, it was all over.
The Goddess had defeated them despite the immense power they wielded. Power he thought was significant for it was where they came from and every world they visited before.
But here, their attacks did nothing.
His sister was ensnared and shrunk into a golden cube.
And he was swallowed into the darkness of those red blocks, most likely suffering the same fate.
He had no clue how long it had been since this empty void swallowed him.
Time had no meaning. He felt no hunger. No, he simply floated, suspended in unending darkness, unable to control his path. All he had were his thoughts and the agony of knowing he could do nothing.
And that Lumine must be suffering. And that tore him apart.
He would give anything to save her. To break free of this torment and get to her. To suffer this alone if he must! If there was only anything he could do…
A golden light penetrated the darkness.
He blinked, unsure of what it was he saw.
A pillar? A beacon of hope?
Whatever it was, he had to reach it. If he could get to it, then maybe…
He could save Lumine!
Grasping out for it, reaching out and willing every part of his body to move, he knew this was his only chance.
His last chance. And it was within his grasp!
Did he miss it?!
No! This couldn't be...
Gasping as his lungs were full of water, the darkness around him began to fade away. For the first time in what felt like forever, he could feel something other than the void.
And the bitter stinging sensation of saltwater crushing all around him with enormous wakes sweeping and catching him, pulling him under the water's currents.
He felt more taxed and drained than he had ever felt before. His powers were oddly absent, and he couldn't reach for them like he always had. Even his wings were lost, not that they would be helpful while underneath the surging waves as he tried to fight his way back to the surface to breathe.
Great, the moment he escaped that prison, he was going to drown.
All because the fading brilliant glow that had reached him had somehow pulled him from the darkness.
Well, at least this was better than being suspended in the void, he guessed. It was somehow more merciful than what he had experienced…
Feeling a strong hand grip him and an arm wrap around his waist, he was suddenly pulled to the water's surface. No, he was well past the surface of the water. He felt the currents of the air rushing past him as the darkness was trying to take him as he hacked up all the water in his lungs. It was almost as if he was flying.
And then he suddenly felt the rough impact on his back of the gritty and coarse texture of sand beneath him. He looked at a blurry golden figure and the dark blue of a cloudless night sky as the darkness of his vision crept upon him.
He was so tired.
How long had he been in darkness?
How long had it been since he slept?
And what was this golden figure that stood before him?
Was it the light that saved him from his prison?
Whatever it was, he would have to thank it.
Now he had a chance to save Lumine.
"Don't worry…"
"I'm coming, Lumine…"
Sighing as he took a deep inhale of fresh air, Naruto exhaled as he blew a small stream of fire to light the campfire. He set up a small camp on the narrow strip of sandy beach that was nestled between two imposing cliffs. His sights fell upon the young man he had rescued from the waters resting in the sand.
It was not every day that a person fell from a shooting star. It was even rarer when that star originated from Celestia itself.
He was wary of this individual as he was unsure what to expect from them. He was definitely human, that was for sure. He did not have the same divine presence as those from Celestia.
So the question was, who was he?
An outlander? Perhaps.
Wouldn't be the first if the memories in his scroll served him correctly. Taking a moment to read through them and placing his hand on it, he recalled the last outlander's name he met.
Alice.
She was quite young when she traveled abroad the lands of Teyvat. The witch was getting her footing in this world after crossing over to it if his memories shown were correct. She was rather interesting now that he recalled her.
Always looking to uncover the truth of the world.
He could also very well be a human from Celestia, however unlikely that would be. How unfathomable they would send one down before him amid an emotional breakdown. He also found it difficult for any of the Gods and Goddess of Celestia to allow any human amongst them that wasn't preordained…
Naruto shook his head. Before he passed out, the boy had spoken, and he couldn't help but be curious about who this Lumine was. Desperately so as he was intently focused on them even in the condition he was in.
A friend? A sibling? Family? A loved one? Whichever they were, they seemed precious to him.
But for now, his answers would have to wait. The boy wasn't going to wake up any time soon from the looks of it. He seemed utterly exhausted, and his spirit drained. He needed rest. So he would let him sleep for now. And ask him when he awoke.
He had time to kill. He wasn't looking forward to heading to Inazuma any time soon, especially after sensing Ei's presence in the distance. It seemed fiercely murderous…
"Really tied my hands here, Makoto, if you left me to deal with that…" Naruto muttered before sighing as he placed a fish onto the fire he crafted and watched it begin to cook. "I'm in no condition to handle her if she's in that shape. I have to deal with myself first as I'm already making a mess of things, it seems."
Feeling a gentle breeze blow around him, he softly closed his eyes and inhaled slowly. "I'll get to her. Just give me some time, okay?"
"You can always count on me. Believe it."
"This is quite unpleasant." A voice of a dignified young man with pale blue hair looked upon the scene as he walked upon the smoldering landscape as Electroradio active particles still rippled through the air. "Thoma! What more needs to be done?"
A young man with messy blonde hair tied in a ponytail wearing what seemed to be a unique western samurai attire quickly stepped to the dignitary's side, noticing him as he helped an older couple on the street. "Lord Ayato! There is too much to list. I've started with simply helping put out the fires and helping evacuate the sick and elderly to higher ground to get away from the smoke and Electro particles as quickly as we can."
"Then I will do what I can to see if we can build a Mikage Furnace here to purify the particles in the air and make this area safer. Too many people will lose their homes because of this." Ayato grimaced as he looked upon the sight and saw a particular person milling around. "Hey, if you aren't too busy, we could use a hand!"
"What, oh hey, bro!" An exceptionally tall man with two red horns poking at the top of his head and long white hair looked upon the scene with his jaw dropped before turning to Ayato and grinning. "Haven't seen you in ages! Whatcha you need? I was out to see if it was safe for me and the gang to come out, but man, I gotta say…"
"I could use a hand right now. With all the fire raging around and people struggling, I would appreciate it if you could help keep the children accounted for and safe." Ayato informed the muscular man bearing his abs as he walked to him with a massive grin despite the situation. "They tend to flock to you for games and such, so if you keep them busy with all this going on, I will throw a bonus in for you."
"A-a bonus! Oh, heck yeah! You can count on me and the Arataki gang! No problem!" The rippling muscle man with horns staggered at hearing he would get paid and a bonus for helping out before cracking his knuckles. "Leave it to Arataki numero uno, you hear! I'll make sure all the kids are safe and sound and are good and entertained! I think an onikabuto tournament should do just nicely, although I need to think of something for the girls. Man, I wish Shinobu was here…"
"Glad to hear it," Thoma added as he warmly smiled at the strapping man. "If you need any assistance, you could always stop by Naganohara and ask his daughter if she's available for some assistance. She's most likely helping with the fires, given her family's history with fireworks and fire safety. Still, if she's available, I hear Yoimiya is also quite talented at entertaining the young ones."
"Oh, great idea! I'll head over there right now!" The man with red horns on his head started to sprint off into the distance, yelling at the top of his lungs. "Yo, guys! We got a job to take care of! Get your butts over here!"
"Great job, my Lord! Getting even Itto and the Arataki Gang in on recovery. Marvelous work as always!" Thoma beamed as he watched the gang leader head off into the distance before turning his gaze to Ayato.
The distinguished gentleman sighed and shook his head as he still looked about, seeing plenty more that needed to be done. "Everyone needs to do their part, whatever it may be. Rough and brash as he may be, a genuine heart beats beneath. A gentle push in the right direction is sometimes all that is necessary for it to show."
"Poetic as usual, Lord Kamisato." A feminine voice caught his attention, one he had not expected to hear, and his gaze fell upon the head priestess of the Grand Narukami shrine as she glided down the streets, looking none too pleased at the scene before her. "At least one head of the Tri-Commission branch leaders remains competent, I must say. I'm glad to see it's Yashiro, and you are here amongst everyone to see what our almighty Shogun has wrought upon us."
"Lady Guuji," Ayato gave a reverent bow to the head priestess, frowning at her tone as she seemed most displeased and her anger seemed directed strictly at the Shogun. "It is an honor to see you again. I wish it were under better circumstances, but the situation is quite dire, as you are undoubtedly aware."
"I watched it happen, so yes, I am most certainly aware of the situation, my dear child." Miko retorted with her arms crossed around her waist as she surveyed the damages in the low sector of Inazuma City. "I've had the Shuumatsuban from the shrine down assisting in all the relief efforts, and my priestesses are helping keep calm in the higher sections and taking care of those in need."
"I see," Ayato curiously frowned as he gathered details of what exactly happened before blindly walking in and surveying the scene himself. "I know the storm was horrendous last night and was brought about suddenly, but this seemed unprovoked. But from a source, I heard before the storm was parted and this calamity was brought upon us…"
"There was a golden pillar of light beaming across the ocean. Did you, by chance, notice it?" Ayato asked with his brows furrowed as he sought to cross-reference the information he had been gathering.
Yae dangerously narrowed her eyes and glared daggers at Ayato. "I see you came prepared, as always. Careful, knowing everything isn't always the best play. For your sake, I would drop this inquiry as while there was a golden pillar of light, you don't need to look further into it."
"Inazuma will need one of us after all this is done. I rather put my trust in you in case I cannot reason with her any longer." Yae spoke with sincerity as she gazed into the Kamisato head's eyes, her face stern, but her eyes shimmered as she looked upon the young man.
Ayato's head jerked upward when he heard that statement, as it was the last thing he expected to hear from her. Although she confirmed there was a pillar of light, now his concern about the events of last night intensified.
The thunderstorm.
The golden pillar in the distance, possibly from Mondstadt.
The radiant display of Archon's power.
The unleashing of Musou no Hitotachi parted the everlasting storm around Inazuma.
The devastation and lasting effects of the Shogun's response to the golden light that she saw as a threat.
And now the reaction of the head priestess who…
"But I have faith all will be fine." Yae suddenly smiled, tilting her head and flitting her ears behind her head. "All should work out fine, and there will be nothing to worry about."
"Saiguu said he was always capable of miracles, so I'll put my faith in him too," Yae whispered to herself as she noted a person running toward them, breathing heavily as he stepped in between her conversation with Ayato. "Yes?"
"Sorry for the interruption Lady Guuji. Lord Ayato. The Almighty Shogun has requested a meeting with the Tri-Commissions! She requests your presence immediately." The man breathed heavily to deliver the message after starting to catch his breath.
Ayato drew his hand to his chin and pondered this for a moment before nodding. "Very well, I am on my way. Thoma, continue directing the efforts here as best possible until my return. If you can send someone to Konda and get information from Ayaka on how they handle things there, I would appreciate it."
"I've got it covered. And I will let Ayaka know you are doing okay to ease her mind." Thoma bowed in respect as he moved to handle the relief efforts, and at the same time, Ayato turned to make his way toward the upper sections of Inazuma City and to Tenshukaku.
"Oh my, that sounds intriguing." Yae's sultry voice resonated behind him before she walked in stride with him, a slight grin on her face. "I think I'll tag along for this one."
"I want to know exactly what my dear Shogun has to say after all this."
Running on the watery paths having made their way into Mondstadt, nearing the old vineyards and forests of the Great Wolf, Xiao kept a steady but measured pace as he sprinted ahead with Shenhe following behind. He could travel faster and get to his intended goal quicker, but since she was with him, he did not want to leave her alone in these lands behind.
A small sacrifice as the light had faded, and the morning sun was slowly rising. Two sets of eyes were better than one. Especially if his master was amnesic again and forgot his scroll…
Plenty of issues could arise from that scenario, let alone what caused this. He worried about what caused his master's sudden loss of control. He knew he had gone to rest quite some time ago and hadn't seen him in quite some time other than brief encounters. Apparently, from what he had heard, he was living primarily in Inazuma and was close to Baal…
"Master," Shenhe's voice echoed from behind as they came up to a trail that began to lead to the vineyards and toward the winery. "Just so I am prepared, what are we expecting to find ahead? That pillar of light seemed so…"
"Otherworldly…"
"It's of this world," Xiao responded to her comment as they continued sprinting, making their way through the vineyard and to the forest rising in the distance. "It's something older, even more ancient than the Morax."
"A God older than all others, one that has suffered the rigors of erosion more than any other."
Shenhe knitted her eyebrows in concern but did not otherwise show any sign of emotion. Instead, she looked off to the side and toward the winery in wonder for a moment, having never seen it before. She then focused on the task at hand while continuing to listen.
She was learning so much so quickly. It was a lot to take in.
"You need to be aware that we are dealing with an ancient power that can destroy mountains and the seas on a whim. A primal power nearly unmatchable by anything other than the Archons themselves if it proves to be hostile." Xiao continued as his eyes focused on the path ahead. "This is why it is imperative to do as I say. If I say retreat, do it. There is no winning here if he's hostile."
"I can only hope my last master hasn't eroded and is still there…"
Shenhe's attention was drawn to the Conqueror of Demons' backside. Had she heard that correctly? Did she hear him call this ancient God his master?
Did this God train Master Xiao?
That would explain a lot and why he was quick to respond. And why he wanted to respond personally. And why he recognized the power if he was close to him. He would want to be one of the first to make sure his master was all right or seek out what the issue was. Or if the worst case scenario were to happen…
"Back, foul beast!" A feminine voice cried out before them as they rapidly approached a scene where a dozen furry creatures wearing masks and wielding clubs and bows surrounded a broken cart, surrounding a downed man and a lone girl in a pointed-brimmed hat holding out a book before her.
"Shenhe, let's go!" Xiao called as he grabbed a devilish-looking mask on his hip with his left hand as a polearm ethereally appeared in his right before dispersing in a burst of Anemo. At the same time, Shenhe held out her right hand, holding out two fingers, holding up what looked like an icy sigil of paper.
"Don't say I didn't warn you!" The young woman in the pointed-brimmed hat, holding a floating book in one hand, glared daggers at the furred, masked creatures bearing down upon her and the man, one in particular, getting uncomfortably close to the cart. "You are in for a world of trouble!"
"Disappear!" Xiao, wearing the devilish mask on his face flickered into existence with Anemo swirling around his body, driving the head of his polearm straight through the creature's chest.
With a flick, he cut through it and turned it into shadows as a blade of Anemo ripped it to shreds. And with a bend of his knees, he leapt into the air and used Anemo to project above a large contingency of monsters, contorting his body as he hovered over them. He propelled himself violently downward, a teal aura burning around him as he burned down quickly as he spiked the head of the spear through one of the goblin-like creatures and into the ground with tremendous force and rent it into shadows.
And teal spears of Anemo energy rose from the ground, piercing through several nearby entities and tearing them into shadows as a pulse of black crackled around his body. Karma from all the old Gods and demons he had slayed over the years. It granted him significant strength and speed, but…
If he used it for too long, it would cost him his sanity and his health. A balancing act he mastered over the years thanks to his master and from some unlikely help.
Acting on instinct, Xiao tilted his head to the side as an arrow sang past it. He narrowed and, without hesitation, flickered with Anemo energy, driving the sharp end of his polearm into the being that dared try and headshot him, cleaving him in two. "Useless!"
The ground began to grow cold and started to freeze. He immediately knew the cause.
The Divine Crane had entered the fray.
"My will embodied," Shenhe commanded as the air around her became frigid.
A cold shock wave shocked around her as a personification of her will formed into ice, taking the visage of a feminine, ethereal ice phantom. The cold shockwave snapped one of the goblin-like creatures immediately, frosting it over and knocking it to the ground. Its body froze rigidly.
Summoning a polearm of her own, the floating phantom floated around Shenhe as Cryo energy built around her as she burst forward. She blitzed past two more furred masked goblins, her spear cutting through and turning them into shadows.
Several more charged her, and she held her right hand up. Together with her icy spirit circling around her in a dance, her eyes shined brightly as everything began to freeze around her as a seal array spread beneath her feet. "By ordinance divine!"
A cold wind erupted as the phantom broke from Shenhe, snap freezing the furry goblins in place, allowing it to dash toward them and, with a wave of its hand, unleash a furious cold wave slicing through each, returning them to the shadows.
However, before it reached the last one, a strange array of seals formed around it and viciously splashed it into the ground, soaking it to the core and allowing the Cryo field to interact. In mere seconds the creature was crystallized into ice before it shattered, falling into hundreds of pieces.
"Fate is upon you!" The voice of the young lady in the brimmed hat echoed as a whirl of Hydro energy built around her as starry lights glowed around her, entrapping the last few of the strange creatures in odd celestial seals.
Recognizing the young lady as a Vision holder, Shenhe and Xiao reacted in kind. With a dash of Anemo and Cryo, they burst through the last enemies with a slash of their polearms as they dispersed into shadows and the other shattered into crystal bits.
Taking a deep breath as he drew back the Karmic energy in his body and contained it again, Xiao pulled the mask from his face and placed it on his hip. He then frowned as the black energy around his body receded as he surveyed the scene. "Hilichurls numbers have been growing more numerous over the years, but they rarely pose an issue here, at least to my knowledge. Where are the Knights?"
"I am afraid that is because the majority of the Knights have left on an expedition earlier this year with the Grand Master, it seems. Their manpower is severely lacking. They're doing what they can with what they have available." The young lady answered as she daintily walked over, a hand on her hip as she greeted the two strangers who assisted her. "I do thank you for the assistance. It has been such an arduous journey that I was blessed when this young merchant offered me to rest my weary feet. I had to take the opportunity."
Frowning at that information as it slipped by him, for it was something he should have known. However, Xiao impassively turned away and looked ahead, his focus still intent on the Stormbearer Mountains if he remembered the geography of the land. "I see. Take him back to the winery to get assistance. We will be on our way."
"Oh, he'll be fine. He's already up and making his way to the winery. Took off the moment we grabbed the attention of those brutes." The witch with the Hydro Vision gleamed as she motioned to the cart, and the merchant was nowhere in sight. "Quite rude, honestly. It wasn't like they were that much of a threat. If I were awake when they attacked, it would have been a trivial manner to deal with them."
Shenhe, using a hand to shield her eyes as she gazed off into the distance and, seeing the shadow of the merchant running toward the vineyard, nodded. "He's safe, at the very least. Cowardice is advantageous for the meek."
Xiao only huffed in response but agreed nonetheless. It was prudent for the merchant to flee the scene because, against Hilichurls, he did not stand a chance. It was why guards like the Knights and Militeth were supposed to keep the paths clear for them to travel safely. "Then our work is done."
"Wait!" The witch stopped both of them as they moved to leave. "It was preordained by fate that I was to meet an Illuminated One and a Divine Swan on this journey I set out upon the moment I sought the knowledge of the Ancient Fox God and the Falling Star."
"What? Xiao turned his attention to the witch with Hydro Vision as he was about to disperse, his eyes now dangerously narrowed.
"Do I have your attention now?" The witch smirked as she circled and walked in front of the Conqueror of Demons. "I am an astrologist and a member of Hexenzirkel. Knowledge of our world is what we desire most, and peering into the destiny of what that golden light brings, I am most intrigued and wish to see it for myself. To understand it."
"A wonder of this world has been shown to me, and I must see it for myself! So I, Astrologist Mona Megistus, will accompany you to uncover the truths of this world and learn the secrets of the old world!"
Shenhe owlishly peered at the excited witch as she posed before them, unsure how to process what was happening. Were all people this strange? That couldn't be right. From what little she observed of those that she rescued and her old family, they seemed relatively normal.
What in the world was this person known as Mona Megistus?
"No." Was the simple answer from Xiao as he walked past Mona uncaringly, and Shenhe shrugged, following her master's example.
"What?!" Mona exclaimed as she turned around to see Xiao sprinting forward, and she squinted at the Conqueror of Demons. "What do you mean…"
"Hey, get back here!" Mona fumed and stomped furiously on the ground as she watched the Adeptus run ahead. I'm coming with you whether you like it or not! You have to stop and take a break sometime! Even Illuminated Ones have to eat!"
"Oh, thank you for reminding me." Shenhe suddenly was reminded of her hunger before she reached into a small pouch she kept on her, pulling out a few Qingxin flowers and bringing one to her lips, gently nibbling on the leaves. "Must keep up my strength."
"Wait, what?! That hardly qualifies as food!" Mona exclaimed as she watched Shenhe nibble on the flower before following after her master at a more modest pace. "Hey, not you too! Wait!"
"How rude! Ugh!" Mona groaned, watching the pair bolt away from her before gripping her hat as she rushed after him. "This is so unfair! I wanted to take this at a leisurely stride!"
"They'll be making their way here after all!"
Red.
It was all she could see.
Her world was bathed in crimson.
Electro lightning flashed and streaked across the flowing crimson sky as her glimmering purple eyes gazed upon the red world as she stood in her plane, all alone.
No one else existed here. It was only her.
But it shouldn't have been.
It should not come to this.
She should never have had to wield this blade.
It was Makoto's.
It was a symbol of peace, not of war.
She was a warrior! She was meant to wage war! Makoto was meant to keep the peace!
Where was he when they needed him most?! When she needed him to help defend Inazuma?!
To keep Makoto safe!
To keep her alive and here with her!
She was never meant to reign! It was always Makoto who was the wisest! She knew what was best! She didn't make mistakes! She was so…
Much better than her.
The crimson-tinted world around her shifted and faded, slowly shifting and staining a deep blue.
And a single tear rolled down Ei's cheek as she looked at the celestial body before her, trembling before it. "Makoto, why did you leave me? I can't do this alone…"
"I'm not strong enough without you."