"Life is a short warm moment, and death is a long cold rest."
Roger Waters, Obscured by Clouds
"Beautiful, isn't it?"
"Me or Inazuma?" Aether said jokingly. Yae Miko chuckled.
"Now now, the correct word for you, little one, would be handsome." Aether couldn't help but blush. Yae merely helped intensify it by kissing him on the cheek.
The two sat on the edge of Mt. Yougou, a short distance away from the Grand Narukami Shrine. Aether never really had the opportunity to soak up Inazuma's beauty, especially since he had spent the past month and a half being an errand boy for Gorou and the Watatsumi Army. But, now that he had found himself recovering at the home of the Sacred Sakura of all places, he took his opportunity. Aether was entranced by the view from the Grand Narukami Shrine, wondering why he didn't just do it instead of running around from place to place.
The mid-afternoon sun painted the Inazuman countryside a calming, warm colour. For once, the place wasn't tainted by clouds of the Shogun's doing, a welcoming sight. However, the distant sounds of lightning striking could still be heard, only intensifying within the past few days. Aether probably figured that it was the aftermath of the duel that he and Ei had shared. He shuddered at the thought of her.
The light shimmering off of the ocean, paired with the rather cinematic view of Inazuma City and Tenshukaku reminded Aether of Liyue, only slightly though. Oh how he missed that place. How he missed Mondstadt, especially. The Sakoku Decree prevented him from leaving, and the constant storm blocking Inazuma from the rest of Teyvat was also an issue. He could always try and find Beidou whenever she had the Alcor docked at Ritou, but he figured it was too much hassle to watch out for the rare opportunity that she was there. Even his Waverider was not safe from the constant onslaught of the Electro Archon's storm, to his dismay.
"So… how long have you known Ei?"
"Me and Ei? Oh… we go waaaay back."
"And… how far back is way back?"
"Before the cataclysm five-hundred years ago. Hell, we were friends when her sister was Shogun. You know about Makoto, right? If you don't, essentially Makoto was the star of the show, while Ei was the shadow, a body double per se. One was experienced with martial arts, the other wasn't. Which is why Makoto ended up dying all those years ago, with Ei usurping her throne like nothing happened. I'm the reason she's even in Euthymia. I'm the one who told her how to place her consciousness into objects. Pretty cool, right?"
"Yeah… I guess so, but… Where is her consciousness?"
"That I cannot tell you, because I have no clue. She never told me where she did place her consciousness, though I have a slight feeling it's in her sword, the Musou Isshin. She always loved that thing."
"You've gone through a lot with Ei, huh?"
"I sure have. I just wish I could get through to her sometimes. Her "eternity" is only damaging this nation. But, she just won't listen. Believe it or not, a sword is more effective than just pure elemental energy."
"Yeah, this whole thing is just tough. I'm not sure how I'll approach this next duel, really. Best not to think about it too much."
"Yeah. At least, you're alive, and not yet another victim to her swordsmanship." Yae gave him a warm smile while weaving his hair through her fingers. The two looked back toward Tenshukaku and they both stared in silence, with the gentle breeze hitting Mt. Yougou and the brushing of leaves on the numerous sakura surrounding them being the only thing filling their ears.
"Say… do you think Ei will strike first this time?"
"She's quite predictable. I honestly doubt that she will, but like I said earlier, I'll have your back if she does."
"I'll hold you to it." Aether glanced at the ground, then stared at Tenshukaku again. "But… I'm not sure if I'll get out alive this time around. Last time I was cutting it way too close."
"Quit doubting yourself, Aether. You are probably the strongest person I've met besides Ei, and that's saying something. I'm sorry for not having your back last time, Aether. I promise I will have your back the next time you two duel when it gets tough." Aether smiled warmly at those comments of encouragement. It was nice to have someone reassuring him for once, besides Paimon anyway. "Also, there is someone that wants to know how you're doing. You should probably go see her."
"Who might that be? Yoimiya? Sangonomiya?"
"Nope! That Ayaka girl."
"Ayaka? Okay, I'll go see her."
"Say hi to her for me. Also, make sure she backs off." Aether was confused as to what she meant, but he paid no mind. He quickly glided down Mt. Yougou, landing gracefully at the Kamisato Estate's doorstep. Just before he knocked on her door, Ayaka came flying out of it, capturing Aether in her embrace. So this is what Yae meant by backing off.
"Oh, how I've missed you, Aether!" Ayaka said while brushing her face against Aether's. She quickly realised what she was doing and pushed off of him, clearing her throat.
"Sorry. Pardon my insolence. Has the Guuji told you about me wishing to speak with you today?"
"Yes, she has."
"Great!" Ayaka said, clapping her hands together. "Please, come in! I have some tea waiting for us."
Ayaka dragged Aether by the collar to a nice, quiet part of the Estate, which was coincidentally her bedroom. Next to her rolled-up futon laid a table with tea already waiting there, as she had said prior. Aether took note of the art around the room, predominantly featuring White Herons.
"You really like herons, huh?"
"I do! They're my favourite bird. Still, I prefer you over them, hehe…" Aether coughed, attempting to ignore the blatant flirt that Ayaka just pulled, not before his face became almost as red as a tomato.
"Ahem, so…" Aether said, while taking a sip of the tea Ayaka had prepared. The rich aroma immediately soothed him, and the taste of it helped contribute. "What is it that you want to speak to me about?"
"Right! Sorry, I was just… absolutely lost in your eyes… But! I do have a proposal for you…"
"Jeez, put a ring on me if you want to flirt with me that much." Aether muttered sarcastically while rolling his eyes. This sparked an idea separate to her intended proposal in her head.
"So, you know the Tenryou Commission, right?"
"Yeah? Isn't Sara Kujou a part of it?"
"She sure is… Anyways, my idea was that we figure out a way to get them out of the picture, since they're the main ones limiting any sort of change in Inazuma. The Yashiro Commission, whenever we propose that the Vision Hunt Decree be repealed, the Tenryou Commission immediately vetoes it. Say, on that topic, do you have any dirt on them? Any at all?"
"Lord, I didn't take for you to be the dirty politician type." Ayaka's eye twitched at this comment. "But yes, I do."
"Ooh! Please share it with me! I'll reward you, generously…" Aether was concerned by the tone in her voice, but gave her the documents secured by Sayu to her anyway. What she found made her choke on her tea.
"THEY'RE WORKING WITH THE DAMN FATUI?! It all makes sense now… Those… ARGH! Those fools thinking they could get away from this scot-free, well, they're about to face the wrath of the Yashiro Commission and the traveller from afar!" Her fists were shaking in anger. A rare sight from the normally cool and collected Kamisato Ayaka.
"Yeah, that was basically my reaction when I found out as well. What do you propose we do?"
"Well, my idea at first was to have a nice chat with them, but now I'm still going to do that, only this time it'll be our blades that do the talking."
"Wait, what are you getting at here, Ayaka?"
"I'm saying we kill them, Aether."
"I mean… I'm not exactly opposed to that idea but coming from you of all people is something else entirely."
"Oh, come on, Aether! They betrayed the Shogun! I get that you're not used to Inazuman custom, but here that is considered the highest level of treason, times 1000." Aether's eyes widened. He had never killed politicians before, but if it was truly for the betterment of Inazuma he couldn't complain. Besides, maybe this would send a message to the Shogun to repeal that damn Vision Hunt Decree, or maybe even the Sakoku Decree. "I'd love to do it right now, but it's getting dark out. You're better off staying the night rather than ascending that mountain again."
"Very subtle, Ayaka."
"Hm? Did you say something?"
"No, nothing at all…"
"Alright, come on, time for bed. Help me set this up, won't you?" Aether begrudgingly helped her roll out her futon and place it elsewhere in the room, which conveniently fit 2 people in it.
"So… where's my bed?"
"What's mine is yours, if you know what I mean…" Aether facepalmed. "Now, why don't you hop in?"
"Fine, fine." Aether slipped next to Ayaka on her futon, and to his surprise she immediately took advantage of the fact that he was right next to her.
"Mmm… you're warm…" Ayaka had slung her arms around his neck and laid her head under his neck. Aether had never felt less comfortable in his entire life.
"Urgh… Goodnight, Ayaka…"
"Nighty night, Aether!" Ayaka giggled, as she had waited for a long time to be able to say that. Aether attempted to get comfortable without having to snuggle up with her, before eventually giving up. The two eventually drifted off to a peaceful slumber.
Unfortunately for the two of them, someone was listening in on them. It was not known how she had managed to sneak onto the Yashiro Commissions' grounds without being seen, but the Shogun was elusive as her creator was beautiful. Appropriate for the woman that was always in her sister's shadow.
"So, they plan to attack the Tenryou Commission, hm?"
"Yes, it appears so. I am not sure as to what the reason would be, however. It is likely for political reasons."
"This is a perfect opportunity, Raiden. I cannot let it go. Make sure the Tenryou Commission gets a well deserved day-off, maybe a vacation to Tatarasuna, or something. I have an idea on how to get Aether right into my hands…"
"Affirmative, Ei. I will see to it that the Tenryou Commission is laid off for the day tomorrow."
"Good. Oh, my darling Aether… we will meet again, hehe…" The Raiden Shogun rolled her eyes, while Ei giggled in excitement.
Aether awoke, with Ayaka still in his arms. He could hear the quiet pitter-patter of rain outside, and the distant sounds of thunder meant that today would be a long one. Nevertheless, he was dead set on teaching the Tenryou Commission a lesson they wouldn't forget. He quickly arose from the futon, and found his Dull Blade that he had set aside the previous night. Seeing that Ayaka was not waking up, he employed necessary measures in order to make her rise.
"AYAKA!" Aether's cry to wake up Ayaka had succeeded, with the recipient of said scream extremely unpleased by the former's actions.
"I'm awake, I'm awake! Calm down!"
"Sorry, I'd just like to get it over and done with nice and early, no?"
"I guess you're right, but I would've liked to have cuddled with you a little longer…"
"What was that?"
"Nothing! Nothing… Anyways, let me get ready."
"Sure, I'll brew some tea for us."
"Ooh, such a gentleman." Ayaka said teasingly, with a smirk. Aether snarled. Recovering from yet another Ayaka tease, Aether brewed whatever tea Ayaka had left in storage and poured it into two cups. Absolutely perfect. The rain seemed to increase in intensity as the minutes passed by preparing the tea, however. A shame. It'd probably be extreme at the top of Mt. Yougou, much to his disappointment, as he had hoped to retrieve Paimon from the shrine that morning. He had left her there when he glided down to the Kamisato Estate the previous afternoon. Guess it was for the best that she didn't see the bloodshed the two would unleash once they got to Tenshukaku.
"Ooh! Tea!"
"Yup, brewed by yours truly. Enjoy." Ayaka took a sip of the tea prepared by Aether, and was astonished at how a simple cup of tea could taste so amazing. Aether was truly unprecedented when it came to creating anything food-related, an aspect Ayaka truly loved about him.
"Almighty Shogun, this tea is incredible Aether! How did you do it?"
"Real talk? I genuinely just made tea like a normal person. I don't know what's different about it, but I guess I should try it anyway." Aether took a sip of his apparently marvellous creation and was positively surprised. Ayaka was right.
"See? I'm right!"
Aether sighed deeply. "Well, we best not concentrate on something that is ultimately pointless, we have a big day ahead of us."
"Yeah, too bad this rain isn't letting up at all."
"That won't stop us though. Come on, let's head out."
With Ayaka in tow, Aether burst out the front door of the Kamisato Estate. Within a minute he was positively drenched. Good thing his satchel didn't get wet at all.
"Man, it really is raining huh Aether?"
"Yeah, we could be at Tenshukaku in about 10 minutes if we ran all the way, but I'd doubt that-" Aether saw Ayaka blaze past him. He rolled his eyes and ran fast enough to catch up to her, with him matching her pace once he did.
"Seems like someone wants to get this over and done with, hm?"
"The Tenryou Commission has held Inazuma back for far too long! Them being out of the picture sooner rather than later will benefit all of us!"
"You do have a point…"
The two ran together in the rain for what felt like hours. Ayaka had a bright smile on her face the entire time, mostly because she was spending time with Aether. However, Aether could not shake the feeling of existential dread that began to develop on their way to Tenshukaku. He paid no attention to it, lest it grew bigger. Eventually, they made it to the entrance of the Tenryou Commissions' headquarters. Neither of them paid attention to the severe lack of guards around the area. They both drew their swords, with Aether still using his trusty Dull Blade. Ayaka had something a bit more lavish than Aethers.
"You ready?" Aether felt a surge of adrenaline the moment he said that, making him grip his blade harder.
"Born ready, Aether."
"Then let's kick this places' teeth in."
Aether kicked the door open ferociously, revealing absolutely no one in the entire building.
Except for one. The woman in purple.
"Aether, we meet again." Aether retracted in shock, with Ayaka screaming in horror at the sight of the Almighty Shogun herself being their only opposing force.
The Almighty Narukami Ogosho calmly stepped towards Aether, with him adopting a distressed defensive stance, ushering Ayaka behind him, as if he was trying to protect her. He noted the higher tone of her voice, deducing that it wasn't the Shogun. It was Ei. She softly chuckled to herself.
"Oh? I see you've brought a little friend along this time? Where's the usual floating thing next to your head, hm? No matter. I will have my way whether your friend or Miko will oppose it or not."
A deranged grin appeared on Ei's face, with her slowly beginning to chuckle, chilling Aether to his core. This was definitely a new side to her, and he hated it. Unfortunately, he could not bring himself to speak in any sort of defiance. He could only utter desperate and helpless breaths from his lips as the only thing in his vision was the thing that nearly killed him. Ayaka was much the same, hoping that Ei wouldn't recognise her as a member of the Yashiro Commission.
"Wait, is that Kamisato Ayaka from the Yashiro Commission? My my, Aether. You've gotten yourself caught up in this political spiel, haven't you? No matter, I shall free you from your torment by the powers of Inazuma, by merely making you eternally subservient to one power."
Ei paused.
"That one power will be me."
Within seconds, Aether felt the entire world around him disintegrate and transform into another one, a feeling he had become all too familiar with. Aether desperately attempted to reach behind him to grab onto Ayaka, to no avail. The sight of multiple petrified Torii soon filled his view, and the desolate sands of the Plane of Euthymia could once again be felt below his feet. There, standing in front of him, was the person he had hoped to only see when he was ready for round three.
He wasn't ready.
"It's been far too long, Aether. Do you know how much pain I have been enduring without you by my side? How much suffering I have had to persist through without seeing your cute face?"
It hadn't even been a week.
"Unresponsive, are we? No matter. It will not stop me from achieving my goal of true eternity. My eternity lies within you, and I shall have it right now, whether you like it or not." Ei swiftly cupped Aether's cheek and forced her lips upon his. A wave of happiness drowned Ei, with her smiling throughout the kiss. Ei's tongue wrenched Aether's mouth open and easily wrestled his tongue into submission.
"Amazing…" Ei muttered, breaking away from the kiss briefly before going in for another. Aether was absolutely powerless to stop her, with an opposite wave of disgust overflowing him. He had managed to remember one thing. The omamori in his satchel.
Aether slowly reached into his almost infinite storage deposit, trying to find the pink themed omamori that Yae Miko had given to him. He managed to grab it, not until someone noticed.
"Tsk tsk, don't try and pull that trick on me, boy." Ei said, yet again breaking away from the kiss before she snatched it from his hands and crunched it into essentially nothing using both of her fists. To rub even more salt in the wound she grabbed Aether's free hand and put the remnants of Yae's omamori in it. Aether felt tears welling up in his eyes as the remaining fragments completely disintegrated and were carried away by the winds present in Euthymia.
"No point in stopping here, my dear Aether." Ei forced Aether onto his back, straddling his waist while also forcing him into another long and drawn out kiss. The Electro Archon had never felt such intense feelings for one person ever in her life, yet to her it was refreshing. Pure lust overtook her, and as a result pressed more firmly onto Aether's lips, wrestling his already worn out tongue into submission, yet again swiftly and easily.
"Haah… you make a good kisser, Aether. I am going to have so much fun with you. Oh, before we properly begin, I just need to let you know something." Ei said. blowing in his left ear. "I have complete and total control over time in the Plane. I can make 100 years pass by in this domain, and not even one single day will pass by in the real world." Ei said while whispering in his ear. Aether had hoped it wouldn't get any worse, yet he was swiftly proved wrong.
Ei sat up on Aethers waist, looking down on him with complete lust in her eyes. Aether was disturbed as the full weight of the situation came down on him. He was going to be here for a long time. "And… you won't need to worry one bit about your little friends aging at all! Haah… doesn't that just sound absolutely delightful?" Aether shook his head, who was by this point in tears. "Now now, no need to try and tell me no, I can just tell how much you want this…" Ei winked. "Now, let us begin, shall we?" Ei bit his ear, marking him as she forcibly tore off every shred of clothing that Aether possessed. He could not find the strength in him to resist.
Before long, Ayaka found herself running full speed to the Grand Narukami Shrine. Tears welled in her eyes, as the image of Aether being sucked into the Plane of Euthymia was burned into her mind. Just like that, the man she had fallen in love with was forcibly taken away from her unjustly. She had to find Yae, or at least Paimon. She needed someone. Onlookers noted the flustered-ness and tenacity of the Yashiro Commissioner as she ran through the streets of Inazuma City and eventually through the vast country outside of it, not at all bothered by the pouring rain. Her tears later subsided, as sadness and distraught turned into anger and frustration. Angered at how the Shogun had committed such an indecent act, frustrated that she couldn't save Aether in time.
Ayaka was surprised she hadn't slipped in the tumultuous amount of mud around her yet, but she assumed that her speed stopped her from slipping somehow. She eventually came to the foot of Mt. Yougou and likely set a record for the fastest scaling of the mountain ever. With a snarl, she ran straight into the middle of the Grand Narukami Shrine, to find Yae Miko standing in front of the Sacred Sakura. Beside her was Paimon, with Ayaka remembering that she was Aether's companion. No turning back now, Ayaka thought.
"LADY GUUJI!"
"Hm? Oh! Well, if it isn't Aether's friend. What can I do for… wait, where is Aether?"
"He's… He's…" Ayaka collapsed into tears on the cold concrete in the shrine. Yae immediately rushed to comfort her.
"Deep breaths, deep breaths, little one." Despite Yae's plea, Ayaka continued sobbing profusely. Yae sighed and merely held her until she eventually stopped, which was about 15 minutes. Still, Ayaka was essentially catatonic.
"It's no use, she isn't responding."
"Paimon thinks that she probably won't respond for days… She really likes Aether…"
"Yeah, it appears so. Can't blame her really, that man is beautiful. Guess we have to wait." Yae and Paimon proceeded to sit with Ayaka for the next 4 hours straight, while Yae pestered her to speak every so often. Eventually, Ayaka complied.
"Now, tell me what happened, Ayaka."
"...We were going to Tenshukaku. It was still raining then, and we had to run from the Estate to the Tenryou Commission. I cannot reveal the reason why we were going there out of the fear of Aether's and my own safety."
"As long as it's not important to this situation, it's not needed. Now please, continue."
"When we got to the Tenryou Commission, it was empty. The Shogun was waiting there for us." Yae's eyebrow twitched. Then her eye twitched. Then her entire body started shaking in extreme anger. "She… did something to Aether. It's like she made him phase out of existence using some dark magic. I can't explain it."
"Oh my god. She took him to the Plane. Again."
"The Plane? What is that?"
"According to Aether, The Plane of Euthymia is a place created in Ei's subconscious. Luckily, Paimon was lucky enough to avoid entering it on both occasions he was taken there by Ei." Ayaka looked at Paimon with a confused look. "What? Why are you looking at Paimon that way? Did Paimon do something wrong?"
"...Who's Ei?"
"Oh boy. We got a lot to tell you huh, little one? Ei is the real name of the one you call 'Raiden Shogun'. The Shogun is a puppet, created by Ei while Ei stays in the Plane of Euthymia to meditate and such. As far as I remember it was to 'prevent erosion' or something silly like that. Ei discarded her physical form after she created the Shogun, and she placed her consciousness inside one of her most prized possessions. Hope that wasn't too much of a revelation…" Ayaka was shocked. To think that the one she was subservient to was a puppet all along, and that the real one didn't even have a physical body. She couldn't help but wonder, where was Ei's consciousness?
"She recognized me."
"Hm? What's that?"
"The Shogun recognized me. She said my full name and the name of my commission. Her voice was different, though, sounded a bit higher in pitch and softer in tone."
Paimon and Yae looked at each other. That was definitely Ei. They were surprised that she had willingly taken control of the Shogun for once, though if Ayaka was really right about Ei capturing Aether, it's likely she had it all planned out days prior.
"Did she say anything to you? Anything at all?"
"She said… something. To Aether. I believe it was something about making him eternally subservient to one power. She then said 'that one power will be me' and just like that Aether was gone. The Shogun was still there, though, however the moment it happened I got out of there as fast as I could. I was powerless to stop her. I don't know what to do anymore at this point."
Yae was appalled. She easily deduced that Ei wasn't keeping Aether there for dueling, merely the opposite. Paimon was merely sad that her best friend is trapped in Euthymia, and he didn't even say goodbye. All three of them sat in silence, for what felt like hours. Then, Yae realised something. The Omamori. But then, she also realised that Aether was smart enough to remember that, and it was likely that Ei had destroyed it. In the Plane of Euthymia's terms, Ei had destroyed it 23 years ago.
Aether laid there, completely motionless but still alive. How many years had it been? He had no idea. He could always ask Ei, but it's likely that she'd provide a bullshit answer to make him feel better, somehow. He was utterly exhausted. He had no idea how to escape Euthymia, but he knew he had to eventually, or he would meet his inevitable death at the hands of the newly deranged Electro Archon. Were all Archons this detached from humanity? Barbatos was the most sensible one, and even that is a stretch. At this point, all Aether could think about was the sweet release of death. For now, the relentless onslaught of Ei's lust had settled, and Aether figured this would be one of the last chances of escape he'd ever have. He rolled himself over, and grabbed hold of his worn clothing. I have to get these repaired when I'm out of here, he thought while putting them on.
Drawing his worn-out Dull Blade, he managed to raise himself to a standing position. Eventually, the powers of Anemo, Geo and Electro flowed through him once more, reinvigorating him considerably. He winced in pain, before regaining composure. The Dull Blade he wielded gave him a sense of security as he saw the tall figure in the distance. Even the long, flowing purple hair struck fear into his heart. He honestly was not sure how he was going to pull this off, but he was going to die either way. Doing this would either delay or quicken his death in Euthymia. He began to slowly stumble his way toward Ei, adopting a stance he felt that he hadn't adopted in years.
"Aether, what do you think you are doing?"
Without any second thought, Aether surged his sword with Electro and lunged it at Ei's stomach, hoping to pierce it. Unfortunately, she was twenty steps ahead of him, and then some.
"Good attempt. Try harder next time." Withdrawing her polearm, she effortlessly launched him back, with him managing to avoid slamming into a torii pillar like he had done in their prior duel.
"I… I am not… g-giving up… Not this time…" It had been a while since he had spoke. His lackluster energy combined with lack of use made it painful to even utter a word. Ei smiled.
"Well, it appears that my eternal lovers' determination is stronger than my own. I propose you a deal, a contract of sorts. Beat me in a duel, and I'll let you out."
"Oh yeah…? What's the… catch?"
"No catches here, my darling Aether. You can lose as many times as you'd like, but you can only win once. Sounds fair?"
"S-sure. Let's do it."
The two met in the middle, then took 20 paces away from each other. Aether, feeling adrenaline coursing through his veins, channeled Anemo in his free hand while surging his Dull Blade with Electro. Ei merely withdrew her polearm, and gave a condescending smirk.
"This is going to be fun."
NEW CHAPTER! WOOO! Next one will cover their super epic duel. Stay tuned! Thanks for reading, by the way.
-nbcman67