"The lunatic… is in my head."
Roger Waters, The Dark Side of The Moon
"Aether… do you ever dream?"
The thoughtful yet timid question broke the harsh silence between Kokomi and Aether, with the blonde traveller looking over at the Priestess. Words were on the tip of his tongue, yet for some reason he could not find any way to express them.
"I… I used to." Aether stammered, with the Priestess surprised by his answer. The night air around them was full of noise from various wildlife, yet the only things not making any noise were those two. The glow of the Sangonomiya Shrine lit up Watatsumi brilliantly from where the two were resting. "I've likely been dreaming recently, but it's as if I subconsciously do not want to remember them."
"Why not? I-If you don't mind me asking, of course…" Aether was lost in thought, while Kokomi sat there with bated breath, waiting for her answer.
"Whenever I did dream, it was filled with visions of the abyss, with my sister at the center of it all. That was all I have ever dreamed about, until she happened."
"Who's… she?"
"The… the shogun." Even mentioning her title made Aether shiver in fear, coupled with the feeling of needing to vomit. Thinking about her for one fraction of a second made everything come back. The fear, the pain, the suffering. "Like I said, it's as if my body rejects remembering my dreams now. It's just way too much."
"What did she do, Aether? What happened to you?" The priestess said, exercising curiosity as best as she could without being too pushy.
"She… She, uh…" It took only two words from his mouth for the tears to fall, with them trickling down his face as if they were rapids in a river. He began to sob uncontrollably, with Kokomi reaching out a hand to comfort him. Placing a hand on his back, he shrieked as he quickly pushed himself away from her.
"GET YOUR HANDS OFF OF ME!" Backing away from him, Kokomi was shocked, to say the least. She had not expected such an extreme reaction from a man as seemingly stoic as Aether was. Whatever the Almighty Shogun had done to Aether, it certainly changed him harshly. It made her sad, no, extremely sad. A man she looked up to, reduced to such a timid boy.
"I-I'm sorry, Aether. I'll leave you alone." Sangonomiya Kokomi decided to return to the shrine by herself, leaving Aether alone with his own thoughts. Aether sobbed quietly. To be honest, a lone part of him didn't want her to leave at all. Hell, it wanted him to be comforted, to be free from this pain cast upon him, this brutal curse of remembering accompanied by blissful ignorance for the briefest of moments.
But he couldn't. The rest of him violently rejected any sort of love or compassion others showed him, even his closest friend, Paimon, and even his lover, Yae Miko. He could not recall exactly what happened in Euthymia, but the only thing he could remember in great detail was the pain. The unmatched, excruciating pain inflicted onto him, emotionally and physically, under the false pretense of "love" bestowed upon him by the deranged Electro Archon. Oh how he wanted to be free from this torture, to finally do away with everything to do with Teyvat, to reunite with his sister, to travel the universe with her yet again. To finally be carefree like he was before he descended on this horrible world. He just wanted to fade away, be reclaimed by this world that he had called home for the past year.
Yet, he knew he shouldn't. The lone part telling him to press on, the one that needed to be loved and comforted, the one that desired true human connection, always took full control by the end of one of his mental storms. He had to fix this. For himself, for Paimon, for Yae, for Ayaka, for Sangonomiya, for everyone in Inazuma. Even if it meant killing their most beloved archon.
Reaching into his pocket, he pulled out the remnants of the omamori that the Guuji had given to him, with her saying it would activate upon glancing at it and wishing for the shrine maiden to be there. Tears fell onto the remains as he tried to piece them back together, expecting it to somehow just magically work again. He tirelessly put it back together, with him eventually holding the reformed yet still broken omamori in the palms of his hands. After a brief moment of waiting for it to activate, wishing dearly for his lovers' presence, he ultimately laid down holding the crumpled remnants to his chest while sobbing.
"I'm sorry, Kokomi… Yae, forgive me…" Aether quietly whispered to himself, eventually falling asleep under the watchful eye of the starry night sky. For the first time in a long time, he had a dream.
Sangonomiya Kokomi slowly strided her way back to the shrine, reflecting on what the hell had just happened. If she was to do anything, she would have to help him, or at least get him help, and fast. She could not even begin to imagine what the Shogun had done to Aether, it sickened her to the core. She hoped Aether's plan that he had proposed to her would work out, both for the resistance and for the man behind it. Making her way to the shrine, all she could think about was going to bed. Paimon had taken residence in one of the many guest bedrooms in the building, and Kokomi felt sad imagining Paimon all alone, without Aether. She hoped Aether would return to the shrine eventually, despite what happened. Finding her bed, the Divine Priestess immediately flopped onto it, eventually drifting off to a peaceful slumber as the world around her faded into nothingness.
She found herself standing in a grassy field, akin to the ones in Mondstadt, maybe. She had never seen them before, after all, so maybe she was wrong in her assumption. In the distance was her trusty Swordfish II captain, with his flowing braid being gently brushed by the breeze that enveloped them both. She slowly walked toward him, with Aether looking in a different direction, seemingly not noticing her. Reaching out to him, she put her hand on his back, as if to test his reaction. Unsurprisingly, he greeted her back with a smile.
"Oh, Miss Sangonomiya. What brings you here?"
"I should be asking you that question. Why are you in my dream, Aether? Not that I mind, it's just a strange coincidence."
"The Archons work in mysterious ways, I guess. Or is it the Ley Lines? I forget, not really that important right now. Dreams are strange things. Probably the reason why I didn't shriek from you touching my back is because we're dreaming. It still made me shiver, though. Don't do that again, please."
"Understood, Aether. That reminds me, anyway. I am truly so sorry about earlier. I did not intend to upset you at all with my questions, I was merely just overly curious."
"It's fine, Sangonomiya. I understand your confusion. It doesn't help that I wasn't really the MOST transparent out of the both of us, but I think you get why I was so reserved."
"Yes, I understand now, at least. What I don't know, however, is what she did for you to end up like this. All I know is that she definitely did something."
"She…" Aether sighed deeply. "I don't even know how to sugarcoat this, Sangonomiya." Kokomi looked at him curiously, not at all expecting what was about to be uttered from his lips.
"She raped me."
The Divine Priestess looked at him in complete shock. Never in a hundred million years would she have guessed that. On his face was a look of complete sorrow, yet slight relief. He certainly was right about the ill part, for his face had turned extremely pale, either out of fear or out of sickness. She did not figure that the Shogun would be the type to commit such an act like she did with Aether. All hope and faith in her was immediately shattered, further cementing her Sangonomiyan pride and lack of faith in Inazuma deep into her mind.
"She… she deceived me. Me and the Shirasagi Himegimi, in fact. She took me to this… plane, it was a place created in her consciousness… called Euthymia. She can control the flow of time there, and about 100 or so years passed in there while only a day passed in Teyvat. I don't remember specifically what she did at all, yet the only thing my mind chose to remember is the pain and the trauma inflicted upon me by her. Gods… I wouldn't even wish that fate on my worst enemies. I just wish that I was strong enough to fight back. I really do. But I wasn't, and I paid the price. What a sick joke."
"I guess I finally get why you have been acting so differently recently. Words… honestly cannot express what I am feeling right now. For you, for myself… It's a lot to know that your Archon is capable of such an evil act. I promise you Aether, your justice will be served. Appropriate, considering my vision is from the Nation of Justice." Kokomi chuckled slightly, stifling a nose exhale from her counterpart.
"Thank you, Kokomi."
The two sat in blissful silence, viewing the vast empty fields before them. The gentle breeze soothed the both of them, with Aether laying on the grass, akin to how they were before when they last saw each other.
"I think it's time to go. Or, whatever that should mean in a dream. Still not really sure how this stuff works. Anyways, goodbye Sangonomiya." Aether said, with a bright smile.
"Oh. Goodbye, Aether. I hope you continue to rest well."
"I will."
Before long, Kokomi found herself in her own bed. Sighing, she remembered all of the tedious tasks she had to perform for the resistance. Another day, another grind. She wondered if any of that was real, before deciding to just ask Aether about it, if he returned to the shrine at all, anyway. Hopefully he knew what she was talking about, or she might just retreat to her hideout permanently out of shame and embarrassment. Walking outside the shrine, she found a particular white-haired pixie in a good mood, floating right outside the door.
"Oh, good morning, Paimon. How did you sleep?"
"Paimon slept amazingly! The beds in this place are so comfortable, but the food could use some improvement…"
"I see. I will try to see to it eventually, when I am not busy. Why in such a good mood?"
"Aether returned last night! Before you got up, he cooked Paimon some of those Chicken Mushroom skewers! Don't worry, Paimon made sure to leave a few for you, hehe…"
"Oh, spectacular! Where is he right now?"
"If Paimon remembers, he must be visiting the place where Teppei's buried. He wanted to be alone so Paimon stayed here. Paimon has been admiring the view out here for the past hour, you know."
"I see. Well, I have work to do. Don't be afraid to come and find me if you need anything."
"Roger that! Make sure you eat those skewers you left, or else Paimon will happily eat them!"
Sangonomiya made quick work of the skewers, relishing the taste of them. She never knew Aether could make such a simple dish taste so wonderful and she was glad to have experienced it for herself, considering how much Paimon had boasted about it in the past. She left the shrine while still eating one of the skewers and headed for the local village, as she had matters to attend to there.
Aether stood on the outer rim of Watatsumi Island. There, he treaded the narrows until he found a fresh burial site, with a sword of Inazuman variety lodged into it. There laid the resting grounds of the brave captain of Herring I and victim of yet another Fatui plot, Teppei.
"Mark my words, Teppei. Your actions, and mine, will pay off. I will avenge you. For Inazuma I shall fight for a freer nation, not grappled by the minds of the Tenryou Commission and the Shogun. I hope your Watatsumi ancestors look down upon you in a beautiful light. You deserve the praise, my friend."
The sorrowful blonde stood there for minutes on end, reminiscing on the time that the two spent together. In the long run, it was merely a droplet in the olympic-sized swimming pool that was his journey in Teyvat, yet he would remember Teppei for years to come. He couldn't help it really, as Inazuma was proving to be unforgettable, for all of the wrong reasons.
"And yet I wonder… when will all of this pain end?"
The fierce duel between Yae Miko and Ei had gone on for hours. Neither of the two women were keeping track of time, and Yae was ready and willing to waste more time in the endless expanse named Euthymia. Minute after minute, the two attacked each other relentlessly, with both of them showing no signs of exhaustion. Physically, anyway. Bearing the brunt of an attack from the Musou Isshin, Miko growled as she readied her next wave of pure anger to be unleashed from her fingers.
"Miko, why do you persist in your fight against me? You and I both know that this is ultimately futile."
"Don't try to be coy with me, woman. This eternity thing has gone on for long enough, Ei."
"Oh? And why do you only now decide to do something about it, Miko? Could it be… because of Aether, perhaps?"
"Do I even need to answer that question?" Yae Miko unleashed a torrent of Electro hailing at Ei, with her effortlessly dodging the attack. Ei retaliated with a wave of slashes from the Musou Isshin, akin to a dumbed down version of the Musou no Hitotachi. Yae Miko dodged it as well. Both knew each others' attack patterns like the back of their hands, considering they both trained together, yet they still persisted in fighting. Ei especially wanted the fighting to cease, as she could not bear the thought of potentially killing her only true friend. Miko was the direct opposite.
"You know… he's changed you, Yae." Ei said while attempting to strike Yae with her Musou no Hitotachi, albeit like earlier it was weak enough to dodge. Yae easily dodged the attack, scoffing.
"Oh? How so, Ei?"
"You're a lot more controlled by your emotions. You aren't a typical kitsune anymore, you don't trick people, as much anyway. All of this occurred… right after you healed him on that fateful day me and him had that lovely duel."
"And… how do you know if you're correct or not, hm?"
"Because, instead of ambiguously denying it, you would act like it never existed, Miko. I've known you for… archons knows how long now. And yet now is when you decide to change your personality."
Yae was frozen in place. Ei was entirely in the right, and oh boy did it feel embarrassing. Luckily, she was still a kitsune. She could always spin the narrative if it ever got desperate enough. This situation was pushing it, however. Yae Miko decided to keep fighting, thinking of ways to try and get through to her, either emotionally or physically. She couldn't lose. Not to Ei. Not to the one who hurt the man she loved the most. Not to the one that caused so much grief to the people of Inazuma.
And yet, Miko could not help but feel like a massive hypocrite. She was but a gambit in the long game of Eternity. She was the one who helped Ei establish the current state of Inazuma, She was the one who taught Ei to place her consciousness inside objects at will. But, she was determined to change. For Inazuma, and especially for Aether. Archons forbid he gets killed because of her inaction.
The Divine Priestess sat idling in her 'secret hideout' as she put it. There, she planned to meet Aether, as they had business to discuss. Eventually, the slight glimpse of blonde appeared in her peripheral vision as soon as she began to slowly drift to the peaceful expanse that was a nap.
"...Your Excellency?" Aether arrived, accompanied by Paimon. The floating pixie was scouring Kokomi's many bookshelves, and decided to ignore her. She had something more important sitting right in front of her.
"Ah, good, you found the place. Now, what did we have to discuss?"
"The plan that I proposed to you a couple days ago. I was wondering if I had your approval?"
"Hm, let me go through it one more time." The Priestess pulled out the lengthy planning sheet, beautifully laid out with all the necessary annotations and additions/removals made to it. She did not expect Aether of all people to be an aspiring military strategist, but yet again, nothing surprised her at this point.
"To summarise, I propose that we send our forces to wipe out the Kujou Encampment on Kannazuka, as to fully secure our hold of all the main islands besides Narukami. There is still resistance on Yashiori, but I'm confident that we'll be able to subdue them eventually. I will personally assist in every major encounter with the Shogun's army, and I also propose the assistance of The Alcor, particularly Beidou and Kazuha, as they both provided assistance on Nazuchi Beach." Kokomi was pleased with the plan, placing a meek smile on Aether's face.
"This is likely to work, as long as we get the assistance of The Alcor. With you fighting on the frontline, it will be a lot easier for our soldiers. I just… hope you won't overexert yourself, Aether." She said, gently attempting to place her hand over Aether's. Aether flinched and pulled his hand away almost immediately. An improvement from the outburst from the earlier night, but still an uncomfortable experience for both of them.
"To be honest, Sangonomiya… I-I don't know if I'll be fully capable enough."
"Oh? Why, Aether?"
"She… she took away the power of Electro from me, by literally ripping it out of me. Her hand phased into my chest and from there she ripped it out. The moment she did it I couldn't do any Electro-related movements anymore. She placed it inside her sword, and I can feel I've grown weaker because of it."
"I promise you, Aether. I'll be there this time. I will back you up, by any means necessary. You can have my word on it. I won't let you go alone." Kokomi smiled a genuine, heartfelt smile. Aether looked up at her, emotion boiling in his eyes.
"Thank you, Sangonomiya."
A/N: New chapter. Ei and Yae duke it out while Aether and Sangonomiya commence his grand plan. Don't worry, Paimon will get more focus eventually. Just give her time. Also yes, the R-Nuke was necessary. Anyways... THANKS FOR READING!
-nbcman67