He crossed the war-torn battlefield. Everywhere he looked there were dead. Crows pecked out their eyes and gorged themselves, growing so fat they couldn't fly. Every time he shooed one away, it simply waited at a distance until he left before returning to its meal. Eventually, he stopped trying altogether.

He kept walking and walking. At first, he was looking for life. Now, he just wanted to keep walking until it hurt. Anything to feel something. Then he came to a valley where the dead conjoined into a river of sights sounds and voices.

Vichama held up his own guts which trailed out from his stomach wound with every step. Chuychu was a pale corpse with blood pooling from her eyes. There were others here too: Melus and Silver dissolved, Teppei's flesh melted away until he was just a skeleton, and Tadhla plummeted into the cliffs below.

"Why didn't you save us?"

He couldn't answer. The river gnashed and frothed, spurting foam angrily at him. In the foam, he saw her. Yellow hair, white dress, hand reaching out to him in desperation. A single voice rose above the rest.

"Why didn't you protect me, brother?"

His world went dark, and the voices ceased. Instead of death, he could smell something sweet: cherry Sakura blossoms. The darkness parted like curtains, opening to the Narukami Shrine. In the courtyard beneath the tree, a violet-robed woman stood, staring at the grand Sakura. He went over to her.

"I'm sorry to interrupt your dreams," she began. "But I couldn't watch any longer."

"Maybe, you should have," he murmured. "Maybe it's…"

"'Just what I deserve?'" she said, finishing his sentence. He glanced at her in surprise. "Believe me, Aether, I thought much the same way for a long time. Look at where it led me."

Ei gazed past the Sakura to her beloved Inazuma. Sighing, she reached out and touched the Sakura Tree. Aether felt like he was intruding on an intensely private moment. The Raiden Ei retracted her palm and took his hand in hers.

"Take it from someone who's fought countless wars. You are never alone. No matter how many people you lose, there's always someone out there who will reach out to you."

"I know," he managed. A gentle breeze flickered over them, soft and warm. "Ei? Someone I know is planning to sacrifice themselves. They don't know I know, and they asked me to go on this important mission with them. I'm pretty sure, they're going to sacrifice themselves on their mission."

He choked on his own emotion. Now that he'd said it aloud, the possibility of it terrified him. Another face to join his nightmares.

"I'm scared. I don't want to lose…"

She squeezed his hand gently.

"She's important to you."

"Yeah, I guess she is…"

"Then fight for her," she said. "Defy destiny until your very last breath. Summon that willpower you once used to defeat me after 100 duels. Persevere. Whatever you go through, know that we are all beside you."

"No one fights alone," he murmured.

He turned his gaze upwards to the Sakura blossoms. Petals floated on the breeze, carrying Makoto's countless enumerable wishes.

"Dawn is approaching," she said. "Shall we spend more time like this?"

"I want to make love," he replied. "Please."

Ei led him by the hand into the shrine and lowered him onto the bed. She removed his scarf, his shirt, and then his pants. She planted a tender trail of kisses up his chest towards his chin. Her face hung over his. With a loving gaze, she cupped his cheek and smiled.

"Ei," he said. "Kiss me. I want to make slow love. I want to burn the feeling of your body on mine into my soul. I…" He laughed, "I'm a little dramatic. Sorry."

"No apologizing. I want that too."

His arms wrapped around her waist, pulling her closer until the only thing separating them was her violet kimono. Ei's lips pressed gently onto his, massaging the top and then the bottom parts. Her other hand drifted predictably towards his chest, resting atop his heart. Her thumb caressed his temple.

He felt something cold pressed into his skin. Her finger still bore the wedding ring he'd given her after their duel. Knowing this and all it implied made him tear up.

Ei broke from their kiss, propping his head into her lap. She pulled down his underwear. His cock sprang up. With one hand, she massaged the shaft, giving him long strokes from head to balls.

Ei brought him to a sweet orgasm. She stood up and untied her kimono sash. The violet garb drifted down her back, falling into a clump at her feet. She turned around, allowing him to admire her figure, her breasts, and how her long hair framed her body. Sitting down, Ei went to take him into her mouth.

"Wait," he said. "I want to please you too."

Ei pulled down her panties. She brought him to a second powerful orgasm just as he felt her tighten and then cum. Ei plopped down, pausing just a moment to catch her breath. He soaked in the scent of her musky folds, stroking her supple thighs.

Then, she turned around and took his cock in her hand. Ei guided him inside her. As her walls clamped down, Aether found himself smiling. She began riding him, ever so slowly pumping herself up and down his shaft. Each motion sent a delicious sway down her breasts, causing her erect nipples to flop.

He reached up, fondling her breasts. Ei moaned her approval. Unable to contain himself, Aether rose to a sitting position and snaked his arms around her head and waist. Her nails dug into his back a little. His hands cupped her head and waist, memorizing every little curve.

They kissed and kissed, holding one another with all their might.

"Ei," he whimpered. "I'm so glad you're mine."

"Now and always," she replied.

The two lost souls made love, chasing away their sorrows and grief. In her arms, everything that troubled him melted away for a time.

Then it came dawn.

Aether woke up alone beneath the Natlan sky. Beside him, Paimon and the Little One snuggled with him. They must've sleepwalked over here sometime in the night. Aether hugged them both. Then, he closed his eyes and drifted back to sleep.

His dreams returned him to Ei's arms.

"We have some time before Paimon wakes up," he said. "Let's go again."

And so, they made love once more.


Mauvika observed the bonfire, swirling with orange and aquamarine colors. Ever since the Abyss invasion, it had been shining stronger than ever. Its glow comforted her.

If this plan worked, all those sacrifices would not be in vain. She was resolved to see it through. Well, mostly resolved. At this point, only one thing made her pause—one silly little regret.

Aether… if only they could have had more time together.

She pushed those thoughts aside. As the Pyro Archon, she had a duty to her people. This sacrifice was something she'd been planning since she assumed the mantle. She couldn't hesitate, not when she was so close.

Although, it would've been nice to have a family of her own. The idea made her chuckle. Her: a mother? She couldn't even imagine it.

Mauvika smiled to herself. Well, time to get down to business.

She said, "I can sense you're there."

"I know," replied a sweet voice. "I'm not trying to hide."

Mauvika turned as a blue-faced finch in Adeptal robes floated up the podium. The Adeptus bowed to her, but Mauvika waved a dismissive hand.

"It's fine, no need to be so stiff," she said. "How can I help you?"

"My name is Tubby," said the bird. "I'm an Adeptus who serves Aether."

"So, you're the birdie Mualani talks about. What brings you here?"

"I wondered if perhaps, I might ask you some questions. I do this with all newcomers to the Realm Within in advance."

"I'm busy," Mauvika replied. "There's a lot to do." And my time's running out. She thought bitterly.

"I understand," said Tubby. "When will you be available for an interview?"

Mauvika hesitated.

Tubby mused, "Well, when you are ready, please contact Mualani. You will, won't you?"

Mauvika almost answered no but stopped herself. She couldn't let anyone suspect her end goal. They'd try to stop her. So, she put on a smile and nodded.

"Excellent," said Tubby. "Aether writes about you often in his letters. It's a pleasure to meet the woman who so impressed him."

Aether wrote about me? Knowing that made her oddly happy. As Tubby departed, Mauvika switched her attention back to the task before her. She was still resolved to sacrifice herself for the good of Natlan. That hadn't changed.

Still, if by some miracle, she got out of this alive, she'd like to spend some time with Aether.