The air atop Mt. Yougou was thick with tension, the usually serene atmosphere of the Grand Narukami Shrine shattered by the distant but deafening clashes of divine power. The shrine maidens, their faces pale and their robes fluttering in the unnatural wind, had rushed to the edge of the shrine's grounds, their eyes wide with a mix of awe and terror. Far in the distance, the sky was a chaotic canvas of violet lightning and swirling shadows, the battle between the Raiden Shogun and Momon raging like a storm that threatened to consume the world.
Each clash sent shockwaves rippling across the land, the force of their strikes reaching even the sacred heights of Mt. Yougou. The ground beneath the shrine trembled violently, the ancient stones groaning under the strain. Trees swayed and cracked, their branches snapping as the shockwaves tore through the mountain. The shrine maidens clutched at each other, their voices rising in panicked whispers.
"What… what is happening?!" one of the younger maidens cried, her voice trembling as she stared at the distant flashes of light and shadow. "Is that… the Shogun?"
"It must be," another replied, her voice barely audible over the roar of the storm. "But who is she fighting? Who could possibly stand against her?"
The answer to that question was as terrifying as the battle itself. The mysterious figure known as Momon, a being of shadow and death, was locked in a deadly duel with the Raiden Shogun, their clash reshaping the very landscape of Inazuma. The shrine maidens could only watch in stunned silence, their hearts pounding as they bore witness to a battle that defied comprehension.
Yae Miko stood apart from the others, her usual playful demeanor replaced by an uncharacteristic seriousness. Her violet eyes, sharp and calculating, were fixed on the distant battle, her expression a mix of concern and frustration. She had known Ei for centuries, had stood by her side through countless trials and tribulations. She had watched as her best friend retreated into the Plane of Euthymia, dedicating herself to the pursuit of eternity. And now, after so long, Ei had finally emerged—only to throw herself into a battle that could very well end in her destruction.
"Ei…" Yae Miko murmured, her voice barely above a whisper. Her hands clenched at her sides, her nails digging into her palms as she fought to suppress the turmoil within her. She had always been the one to tease and prod, to guide and advise, but this… this was beyond her. The sheer scale of the battle, the raw power on display, was something even she could not hope to intervene in.
And then there was Momon. The enigmatic figure who had appeared in Inazuma like a shadow, his presence both unsettling and intriguing. Yae Miko had come to know him well during his time in the region, had even grown fond of him despite his otherworldly nature. She had discovered his true form—a skeleton undead Overlord—and yet, it had not changed her opinion of him. If anything, it had only deepened her fascination. He was a being of contradictions, a force of death who carried himself with a strange sense of honor and purpose.
But now, as she watched him clash with Ei, her heart ached with a conflict she had never expected to feel. Ei was her best friend, her confidante, the person she had known and cared for longer than anyone else. And Momon… Momon was someone she had come to respect, even admire. The thought of one of them falling was unbearable.
"Momon…" she whispered, her voice tinged with a rare vulnerability. She had no idea what to do, how to stop them. This was not a battle that could be resolved with words or clever schemes. This was a fight to the death, a clash of ideals and power that would only end when one of them was destroyed.
The ground beneath her feet shook violently as another shockwave hit, the force of it nearly knocking her off balance. The shrine maidens cried out in fear, their voices rising in a chorus of panic. Yae Miko steadied herself, her eyes never leaving the distant battle. The sky above Seirai Island, where the clash had now moved, was a maelstrom of light and shadow, the storm so intense it seemed to consume the horizon.
"Lady Yae!" one of the shrine maidens called, her voice desperate. "What do we do? How do we stop this?"
Yae Miko's jaw tightened, her mind racing. She wanted to intervene, to find a way to bring an end to the battle before it was too late. But the truth was, she was powerless in the face of such overwhelming power. This was a battle between gods, a conflict that no mortal—or even a kitsune of her stature—could hope to influence.
The tranquility of the Grand Narukami Shrine was shattered in an instant. The distant clash between the Raiden Shogun and Momon had already sent shockwaves rippling across Mt. Yougou, but now, a new threat had arrived—one far closer and far more immediate. The shrine maidens, already on edge from the celestial battle raging in the distance, screamed in terror as a deafening BOOM echoed through the sacred grounds. The sound was so loud it seemed to shake the very foundations of the shrine, sending birds scattering into the sky and causing the lanterns to sway violently.
Yae Miko, her sharp instincts kicking in, immediately sprinted toward the Sacred Sakura, her heart pounding with a mix of anger and concern. The shrine was her domain, a place of peace and reverence, and the thought of intruders defiling it filled her with a cold fury. But as she reached the heart of the shrine, her violet eyes narrowed at the sight before her.
The Grand Narukami Shrine was under siege. Dozens of Fatui agents, clad in their signature black and white uniforms, had infiltrated the sacred grounds. They moved with military precision, their weapons drawn as they rounded up the terrified shrine maidens. The once serene atmosphere was now filled with the sounds of struggle—cries of fear, the clatter of weapons, and the harsh commands of the Fatui.
Miko's gaze swept across the scene, her sharp mind already calculating the situation. She recognized the figures standing at the center of the chaos, their presence unmistakable. Three Harbingers of Snezhnaya—Scaramouche, La Signora, and Tartaglia—stood amidst the chaos, their auras radiating power and arrogance. They were not here by coincidence. This was a calculated move, a strike at the heart of Inazuma while its archon was distracted.
"Well, well, well," Scaramouche's voice cut through the chaos, his tone dripping with mockery as he stepped forward. His sharp eyes gleamed with a dangerous light as he gestured toward the distant battle. "The view of the Raiden Shogun clashing with that guy is quite epic from up here, don't you think? It's almost poetic, really. A god fighting for her ideals while her people suffer. Quite the spectacle."
Yae Miko's lips curled into a faint, sardonic smile, though her eyes remained cold. "Three Harbingers of Snezhnaya," she said, her voice calm but laced with venom. "The Balladeer, La Signora, and Tartaglia. How… unexpected. I thought you lot didn't travel in packs. Did you get lonely, or are you just that desperate?"
Scaramouche chuckled, a low, humorless sound that sent a chill through the air. "True, true," he said, his tone casual, as if they were discussing the weather rather than orchestrating an invasion. "But don't mind these two—" he gestured vaguely toward Signora and Childe, who stood silently behind him, their expressions unreadable. "They're just here for the show. You and I, on the other hand, have some business to attend to."
Miko's eyes narrowed, her sharp mind already piecing together his intentions. Deep down, she knew what he was after. The Electro Gnosis—the divine symbol of the Raiden Shogun's power. It was the ultimate prize for the Fatui, the key to their ambitions. And now, with Ei distracted by her battle with Momon, they had chosen this moment to strike.
"I want you to hand over the Electro Gnosis," Scaramouche said, his voice calm but carrying an unmistakable edge. "Do that, and no one here gets harmed. Simple, isn't it?"
Miko's smile didn't waver, though her eyes hardened. "Why would I have the Gnosis?" she replied, her tone light, almost playful. "You should ask the Raiden Shogun for that. She's the one who carries it, after all."
Scaramouche's expression darkened, his patience wearing thin. He raised a hand, snapping his fingers sharply. At his signal, two Fatui agents stepped forward, dragging a young shrine maiden with them. The girl, no older than sixteen, struggled in their grip, her eyes wide with terror as tears streamed down her face. The agents forced her to her knees, one of them pressing the barrel of a rifle to the back of her head.
Yae Miko's heart clenched, her usual composure faltering for the briefest of moments. The girl was innocent, a mere child caught in the crossfire of a war she had no part in. Miko's hands clenched at her sides, her nails digging into her palms as she fought to keep her emotions in check.
"Hey, man," Tartaglia—Childe—spoke up, his voice tinged with discomfort. "You're going too far with this. She's just a kid."
"Shut up," Scaramouche snapped, his voice low but icy. His gaze never left Yae Miko, his eyes boring into hers with an intensity that was almost unnerving. "I'm asking you to hand over the Gnosis, kitsune. Don't make this harder than it needs to be."
Miko's jaw tightened, her mind racing. She knew Scaramouche wasn't bluffing. The Fatui were ruthless, willing to do whatever it took to achieve their goals. But the thought of handing over the Gnosis—of betraying Ei and Inazuma—was unthinkable. Yet, the sight of the young shrine maiden, trembling and terrified, tore at her heart.
"You really want to kill an innocent girl over a Gnosis?" Miko asked, her voice steady but carrying a sharp edge. "Is that the kind of monster you've become, Scaramouche?"
Scaramouche's expression didn't change. He didn't answer. Instead, he raised his hand again, his fingers poised to snap. The air grew heavy, the tension so thick it was almost suffocating. Yae Miko's eyes flicked to the young maiden, her heart pounding as she weighed her options.
And then, with a sharp crack, Scaramouche snapped his fingers.
The sound of the gunshot echoed through the shrine, deafening in its finality. The young shrine maiden crumpled to the ground, her lifeless body hitting the stone floor with a sickening thud. The other shrine maidens screamed, their cries of horror filling the air.
Yae Miko's breath caught in her throat, her violet eyes widening in shock and fury. For a moment, time seemed to stand still as she stared at the lifeless body of the girl, her mind reeling. Then, slowly, her gaze shifted to Scaramouche, her expression hardening into one of cold, unrelenting rage.
"You…" she whispered, her voice trembling with barely contained fury. "You will regret this."
Scaramouche smirked, his expression one of smug satisfaction. "The Gnosis, Yae Miko," he said, his tone calm but carrying an unmistakable threat. "Or the next one dies too."
The shrine maidens wept, their cries of grief and fear echoing through the sacred grounds. Yae Miko stood amidst the chaos, her mind racing as she faced an impossible choice.
Yae Miko stood amidst the chaos, her violet eyes burning with a mixture of fury and sorrow as she clutched the Electro Gnosis in her hand. The small, glowing object pulsed faintly, a symbol of divine power that now felt like a curse. She glanced down at it, her mind racing with the weight of the decision she was about to make.
The lifeless body of the young shrine maiden lay at her feet, a stark reminder of the cost of defiance. The girl's wide, unseeing eyes stared up at the sky, her face frozen in an expression of terror. The other shrine maidens wept openly, their cries of grief echoing through the shrine. The Fatui agents, their weapons still drawn, watched with cold indifference, their loyalty to their masters unwavering.
Miko's jaw tightened, her hands trembling as she held the Gnosis. She knew what she had to do, but the thought of handing it over—of betraying Ei and Inazuma—was almost unbearable. Yet, the sight of the young maiden's lifeless body, the blood pooling beneath her, was a grim reminder of the stakes. She couldn't let this happen again. She couldn't let more innocent lives be lost.
With a deep, shuddering breath, Yae Miko raised the Gnosis high, her eyes locking onto Scaramouche's smug, triumphant gaze. "Take it," she said, her voice trembling with barely contained rage. Then, with a sudden, forceful motion, she hurled the Gnosis at his feet. The small object clattered against the stone, its faint glow dimming as it rolled to a stop. "And get the hell out of here!" she shouted, her voice echoing through the shrine with a raw, primal fury.
Scaramouche's smirk widened as he bent down to pick up the Gnosis, his fingers closing around it with a possessive grip. He held it up to the light, his eyes gleaming with triumph as he examined the symbol of the Raiden Shogun's power. "Hehe," he chuckled, his voice dripping with mockery. "Thank you for cooperating with us, Miko. You've made this much easier than it needed to be."
He turned on his heel, his movements casual and unhurried, as if he were strolling through a park rather than the scene of a massacre. The Fatui troops fell into step behind him, their weapons lowered as they released the remaining shrine maidens. The girls collapsed to the ground, their sobs of relief mingling with their cries of grief.
Miko didn't watch them leave. Her eyes were fixed on the lifeless body of the young maiden, her heart heavy with guilt and sorrow. She dropped to her knees beside the girl, her hands trembling as she reached out to close the girl's eyes. "I'm sorry," she whispered, her voice breaking. "I'm so sorry…"
Childe, who had been standing silently at the edge of the shrine, watched the scene with a rare expression of sadness. His usual bravado was absent, replaced by a somber stillness as he observed the aftermath of Scaramouche's brutality. "This… didn't have to happen," he muttered, his voice low and tinged with regret.
Signora, standing beside him, rolled her eyes in disdain. "Tch~" she scoffed, her voice cold and dismissive. "That's why I wanted to take the Gnosis by diplomacy. Oh well, we got it anyway. Time to leave this grim nation."
Her words were like a spark to tinder. Yae Miko's head snapped up, her violet eyes blazing with a predatory fury. In an instant, she was on her feet, her body moving with a speed that defied comprehension. She lunged at Signora, her claws extended, her expression one of pure, unrelenting rage.
But Signora was no ordinary foe. She turned with lightning speed, her movements fluid and precise. Before Miko could reach her, Signora's hand shot out, the back of it striking Miko across the face with a force that sent her sprawling. Miko's body hit the Sacred Sakura with a sickening thud, the ancient tree trembling from the impact.
"Foolish fox!" Signora spat, her voice dripping with contempt. She glared down at Miko, her icy eyes filled with disdain. "You should have shown this bravery two minutes ago with Scaramouche. Now, you're just pathetic."
Miko struggled to rise, her body aching from the blow, but Signora was already turning away. The Harbinger strode off without a backward glance, her heels clicking against the stone as she disappeared into the shadows. Childe lingered for a moment, his expression conflicted, before he too turned and followed, leaving Yae Miko alone amidst the wreckage of the shrine.
Defeated and broken, Miko slumped against the Sacred Sakura, her breath coming in ragged gasps. The weight of her failure pressed down on her, a crushing burden that threatened to consume her entirely. The shrine maidens, their faces streaked with tears, gathered around her, their presence a small comfort in the face of overwhelming despair.
Aether, Paimon, and Thoma stood together, their eyes fixed on the distant battle. The sheer scale of the conflict was beyond comprehension, the power on display so immense it felt as though the world itself might tear apart. Thoma, his usual composure shattered, shook his head in disbelief. "This is crazy, man," he muttered, his voice tinged with awe and fear. "I've never seen anything like this. It's like they're rewriting the rules of reality."
Paimon, hovering nervously beside Aether, clutched at his arm with tiny, trembling hands. "Paimon doesn't like this! They're going to destroy everything!" she cried, her voice high-pitched with panic.
Aether's jaw tightened, his golden eyes glowing faintly with determination as he stared up at the chaotic sky. He wanted to intervene, to find a way to stop the battle before it caused even more destruction. But the sheer scale of their power was overwhelming. How could anyone hope to stand against two beings who wielded such unimaginable strength?
Before he could voice his thoughts, the sound of hurried footsteps caught his attention. He turned just in time to see Kujou Sara approaching, her katana drawn and her golden eyes blazing with fury. She stopped a few feet away, her weapon pointed directly at Aether.
"You damn bastard," she barked, her voice sharp and commanding. "What the hell is that monster?!"
Aether's grip tightened on his sword, his expression hardening as he met her gaze. "Momon is my friend," he said, his voice steady but carrying an edge of defiance.
"With such power?!" Sara shot back, her voice rising with incredulity. "That is a demon! A threat to all of Inazuma!"
Paimon, ever the quick-witted one, floated forward slightly, her tiny hands on her hips. "Wouldn't that make the Raiden Shogun a demon too, since she's just as powerful?" she asked, her tone laced with sarcasm.
Sara's eyes narrowed, her fury boiling over. "Shut up, you halfwit!" she snapped, her voice cutting through the air like a whip. "She is our Archon, the God of Eternity! You will show her the respect she deserves!"
Before the argument could escalate further, Thoma's voice cut in, his tone urgent. "Uhh, guys?" he called, his eyes fixed on the horizon. "This does not look good."
Aether, Paimon, and Kujou Sara turned their attention to the horizon, where Seirai Island was just visible in the distance. What they saw made their blood run cold. The Raiden Shogun, her form a living storm of violet lightning, was streaking across the sky from the left. Momon, his body a swirling mass of dark smoke and shadow, was moving just as fast from the right. The two forces were on a collision course, their speed and power building with every passing second.
"Oh no…" Aether whispered, his heart sinking as he realized what was about to happen. The sheer magnitude of their clash would be catastrophic, and there was nothing anyone could do to stop it.
"They're about to crash into each other!" Paimon cried, her voice trembling with fear.
"Get down!" Aether shouted, his voice urgent. He dropped to the ground, pulling Paimon with him. Thoma followed suit, his face pale with dread.
Kujou Sara, her instincts kicking in, turned to the samurai and citizens around her. "Everyone, get down!" she barked, her voice carrying the weight of command. The samurai and citizens, already on edge from the earlier shockwaves, obeyed without hesitation, dropping to the ground and covering their heads.
The moment seemed to stretch into eternity as the two forces hurtled toward each other. The Raiden Shogun, her form a blinding streak of violet lightning, and Momon, a swirling vortex of shadow and death, collided above Seirai Island with a force that defied comprehension.
The impact was cataclysmic.
For a moment, everything turned bright white, the sheer intensity of the collision blinding anyone who dared to look. The sound that followed was deafening, a roar that seemed to shake the very foundations of the world. The shockwave that rippled outward was unlike anything anyone had ever experienced. It tore through the air with unimaginable force, the ground trembling violently as it passed.
Narukami Island, already battered by the earlier shockwaves, was hit hard. Buildings shook, their windows shattering as the wave of energy passed. Trees were uprooted, their trunks snapping like twigs. The ground itself seemed to groan under the strain, cracks spreading like spiderwebs across the streets. The citizens, already on their knees, were forced flat onto the ground, their faces pressed against the cold stone as the shockwave tore through the island.
Aether, Paimon, and Thoma clung to the ground, their bodies trembling as the force of the shockwave passed over them. When it finally subsided, they looked up, their eyes wide with shock and disbelief. The sky above Seirai Island was a swirling maelstrom of light and shadow, the aftermath of the collision still visible even from a distance.
"What… what just happened?
" Paimon stammered, her voice trembling as she peeked out from behind Aether.
Thoma, his face pale, could only shake his head. "I don't know," he said, his voice barely above a whisper. "But whatever it was… it's not over yet."
The aftermath of the cataclysmic clash between the Raiden Shogun and Momon was a scene of utter devastation. Seirai Island had been reduced to a barren wasteland. The ground was cracked and shattered, the landscape unrecognizable. Massive chunks of the island had been torn from the earth, now hovering ominously in the air, suspended by some unseen force. The air was thick with dust and smoke, the remnants of the destruction that had just unfolded. The sky above was a swirling vortex of violet lightning and dark shadows, the storm raging with an intensity that seemed almost sentient.
Raiden Ei, the Electro Archon, stood atop one of the floating chunks of rock, her breathing heavy and labored. Her divine form, usually so composed and unyielding, showed signs of strain. Her violet eyes, still glowing with an otherworldly light, scanned the desolate landscape below. Her grip on the Musou Isshin tightened, the blade humming faintly with residual Electro energy. She had faced countless foes in her long existence, but none had ever pushed her to this extent. Momon was unlike any opponent she had ever encountered—his power was vast, his resolve unshakable, and his presence unnerving.
"I commend you, stranger," Ei said, her voice steady despite her fatigue. She straightened her posture, her gaze locking onto the figure emerging from the smoke and dust below. "Not many have ever come close to lasting this long against me. You are… formidable."
The smoke and dust parted with a wave of Momon's hand, revealing his towering figure. He stood unscathed, his dark cloak billowing in the wind, his crimson eyes gleaming through the slits of his mask. His black blade, a weapon that seemed to absorb the light around it, was as pristine as ever, not a scratch or mark to show for the battle that had just taken place. Even his mask, an enigmatic piece of his identity, remained untouched, its surface smooth and unblemished.
Momon tilted his head slightly, his gaze meeting Ei's with an unnerving calm. "So," he said, his deep voice carrying an eerie finality, "are you surrendering?"
Ei's eyes narrowed, her expression hardening. The audacity of his question sparked a flicker of anger within her, but she quickly suppressed it. This was no time for emotion—this was a battle of wills, a clash of ideals that would determine the fate of Inazuma. "Don't be foolish!" Ei declared, her voice sharp and commanding. "I am the Raiden Shogun, the God of Eternity. The most supreme form! 'Surrendering' is unknown to me."
Momon, his towering figure cloaked in shadow, tilted his head slightly, his crimson eyes gleaming with an eerie light. "Oh, we'll see about that," he said, his deep voice calm but carrying an unmistakable edge.
Without warning, Ei launched herself at Momon, her movements a blur of violet lightning. She streaked through the air like a bullet, her blade aimed directly at his head. The strike was devastating, a blow that could cleave even the strongest foe in half. But Momon was ready. With a swift, almost casual motion, he raised his black sword, the blade humming with a low, ominous frequency. The clash of their weapons sent a shockwave rippling through the air, the force of the impact pushing Ei back.
Ei recovered instantly, her divine reflexes allowing her to counterattack with even greater speed. She struck again and again, her movements a blur of light and steel. The clash of their swords was so intense, so rapid, that it was impossible for the naked eye to follow. Two hundred strikes, three hundred, four hundred—each one delivered with the precision and power of a god. The air around them seemed to fracture under the strain, the ground below trembling with each collision.
But Momon was no ordinary opponent. At first, he had been defensive, his movements calculated and precise as he blocked each of Ei's strikes. But now, something had changed. His attacks became more aggressive, his strikes more forceful. Slowly but surely, Ei began to feel the tide of the battle shifting. She was being pushed back, her divine power no longer enough to overwhelm him.
"Your art with the sword is… strange," Ei said, her voice steady despite the strain. She blocked another of Momon's strikes, the force of the impact sending a shockwave rippling through the air. "It's as if you're an amateur. And yet, the raw power you possess makes you incredibly dangerous."
Momon's response was a low, rumbling chuckle, the sound sending a shiver through the air. "Oh, really?" he said, his tone laced with a hint of mockery. "Glad to hear that from an Archon. I was never a warrior, but I'm learning."
Ei's eyes widened, her expression one of genuine shock. For a moment, she faltered, her movements slowing as the weight of his words sank in. "You… what?!" she exclaimed, her voice tinged with disbelief. "You're not a warrior?!"
Momon's crimson eyes gleamed faintly through the slits of his mask, his gaze unwavering. "That's right," he said, his voice calm and measured. "I was never trained in the art of combat. But I'm a fast learner."
Ei's mind raced, her thoughts a whirlwind of confusion and frustration. How could someone with no formal training, no experience as a warrior, stand toe-to-toe with her—a god? It defied logic, defied reason. And yet, here he was, matching her blow for blow, his power and skill growing with every passing moment.
The realization only fueled her determination. She would not be bested by an amateur, no matter how powerful he was. With a roar that echoed like thunder, Ei unleashed a flurry of attacks, her movements a blur of light and steel. Each strike was delivered with the precision and power of a god, the force of her blows shaking the very earth beneath them.
But Momon was ready. His black sword moved with a fluid grace, blocking each of her strikes with ease. His movements were precise, calculated, as if he were anticipating her every move. And then, with a sudden burst of speed, he countered, his blade slicing through the air with a force that sent Ei reeling.
Momon's crimson eyes gleamed faintly through the slits of his mask as he muttered a single phrase under his breath: "[Draconic Boost]!"
For less than a second, his body glowed with a deep, ruby-like light, the energy radiating from him palpable even from a distance. Ei's eyes narrowed, her instincts screaming at her that something was wrong. She had no idea what kind of spell he had just cast, but she could feel the surge of power emanating from his body. It was raw, primal, and utterly overwhelming.
Before she could react, Momon moved. His attack was blindingly fast, a blur of shadow and steel that streaked toward her with terrifying speed. Ei raised the Musou Isshin to block, her movements precise and fluid, but the force of the impact was unlike anything she had ever experienced. The Musou Isshin, a blade forged by divine hands and imbued with the power of Electro, was knocked back by the sheer force of Momon's strike, leaving Ei momentarily exposed.
In that split second, Ei's eyes widened as she saw Momon's black sword descending toward her like a judgment from the heavens. The blade, dark as the void itself, seemed to absorb the light around it, its edge gleaming with an otherworldly sharpness. Ei knew she had to act fast—if she didn't, the attack would cleave her in two.
With a desperate motion, Ei grabbed the tip of the Musou Isshin with her left hand, using the blade to block Momon's strike. The black sword came down with immeasurable force, the impact sending a shockwave rippling through the air. The ground beneath them cracked and splintered, a massive crater forming as the force of the attack tore through the earth.
Ei's body trembled under the strain, her muscles screaming as she struggled to hold back Momon's blade. She was on her knees, her teeth clenched so tightly that blood began to seep from her lips. The Musou Isshin, held in both hands now, was the only thing keeping the black sword from cutting her in half. The sheer weight of the attack pressed down on her, the force of it threatening to crush her entirely.
Momon loomed above her, his towering figure a shadow against the stormy sky. His crimson eyes gleamed faintly through the slits of his mask, his expression unreadable. "Impressive," he said, his deep voice calm but carrying an unmistakable edge. "But even a god has her limits."
But just as the tension reached its peak, the air around them rippled with an unnatural energy. A violet portal materialized out of nowhere, its edges crackling with Electro energy. Before anyone could react, a figure burst forth from the portal, moving with blinding speed. It was the Raiden Shogun puppet, an exact replica of Ei, her expression cold and emotionless. In her hands, she wielded the polearm Engulfing Lightning, its blade glowing with an intense light.
Momon, caught off guard by the sudden appearance, had no time to react. The puppet struck with full force, the polearm slamming into Momon's side with a devastating impact. The force of the blow sent him flying across the crater, his body crashing into the wall with a thunderous explosion of dust and smoke. The ground shook violently, the shockwave rippling outward as the dust cloud engulfed the area.
Raiden Ei, still kneeling in the crater, stared in shock at the sudden turn of events. Her violet eyes widened as she slowly rose to her feet, her body trembling from the strain of the battle. "Why?!" she demanded, her voice sharp and filled with anger. She spat blood from her mouth, her expression a mix of frustration and disbelief.
The Raiden Shogun puppet stood tall, her polearm resting at her side as she turned to face Ei. Her voice was cold and emotionless, devoid of any hint of humanity. "You were about to fall to your death," she said, her tone matter-of-fact. "I simply did my duty to protect my creator."
Ei's eyes narrowed, her fists clenching at her sides. "That is unfair!" she snapped, her voice rising with fury. "This was my fight! My battle to win or lose! You had no right to interfere!"
The puppet's expression remained unchanged, her violet eyes staring blankly at Ei. "My purpose is to protect you, Inazuma, and ensure the continuation of eternity," she said, her voice calm but carrying an undeniable finality. "I acted in accordance with my programming."
Ei's jaw tightened, her frustration boiling over. She wiped the blood from her lips with the back of her hand, her violet eyes blazing with anger. "I don't need your protection!" she shouted, her voice echoing across the desolate landscape. "I am the Raiden Shogun, the REAL Raiden Shogun! I do not need a puppet to fight my battles for me!"
The puppet tilted her head slightly, her expression unchanging. "Your emotions are clouding your judgment," she said, her tone as cold as ever. "I acted in your best interest. The threat has been neutralized."
The ground beneath Seirai Island trembled violently, the force of the earthquake shaking the very foundations of the land. Cracks spiderwebbed across the earth, and the floating chunks of the island swayed precariously in the air, threatening to collapse at any moment. The storm above raged with renewed fury, the violet lightning and swirling shadows intertwining as if the heavens themselves were reacting to the chaos below.
Raiden Ei, the Electro Archon, stood amidst the devastation, her violet eyes wide with shock as she turned her gaze toward the crater where Momon had been buried. The air was thick with tension, the silence broken only by the low rumble of the earthquake. And then, without warning, a dark, oppressive aura erupted from the crater, engulfing the entire island in a wave of malevolent energy.
The aura was unlike anything Ei had ever felt before. It was cold, suffocating, and filled with an overwhelming sense of dread. The dark purple energy spread like a tidal wave, its power so immense that it could be felt across all of Inazuma. The citizens of Narukami Island, already on edge from the earlier shockwaves, felt their hearts tremble as the aura washed over them. It was as if the very essence of death itself had been unleashed.
From the depths of the crater, Momon emerged. But this was not the cloaked, armored warrior Ei had been fighting. No, this was something far more terrifying. His true form was revealed—a towering skeleton, its pale bones gleaming faintly in the dim light. He wore only simple pants and boots, his skeletal frame exposed for all to see. His crimson eyes glowed faintly through the empty sockets of his skull, their light cold and unyielding. Beneath his ribs floated a red orb, pulsing with a sinister energy that seemed to radiate power and malice.
Ei's breath caught in her throat, her violet eyes widening in disbelief. "What in the world…" she whispered, her voice barely audible over the howling wind. She had faced countless foes in her long existence, but this… this was something entirely different. Momon was no mere warrior. He was an undead Overlord, a being who stood at the pinnacle of the undead race—a true predator.
Momon stepped forward, his skeletal form moving with an eerie grace. The black sword in his hand hummed faintly, its dark energy resonating with the aura surrounding him. His voice, deep and resonant, cut through the chaos like a blade. "An amazing assault, I shall say," he said, his tone calm but carrying an unmistakable edge. "But a dirty one at the same time."
Ei's jaw tightened, her grip on the Musou Isshin tightening as she struggled to process what she was seeing. The Raiden Shogun puppet, standing silently beside her, raised her polearm in a defensive stance, her expression as cold and emotionless as ever. But even the puppet seemed to hesitate, her programming struggling to comprehend the sheer magnitude of the threat before her.
Momon's crimson eyes gleamed faintly as he took another step forward, his skeletal frame radiating an aura of absolute power. "You thought you could defeat me with tricks and cheap shots," he said, his voice calm but carrying an undeniable weight. "But now you see the truth. I am not just a warrior. I am death itself."