After Raiden Ei withdrew to Tenshukaku for solitude and meditation, the city remained in a hushed, uneasy state. The battle had ended, but its echoes still lingered in the minds of the people.
Momon stood among the streets of Inazuma City, his presence an undeniable force that made the very air feel heavier. The citizens dared not approach too closely, their eyes filled with awe, disbelief, and a thin veil of fear.
They had seen it.
The Honorary Knight—this enigmatic, dark warrior—had clashed against the Almighty Raiden Shogun herself. The battle had been beyond comprehension, beyond anything written in the history of Inazuma. Shockwaves had torn through the skies, bolts of lightning had scorched the land, and the very fabric of reality seemed to tremble beneath their might.
Now, standing here amidst the very city he had nearly reduced to rubble through sheer power, Momon's form was even more imposing. His towering figure, cloaked in his gothic hooded cape, cast a long shadow under the setting sun. His presence alone radiated an overwhelming pressure—something primal, something incomprehensible. It was as if the air itself refused to move freely around him.
The citizens whispered among themselves, exchanging wary glances. Even the samurai stationed nearby did not dare meet his gaze for too long.
Aether, Thoma, and Paimon stood beside him, still trying to process everything that had just transpired.
It was Aether who finally broke the silence.
"Momon… I am out of words, man," he said, shaking his head in disbelief. "That was truly something else."
Thoma let out a nervous chuckle, still clearly overwhelmed by what he had just witnessed. "I don't think even the wildest novels could ever describe a fight like that. That wasn't just a battle—it was something straight out of a legend. And you were in the middle of it."
"That power is insane," Paimon added, throwing her tiny hands up. "Paimon couldn't even tell when or where you two were fighting! You were so fast that it was like you were blinking in and out of existence! One second, we'd hear a boom, and then the next thing we knew, the entire city was shaking from the impact of your attacks! Seriously, how does anyone do that?!"
Momon, however, remained calm. He listened to their words, but his reaction was not one of arrogance, nor even pride. Instead, he exhaled, as if lost in thought, before offering an answer that left everyone stunned.
"To tell you the truth," he said, his deep voice unwavering, "I was actually enjoying that fight."
Aether blinked. Paimon froze mid-air. Thoma visibly stiffened.
Even the citizens who had been watching from a safe distance gasped in shock.
Enjoying—?
Aether took a step closer, his golden eyes narrowing slightly. "Wait… what?"
Momon tilted his head slightly, as if pondering his own words. "It's been a long time since I've faced an opponent that truly pushed me. Raiden Shogun was… formidable. Her skill with the sword, her mastery over the Electro element, her raw power—it was exhilarating to stand against her. It was a pleasure to fight her."
Thoma's face twisted with disbelief. "You say that like you were just sparring with an old friend!"
"You do realize that she's a god, right?" Paimon interjected, eyes wide with exasperation. "Like, not just some powerful warrior—she's literally an Archon! One of the most powerful beings in Teyvat! And you're telling us you were just—enjoying yourself?!"
Momon merely nodded, unfazed by their reactions.
"And," he continued, his voice growing quieter, yet somehow more unsettling, "while fighting her, I came to a realization."
Aether furrowed his brows. "What realization?"
Momon exhaled slowly as if contemplating his words carefully.
"I just realized… how average I am as a warrior."
Dead silence.
Aether, Thoma, and Paimon all stopped walking. Their expressions were frozen in sheer disbelief.
The citizens, still within hearing distance, were just as stunned. Several people even gasped.
Aether blinked. Once. Twice.
"Wait. Hold on," Aether said, holding up his hands as if trying to process what he had just heard. "Did you just say—"
"Average?" Paimon squawked, eyes nearly bulging out of her head. "You? You think you're average?!"
Thoma ran a hand through his hair, looking absolutely dumbfounded. "Momon… you just fought an Archon. You fought Raiden Shogun as if it were nothing. You two were moving at mindblowing speed, causing shockwaves strong enough to be felt across the entire Teyvat. And you think that's average?"
Momon simply nodded.
"Yes."
Paimon threw her hands up in defeat. "Okay! Nope! Paimon is done! Paimon can't process this anymore!"
Aether, still trying to wrap his head around Momon's mindset, let out a heavy sigh. "I don't know whether to be impressed… or terrified."
Momon simply walked forward, unaffected by their reactions. His crimson gaze, hidden beneath his mask, held no arrogance—only an unshakable certainty in his own words.
Because in his mind, what he said was not arrogance.
It was simply the truth.
And that, perhaps, was the scariest part of all.
But just as the tension had begun to settle… another wave of silent astonishment rippled through the streets.
Aether, Paimon, and Thoma turned as they heard the murmurs grow louder.
Footsteps—calm, measured, deliberate—echoed through the open space.
The crowd instinctively parted, their eyes widening as they caught sight of the one approaching.
Raiden Ei.
The Raiden Shogun herself, in all her regal and imposing presence, walked through the streets of Inazuma City toward Momon.
Despite having fought a battle of catastrophic proportions not long ago, she carried herself with effortless grace, her violet gaze calm and unreadable. There was not a single trace of exhaustion or strain in her movements. Her violet and black robes fluttered gently with each step, and the faint scent of cherry blossoms seemed to linger in the air around her.
Her expression was composed, yet there was something different about her now.
Something… lighter.
Aether, who had been watching carefully, couldn't help but raise an eyebrow. It hadn't even been an hour since she left for Tenshukaku, and yet here she was, returning as if she had never been in a battle at all.
Momon, standing as still as a statue, turned his crimson gaze toward her.
"I'm back," said Ei, her voice smooth and even.
Momon stared at her for a moment before speaking. "…Didn't you want to relax for the moment?"
The last time he had seen her, she had left with the clear intent of meditating and spending some time in solitude. And yet, here she was, as if no such intention had ever existed.
"I'm relaxed and in good form," Ei replied simply.
Momon paused.
"...Okay," he said at last, though his tone made it clear that he was very confused.
Ei's idea of relaxation was certainly… unique.
But rather than press the issue further, he turned his attention back to his companions. He gestured toward them with a slight nod.
"Anyway, Miss Shogun, these are my companions," he said.
Aether took a step forward, placing a hand on his chest in a formal gesture. His golden eyes met Ei's calm violet ones as he spoke with polite respect.
"It's an honor to meet you, Shogun. My name is Aether."
Paimon, never one to be outdone, quickly floated up beside Aether, a bright and cheerful—but still respectfully measured—smile on her face.
"Greetings, Almighty Shogun! Paimon's name is Paimon, hehe! It's really, really nice to meet you!" she introduced herself, adding a little giggle at the end in her usual way.
Ei regarded them both with a quiet but noticeable curiosity.
She studied Aether first.
His posture was strong, his golden hair tousled from the earlier battle, yet his composure remained steady. His eyes carried a quiet determination—a quality she recognized in warriors who had walked long, arduous paths.
And then Paimon—small in size, but lively, radiating boundless energy. Ei could tell that, despite her cheerful and playful nature, there was sharpness in the little being's eyes.
After a moment, Ei gave a slight nod.
"It is an honor to meet you two," she said, her voice carrying the weight of both formality and sincerity.
Aether felt a subtle sense of relief. Despite all that had transpired, the Shogun did not seem to hold any hostility toward them.
Paimon, on the other hand, couldn't help but glance nervously between Ei and Momon. After everything that had happened—after the battle that had shaken the heavens—it was surreal to see them simply talking as if they weren't moments ago locked in an apocalyptic duel.
She wasn't sure whether this newfound understanding between Momon and Ei was a good thing or something to be very worried about.
Momon watched this exchange silently, his crimson gaze flickering between them.
For a brief moment, there was a sense of stillness.
Two of the most powerful beings in Teyvat stood before them—one a god who had ruled her nation for centuries, the other an enigma of immeasurable power.
Momon turned his head as Raiden Ei spoke, her voice steady yet carrying an undertone of contemplation.
"Momon," Ei said, her violet gaze meeting his masked visage. "I wanted to visit the Grand Narukami Shrine. I'd appreciate it if you would accompany me. There is also a friend of mine there."
Momon tilted his head slightly before giving a curt nod. "Sure."
He then turned toward Aether and Paimon. Though no words passed between them, a silent understanding was shared. Aether's nod conveyed acceptance—Momon had to go. There was no greater sign of trust than an Archon personally requesting one's company.
Raiden Ei turned her gaze over the shrine as she and Momon materialized at its entrance through [Greater Teleportation]. The familiar scent of sacred incense drifted around her, mingling with the distant crackle of burning candles. Yet, despite the nostalgic serenity of the shrine, an unfamiliar unease settled in her chest.
"It has been a long time since I visited this place," Ei murmured, her voice carrying a weight of memories.
Momon, standing beside her, glanced at the towering Sacred Sakura tree that loomed over the shrine like a guardian. "I bet Yae Miko would be happy when she sees you," he remarked, his crimson eyes flicking back to Ei.
Ei turned to him, intrigued. "You know Miko?"
"I recently met her here when I visited the shrine a day ago," he replied, his tone casual yet observant.
"I see." There was something almost imperceptible in Ei's voice—an emotion buried beneath centuries of discipline and control. Nostalgia, perhaps? Or was it regret?
As they stepped forward, ascending the stone pathway to the shrine's main courtyard, they were met with an unsettling sight.
A small gathering of shrine maidens stood in solemn formation, their heads bowed as they chanted an ancient hymn. In the center of the courtyard, upon a ceremonial altar draped in pristine white silk, lay the body of a young girl. Her delicate form was clad in traditional robes, her hands gently folded over her chest. Though her face remained serene, as if merely resting, the undeniable stillness of death clung to her like a ghostly shroud.
Ei's expression darkened. Something was wrong. The shrine was a sanctuary, a place of safety. Death had no business here.
"What has happened here?" Ei's voice, steady yet commanding, cut through the air like a blade.
The moment her words echoed across the courtyard, every shrine maiden turned toward her in unison. The weight of her presence seemed to pull them into a collective silence. Then, as if realizing who stood before them, they immediately dropped to their knees, pressing their foreheads to the ground in reverence.
"All… Almighty Shogun…" one of the older priestesses gasped, her voice laced with disbelief and relief.
The shrine maidens did not dare to raise their heads, their bodies trembling slightly as they remained prostrated. But before Ei could say anything further, another voice—gentle yet tinged with fatigue—cut through the quiet.
"Ei…"
Momon turned toward the sound, his sharp eyes immediately catching the familiar figure approaching them.
Yae Miko walked forward with her usual graceful stride, yet something about her seemed… off. The confident smirk that usually adorned her lips was absent. Her purple eyes, which often shimmered with mischief, were clouded with exhaustion. But what caught Momon's attention the most was the dark bruise marring the right side of her face.
His gaze sharpened. Someone had dared to strike her.
"Miko." Ei stepped forward, her voice softer now, almost hesitant. "I never thought I would have the chance to meet you again… but this." Her amethyst eyes flickered toward the lifeless girl on the altar.
Miko exhaled quietly, brushing aside a strand of her violet hair. "There was an incident that occurred while you and Momon were… preoccupied."
Momon immediately picked up on her choice of words. His battle with Ei had been a clash of titans—devastating enough to shake the land itself. But what did she mean by 'incident'?
"What incident?" Momon's voice was low, and controlled, but edged with something dangerous. His gaze flickered back to the bruise on Miko's face.
Miko's ears twitched slightly, but she met his gaze without flinching. "The Fatui," she said, her voice steady. "They invaded the shrine."
A heavy silence fell over them.
Ei's expression turned to steel. "The Fatui dared to set foot here?"
"They did more than set foot here," Miko continued, her tone laced with restrained fury. "They stormed the shrine. They rounded up every shrine maiden, held them at sword-point, and threatened to slaughter them all."
Momon clenched his fists at his sides, but he forced himself to remain still. "Why?" he asked, his voice barely above a whisper.
"The Harbingers wanted the Electro Gnosis," Miko said bitterly. "They demanded it, and when they saw hesitation… they made an example of her." She gestured toward the altar.
Ei's hands curled into fists. "They murdered her?"
Momon exhaled slowly. "And you?"
Miko gave a small, humorless chuckle and tilted her head slightly, exposing the bruise on her cheek. "Oh, they had their fun with me too," she said, voice laced with venom. "Nothing serious. Just a… persuasive warning."
Ei's eyes darkened with something dangerous. "Did they take it?"
Miko hesitated before nodding. "I had no choice. If I refused, more would have died." She lowered her gaze. "Forgive me, Ei."
Ei took a step closer, reaching out as if to touch Miko's face but stopping just short. "You have nothing to apologize for." Her voice was firm, but the weight of the situation was evident in her eyes.
Momon's silence spoke volumes. His crimson gaze burned with restrained fury.
"Who led them?" he finally asked.
Miko's eyes met his, and for the briefest moment, something flickered in them.
"Scaramouche."
Momon's masked gaze shifted to Miko as she mentioned the names of the Harbingers. His voice was steady, but there was a hint of curiosity behind it.
"Scaramouche? I've never heard of this Harbinger," Momon said, his deep, resonant voice breaking the silence. He tilted his head slightly, the hollow sockets of his mask fixed on Miko. "I only know of Signora and Childe. They've crossed my path before, but this Scaramouche… he's unfamiliar to me."
Ei's gaze sharpened at the mention of the name. Her lips parted as if to speak, but she hesitated, her mind racing. "Kunikuzushi…" she murmured, almost to herself. The name felt heavy on her tongue, laden with memories she had long buried. "He was my first creation… before the Shogun puppet. A prototype, if you will. A failure." Her voice was steady, but there was a flicker of something deeper—regret, perhaps, or even a sliver of pride. "To think he's become a Fatui Harbinger now… I never imagined he would rise to such a position."
"Oh, Momon, I should mention—Signora and Tartaglia were also present with Scaramouche," Miko added, her voice measured, though there was an unmistakable edge of bitterness beneath her usual playful cadence.
Momon's gaze flickered toward Miko as he took a step closer. Without hesitation, he lifted a gloved hand and gently touched the bruised side of her cheek. His skeletal fingers barely grazed her skin, yet she felt an odd warmth from the magic pulsing through them.
"Which of them harmed you?" he asked, his voice quieter than before, carrying a cold precision.
Miko allowed herself a small, weary smile. "It was Signora."
Momon remained silent, but the air around him thickened with an unseen weight. He cast a silent healing spell, and instantly, the bruise faded away, leaving her pale skin unblemished once more. A sense of relief spread through Miko as the burning pain that had lingered in her cheek disappeared completely.
Miko blinked in surprise, her hand instinctively touching her now-healed cheek. "Well, that's convenient," she said, her playful tone returning. "I didn't know you had such a gentle touch, Momon."
Ei, who had been watching the interaction closely, suddenly spoke up. "You were able to heal her with your magic," she said, her voice level, "but when I was injured, you gave me a healing potion instead."
Momon turned to her, his unreadable mask betraying nothing, yet his body language radiated mild confusion. "What does that have to do with the situation here?" he asked.
Ei's gaze remained steady, though there was a flicker of something in her eyes—something that might have been embarrassment or frustration. She turned her head slightly, looking off into the distance as if avoiding his gaze. "Nothing," she said simply, her voice quiet but firm.
Silence settled between them, but the tension was palpable. Miko, watching the exchange, couldn't suppress the smirk that tugged at the corner of her lips. Even now, with a lifeless body lying nearby, she couldn't ignore the underlying dynamic between the two. There was something amusing in the way Ei's tone had shifted ever so slightly—an almost imperceptible trace of jealousy. But, given the circumstances, she chose to keep her thoughts to herself, at least for now.
"Anyway, what are you going to do about that girl?" Momon gestured toward the lifeless body of the young shrine maiden, her still form lying on the ceremonial table, surrounded by the mournful whispers of the other shrine maidens.
"What am I supposed to do?" Ei asked, her voice steady but uncertain. Her violet gaze lingered on the deceased girl, but there was no solution forming in her mind.
"She died because we fought each other, Ei. The Fatui used that opportunity to act and steal your Gnosis from Miko," Momon said, his voice level but firm. "Don't you have any resurrection power to bring her back?"
A stunned silence followed.
Both Ei and Miko turned to him, their expressions a mixture of shock and disbelief.
"Momon… I do not have such power," Ei admitted, shaking her head slightly. "The only one that comes to mind is one of the Four Shades, the Ruler of Death, Ronova. But she is a higher authority than me."
"So, there's a ruler of death somewhere, huh?" Momon mused, but there was no awe in his voice. If anything, he seemed unimpressed, as if the idea of a being more powerful than an Archon was simply another fact of reality.
Without another word, Momon raised his hand, and from the swirling void of a portal, he pulled out a short, gleaming rod. Ei and Miko instinctively took a step closer, their eyes narrowing in curiosity as they studied the object.
It was a beautiful artifact, about thirty centimeters in length, radiating an aura that seemed both sacred and otherworldly. Its ivory-like structure shimmered with a golden sheen, intricate runes inscribed along the handle, while the front end glowed with a divine radiance.
"What is that?" Miko asked, her fox-like eyes flicking from the rod to Momon.
Momon didn't answer immediately. Instead, he walked toward the lifeless girl, standing at her side with the rod held aloft. Then, in a voice steady and unwavering, he spoke:
"[Resurrection]!"
A brilliant golden aura erupted from the artifact, engulfing the girl's body in waves of shimmering light. Gasps echoed throughout the shrine as the shrine maidens instinctively backed away, their wide eyes locked onto the miraculous spectacle before them. Ei and Miko stood their ground, but even they could not hide their astonishment as the golden radiance pulsed and flickered like sunlight breaking through the clouds.
For a few tense moments, nothing else happened.
Then, the girl's fingers twitched.
The light dissipated, fading into glimmers that vanished into the air like falling petals. Slowly, the girl's eyelids fluttered open, her vision blurry and unfocused. She inhaled sharply, the first breath of life returning to her lungs.
Momon leaned in slightly, his masked face unreadable. "Are you with us, child?" His voice was calm, but there was an underlying note of scrutiny, ensuring the spell had worked as intended.
Miko stepped forward, her concern evident, but Momon lifted a hand, stopping her.
The girl blinked, her breathing uneven, her lips moving but forming no words. Her expression shifted between confusion and exhaustion as she attempted to sit up, her body still weak from the ordeal.
"Wha… whath… happeneth?" she murmured, her voice unsteady, her words slurred with fatigue.
"Good. The spell worked perfectly," Momon stated, lowering his hand. He stepped aside, allowing Miko to finally rush forward and kneel beside the girl, gently taking her hand.
The shrine maiden looked around, still disoriented, her mind struggling to process the unfamiliar faces surrounding her. The other shrine maidens, who had moments ago been stricken with grief, now wore expressions of joy, their hushed prayers turning into grateful murmurs as they gathered around.
Miko's voice was gentle. "How are you feeling?"
The girl swallowed, trying to find her voice. "Ahth— I don'th kn-know," she stammered weakly.
"She needs rest," Momon said, his tone carrying finality. "Resurrection drains vitality. She'll recover, but it will take time."
Ei, who had been silent until now, finally spoke. "Momon… how are you able to bring someone back to life?" Her voice was quiet, but laced with something unspoken—awe, confusion, and perhaps even something akin to envy. "This is the power of a god."
Momon turned to face her, his masked visage unreadable. "Then why didn't you resurrect her?" he asked, his tone cutting and direct. The question struck Ei like a physical blow, her eyes widening in shock. She opened her mouth to respond, but no words came out. The weight of Momon's words hung in the air, a stark reminder of her limitations despite her divine status.
Miko glanced at Ei, her expression softening with understanding. She knew the burden Ei carried as the Electro Archon, the weight of her responsibilities and the sacrifices she had made. But in that moment, even Miko couldn't deny the power that Momon had just displayed—a power that seemed to defy the very laws of life and death.
The shrine maidens, now emboldened by the girl's miraculous return, began to murmur among themselves, their voices filled with a mixture of relief and wonder. The girl, still weak but alive, looked around, her eyes filled with confusion and gratitude.
Momon's voice cut through the tense air like a blade. "Shrine maidens!"
The women, still in awe and confusion over what had just transpired, turned their heads toward him. His imposing presence, enhanced by the dark armor and the mysterious power he had just demonstrated, made them tense up. They did not question his authority—how could they? A being who could command life and death stood before them.
With a slow, deliberate motion, Momon gestured for them to come closer. Hesitant at first, the shrine maidens exchanged nervous glances before stepping forward in unison, forming a semi-circle before him. Though they were used to reverence, their bows were lower this time, as if they were addressing a divine entity beyond even the Electro Archon.
His masked visage offered no warmth, no reassurance—only a cold, unwavering command.
"Now, I want all of you to repeat this—'Nothing happened here.'"
Silence. The shrine maidens hesitated, uncertain of his intent.
Momon's gaze swept over them, his stance unreadable yet firm.
"Repeat it."
Their voices wavered at first, but they obeyed. "Nothing happened here."
He nodded. "Good. Because if I find out that any of you has spread the word that I resurrected someone… we are going to have problems. Are we clear?"
The chill in his tone sent shivers down their spines. There was no need for further explanation; they understood that this was not a simple warning—it was a promise.
One by one, they nodded vigorously, their fear evident in their eyes.
"Umu. You may leave."
Like birds freed from a snare, the shrine maidens turned and hurried away, their whispers suppressed beneath their disciplined silence. The weight of what had just occurred—both the miracle and the unspoken threat—settled deep in their minds.
Momon remained still for a moment, watching them disappear beyond the shrine's sacred halls before turning toward the entrance. He began walking away, his steps measured, his mind already pushing aside the event.
Ei and Miko followed closely behind.
The pink-haired kitsune reached out, her fingers delicately wrapping around the gloved hand of the mysterious warrior.
"Momon." Miko's voice was softer now, laced with genuine warmth. "Thank you… for this miracle. You are an amazing person."
Momon halted, his head shifting slightly as if considering her words.
"It's nothing," he replied after a beat. His voice lacked arrogance, but neither did it carry any humility—it was simply a statement of fact. "Sorry for putting fear into your shrine maidens. It's just that I don't want word spreading that some adventurer can bring the dead back to life. That would be… annoying."
He exhaled, shaking his head. "People might start hunting me down, offering mountains of Mora just to resurrect their loved ones. The dead should stay dead."
Miko studied him closely. There was something beneath those words—something deeper. The weight of experience, perhaps. The burden of knowledge.
She smiled knowingly. "You say that, and yet you still brought that girl back. It seems that, despite what you claim, your heart is not as indifferent as you'd like others to believe."
Momon didn't respond, merely turning his masked face forward once more.
Ei, who had been silent for a while, finally spoke. "Momon."
He glanced her way, waiting.
The Electro Archon hesitated, as if debating whether to say what was on her mind. Finally, she met his gaze, her amethyst eyes unreadable yet sincere.
"I apologize."
Momon blinked. "For what?"
Ei exhaled slowly. "For being unable to do what you did. For failing to protect my people when they needed me most." She clenched her fists, her voice lowering. "I am a god, yet I could not bring her back… And I had to rely on you."
Momon tilted his head, studying her reaction.
Then, he let out a small chuckle. "Ei, don't be ridiculous."
She looked up, surprised.
Momon continued, "Your power is simply different than mine. That's all there is to it. There's no need to be mad about it, nor to feel ashamed." He paused before adding, "It is what it is."
Ei stared at him, caught off guard by the casual way he dismissed something she had struggled with for centuries.
A small smile formed on her lips. "After centuries of being absent, I suppose I needed someone to push me into the reality of the world again."
Momon scoffed lightly, resuming his walk toward the shrine's entrance. "I'm glad you're catching up, then."
Miko watched them both, a knowing smirk playing on her lips. She said nothing, but in her eyes, there was amusement. She had caught something—an undercurrent between them that neither had acknowledged yet.
For now, though, she chose to keep it to herself.