Chapter Text
She watched as the festival was going in full swing.
Just earlier, one of the personnel from the Yashiro commissions had started the festival’s first day. People flocked to the city, the lights visible from across the open ocean as people enjoyed the festivities with various activities and foods.
She stood there, excusing herself from her only other contact for the moment. He was in his room managing household stuff, so she excused herself out and into the land of Inazuma
She looked to the side, the very gravestone he had showed her a night or two ago standing there.
She didn’t understand it. This was just an ordinary grave. An item used to reminisce and remember about someone long passed.
Someone who wasn’t here anymore.
Yet, she felt attracted to it.
Why?
What was it about this simple grave?
Was it something to do with the person?
Maybe, but why. Out of all the graves, why this one? She didn’t know, and she didn’t have any answers. Aether answered her, but something was still missing.
The big picture wasn’t there. It just wasn’t.
She turned away from the festival, walking over to the grave and kneeling down before it.
Tonight, in her little excursion, she wore a simple blue kimono, decorated with flower patterns and a beautiful hairpin to match. She found this outfit somewhat appealing, despite having no prior experience with outfits.
He told her it suited her, and for some reason she found herself feeling different. Something small seemed to have sparked within her.
Did she have any connection to him? Aether did not tell her anything, she just woke up and found him alongside another person.
And they left it at that. She was even more confused now.
What were these odd feelings she felt at times? Sometimes she would see an object or a scenery, and suddenly odd flashes overtook her senses. Weird and unexplained scenes played in her head, yet she didn’t understand a single one of them.
These images. These pictures. They gave a sense of familiarity yet they also seemed like they had no relation to her.
She didn’t even know her name. She didn’t need one, so she didn’t bother.
But if what Aether meant was that she was someone who was once in this world, that would explain a lot.
Then again, who was she?
All she felt was a connection to some specific places.
Tonight however, when she was told a festival was happening, she felt spurred. Something within her called out, and she suddenly found herself asking him if she could join. Since he was occupied, Aether allowed her to go. He gave her some mora, and she left without much word after that. She didn’t intend to spend much, but she appreciated the gesture.
Yet, even as he gave her mora, she felt a sense of Deja Vu of some sort.
What is this? She’s just so confused.
She stopped in front of the gravestone, reading its contents.
The name. That name inscribed on it.
Why did it ring a bell inside of her? She couldn’t dig out anything, but for some reason that name stuck to her like glue. She rang it around her head, trying to find clues. But in the end, she was left with more confusion. There was nothing about that name, despite seemingly being familiar to her for some reason.
She looked around, spotting the various memorabilia dotted around the grave.
Most of them didn’t strike her fancy that much. All except 2 things.
The dull purple sword planted on the ground, and the vision that lay before it.
Both were colorless, lifeless, and dull. They had no shine, as if they were never cared for in a long time. Despite this, they remain dust free, indicating the fact that someone was at least watching over and making sure the grave remained clean.
She placed her fingers on the blade, running along it. Despite the faded color, the purple material that composed the blade of the sword was still solid, as she felt it back and forth. Not to mention, whatever material this was smelted out of, it was still sharp as ever as she noted the sharp edges of the blade.
Aside from the blade, the hilt’s aesthetic quality also reminded her of something that wasn’t in her memory. Strange how that made no sense yet was so real to her. The electro logo on the sword’s handle, just beyond the safeguard and before the grip, stood the test of time too, despite the faded colors. It was still intact without a single crack.
She gently caressed the blade, as if you would an old friend. She subconsciously did this without a word, admiring the properties of such a fine weapon.
She couldn’t explain it. She felt some sort of weird attachment to the weapon. It was unexplainable but it was something to go for.
She unplugged it from the ground. Despite never yielding a sword, her grip on the sword wasn’t one of a beginner, and she found that as she swung the blade around, it was actually enjoyable to use.
She did not notice, but as she swung the blade, her movements slowly flowed along, her arms and her blade unified as she stood up and took a battle pose.
Somehow, it felt…..proper.
The pose. The weapon. It felt whole, despite her having no prior knowledge of it.
She sighed, sheathing the weapon. Perhaps she could ask him for answers when she brings it back. For now, she had a festival to attend to.
Before that however, a second item attracted her attention.
The blank vision.
She picked it up and examined it carefully. Despite its age, a vision is an item of divinity, and so it withstood the test of time even better than the sword. The material surrounding the vision along with its gold detailing retained its shape and color, no dents or malformations anywhere in the small item. The other side was the same too, still as pretty as if it were new.
If only the vision itself was activated.
She didn’t understand why Aether made her hold it for a while. Was it something to do with her? With the vision? Maybe he wanted something to happen?
Nothing happened, and it left her even more clueless.
She decided she’d bring this along for the ride as well, tying it with a small piece of rope to the kimono she wore for the day.
She took a deep breath before standing up. She took one last look at the grave before turning away. As she walked off, she looked up to the night sky, noting that it was a beautiful night tonight.
Behind her, the light from the lamp slowly faded as it died, the cryo particles stopping. Instead of disappearing, they seemed to travel outwards.
Following.
Chasing.
—----------------------------------------------------
The festival was grand.
She didn’t know where to look.
The entrance itself was magnificent, and no sooner had she stepped inside, she was bombarded by various voices from stall owners as they tried to sell their wares to festival goers. Various food stalls also lined the streets, their smells producing an enticing aroma of various snacks. People lined up the stalls, but the area was luckily wide enough to allow for people to walk along with ample space.
To her, she was amazed. Whatever this festival was meant to celebrate, she honestly couldn’t care less. She just wanted to walk around and feel the moment.
As she stepped forth, she did not realize she was out of character, showing emotion and interest,
Her eyes darted back and forth between the various drink stands at the start of the festival. Perhaps some refreshments would be in order, wouldn’t it?
She walked over to one of the stalls after a moment of deliberation.
“Good evening! What would you like?” The man behind the vendor asked. She took a moment to glance at the menu before pinpointing a drink.
It wasn’t because she liked it, or that it had an appealing name.
It was simply familiar,
“Milk tea, please. A cold one.”
“Coming right up!” The Vendor turned back, quickly mixing up the drinks left and right. She watched intently as the man came back with a glass of milk tea, complete with a straw on top of it. She paid him the appropriate amount of mora, before heading her merry way into the festival.
She hummed in delight as she tasted the drink. It tasted wonderful. Truly, these vendors could serve quite some delicious delicacies, despite only being a street side stall.
But, despite this, she felt it again.
It felt familiar. Not quite in her memories, but this.
This wasn’t new to her, somehow. As if she drank it many times before.
She kept note of it, but she shrugged, moving on.
As she paced forward, she found another stall that interested her. This one did not sell any sort of food or drink. No, this one sold a more iconic item.
Masks.
Various masks hung about on a makeshift wall, the various animal masks with their exquisite face paint attracting quite a hefty load of people. She looked on in wonder as she observed the various masks on display. Kids in particular seemed to have a lot of preferences in their own masks, although the shop owner was more than happy to comply with such requests. In fact, he seemed accustomed to it.
Soon though, she spotted the mask that piqued her interest the most. It stood off to the side, nobody taking it just yet as the others went in and out buying other masks.
A white Kitsune mask, with red face paints giving it a more unique look.
Again, it stirred something within her.
She eyed it curiously, not moving from her spot just a few feet from the store.
Her vision flickered.
“Excuse me, miss?”
She blinked as she shook her head, snapping out of her trance as the shop owner called out to her. She looked up at the man, who returned her gaze with a smile.
“I see you’re interested in that mask. Not many people go for Kitsune masks these days, despite them having the richest history in Inazuman culture. Hehe.” The man said, walking over and grabbing the mask.
“Here.” He handed her the mask, making her a little puzzled.
“E-eh?”
“It’s free! Nobody pays for such masks in festivals. It ruins the spirit of such a fun occasion. Anyone should be able to wear one without much worry. Seeing as how you’ve been looking at this one for some time, I thought you’d want this one.”
“A-ah, I see.” She stuttered a bit as she took the mask. Why was she stuttering? Why was she sounding, and looking like she was slightly embarrassed.
None of these thoughts crossed her mind.
“You have my gratitude,” She said, hanging the mask on her hair. The man gave a chuckle, before waving her off.
“Enjoy the festival, miss!” He said as she walked away, back to tending to his store.
She continued for a few more steps before stopping by another stand.
This one also had an air of unclear familiarity to her.
She stood in line as several people lined up in front of the stall.
The fortune strip.
She watched as various people pulled paper slips out of a small container that told them their fortune in the upcoming days. Several people seemed overjoyed, while others had a somber expression. She watched the people go one by one, taking their fortune and reading them out. She found it a curious activity that people would want to read about their future possibilities.
Despite knowing well that it wasn’t always true.
Soon enough it was her turn. It was simple, take a strip and your fortune would be displayed on the strip of paper.
Normally, it would be quite a pointless attraction as future luck is always unpredictable.
But, like the previous ones, this one struck a chord within her.
She took the strip out and read it.
“Greta Fortune from Heaven.”
“Wow! Congratulations!” The man behind the attraction gave a small clap. “It means many things, but in short, good luck is upon you, and it isn’t about to run out anytime soon!”
“Oh, really? How intriguing.” She said, looking at the small strip of paper in her hand. She smiled softly, a display of emotion that she unconsciously displayed.
Why was she smiling?
Why did she feel this way?
Questions left unanswered.
She moved on.
The last stop she stopped at was at a wishing plaque vendor. She watched with a curious glint in her eyes as people drew their wishes on the wooden plaques, some even taking their sweet time to make their drawings as neat as can be. She turned to the wishing board, her eyes scanning the board as she saw the various different wishes people had painted on their wooden plaques to be hung in the wishing stand.
She didn’t know what to wish for, being honest. She didn’t even know why she was here, why she was in this world, why she became who she is. What business does she have to make a wish? A wish that she herself wasn’t even sure what she wanted.
She just walked here on instinct. As if, an unknown force was guiding her, walking with her, showing her the path through the festival to various points of interest.
She didn’t get it. Where is she going? She had no idea, she just went with it.
Nobody could see it, but a small aura had begun covering her.
She walked forward as the people in front of her hung their plaques one by one. It didn’t take long for her to be handed her own plaque. She settled in the small wooden table provided, holding her inkbrush with a confused look on her face.
Then, without warning, she began drawing. Her hand gently guided the inkbrush as she delicately drew on the wooden plaque. Very soon, she was finished. She approached the man who was watching the stall.
“Ah, are you perhaps done?”
“Yes, I believe I am.” She says, handing out the plaque for him to hang.
“Oh, interesting.” he comments, hanging her plaque high up on the board.
Another small smile makes its way to her lips as she takes a good look at her drawing, now hanging for everyone to see.
It was a drawing of the Tenshukaku, with several figures underneath it. All of them were together, seemingly standing harmoniously with a look of togetherness from the image. Several strips of line were drawn above them, as if to indicate happiness. It stood proudly on the wishing board for all to see.
“Yes. It’s my wish to see people here happy.” She adds, not even realizing she said those words.
“I see. A noble wish indeed, young lady. It’s rare to see people like you wish for such things.” the man replied, taking a good look at her. “You could be mistaken for being the daughter of one of the higher clans around here too, especially the Kamisato clan.”
A sense of memory invaded her mind for a split second, making her pause and nearly stumble. It was gone as soon as it came, merely a flash in her mind. She blinked rapidly, shaking her head to set her bearings straight.
“Miss? Are you okay?”
She regained herself, looking up to the man. “Y-Yes, I’m fine.” She says.
She leaves without another word.
However, she found herself gradually losing interest in the festival after that. She bought a little more food, played a game or two, and even watched a play, but nothing seemed to pique her interest.
Before long, she found herself wandering away from the festival, and back into the outskirts of the city.
She sighed.
She felt like she was given some answers, but she failed to grasp them. Perhaps she could ask him about this.
She began the walk back to the grave she started from.
As she walked through the dark Chinju forest however, her footsteps came to a slow halt. She looked up and around, noting the beautiful lighting coming from the glowing plants in the forest around her. She looked up the trees, finding stars peeking from above the canopy of the forest.
Her vision flickers. It blinks, as a white aura begins emanating from her body.
Without reason, she walked over from the path and into the shallow river.
Something about this was compelling to her. It called out to her, despite nobody being there.
Bits and pieces of reality flashed before her eyes. She stood there, feet in the water, contemplating what it was that was familiar to her.
“What….is this…..” She asked nobody, looking around.
Yet, the more she looked.
The more in place she felt.
She felt….different. As if she was supposed to be here.
She looked around, before suddenly feeling something in her hands. She opened the palm of her right hand, surprised to find that an object had somehow materialized itself in her hands. Yet, as unfamiliar as it was, she felt some sort of connection to the thing she held.
A beautiful and elegant blue fan.
She flicked it open, the decorations and coloring striking her as beautiful. It was a wonderful work of art, and as she twisted it around, she felt at one with it.
She could be hallucinating because of these weird flashes, but were those white particles flowing with the fan as she moved it?
Then, she heard it.
It was bare, but the sound was there.
A song.
She stopped, listening carefully.
Emanating from the forest, a gentle and mellow tune began to play. Very bare at first, she wasn’t even sure if she was listening to it right.
Yet as she stood there, silent, she found the song gradually growing louder. Except it didn’t have a direction. No matter where she looked, the song sounded like it came all around her at once.
No, it was coming from her. From her mind.
She stopped to ponder the little tune.
It was…..familiar.
It sounded like she had heard it many times.
Deep within her consciousness, within the emptiness of her mind, a blank void began to spark. Cracks appeared, white light leaking through.
She didn’t know why the music was so familiar to her. Yet despite only hearing it for the first time, she unconsciously hummed to it.
The cracks widened.
She didn’t object, merely going with the flow. This all felt natural, it felt like this was something what was meant to be. Something in the past.
Something that was once lost to time.
Without her even noticing it, the fan opened in her right hand. Her feet gracefully posed in the middle of the shallow water. Her right was outstretched itself out into the night air, her fan upright as she held it straight. Her other hand stayed at her torso. Despite never doing this, she didn’t say or think about anything. She let her body move on its own rhythm.
Her consciousness began to shine. Her empty mind, sparking.
The song moved on with a tempo, and she stayed with it. She stepped in the water, step by step, foot by foot. She moved in sync with the song playing, her steps in beat with the song. Her hands were steady, her posture elegant and her face neutral as she followed along.
Her hands flowed with the rhythm, perfectly in sync with her body as she twirled to follow. She shifted the fan closer to her, extending her other arm out and up above her head. Her body curved gently to follow.
Not an inch of hesitation was present. Not a sign of shakiness or inflexibility was present. She looked as natural as ever, her outstretched arm leading her onward as she twirled under the moonlight.
She flicked her fan, spinning it around as she switched stances. A bare smile crept up on her lips.
The void began to fill.
White aura began emanating from her as she danced.
She outstretched the arm holding her fan, spinning around with it as she brought it up. She gracefully maneuvered around the water, her footing light despite being in water. Her other foot rose from the water, outstretching backwards as she moved.
She moved along with her own rhythm for some time. She didn’t know, she didn’t keep track of it. She just released all the movements she felt like doing, her body following along with her without complaint.
She felt whole. She felt like this was a part of her.
The song continued, and so did she. She danced to it without stopping, her eyes following her limbs as they moved in sync.
She never danced. She never heard the song. She never even moved her body in such a way.
Yet, this felt natural to her.
She danced on for a while, not realizing the time. Not realizing the multiple critters and Tanukis that came to watch the dazzling display.
She danced like nobody’s watching.
The void in her mind cracked. White light began peeking through.
And as she moved, she swung her fan low.
Her vision flickered.
Her arms led her body around.
The cryo symbol slowly faded back in. Light blue light began emanating.
Her legs followed the strange movements without thought.
Energy radiated, the water’s temperature slowly dropping. The air grew noticeably colder, but to her, it remained as warm as ever.
As warm as it was with him. Watching her.
The song hit its climax, and she swirled her hands up around her body. She reached down, lowering her body as if to prepare herself, her eyes closed as flashes appeared before her mind.
When she opened them, a bright glint of light shined from her azure eyes as she brought her fan up.
The vision lit.
Cryo energy spiked.
The water around her froze in an instant, cryo energy spreading from her around the nearby air.
Her fan reached the top, and all at once, the cyro energy hit its peak, gradually declining.
Then, as quickly as it came, the song ended.
She held her fan up in silence, before slowly lowering it back down.
She closed her eyes.
—---------------------------------------------------------
When she reopened them, everything was white.
She didn’t know where she was or what she was doing.
All she knew was that it was white all around her with no end in sight.
She couldn’t feel anything. She wanted to call someone out, anyone. But nothing came. She couldn’t even seem to bring her voice out.
So, she did the only thing she could.
She walked.
Although the plain white area looked baseless, she walked forwards on steady legs.
Echoes resonated through the room.
Laughter.
Joyous sounds.
People talking.
It came from all around her, yet she didn’t budge.
She pressed on, walking forward.
Images began flashing left and right as she walked. She stopped initially, but continued on, even as these unclear pictures appeared and disappeared before her.
One picture stood out, and she gave it a long look as she walked by. The image, although static, emanated a voice.
"Come, come, come,"
"Let's play Temari!"
"1, 2, 1, 2, 3,"
"The Temari goes up the Sacred Sakura Tree."
"4, 5, 4, 5, 6,"
"Woosh, and over Mt. Yougou it flicks!"
"7, 8, 7, 8, 9,"
"The Temari returns into these hands of mine."
A nursery rhyme played along, sung by someone who sounds like a very young girl. She watched the image, on it a young woman with light blue hair, clad in a Kimono, giggling to herself as she held a toy in her hands. Behind her, a taller woman looked over with a fond smile on her face, her hair mirroring that of the young girl’s.
She moved on.
“Check! Hehe.”
“Hmm. You’re getting better at this.”
In the next, the same young girl from before sat in front of a Shogi board on a table, the same woman from before in front of her. She looked a little older this time, but she still had that playful side of her as she smiled wide. The woman in front of her gave a compassionate and genuine smile in return, the little girl seemingly excited for what she had achieved,
She pushed on.
The sound of rain penetrated the area, yet it remained dry.
The next picture was much more sullen, as several figures lay about a bed, with a person seemingly laying on it. She was covered in blankets, but the flowing blue hair peeking out from underneath made it quite clear.
One figure stood there, watching with sorrow in her eyes. Another few stood around, none that noticeable except for one.
He stood tall beside her, his face seemingly as scared as he was sad. His hair, also a nice shade of blue, indicated his lineage as they looked on to the person on the bed.
The little girl gave a sniffle, before turning to the boy. He gently returned the hug, caressing her back as she let her emotions out. They knew this was one of the ways it would end, it was written on their fates for a while. Yet, they refused to believe it and kept trying until the day came.
Lightning roared in the background, flashing the area as the rain poured.
She pressed on.
The sounds of blades clashing filled her ears.
In front, a picture of two familiar sparring under the sunlight could be seen. The place they were at felt familiar, homely even. The boy and girl from before, now clearly grown up and already passing as very young adults, locked blades under the heat as they fought for dominance. Their training robes flowed with the wind. Their blades clashed as they strived to outdo the other in the art of the sword, dancing gracefully around one another.
Eventually, the woman won after the man’s blade fell to the ground, a powerful flick of her wrist sending it out for the count.
And there, at the tip of her blade, shining brightly, was a blessing.
She moved on.
Many more pictures appeared before her after this. The more she saw, the more she heard, the more she strived to reach the end.
As she walked, it dawned on her. Everything was familiar to her.
All of these, they were from her mind. Remnants of a bygone memory, once lost to time.
The times she spent at Komore teahouse, during the infamous Vision Hunt Decree of about a century prior. How she stressed at the harsh reality her fellow citizens were living in, and how she schemed behind the Shogun’s back.
The various festivals and shows that she helped organize, but didn’t attend due to her nature. Looking back at it now, it felt odd why she didn’t join in earlier.
Those rare occasions she had to step out into public personally to oversee an issue that fellow clan members could not handle, even if it was out of her jurisdiction.
Yet, as she went further in, she finally stopped.
She looked at one particular image. One that struck her heart in a place she felt all to familiar. A picture, painted in her memory, from a literal lifetime ago.
The day someone had come into her life to change it.
She looked curiously at the image. There she was, standing inside what appeared to be a building of some sort, with her fan drawn across her face. A faint blush could be seen on her face. Across from her, stood 3 individuals. One of which, the taller of them, she found in her memory to be a retainer of sorts; her housekeeper, if she could call him that.
The second one was a little floating fairy-creature-thing, that seemed to have an abundance of childlike energy, fitting for the being’s small size.
Then, in the middle, there he was.
A man, only slightly taller than her. Everything about him, from his exotic outfit, his glowing accents, his flowing gold hair, or his charming features, screamed at her that she knew him.
Faint bits and pieces in her mind came together. A traveler. That was all she could make out about him.
Yet, even standing there, she found herself somewhat attracted to the man. What was it about him? She didn’t know; she didn’t understand.
Wanting answers, she moved on.
Bit by bit, more memories folded in her view. Slowly but surely, she began to recall more and more, the bits and pieces beginning to take shape.
The time he spent with her in solving the issues about her late mother’s friend, Tsubaki. The moment she found out who she was, and the little date they had going out to the festival; a first for her.
The time she was worried to the bone when she heard he had challenged the archon directly. How utterly useless she felt when he came back to her battered and beaten up, albeit with her friend safe and sound thanks to his efforts.
The day they crossed paths again when he was knee deep into solving the issues around Inazuma, asking for help in exposing a rogue clan in the nation of Inazuma. The relief on her face when she saw him safe and sound again after a while being separated.
The day he returned to her, having completed his quest in Inazuma and solving the recent issues regarding the nation. Not to mention how red she was when she spotted the large bouquet in his hands.
The memories stemmed out from there, various images bombarding her senses as she watched them pass by one by one.
The time they spent together on her first trip overseas.
The days that went by on her first adventure with him.
The many festivals and shows that they went to, all cheers and all smiles.
The time she fought alongside him, covering his back.
The day that after a long amount of deliberation, they finally stood before the altar, hand in hand and hearts as one.
Millions of photographs portraying her life from start to end. From the day she opened her eyes to the end. All the various people she met, all the things she’d gone through, and all the memories she held, both sad and happy.
Slowly, her mind began to race.
Far ahead, a door appeared out of the horizon.
Noticing it, she picked up the pace.
As she ran however, she paused in front of it.
There, in front of her, was one last picture.
The golden haired traveler, looking as he was all those pictures ago, looked back at her with tears in his eyes. Sorrow and sadness was visible through his expression. He held a hand on his own, although unlike his the hand was wrinkled. It was old, used, and expiring. The room behind him was somber, nobody else present but him and the person who held this memory.
Her eyes widened. Her hand instinctively reached out, trying to reach him.
The memory faded as she touched it. She clenched her first, looking down on it.
The massive trail of memories behind her all suddenly condensed into a flowing current, mashing together into a rainbow colored stream. She closed her eyes as she allowed the stream to flow into her.
Memories cascaded into one. Melting in, forming a cohesive story.
Her eyebrows narrow.
Flashes flew by. Memories from a previous time.
All that she had seen, now entering her mind. She was almost overwhelmed.
But then, he came into view.
Her mind instantly calmed. The memories flowed smoothly. Years flew by in seconds, all flashing before her as its engraved into her mind.
Who she was. What she’d done. Why she’s here.
In a snap, the memories stopped flowing. She stood there, taking a deep inhale.
She opened her eyes, the doorway in white still standing before her.
She stepped forward.
—---------------------------------------------------------------
She reopened her eyes.
Chinju forest was the same as it had been. Truly, a place without interference would indeed remain static with only minor changes left and right. In fact, the stone paths look like someone had fixed them up sometime ago.
As she looked at her reflection in the water below, a soft smile graced her elegant face.
Her eyes, now shining bright blue, the cerulean glow that had once captivated people now once more ever present.
She fiddled through her kimono before holding an object out on her hand. She watched as cryo particles emanated from the vision, life flowing through it.
She clenched her fist around the object before placing it back on her outfit.
Then it hit her.
The memories flowed back instantly. She knew it all, she remembered it all.
No, she was herself. In this world once more.
Without another word, she hurriedly left the forest, closing her fan and storing it back into her pocket as she ran off. The various animals watching her gave a confused gaze as she ran away in a hurry without reason.
Her mouth opened to say a sentence as she left.
“Aether, I’m coming back.”
Far away, the lantern that emitted light on the grave had died, the light now gone and the lantern as dark as the night sky, for there was no one residing there anymore.
She has returned.
—-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Aether sat at the study table in his teapot mansion. He wondered how she was doing in the festival. Perhaps she’s having fun, which would be good for her. He didn’t want her to wallow like he was right now.
Yet, he pondered what he was going to do now. It hurt him more as the hours went by with him seeing her, yet she retained no memories of anything they had prior.
It was unbearable, and he wanted it to either end or change. Perhaps he can talk to Ei about this for a solution or something.
The door behind him opened and closed. “Ah, good evening.”
Aether raised an eyebrow. She never greeted him before whenever she entered. Perhaps some human interaction in the festival changed her a bit. Ah well, better than silently walking in and not saying anything.
“Good evening. I’ve had dinner prepared, if you want you could help yourself. It’s in the kitchen as usual.” He said, rather flatly.
A giggle.
He stopped.
That sounded way off.
“Wouldn’t it be fitting if you ate with me?”
The tone in her voice. It had a glint of cuteness, yet a hint of class and elegance as she spoke. Just a few hours earlier, she spoke like a ruin guard; flat and monotonous.
He turned around slowly, finding her looking back at him.
Her eyes.
Those bright blue eyes.
Was his mind playing tricks on him? Was he getting delusional from all this? He shook his head and rubbed his eyes, wanting to make sure if he was still in the real world or not.
He looked up again.
She stood there, her blue and yellow fan out in front to cover part of her face.
The way she held the fan, the way she hid her facial features, the way her eyes looked back at him. It reminded him of a time long ago, before any of this sorrow befell him. When he was just going about his day to day life with his-
He got up from his seat, slightly trembling.
“Is it really…..you?” He asked, taking a step. He hesitated for a moment.
“Then, allow me to introduce myself.”
She held her hand out, and her sword materialized.
A bright purple Mistsplitter, glowing under the dim lights of the house, shined brightly as it reflected the light from the fireplace. She held it in front of her, before performing a slash of the air. Cryo particles followed in its wake, and as quick as that, she returned the sword to its sheath. Standing back up straight, she unified her hands in front of her.
“Master of Inazuma Kamisato Art Tachi Jutsu — Kamisato Ayaka, present!”
She gave a polite bow, all the way down, before getting back up to his eye level. Her bright blue hair flowed with her movements. A smile donned her face as she returned his gaze.
“Delighted to make your acquaintance.” She finished her introductory line with a smile.
Aether couldn’t believe it.
Yet there she was.
As she once told him herself so many years ago. She’ll keep her promises, no matter what promises she makes.
A shaky smile made its way to his face as well. A tear leaked from his eyes as he took another step.
“You always said you’d keep your promises.” He said.
“I do, mother taught me to always keep them. I do believe I’ve kept it, now that I’m here.”
They didn’t exchange any more words after that.
He never ran faster than he did in recent times.
She has never run that fast in several decades.
They met halfway, their bodies intertwining with one another as their arms immediately circled the other. After so long of showing minimal emotions due to his losses, Aether broke into happy tears once more. The hug was perfect, and it matched his memory from all those years ago.She felt warm to the touch, not a cold shell anymore.
Ayaka was finally at one with him again. She felt nowhere else was a better place to be than where she was, right here and right now. She hasn’t cried in many, many years, yet it came back to her naturally as she sniffled happily, digging herself straight into his chest. All those years of watching, waiting, praying, hoping. It all poured out in this very moment.
She looked up to him as he looked back to her. He smiled, gently wiping a tear away from her eyes. She giggled lightly, doing the same.
“You still look as fine as ever.” She complimented.
“And to that, I’d say the same to you.” He replied.
She chuckled, before closing her eyes and tilting her head. She leaned forward, her feet tip-toeing to reach her goal.
He reciprocated, closing his eyes and tilting his head the other way. He gently leaned down, intent on his target.
It has been several decades since they did this. A long time has passed since they were able to do anything near to what they’re doing. But right now, none of that matters. They looked like they had been doing it all their lives leading up to this point, and without trouble, his lips met hers naturally and perfectly halfway.
Archons, did they miss this.
He had his doubts. Was this really her? Returned to the world? Returned to him? He honestly had so many questions to ask.
Yet as they melted into each other’s embrace, all those thoughts vanished instantly. The feeling, the way her lips met his, the gentle curvature of her face and her warmth.
It is her. He knows it deep down, nobody else could replicate it. Spent several decades with someone and you will memorize they way they feel in your arms, with their lips on yours.
And to him, his world was right there in front of him once more.
Different, but also the same.
They separated, a million things he wanted to say to her. She too had way too much to say to him in return.
“H-how….” He managed out, the only words filling his mind right now.
She didn’t answer verbally, instead taking out her vision from her pocket. She held it out in her palm for the both of them to see, before closing her eyes. Soon, streams of cryo particles flowed up and around it, beautifully dancing in the light before disappearing back into the vision.
“Visions, when given to a person, would become a part of them. I’m sure you’ve seen it yourself, have you not?” Ayaka asked.
“Y-Yes.” Aether replied. Memories of the Vision Hunt Decree crossed his mind.
“For a long time, I was nothing but a lingering soul, watching over you, over our children, over Inazuma.” She stifled a light giggle. “I met them all. It has been a while since some of us had a talk too.”
He knew who she was referring to. He didn’t say a word.
“Then you came, and with you, an empty vessel. A shell, void of anything within. A solid, plain, blank canvas. When my vision made contact, I was made aware of the intentions behind its existence, and so I followed it.”
“It was hard, trying to crack it open, but eventually it did.”
“How? How did you do it?”
She chuckled, placing her vision back in her pocket. Her hand then reached up to her hair to remove the ornament that stood there. Aether’s eyes widened when he realized what she was wearing on her head the whole time.
A white Kitsune festival mask, with red paintings on it.
The same one she wore so many decades ago.
“The….festival…”
She nodded before continuing. “That was the breaking point. My vision, exposed to memories it retained, began calling out. With its help, I was able to fully conceive the empty mind. And since it was modeled after me in the end, my entrance was granted quite easily.” She said, a smile on her lips.
“I….I-”
He was at a loss for words. He never knew it would work.
She simply pressed herself against him, hugging him tight.
“Being nervous is not the way you should greet your wife when she returns after a long trip, you know?”
Then and there, all the questions vanished. When blessed, visions would only answer to the desire of its owner, whether it be used by said owner or not is a different issue. But, when the puppet was created, it was an empty vessel. It wouldn’t be able to awaken the vision on its own, unless Ayaka herself pushed it up and into her. And with the vision now back awakened and with her, he can confidently say it.
His Ayaka was back.
After all these years, she was back.
And now, he had all eternity to be with her.
He gently laid his head above hers, returning the hug. They stayed there for a lot longer than they had intended, up to the point the food got cold.
But dinner was the last thing on their minds right now.
—--------------------------------------------------------------------------
“Say Aether?”
Aether looked down to find her eyes looking back at him from their cuddle position on the couch. He placed the light novel he was reading down, looking at her.
“Yes dear?”
“Come to think of it.” She paused, before leaning up and bringing her face closer to him.
“You didn’t ask me when you decided to do this, didn’t you?” A smirk was plastered across her face.
“A-ah. Right. Hehe.” He replied, scratching the back of her head.
“I’m disappointed in you. I wonder how you’ll make it up to me then?” Ayaka asked. Despite her words, not a single ounce of annoyance was in her voice.
“Hmm.” Aether thought for a bit, before a smile made its way back to his face. He looked at her, Ayaka wondering what he had in mind when she saw his face.
“I never changed our bedroom.”
Her face went beet red. She seemed to have forgotten that, sometimes, his playful side would emerge. She certainly felt it many times.
They had 3 kids for a reason.
She shakes her head, clearing her throat.
“Ahem, I guess that will do then.”
He didn’t need another word, lifting her up like the princess she is and scooting over to the second floor without slowing down. Ayaka yelped at the sudden movement, uttering words of exclamation at him.
Yet, she didn’t resist.
It has been a while after all.
Aether better have some ache relievers ready tomorrow.
—----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The two Kairagis and their backup Nobushis stared him down. He didn’t flinch, his shining blade in hand waiting to strike. His accents were blue, hydro energy swirling all around him.
“Heh, you may control many elements, but unlike us you’re all alone. This time, we brought a lot of backup, so I suggest you surrender before it gets ugly.” The fiery Kairagi spoke.
Aether didn’t move, chuckling.
“Well, this time, I’ll make sure the Yashiro commission doesn’t have to send me on a bounty hunt to get you and your goons again.” He says.
“Tough talk for a loner who’s been working solo for most of the years. Haha.” They all gave a laugh at him
Aether didn’t move, his face staying neutral.
“Alright then, if you want to die so badly, so be it.” The thundering Kairagi beside the fiery one said, lighting their blades with their elements.
“Well, you got two things wrong. First, I don’t want to die badly.”
With a swift slash of his sword, hydro flies forth from his blade across the ground. He jumps back in time to avoid a jumping strike from the lead fiery Kairagi. The hydro waves smacks everyone, all of them now dripping with water. The Kairagis look between them before laughing the attack off.
“Ha! You call that a strike? My, have you grown weaker.”
A smirk was on his face.
“That was all I needed to do.”
They looked at him, puzzled by the change in his usual attack attitude.
“Look down.” Aether muttered.
A wave of cryo shot through the ground beneath them, a whirl of cryo energy flowing through the ground between the vagrants. The form of concentrated energy danced and twirled all around them before they could move.
They couldn’t anyway.
The fiery Kairagi tried to turn his body to face this unknown threat, but he couldn’t. His eyes widened when he found his legs frozen beneath him.
“You! How did you-”
The energy dashed away from them, leaving all of them stuck to the ground in a solid chunk of ice covering their legs. It moved until it was beside Aether, before the culprit emerged.
Her shining light blue hair flowed as she leapt out of the ground, gracefully landing beside him with her shining purple Mistsplitter in hand as she stood beside him, her cryo vision on the ribbon behind her glowing brightly.
Their eyes widened when they noticed the Kamisato logo on the black chestplate she wore.
He turned to her. “As you do.”
Like all those years ago, they fight as one. The promise they made to fight alongside one another, to be watching each other’s back, to side with one another no matter what the circumstances are. And now, even to this day, many decades later, it remains fulfilled.
She smiled, returning his smile back at him as her fan materialized in her hand.
“You have my gratitude.” She said to him, before turning to the enemies who were trying to unfreeze themselves.
“My deepest apologies for this.”
. . .
. . .
“I love you.”
“I love you too, more than you know.”
. . .
. . .
“Kamisato Art!”
. . .
. . .
“Ah, you’re a pleasure to be around.”
“Hehe, that goes for you too. When I’m with you, time seems to slow down and speed up at the same time.”
. . .
. . .
“From now, to all eternity?”
“From now, to all eternity.”
. . .
. . .
“I’ll be with you. Always.”
. . .
“Soumetsu!”