Chapter Text
Many moons ago, there was a battle between a god and a samurai. Their ideals for the future of Inazuma were vastly different from each other. If the nation were a river, one wanted it to freeze over. The god hoped for the land and its people to be frozen, timeless and preserved. Meanwhile, the other wanted it to flow freely, allowing it to change as it naturally would. The samurai saw the people’s suffering; the land slowly began to wilt away.
“As an outlaw, I hold no power nor do I have the right to ask something of you,” the samurai said, slowly unsheathing his sword. “But as a warrior and a challenger standing before you, I ask that you hear my request.”
“All I ask, Shogun, is that if I were to win our duel… you abandon the idea of eternity and step down as the ruler of Inazuma.”
The Raiden Shogun raised an eyebrow, bemused.
“Have you said your name, outlaw?” She asked, slowly making her way down the steps from where she sat on the throne.
“I am of the Kaedehara clan,” he replied, staring straight into the Shogun’s eyes. “But today, I stand before you as Kazuha, a child of Inazuma, a samurai, a friend… and beau of one who has been laid to rest by your blade.”
The Shogun hummed, clearly impressed by how Kazuha carried himself.
“And what if I were to win this fight?” She asked, brandishing a purple naginata as she approached the opposition slowly.
Kazuha gave the god a bitter smile.
“Then I hope to have an honorable death dealt by the blade of the strongest.”
“Well then, child of Kaedehara,” Raiden Shogun took up a stance and Kazuha followed suit. “I accept this duel.”
Within the Tenshukaku, the tension ran high as their blades bounced off of each other—each skilled, but perhaps one more than the other. The samurai grunted as he parried another attack, bewildered that what he was facing was not yet even the god’s full power. The Raiden Shogun showed no sign of fatigue nor was she fazed by the pale samurai’s proposal. The clanging of metal against metal resounded throughout the castle. At this point, the duel had been going on for more than an hour, yet the Archon exuded nothing but confidence and skill. Kazuha’s breathing was gradually becoming more labored by the second, his thighs felt as though they were going to split in half. He jumped back as far as he could after deflecting another attack, trying to catch his breath. The Shogun made no effort to follow through. Instead, she spoke.
“Tell me, child. Why are you so against eternity?” She asked, shoulders relaxing as she pierced the floor with the blade of her weapon.
The outlaw’s eyebrows furrowed at the question. He wondered whether the Shogun was actively choosing ignorance or if she really was unaware of what was happening beyond the city’s walls. He couldn’t help but feel frustrated as it seemed as though she was living in blissful ignorance while the people outside of Narukami Island suffered.
“Let me ask you instead, Shogun, if you have been willingly ignoring the pleas of the people,” Kazuha’s grip on his sword tightened as he grew frustrated, memories of people with vacant eyes and hopelessness in their voices flooding him. “These are the people you were supposed to protect!”
The Shogun’s expression did not falter—she remained calm, her stare ice cold.
“By achieving eternity, I am doing the people a favor—an Inazuma without change is a safer nation,” Raiden Shogun slackened her jaw, her voice lowering to a whisper. “Through eternity, Inazuma will suffer losses no longer; gone are the separations and tragedies.”
Kazuha grit his teeth. The people have been suffering. He could no longer tell if she was making a mockery out of his words. Without uttering another word, the samurai charged towards her with the intent to end the duel, yet not to kill. As inhumane as it might sound, he wanted her to feel the anguish of the people. Ending her life would be an escape… not that he could have ended her life there. The difference in their strengths were evident in how easily she could parry his attacks. His legs grew heavier by the minute, fatigue cramping up his whole body. Kazuha could see that the Shogun realized this, too.
It still makes him wonder why she hadn’t struck the tired samurai even once.
“Have you given up?” Raiden asked, although there was no malice in her voice. Kazuha was on his knees, breathing ragged after what seemed like hours of their never-ending bout. The bandages on his hands were worn and torn—the Shogun couldn’t be blamed for thinking that he was ready to give up. With unwavering resolve, Kazuha stood up.
“No…” he muttered, ignoring his aching body as he raised his sword, preparing to strike once again. “I haven’t faltered just yet…!”
But as he uttered those words, his vision darkened, exhaustion finally eating up the last of his hopes.
This is it , Kazuha thought as he felt his body slowly fall to the ground. This is where everything ends.
He could hear the Shogun charge towards him, the crackling of her electro-infused weapon coming closer and closer. She had summoned the musou no hitotachi .
Tomo, he smiled sadly. Will I see you on the other side…?
The crackling grew louder and louder. The outlaw waited for the pain that was to follow, but it never came. Instead, he felt a surge of energy. There was warmth and a weight on his back, as though a hand rested on it. The dead vision that hung below his anemo one flickered back to life. Kazuha’s eyes quickly opened at the familiar warmth on his back, his red pupils had electric purple rings around them. He quickly dashed away from the sword that was about to pierce him, and for a moment, the Shogun’s cold expression turned into shock but she quickly regained composure. Darkness enveloped them, revealing the meditating Ei within. Kazuha looked around, bewildered by the change of scenery.
“Another anomaly,” Ei said as she let her feet touch the ground. She conjured up her sword, eyebrows furrowed. “It is time to end this farce.”
The two blitz across the field, their blades emitting elemental particles with every strike. For the first time in a very long time, the Shogun felt threatened. She hissed in pain when Kazuha managed to nick her arm. In an attempt to dodge, she lost her footing and fell to the floor. The samurai took advantage of this and pinned the Archon to the ground, his blade on her neck. She let out a humorless laugh, breathing heavily.
“This is the first time I’ve faced such a predicament,” she smiled, her eyes softening, the cold façade that Kazuha knew of melted away. “I accept my defeat and await death.”
“Death?” Kazuha questioned, his red and purple eyes narrowing. “I have no intention of ending your life.”
He stood up and sheathed his sword. The unfamiliar setting slowly disappeared, breaking into pieces like glass. The Shogun sat up as he turned around to compose himself, looking down at his hands, marvelling at the fact that he had just made a divinity admit defeat. Meanwhile, the defeated god gazed at the visions hanging on his shoulder, eyebrows furrowing in confusion. She decided to stay silent.
“Shogun, will you honor your word?” Kazuha asked as he turned around and offered his hand. She chuckled, amused.
“Yes,” she took his hand and hoisted herself up from the ground. However, instead of letting go, she tightened her grip, her expression shifting. “Kaedehara, are you aware of the consequences of defeating me? You have burdened yourself with something greater than death.”
“What—”
Before Kazuha could continue, the Shogun put a hand on his chest and lightly pushed him. After the initial confusion, he doubled over in pain as the rush of electro suddenly started clawing its way into his body. He cried out as the feeling intensified and it seemed as though his life flashed before his eyes. He doubled over, clutching onto his chest. After the excruciating pain came the same surge of energy he felt during their fight.
“What did you do to me…?” Kazuha asked, heaving as he tried to catch his breath. He patted around his chest for any sort of injury, but there was nothing.
“I have long thrown away my divinity, Kaedehara,” the god answered, eyes downcast and filled with sorrow. “I have ruled over Inazuma all this time, despite having casted aside my power as a god. It poses no challenge for me to give this away.”
This? Kazuha thought as he sat up, his breathing finally steady. Raiden caught his puzzled look and pointed to her chest. The samurai looked down, eyes widening when he saw what looked like a purple rift closing up, locking an object that looked like a chess piece within.
“You…” he looked back up, eyebrows furrowed. “What is this? Why?”
“You challenged divinity and asked that they step down,” The Shogun answered with a matter-of-fact tone. “What else was to be done? Who else was to be burdened by the responsibilities of a ruler if not the one who had defeated them?”
She turned on her heels and slowly walked away, leaving Kazuha with one final message.
“I sincerely wish for you to find peace despite all that Celestia will do to you.”
Five years after the battle, Kazuha was seated in front of the heads of the Tri-Commission. They aired out their concerns and complaints against each other. He abandoned his colorful clothing and now donned a black kimono with gold, red and purple accents. A scarf was wrapped around his neck, its intricacies familiar to those who know him.
“What do you think, Shogun?” Kamisato Ayato asked the man who had just been listening with closed eyes. Kazuha’s eyes never went back to normal—the purple rings encased his red pupils all this time. It was rather symbolic of how he had been shackled down by responsibilities he never thought he’d carry.
“Your Excellency, is something the matter?”
Kazuha hated how much they revered him. He thought of himself as someone who wasn’t worthy of high praises. He sighed, having given up on telling them not to address him in such a way.
“No, it’s nothing,” he answered, straightening his back and continuing on with their meeting.
The Raiden Shogun, Ei, had exiled herself to Seirai Island, but not before telling the Tri-Commission of what had occurred. Following the wishes of the new Shogun, Kazuha’s identity was hidden from the public. When the Resistance stormed the Tenshukaku, he utilized his newfound powers and created an illusion that he had been slain in battle. Gorou’s cries still echoed in his mind from time to time—but it was for the best.
Although he hid his identity as the Shogun, Kazuha roamed the streets of Inazuma City, covering his face using a black straw hat with a veil. It was a new experience for the people to see the most powerful person in their nation, walking around and mingling with the common folk.
“Almighty Shogun,” the Tengu that always trailed behind called out to Kazuha when he started to linger in front of a shop. “Are you in need of anything from this establishment?”
“The sake here is exquisite, isn’t it?” Tomo asked, sighing in content as he filled his cup once more. “Good liquor, good food, and good company—what more can you ask for?”
“Good company, eh? Are you sure I’m not boring you. Tomo?” Kazuha asked, inciting a loud laugh from the other samurai.
“Kazuha, despite your silence, your eyes say a lot.”
“Really? And what are they saying right now?” Kazuha raised an eyebrow, doubtful of what the other said.
“That you love being here with me.”
Kazuha shook his head, walking away from the shop. Everywhere he looked, memories would start haunting and flooding him. The tengu had been his companion throughout the years, listening silently as the Shogun recalled these memories. He listened to every word about his comrades and his beloved, staying by the lonesome man’s side through the guilt and sadness. He watched as the longing ate away at him.
When the Shogun hears of his companions’ old age or illness, he’d visit, wanting them to air out their anger and worries at him before they passed. But he was met with warm smiles and relief that he had been alive this whole time. When he heard of Gorou’s passing, the tengu mourned with him. Kazuha named the nameless youkai, “Makoto”, as a sign of trust, respect, and thanks.
Five years turned to ten, then twenty, then a hundred. Everyone he considered an ally and friend from his life as Kaedehara Kazuha, the samurai, had gone. He’s seen a dozen clan and commission heads be replaced, one after the other. At this point, Kazuha felt like he’s grown used to death and loneliness. This didn’t make the pain any duller, though. He now appreciated what Ei had meant. As gods, they have to choose the greater good, even if it means they have to sacrifice an unfortunate few.
“Your Excellency, there, ah… there seems to be a problem,” Makoto said one day as he watched Kazuha look over documentation.
“Is that so?” He said, still reading the papers in his hands. “Let Kujou handle it, I have faith in them.”
“Ah, but… sire…” The tengu fell silent, debating whether he was going to tell Kazuha or not. When the man in question looked up, raising an eyebrow at the uncharacteristic nervousness in his voice, he cleared his throat and continued. “It’s about the people’s army—the resistance. They, um… they appointed a new general.”
“It matters not, no?”
Makoto shook his head, face contorting in worry. “The general is… someone you know, Shogun.”
“What, did Gorou get reincarnated?” Kazuha laughed, shaking his head in amusement as he turned back to the documents. “Ah, you worry too much, Makoto.”
“Tomo.”
Kazuha’s smile dropped, throat clenching when he heard the name. His whole body felt cold, as though ice water had been dumped on him. He swallowed before turning back to Makoto, wishing that what he had said was a joke. His hopes were dashed when he saw the look of seriousness and worry on his attendant’s face.
“Tomo, what if one of us gets slain in battle?” Kazuha asked as he played with his lover’s slender and calloused fingers. “We lead a dangerous life, there is bound to be something that separates us—be it old age, death, or imprisonment.”
Tomo hummed, pulling the smaller man closer to warm up their bare bodies, only hidden by the thick kakebuton atop them. He buried his nose in his lover’s hair who giggled at the gesture. They entwined their fingers together, a lock and key of a silent promise.
“No matter how many times we will be reborn, I’ll find you.”