Chapter Text
Chapter 1: Ei takes some time off
Raiden Ei was tired. Who wouldn’t after 500 years of fighting for both their life and what they believed in?
But after that short interlude where Lumine had shown her around the Inazuma of today, Ei had developed a nagging urge to explore, to experience the world again after a millennium of isolation. Maybe it was time she ventured out into the mainland of Teyvat, to see how the rest of the world had changed in the last 500 years.
That blasted vixen had encouraged the idea, which is how her Eternal Excellency, the Raiden Shogun of Inazuma, Archon of Electro, Master of the Musou no Hitotachi, found herself crammed back into a physical body that felt ever so slightly too small. It hadn’t taken her long to manifest a duplicate, leaving her original body… well not original but the one she had spent the most time in, for the Shogun to use.
Miko had suggested that she adopt an appearance different from her usual splendor, but Ei had declined, citing that she wouldn’t be recognised in the other countries. The kitsune didn’t need to know that the real reason was that frankly, Ei wasn’t exactly the most adept shapeshifter. To be fair, any skill that one has not used in over 2000 years was bound to become rusty from disuse.
Miko did tell her that if she planned to properly exist among humans for any period of time, there were a number of things that she would need. It hadn’t taken her long to secure a ample supply of Mora for her trip, and then pick out a fake electro vision from among those that the Tenryo commission had apprehended. Even Ei could appreciate how impeccable the craftsmanship was, and likely wouldn’t have been able to tell that it was fake if it wasn’t for how it lacked that sliver of an energy she was so intimately familiar with. The last thing that she needed was some fake identity documents. But they weren’t really fake if they were stamped with the Shogun’s authentic seal were they?
The documents declared her as Kamisato Ayarai, a first cousin of the main branch. Miko had conferred with Ayato, and the man had agreed to be complicit in any cover story that she required.
With those items secured, and the Musou Isshin sheathed at her hip, Ei slipped out of the palace, shifting physical form into a bolt of electricity. She flew north towards Ritou, because although she was more than capable of traveling across the sea to Liyue under her own power, taking a ship would be a novel experience. With the recent relaxment of the travel ban, it shouldn’t be too hard to find a ship going to Liyue Harbour.
Sure enough, she spotted a Liyue junk in harbour, an impressive array of ballistae set upon its top deck. Ei sensed the energies of a pair of vision users standing near the bow of the ship, one electro, the other anemo. She dropped down to the deck beside them, shifting back into human form just before impact so as to not scorch the wood.
In hindsight, Ei realised that such an entrance, while dramatic and benefiting of her divine majesty, was perhaps slightly ill advised, especially when she looked up and saw who exactly she had dropped in on.
Both of them had their weapons half drawn, the electro user a Liyue woman Ei didn’t recognise. The man however she most certainly did. After all, it had been a long time since anyone had managed to oppose the Musou no Hitotachi and walk away alive, even the Shogun’s imperfect imitation. Kaedehara Kazuha was most definitely a human who had earned a place in her memory.
“I apologise for the sudden nature of my appearance Kaedehara, I swear I mean you no harm,” she spoke calmly, hands raised in a sign of peace. After a moment, both humans resheathed their weapons, although it took Kaedehara a fraction longer to do so.
“Kazuha, I’m pretty sure I can guess, but humour me and introduce me to ya friend here.”
“I would not refer to her as my friend Captain Beidou, but this is indeed the Raiden Shogun.” Ei noted the intentional omission of an honorific, but decided not press the point. Miko would call it good practice, or something of the sort.
“Well then, what does her Ladyship need with us? I assure you, I ain’t carrying anything illegal at the moment, and I’ve received authorisation to dock here.” Ei once again bit back the need to correct the mode of address used to refer to herself, and kept her voice even as she replied.
“It has come to my attention that I have been sorely lacking in my understanding of the modern landscape of Teyvat, and I have decided that I will rectify that fact by experiencing it firsthand. As such, I would like request passage aboard your vessel to Liyue Harbour.” There, that was pleasant enough right?
Both the humans seemed somewhat taken aback by her proclamation, but Beidou recovered quickly.
“I’d be happy to take ya, but unfortunately we’re only going as far as Guyun stone forest where the rest of my fleet is anchored, that close enough for you?”
“That is the location of Morax’s battle with Osial is it not? If so, that would be satisfactory.”
“Well since we’re heading that way anyway, I’d be happy to give ya a discount on the fare.”
“I am more than willing to pay the full cost in Mora and additionally I will abate the tempest around Inazuma during our crossing, if that would be helpful.” She was planning on doing that anyway, now was as a good time as any.
“Would be nice to have some clear weather for once, but in terms of cost, I ain’t talking about Mora.”
“Oh?” Ei raised a single sculpted eyebrow, somewhat surprised. Was Mora not the standard to exchange for goods and services anymore? Had Miko tricked her? It wouldn’t be unlike the fox to pull such a demeaning prank on her.
“If ya wouldn’t mind, I’d love a quick spar. I’ve heard haiku head over here wax poetic about your fancy sword quite a lot, and I’d love to see it for myself.” Ah so that was the angle…
“Beidou, I doubt the Shogun would be interested in-“ Kaedehara began to speak, but Ei held up a hand to stop him.
“I would be agreeable to such an exchange, Captain Beidou, but not at the current moment. I am endeavoring to make my departure somewhat clandestine, so as to not make things more difficult for the one I have left in charge.”
“That’s a-okay, we can do it when we get to Guyun. But if ya don’t mind me asking, who have you left in charge? That chick with the crow mask?”
“If you are refusing to Kujo Sara, that is not the case, in actuality…” Ei paused for a moment. If she was going to be in the company of this pair for a while, it would make life significantly easier to simply explain the reality of the situation. Kaedehara at least deserved that much for what the Shogun had put him through. So Ei explained her existence versus that of the Shogun puppet. She was met with three very wide eyes when she finished the explanation.
“So the person we fought during the rebellion was not you, but the puppet, correct?” Kaedehara questioned, although Ei understood that wasn’t actually what he was asking.
“That is the truth, I have spent very little time in the real world in the last 500 years” At this answer he relaxed slightly, and some of warriness in his eyes dimmed.
“Oh yeah, last time we saw Lumine she mentioned she’d spent an afternoon hanging out with ya.” Of course they were acquainted with the traveler. At this point, it seemed like she knew every vision user in Teyvat.
“Indeed, do you know of Lumine’s current whereabouts?”
“I recall she mentioned that the priests of Watatsumi had asked her to descend into Enkanomiya,” Kaedehara was the one who answered this time.
“I see…” To think they were going down to that place, where so many secrets of the world lay…
“Also uh, is there something we can call you rather than all your fancy names and titles and what not?” Ei had to suppress an eye roll at the question. Was it really that hard to remember the correct methods to address one as exalted as herself?
“If you must, simply Raiden will be appropriate.”
“Well Raiden, I just need to clear a few things with the port officials and then we will be off.” Beidou paused for a second, brow scrunched up slightly.
“Do you, uh, need food or a place to sleep? Forgive me, I ain't exactly an expert on Archon physiology…” Beidou sounded oddly apologetic, which was not something Ei had expected from her.
“I do not require either, but I will join you for meals. Just because I do not require physical sustenance does not mean I cannot enjoy the taste of food.”
“Well then, you just wait here. Kazuha, make sure everyone’s ready to cast off, I’ll be right back,” with that the captain vaulted over the side of the ship, landing neatly on the wharf below.
“I will also take my leave, your excellency, if you need anything please ask one of the crew.” Kaedehara swiftly departed for the aft of the vessel, but Ei did note the correct mode of address as she turned to gaze upon the bustling port below.
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The Alcor departed within the hour, and Ei kept her promise to part the storm, the massive monsoon abating to a calm sky as they passed the boundary of Inazuma’s waters and into the open ocean.
The electro Archon spent most of the voyage sitting at the bow of the Alcor, watching the sea and the clouds roll by as the junk cut through the waves towards Liyue. She’d thought it would make her happy, to take a ship rather than flying across, but it had dredged up some memories she thought she’d finally left behind.
It was late on the third night of the voyage, when she was roused from her melancholy by the approach of the captain of the vessel.
“Ya feeling okay Raiden? I won’t pretend to know what your usual mood is, but I doubt it’s like this.”
Ei let out a long sigh, and shook her head.
“You would be correct Captain, the last experience I had on a ship was not a pleasant one…” she trailed off, eyes fixed on the beautiful, starry, and oh so fake sky above.
“I imagine you won’t want to tell me, but ya can if you want to.”
“No, I think I actually might. After all, a friend of mine told me recently that a burden shared is a burden halved.” Ei sucked in a deep breath before continuing.
“The last time I was on a ship was when I returned to Inazuma following the great cataclysm 500 years ago. I… lost my sister, the previous electro Archon during the conflict, along with many others I would call friends or allies. So as you can imagine, the sights and sounds are dragging up foul memories.” Beidou didn’t say anything in reply for a moment, before she started to speak.
“I get ya, more than you probably realise. Going back to places that remind us of our past is painful, but I’ve realised that the best way to deal with that is to make new memories, to complement the old ones. Not to forget, but to get a fresh perspective, maybe even a happy one.” Ei was somewhat taken aback by the words, not expecting the captain to speak in a way that made her sound like the greatest of Inazuma’s sages.
“Thank you Captain Beidou, those are wise words indeed. Grief is not something that can be erased, but perhaps it can learn to share the space.”
“Damn right. Hey, can I ask you something else?”
“I will answer any question you have as best I can.” Beidou nodded, and reached up to grab the vision that hung from her chest.
“Do you know how I got this?”
“Hmm, if you would allow me to touch it, I would be able to glean the circumstance.” Beidou detached it from her clothes, and offered the crystal out to the Archon. Ei held it in her cupped hands, and concentrated.
Immediately, a vivid memory entered her mind, although it was not one that belonged to her. A feeling of great exhaustion, the smell of salt and blood and gunpowder, and the sight of the severed head of a great leviathan floating in the red ocean ahead.
“Ah I see now, you are the one who slew Haishan, the event was reported to the Shogun when it occurred. Truly an impressive feat for a human, especially one without a vision.” Beidou blushed a little at the praise as Ei handed the vision back to her.
“Thanks. I always felt it appropriate that I got an electro vision, since I know that story about how ya did in that big snake god that Kokomi worships.”
“You speak of Orobashi, the coral serpent. Our battle was… a long time ago, and not an event I can speak of at great length about.” Darned Celestia, even now it bound her, despite the fact that her gnosis was long gone.
“Eh don’t sweat it, was just an interesting thought that came to mind.”
“Thank you for your consideration. Indeed, if you have the strength to fell a monster of Haishan’s caliber, I have begun to look forward to the duel you hath proposed.”
“Well won’t be long now, we’re only a couple of days away from Guyun. Let’s just hope ya old buddy Morax won’t mind if we break a couple of his spears.” The mention of the geo Archon made Ei consider that she’d probably run into the ancient god at some point during her stay. In fact, perhaps she should seek him out when she arrived in the city. Makoto had always had a close relationship with Morax, and her own, while not excellent by any means, was cordial at worst. But then again, it had been 500 years since he had seen her… well she would have to wait and see. Her musings were interrupted by Beidou letting a large yawn and rubbing her revealed eye.
“Anyway, I gotta go get some shut eye, us humans unfortunately gotta sleep.”
“Good night, and please in the future call me Ei, and know that the electro Archon would be glad to consider you a friend.” Her companion gave a big smile as she stood up from where they were sitting.
“Well then, I’ll see ya in the morning, Ei.”
“Good night, and sleep well Beidou.”
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They arrived at Guyun Stone Forest two days later, and although Ei had enjoyed the later half of the voyage significantly more than the first, she was still glad to be back on solid ground. It took Beidou a couple hours to catch up with her lieutenants who commanded the other ships in the Crux fleet, which Ei spent scouting the surrounding area to find a suitable location. She happened across a large arena set beside one of the larger spears, a geo hypostasis hovering in the centre. Ah, a decent warmup then.
In truth, it only took her two strikes to disperse the erstwhile elemental. One to break its armour, and second to slice its core in twain.
She had just resheathed the Musou Isshin when Beidou and Kaedehara walked up to her, Beidou with a different greatsword slung over her back than before, this one seemingly made from some sort of bone.
“Ya ready to rumble Ei? A bunch of the crew wanted to come watch but I figured it probably wouldn’t be safe for them. Kazuha’s here to ref though, just to make sure we don’t cut each other up too much,” Beidou said, as the two women walked to the centre of the arena, Kaedehara standing atop one of the pillars that dotted the circumference.
“A wise choice, and I will try my best to not ‘cut you up too much’,” Ei replied. She paused for a moment then continued.
“I see you have changed weapons, is there a particular reason behind that?”
“Yeah, this here is a sword I carved out of one of Haishan’s teeth. It’s way sturdier than any sort of metal, and carries elemental energy well. I only use it for special occasions, and I figured this counts,” Beidou explained as she drew said sword.
“A worthy blade indeed, then let us begin.” Ei wasted no time, an iai slash opening the duel, the air behind the Musou Isshin tearing open to reveal a starry void. Beidou grinned, and brought up her bone blade to block, an electro shield springing to life in front of it.
To Ei’s shock, the shield easily absorbed the energy from her strike, the power covering Beidou’s sword with an aura of cracking energy. With a mighty heave, the captain brought her blade around in a wide arc, Ei barely weaving out of the way of the attack. The shockwave the strike released pulverised a small outcrop on the edge of the arena, stone fragments sent flying as the pair began to circle each other, sizing their opponent up.
Beidou was the first one to take the offensive this time, bringing her blade around in a sweeping motion designed to cover sideways dodges. Ei took the bait, blinking backwards out of the way, sword raised to deliver a counterattack. The blow was once more blocked by Beidou’s shield, but this time Ei gazed not at the physical world, but at the elemental energies that were at play.
Beidou’s shield was expertly constructed, and due to its matching nature, extremely resistant to electro energy. Ei could still break it easily of course, but the amount of force required would likely cause grievous wounds to the captain. But, the barrier’s immense strength indicated an inherent flaw.
The human body, even one as well trained and acclimated as Beidou’s, could only channel that much elemental energy for a short burst before a break was required. So Ei quickly followed up with an additional blow, and then another, and another and another, not giving her opponent a chance to drop her guard.
After the 6th strike, Beidou grunted, and the shield was once more drawn into her blade. But this time, she swept the tip of the blade across the ground, the resulting wave of lightning designed to give her some breathing room. Against most opponents, a massive advancing wall of electro would likely do just that.
Ei wasn’t most opponents.
In an instant, she blinked behind Beidou, and before the woman could raise another shield, Ei flicked the Musou Isshin to the captain’s throat and held the blade there, a centimeter away from slicing it open.
Beidou blinked in surprise, before lowering her sword to the ground as a grin broke out across her face.
“I concede,” she said, as she shook her head in disbelief.
“Damn Ei, you’re pretty fast huh?”
“Indeed, my speed is the aspect of my combat skill that I am most proud of.”
“Yeeep, looks like you’re just as good as Kazuha makes it out to be.” This last statement was somewhat directed at the aforementioned man, who had made his way over from the edge of the arena.
“An excellent match, and Beidou I cannot see why you would be surprised at that. Her Excellency is famed for her exploits during the Archon War,” he said stoically, to which Beidou simply rolled her eyes.
“Yeah yeah, but in any case, I guess you’re leaving now huh?” She turned to look at Ei, a grin still plastered on her face.
“Indeed, although I imagine we will see each other again in the near future?”
“Yep, once I figure out some stuff here, I need to head into town to talk business with a few people. If you’re still in the city in about a week or so, I’ll take you to a restaurant a friend of mine runs. Best food in all of Liyue.”
“Well then, I will see you both at a later juncture, Farewell.” With that, Ei streaked off into the sky, making a beeline for the unmistakable silhouette of Liyue Harbour that filled the western horizon.