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After he parted ways with Lesser Lord Kusunali and the traveler, he had obtained a new name, along with the memories of his 'reincarnation'. Still, he did not have a destination. He was a wanderer, and destined to be. Perhaps, somehow, when time comes, he will get revenge on the Fatui, but as of now, he plans to do something else.
He knows, it's an odd thought. To think of visiting his mother, finding the answers he'd always been seeking for, what was he thinking? Why did it matter? He did not understand, or rather, he was denying the underlaying emotions that were shoved to the corner of his non-existent heart. Why would she care? Would she remember him after his doings to 'erase' himself from history? Probably not, and though he knew it was likely the answer, he still wanted- needed to know. There was hope. After all, he regained his own memories. So with nothing else to do, he sets off to his hometown, Inazuma.
***
Had it not been for the bad weather, he would've arrived days earlier. It doesn't matter though, he's here now in Ritou.
It was busy as always. People were buzzing around carrying goods from one end of the port to the other. Men were commanding orders among each other, while shops were promoting their sales. Nothing was out of the ordinary and Inazuma seemed to be doing well since he last escaped with the gnosis.
He knew too of the actions the Shogun recently decided. The seas were no longer covered in miles of long thunderstorms (he was just unlucky), and travelers can now easily access the nation within.
Many things were changing, but seeing them wasn't his purpose of coming here. He knew it wasn't safe, not as safe as Sumeru to say the least. He had to stick to his original intent and find the Shogun- his mother.
It wasn't too long of a walk from Ritou to Tenshukaku. The only issue were the guards that were in his way. Of course, he had nothing he could use to prove them regarding his relations with the Shogun. After all, he did erase their memories that were related to it. The feather that hangs above his chest is meaningless, even when it was given to symbolize his origins.
He stood there, thinking of ways he could get the Shogun's attention without getting into trouble or committing more sins than he already did in his past life. There weren't many options, it was a very secured area due to the importance the Shogun holds. Though, there is one thing he could try. It isn't exactly harmful in any way, and he knew he wouldn't attract the guards' attention if he did so.
Gently placing his Anemo vision in his arm, he created a flow of gentle yet prominent wind. It was guided towards the Shogun's personal chamber, considering it still was if he remembered it correctly. Now, he just hopes the Shogun is there, and would hopefully, acknowledge his presence. At least, if he was able to meet her, he could get a chance of explanation and maybe find the answers.
As the wanderer predicted, the wind current he sent did manage to grab the Shogun's attention. Ei, who was currently meditating in her own realm of consciousness felt the odd current. She knew no wind with elemental power would idly pass around in her consciousness, so she stood up and got out of her realm. She knew no other source aside her outside realm that could've created it.
"May I be of any help?" she asked the puppet once she got out.
"The disturbing breeze that had passed came from an Anemo wielder. The boy is currently in front of the statue."
Ei looked out towards the window. It was true, there was a young boy dressed in green who possessed an Anemo vision standing right in front of her statue. For some unknown reason, she felt a sense of familiarity with him. She couldn't quite put her finger on it, but she felt as if ever met him previously. It was surely something she wouldn't normally experience, so she took control of her puppet's body to investigate.
As she passed by, the people of Inazuma silenced their small talk and looked at her direction. Whether it was out of respect or fear, it wasn't an ordinary thing to see the Shogun stroll outside of Tenshukaku's borders.
The wanderer could feel strong electric energy coming towards him. Surely, he couldn't mistaken it for being anyone else aside the Shogun. Only she can carry this much electro energy.
He turned his face to see her calmly approaching him. This was the first time he seen her, or more accurately seen her in the life he's currently living. It was difficult not to falter at the presence. If he was anyone else but himself, they've been begging her for mercy, in regards of whatever she was about to do to them.
"Do I know you?" she inquired.
A surprised expression that painted his face quickly faded away, replaced with one of mockery. He couldn't help but smirk at such a question. Perhaps it was rude to do so, but he knew this was Ei, and not the Shogun. Even if most wouldn't be able to identify, their voices were different. She would not mindlessly attack him (although the shogun sees him as a threat), at least not after a proper introduction. Besides, it would be too dangerous as many citizens surround them.
People who were currently minding their own business started surrounding the statue. They were curious, and wanted to listen in from afar.
"Well, well, if it isn't the Archon herself. Greetings, Beelzebul," he started.
The crowd seemed to be shocked over his response; To show disrespect towards their Archon was not anything an ordinary person would do. Instantly, they didn't really like him. They gossiped among themselves, talking of why the Shogun would even bother approaching him. Did he commit a crime? To them, it was likely that he would do so. Was she about to end him? They hoped.
Ei did not respond. Instead, her eyes track down towards the ornaments hanging above the chest. That feather... Strangely, she couldn't bring herself to remember anything about it either. Perhaps it was too long ago, but she knew something was just off about that particular memory.
"Would you like to have tea with me?" she inquired, wanting to know further about the mysterious boy in front of her.
Not wanting to cause more attention, he agreed with a gentle nod and a tip of his hat.
***
To his perspective, Tenshukaku has grown much bigger in terms of its size. The last time he stepped foot here was about 500 years ago before he got abandoned, aftter all. It would make sense for the Shogun to upgrade the place. Everything in it was a complete maze to him, like it's always been in the past. He does not remember which hallways would lead to each room anymore, so all he could do now is follow the Shogun as numerous servants stare at his walking figure.
After many turns, they arrived in a secluded area of a room. There was no other presence here. He could only sense the two of them. Inside it, lays an Inazuman styled tea table. Surrounding were four neatly arranged cushions, while diverse collection of décor were placed on the cabinets of the room.
Ei took a seat on the opposite side of the table, he did too. A knock on the door echoed through the room and a servant came with a tray of freshly stewed tea.
The steam brings an essence of traditional Inazuman tea, making him feel rather nostalgic. The two cups along with a teapot was gently set on the table. The servant then bowed and left them to their privacy.
It was awkward for the first few seconds, but Ei was the first one to break the silence.
"If you will, tell me more about yourself."
"Why should I?"
She paused at the zip of tea; An unreadable expression crossing her face. She didn't know if there were any risks in telling him the truth of why she wanted to know, but her inner-self urged her to do so.
"Well, I felt a sense of familiarity the moment I saw you. I can't seem to recall anything... but that feather on your chest also seems to prove the same point."
He contemplates. Maybe Irminsul didn't completely erase everything from everyone. After all, he was still able to regain his memories through that odd story Nahida stored. Still, the Shogun didn't remember anything, so he would have to explain everything from the start. The true question wasn't the complexity of the situation, but if he was willing to share the information. He knows that it may cause several consequences, the worst case scenario being dying to the Musou Isshin, Ei's beloved blade. Still, he balances the odds and decided it was worth the risk anyway. He didn't come all the way to Inazuma for nothing.
"Do you remember anything related to creating a puppet before the Shogun?"
She ponders. Truly, she didn't. But she does remember she attempted to make another byproduct of the Shogun as a trial and destroyed it immediately as per Yae's commands.
"Do you remember why Shakkei Pavilion was created?"
"Do you-"
"I apologize, but I don't recall any answers to your inquiry."
He sighs, knowing he'd have to explain everything. And so, he started, awkwardly retelling his whole life story to the Shogun.
.
.
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.
.
It started when a puppet was created by its creator. It's original purpose was to hold the Gnosis and rule the nation of eternity, but its creator viewed it as someone too weak for the job. It shed tears every evening, unable to handle the burden of a Gnosis.
Seeing no worth over the puppet, the creator discarded it in a domain to put it in an eternal slumber. Unpredictably, it woke up when a particular group of people were exploring the domain. They were a group of blade smith, working to craft the best blade in Inazuma.
It was taken out the domain along with them, seeing as they pity the puppet. They recognized the particular feather it was wearing to be the Almighty Shogun's, and so they started questioning the puppet's origins.
Regardless, they saw the puppet as a human. One of the blade smith who became close friends with it got along rather well, considering him as even a family. Day to day, they would work together, crafting the best blades they could've made.
Sadly, a calamity soon happened in relation to the furnace at Tartasuna. The puppet quickly asked for help to a particular Shrine Maiden at Narukami Shrine, receiving a response that help were come by, but it never did came.
He believed he had been betrayed, by both the Shrine Maiden and the one he saw as family. Still, the boy had hope for humanity and a gentle heart.
In his aimless wander, he met another just like him. One that was abandoned and had no family. The puppet grew close and they ended up living together. They had each other, and that was enough to fulfill the puppet's non-existent heart.
Unfortunate for him, a disease that plague the island was spreading. Unable to fulfill a promise the boy made to the puppet, he died. A pool of sakura blooms laid around his lifeless, cold figure.
The puppet filled with rage, disappointment, anger, and betrayal. It was not able to distinguish any form of emotion it had, and so it burned the house to flames. Ashes were left within, and the puppet wished it was never created- born.
The puppet soon became violent, joining the Fatui to get back what rightfully belonged to him. The Gnosis. It wanted revenge for the world's cruel faith, and become cruelty itself.
It was all due to another harbinger that saw worth it him, many experiments were run through the puppet to unlock his full abilities that were once taken away. It was a painful process, but the puppet did not care. All it wanted was the fulfil its purpose.
It was a long process, one too long to decipher. The puppet had to go through a whole mission in Inazuma to obtain the Gnosis. Once it was in its reach, it gladly ran away with it, not bringing it back as promised to the Cryo Archon.
It found itself within the borders of Sumeru, where it worked with a harbinger known as Dottore. The academia was also involved, since they made an agreement to create a new god, one that would be more powerful and divine then Lesser Lord Kusunali.
The outcomes, wasn't favorable though. A traveler from afar and the god of wisdom herself stopped the puppet from achieving its purpose, taking away the gnosis from its reach.
At that point, the puppet felt hopeless. It did not care for all the broken parts of its figure that was created upon the harsh landing. The other individuals in the room did not seem to care either, leaving him to his own destiny.
Though, the god of wisdom pitied it. She took it in and cared, as if he had committed no crimes to her nation.
Latter, when the puppet was well enough, it made an agreement with the god to do a favor for the traveler. The puppet agreed to visit Irminsul in search for information related to the traveler's kin.
Alas, no records were found about it. Instead, a history of the puppet itself was found.
The puppet watched the sceneries and truths that were unfolded within the realm. To its surprise, the blade smith did not actually betray him. He was always there for it, defending its side regardless of its origins. It was Dottore. Dottore was the mastermind, the one behind everything of his cruel fate.
Overwhelmed by its own emotions, the puppet decided to the unthinkable. In some unknown way, it used its last remains of god-like powers to erase itself from the past. It was still alive, just not in anyone else's memories. It had a chance to restart life, a life without without violence and cruelty. Maybe, this time, fate would be kind to it.
.
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.
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"... that puppet, is me. I am now a wanderer. This feather you mentioned, it's a resemblance of my identity, my origins, just like it's always been."
Finally, after what felt like an eternity of story telling, he finished. Ei pondered for a moment. Though she was not able to recall anything from her own memory, the feather itself seemed to prove everything it needed to. She recalled the moment she created a feather similar to the one on the boy's chest, but she did not remember what she did with it. All she knew was that she used to hang it, and many saw it one of the many objects that resembles the shogun.
The wanderer, which is what he is now known under now, had a deep wave of emotions go through him. He did not know how to feel after telling the Shogun such confidential information regarding his past or 'reincarnation', but he knew it was necessary if he wanted to question the other to seek answers.
"I see... though I do not recall any similar incidents, I believe you, wanderer."
Silence filled the room for a few more minutes, which felt like years, but it was soon broken by a knock on the door.
"Your excellency, the Fatui are currently attacking the front lines of Tenshukaku. One of the harbingers is here too, seeming to be the mastermind of the plan." her servant stated in panic.
Ei's expression shifted to stern intimidation. She quickly stood up, walking to the door.
"I will take care of this. Lead the way."
"Of course, your excellency."
Not knowing what to do, the wanderer followed along. He knew that the Doctor was probably the one behind this. If it was true, it was also his chance to get revenge, so he had nothing to lose.
***
"Halt! The Shogun has arrived."
Ei firmly stood with the Musou Isshin on her side. It carried a heavy wave of electro energy, as the wielder had a stern and unchanging expression.
Dottore did not falter nor flinch, instead, he felt rather pleased to be meeting the Electro Archon herself.
"Greetings, Beelzabul. It's nice to see you alive and well."
"State your business here."
"Oh, isn't already obvious? I'm here to get that boy back."
The wanderer froze in place. He wanted to fight, he should. He's putting the whole Inazuma at stake, he wasn't planning for this to happen. He knew it wasn't safe to be here, he should've not came-
"If you just give him to me, I would not cause chaos to your Tenshukaku. So please, if you will."
The wanderer took out his catalyst, prepared to attack, until he heard the Shogun's voice saying,
"Hm? You wish to take him with you? I challenge you to a duel then."
"And what may be the circumstances?"
"If you win, I'll allow you to have him. If I win, you must never return to this land of eternity"
The doctor chuckled, "If that's settled, I have no objections," taking out his claymore.
The first strike was taken when by the Raiden Shogun. She did not go easy, using the Musou Isshin to create a large gash along the doctor's neck.
The second one was followed by a heavy hit of Dottore's claymore, that was blocked by the Shogun's sword.
It continued, slash after slash. To say that they were both equal of strength wasn't false, as every block and slash was equal in a scale.
The wanderer stood in disbelief. Not only that he didn't understand why the Shogun would do such a thing for him, but he questioned the stakes of such a deal for her land of eternity. Why would she risk anything happening to the nation she rules for him? Why did it seem like he suddenly mattered?
The guards stood still surrounding the battle ground. They did not want to interfere. It was a duel, a 1v1. They sensed the intensity and importance of it, giving full control to the Shogun's decisions. They would only react if they were ordered to do so. Otherwise, they would watch from the sidelines, as well as the Fatuis.
"You will regret this, Beelzabul. Your land of eternity will pay for the price for a silly sacrifice."
She stayed silent, focusing on the duel she was facing. To admit that it wasn't as easy as any other she experienced wasn't something she'd say, but it was surely quite though. At that point, it was a test of stamina. The one who would falter first was the one who'd lose the duel.
The doctor had quite impressive and accurate skills in dodging. Still, he mostly used the power of his clones and experimental positions to power his own delusion. His own figure was full of scars, one that would take months to heal. His intelligence was the only way that kept him alive when up to that point.
Unfortunately, a sluggish move opened a weak target for a millisecond, and that gave an opportunity for the Shogun to strike her last shot to end the duel for good.
The doctor fell to his knees, unable to resist the pain he felt. He was also at lost for words, holding his abdomen as he grunts in pain. He did not want to admit defeat, but he couldn't go further in a state like this.
Ei knew she had won, but she made sure by glaring at the doctor and harshly lifting up his chin with the end of her blade.
"Are we finished?"
All Dottore could do was stare at her, he did not respond.
"All members of the Fatui, retreat!"
He stood up sluggishly as two members of the Fatui approached to help him. Embarrassingly, he got carried away like a weak, pathetic, injured soilder.
"I will come back for him, Beelzabul."
The wanderer still stood at the same spot he was when the duel started. He could not move nor process of what just happened in front of him. Ei went all out, for sure, but for what? And why?
She glared at the limped figure of the doctor as he was carried away out of Tenshukaku's borders.
"You all may be dismissed. This case is closed up to further notice."
"Yes, your excellency!"
She turned back to face the wanderer, who did nothing but gave back a blank stare to the gentle yet bittersweet glare of his creator. She took her time walking back up the stairs, thinking of how she would explain things to him. Though she did not truly know why he came to Inazuma to visit her after all she did, she knew he probably wanted answers regarding a particular topic that only she can assist in.
"Shall we go back in?"
He looked up to her gentle face, one that was filled with affectionate love and care. He did not know how to respond, but Ei took that clueless stare as a yes.
***
"Why did you..." he trailed off.
"Hm? Why did I what?"
"Why did you do that?"
"The duel?"
"Yes, why did you challenge the doctor just for... him to not take me away?"
Ei pondered for a moment. She did not know if her response would offend or please him. Still, she told the truth.
"To protect you."
"Why would you want to protect me?"
"I created you, did I not?"
"Yes but..."
Tears were in the verge of his eyes. He tried to hold them back, he did not need to look pathetic in front of the archon, his mother.
"Why does it seem like you suddenly care for me? You've left me in that domain, and never returned to not 'intervene with my fate'. You... you abandoned me. You saw no worth in me, you hated me, mother."
The last word slipped out of his mouth unintentionally, but he did not care anymore. He wanted answers, he wanted to know the truth.
Ei froze after he finished that statement. She couldn't recall if he ever addressed her as so due to the incident in Irminsul, but she could feel her (also) non-existent heart ache at that word.
His perspective of her actions were so similar to the pain she felt when Makoto died, she could've not imagined everything her creation- son had to go through during her absence.
Now she understands. She understands the mistakes she had made, ones that she wouldn't be able to repair since changing the past is inevitable. She looked into his eyes, making sure to gently look at those fearful and hurt ones.
He couldn't hold it back anymore. The look his mother gave was not stern, he knew its filled with compassion and care. A tear slowly fell of his face. Another, after another which soon washed out like flowing river.
Ei didn't know what to do. She wasn't one to comfort others nor was she a mother. Makato would normally be the one who would fill all the duties she couldn't accomplish, including being compassionate and loving towards th people of nation of eternity. Ei was only a weapon, one wielded by her to take part in the battle field. Still, she tried. She extended her arms, offering a hug to the wanderer.
He embraced it gratefully. He tightly hugged her back, hiding his face in the crook of her neck. He must look pathetic, he thought. He hates this, he hated his tears. It was the reason he was discarded, after all. But he couldn't help it. They unstoppably came pouring down his eyes. All his attempts in regaining his composure ended in vain, since all he could do was shudder as he pours his heart out in front of his mother.
Ei gently combed through the strokes of his hair. His hat was casted aside, so he could comfortably sit on his mother's lap. It was a moment of peace for the duo. It's like the world stopped for that very moment.
One may not know, but his mother felt a warmth that was long absent in her life engulf her heart once more. One that is similar to when Makoto was around.
"Shh, it's okay. I'm here. I won't leave you again."
"But why did you leave me! I always wanted your love, your care, mother, I-" he said, in between his cries.
"I wanted to grant you freedom. I didn't want you to bare the burden of ruling the nation. But it seems that I might've not done it right. I apologize, my son."
Those words, he thought. It was everything he always wanted to hear from his mother. It warms his heart, stinging his eyes and filling it with more tears.
"I know I'll never be able to fix your past, but please, if you would, let me love you. You don't have to forgive me, but I do hope you'll be able to do in the future. In any case, you deserve the absence of love I wasn't able to give you in the past. I wasn't... in a right state of mind after all, but it shall not be an excuse of my present actions."
"Mother!" he said, eyes heavy of tears looking deep into her purple ones.
"I- I love you. No, I hate you. I hate you for everything you've done! You won't understand, you wouldn't understand everything I've ever craved for is for you to... to just look at me. Find the slightest worth, it would've been enough, but now..."
His words trailed off, he didn't know what else to say. He was at lost for words, drowning in a pot of overwhelming mixed emotions that he's currently experiencing.
He was being showered by affection. The loving kisses his mother gave on his cheeks and forehead, followed by the gentle circles of his mother's fingers, and being embraced in the cuddle he long for was all he ever desired. He felt fulfilled, wanted, and mist importantly, loved.
"If you'd like, I'm willing to be the mother you longed for. I'll protect you to ends mean, and most importantly give you the love you always wanted, dearest."
All he could do was nod to his mother's neck. His voice was taken away by all the chokes of his cries.
He held on a little tighter to his mother, as if she would leave him at that very moment. It felt like a dream, but it wasn't. Perhaps, it's a chance to rewrite the past.