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"The Almighty Shogun has been awaiting your return, General."
General Kujou swallows the lump in her throat, turns on her heels, and enters the throne room empty-handed.
"I fought them with every intention of retrieving their vision, but my Shogun, they did not have one on their person. This Traveler…. They have the power to manipulate the elements without a vision. I found it impossible to retrain and bring them to you today-"
The Raiden Shogun rose from her throne. the vast room of scholars, former veterans, and advisors fell silent. The Shogun calls out in a brash and indignant tone,
"‘Found it impossible’? General Kujou, you are my most capable general, and you found it impossible? Hah! It is quite laughable that you even show your face at Tenshukaku today."
The Shogun’s eyes narrow.
"You’re using an elaborate excuse just to say that you were unsuccessful with your mission, Kujou."
She descends
The intimidating flight of stairs
Leisurely,
Like the Shogun was finally
Coming down to the mortal realm
Blessing them with her presence.
General Kujou falls to the ground, kneeling to the Shogun. Her head in a position like it would perfectly fit in the crook of a guillotine.
"My Shogun, I take full responsibility for my weakness. I have sent out several scouts that are tracking the Traveler’s location this very instant. When chance calls for it again, I will be ready to subdue them and rid them of this elemental power."
Sara contemplated her next statement frantically.
"I swear this on the Kujou family name."
The Shogun pauses on the last step, as if to remind General Kujou of her position even while bowing to her God.
"And how will you do that, ‘rid them of this elemental power’ are you even capable of doing so? I am growing tired of your ridiculous promises Kujou, this is not the first time you pledged me greatness that I am yet to witness. Your clan would be disappointed to know the shame that you brought upon them for swearing a lying oath on their name."
The Shogun waved her left hand towards the singular Kujou clan member, acting as clan representative for the meeting. His face reeked of embarrassment and pity. Other clan representatives tainted the divine silence with whispers and thoughtless gossip.
General Kujou’s gaze remained downwards, avoiding any eye contact. A drop of salty water fell from her eye to her lips. Her ears seared with infamy.
"I would have been merciful, and grant you the ability of a traditional suicide, but you have continued to endanger the eternity for all of Inazuma. You have failed your nation, you have failed your clan, you have failed me, Sara."
General Kujou, despite all efforts, lifts her heavy head to face the Shogun at the sound of her first name. The visage of her God was hazy, it was uncertain, and for the first time General Kujou felt distant with the God she had cherished.
"You are unworthy of this honorable exit, so I will now deliver your fate myself."
The Almighty Shogun summons the Musou no Isshin. The embodiment of wholehearted dreams.
Musou no Isshin.
The thunder that beacons dread, the lightening that never misses,
Musou no Isshin.
Another mortal life to witness to the Musou no Hitotachi
Another mortal life lost
For the sake of eternity.
General Kujou’s head drowns in the irony, executed by her own God, a final act of honor? Or one of shame? She readies her neck and relaxes her muscles, accepting the highest form of divine punishment.
General Kujou closes her eyes and voids her thoughts.
The Shogun readies her blade, stretching her arm high.
And in one swift motion,
She swings.
The sound of metal reverberates across the floor of the throne room,
Sara opens her eyes.
An electro vision comes into her view. Its soft but consistent glow echoing into her very soul.
It hurts.
The Shogun withdraws her sword.
"You will be stripped of your rank as General for the Tenryou Commission of Inazuma. You have demonstrated that you are no longer capable of holding such a high position in the commission. By letting this Traveler roam free, you jeopardize the very cause you’re fighting for, the very thing I have dreamed of for hundreds of years. I must assume that let this Traveler was let go as a silent act of treason and an attack to my life-time goal. I want you gone from my city; this decision is final."
Sara does not feel any other emotion.
Only betrayal.
"May I speak, My Shogun?"
"You may."
"I have given everything."
All composure was lost. Sara’s voice stumbles, she supports herself on all fours with trembling limbs.
"Please mother. reconsider, PLEASE! I want to die fighting for my nation, please let me have that much. Mother."
I gave my life to Inazuma,
To the commission,
To you.
Sara choked out into tears.
"On your feet, Sara."
Sara staggers to her feet, holding her head up high.
"Why should I...Why should I grant an incapable soldier the destiny they desire? I have lost one of my own in the path for eternity. Why should I change my ideals for one mere soldier? I have said my decision is final, and I will not say it again. You’re dismissed."
Sara swallows the lump in her throat, turns on her heels, and leaves the throne room empty-handed.
***
The Throne room was flooded.
Water everywhere.
It was unpredicted.
They didn’t know she would act upon her threats.
Sangonomiya. That damn-
Sara’s eyes catch a glimpse of familiar purple hair drifting above a pond of deep blue water.
"MOTHER!"
Sara sprints to the Shogun’s side, tearing her from the grasps of the unwelcome blue, struggling to resuscitate her using every method taught in training.
Sara leans her head onto the chest of the Shogun.
She listens for a heartbeat.
Nothing.
Please mother, I'm sorry. I'm so sorry. Please wake up.
Sara aggressively runs her fingers down the Shogun’s arm, trying to find a pulse.
Nothing.
Sara presses two shivering fingers against her cold neck.
Nothing.
Sara cries.
Nothing.
Sara screams.
Nothing.
Sara prays.
Nobody answers.