Chapter Text
Sorrow and misery weren’t foreign to him, but hopelessness was a new flavor lingering on his tongue.
For the entirety of his life, Kaedehara Kazuha had refused to acknowledge this disgusting taste, simply gulped it down without hesitation. Yet he was nothing but a mere mortal knelt down before the cardinal hands of fate and was fed with despair. And for the first time in his whole existence, he was out of hope.
If he had the capacity to think thoroughly, he would’ve let out a chuckle at how ridiculous his circumstances were. As the former heir to his clan, a trustworthy comrade to those who fought alongside him, and the long yearned partner to his friend; Kazuha had had a lot to hold dear, to fight for and to breathe more. And even when he had found himself as a proclaimed traitor to his beloved homeland while losing all he knew fondly, Kazuha had never lowered himself to desperation: not when he heard his dearest friend breathe his last nor when he grabbed his dying vision and fled, slaying the soldiers that had run after him. Even when his heart was pounding with grief and pain, he refused to let himself wallow further. But this very spirit of his was captured, taken away and shattered by the wrath of the Electro Archon, yet somehow survived long enough to witness his own death.
It was stupendous, he thought. The exhilarating sizzle of Electro charging through his veins, the uncurbed winds swirling around him, the burning sensation of the Shogun’s mighty swordsmanship… He was captured right after, not even given a chance to soothe his nerves and adapt to the situation. He had no knowledge of his fellow comrades’ and friends’ wellbeing, nor did he know of his own, and it was not long after his vision - the embodiment of his spirit - was wrenched off of him alongside of his past friend’s. Being interrogated and tortured for an unknown time for any information about the Resistance, his comrades, Kazuha, the man who had lost everything, said nothing; he let them torture him all they wanted and offered a numb smirk in return. Dignity was the last possession to his name, and he was unwilling to let go of it.
Through his narrowed eyes, he surveyed the moonlit cell, built at the top of Tenshukaku. From the sounds through the small window that he was accompanied by in his solitude, it was a quiet night. He stretched his right hand until it was met with the beams of the moon. He observed the burn scars as he leaned against the wall, body still and mind numb; he could almost feel the dying heartbeats of the masterless vision that left his hand inflamed. For a sliver of a second, a curious thought lingered in his mind, wondering if his own vision, too, had burnt into the color of ash. A quiet huff that felt like a breathless laugh left his lips, grieving for the ambitions he once homed. He closed his eyes as he let his head fall back and feebly placed his hand back into his lap.
Vague chatters of the soldiers waiting by the entrance of the ward had regaled him for a while until they were interrupted by a sudden motion. He didn’t bat an eye, nor did he move any muscle as he laid against the wall, not wincing but also unable to not frown slightly at the cries reaching to his ears. They were silenced as quickly as they rose anyway, and outlasted by a vague scent of what smelled like burnt flesh among the air. Kazuha tried not to put his mind into the familiarity of it, but he was very well aware of the sudden uneasiness forming in his stomach. A brief grimace took over his face right before he cracked his eyes open to a person standing before the rails.
At first glance, it was an unassuming young man dressed in a simple, light blue kimono. A gentle smile was offered vaguely, and an unreadable but innocuous glance was flashed by narrowed eyes. Although his expression was mostly covered by his veiled kakugasa, Kazuha could almost make out the entirety of his face. With the immaculate demeanor and humbly clad figure, the man looked pointedly harmless to say the least. Although, Kazuha was very well aware that neither of them thought it, considering the bellows that filled the ward a few minutes ago. He watched as the man approached closer and pulled aside his kakugasa, just enough to get a clear view of him as he offered the same to Kazuha and tilted his head, his smile widening.
The blatant resemblance to the ruler of the Electro Archon, the Almighty Shogun that Kazuha had lost everything to, made him catch his breath. The intruder’s aura was far different from the Shogun’s, but his features were palpably similar. Kazuha felt his blood run cold, his dull nerves suddenly provoked. The man huffed at his reaction, as if he was waiting for it. Although Kazuha was quick to collect himself, he was still wary. He watched the man carefully as he pointed at him with a lazy gesture of his finger.
“You look desperate,” the man stated matter-of-factly. Kazuha took a moment for his gaze to settle on the stranger before he took a quiet breath to compose himself and hummed.
“I am,” he agreed, making the man grin before straightening up his posture, clearly aware of Kazuha’s contemplating eyes. A soft hum, followed by a few footsteps towards the bars. Kazuha frowned imperceptibly at the action. The balmy breeze blowing up through the window and swirling around the stranger was offering Kazuha a helping hand about the man’s intentions while the presence of the uneasy feeling was giving him a few interpretations for his identity.
He didn’t see the point of asking questions, and let the intruder take the lead.
“You don’t seem surprised, though.” Accepting the lead, the intruder raised an eyebrow, one hand on his hip. “Lots of visitors, I presume?”
“No.” Kazuha shook his head slightly, momentarily breaking eye contact. “You are not as discreet as you think you are if you thought no one heard you take down those guards. I simply opted to ignore the distraction,” he proposed, twisting his lips and shrugging. The man seemed entertained by this speculation when Kazuha’s eyes averted to his once more. Kazuha presumed he was marginally surprised by his response and cracked open the veil just enough for Kazuha to take a glimpse of his reaction.
“I thought it was obvious to any capable human that I did not want to be discreet.” the man pointed out with a scoff afterwards. The usage of “human” catching his attention, Kazuha hummed thoughtfully as he observed the man's challenging expression.
“It is,” he then agreed briefly. “You actually wanted the exact opposite, did you not?”
“Care to elaborate?” The man raised his eyebrow and folded his arms, still as conceited as he waited for Kazuha’s continuation. Kazuha chuckled softly, well aware that the cards he played were exactly the ones the man foresaw. He put no mind into being seen as a puppet at the hands of the puppeteer at that moment.
“You wanted to be heard,” he remarked simply. “Not by the others, but by me. A fugitive being put in prison at last due to going against the ideals of Her Excellency and not confining himself by striking the very Archon. I believe the guards were quite the sturdy types, not ones to shrug at. Yet here you are, standing unscratched, not even sweating after taking out all those guards within minutes, all by yourself. One can only daresay your intentions are to grandstand before me. A tour de force.”
The man looked at him with a knowing gaze, lips curled into an unmoving joyous smile. Kazuha didn’t share the sentiment, nor did he enjoy the nubilous man’s company. But he allowed him anyway, holding onto the tinge of curiosity formed by his unnerving similarity to the Electro Archon.
The man chuckled in delight as an answer, his gaze lingering around the ward for a few seconds.
“How perceptive and articulate of you, Kaedehara.” The man nodded, chuckling. He ignored Kazuha's searching gaze on him before raising his head a moment later, and gazing back. “Although, I shan’t be surprised. Your discerning nature is well known amongst your fellows, and not everyone is as cryptic as you are when it comes to speaking about the things that should be kept secret. Don’t you agree?”
Kazuha squinted at his words. They were rather enlightening, pointing at the man's own ambiguity, as if encouraging Kazuha to speak his mind without covering it with fancy symbols.
“I cannot agree more.” He flashed a glance, letting the man know he was playing his game as well. “Lord Harbinger.”
Rather than widening, the man’s smile shrunk, although his aura was more confident than ever. He was clearly waiting for their conversation to reach its climax by this reveal, and Kazuha could trust that the Harbinger was satisfied.
“It seems we’re on the same page, then I believe that is enough foreplay.” The Harbinger dusted off his clothes and hands before pushing his kakusaga a little further and looking back at Kazuha. He bit his lips as if he was trying not to laugh in delight before continuing. “I presume you have heard of me already?”
“Perhaps,” Kazuha tilted his head and grimaced inappreciably. “It is no shock for Harbingers to pay a visit to Inazuma, considering the current political climate. From what I have heard, only two of them had set foot on yet, and, thanks to the rather loud chattering of the guards, apparently one of them had just passed away. That clearly cannot be you.”
Not trying to hide his curiosity, Kazuha rose from his spot, stepped closer to the bars as he glanced at the Harbinger and frowned. “My question is, which one of you was the one to cause my comrades misery and lead countless of them to die?”
The man didn’t say anything in return for a few seconds as he glanced back at Kazuha’s eyes, lips curling upwards. “I think you know the answer, Kaedehara. You are clever enough to connect the dots.”
“Yes, I do,” Kazuha responded, not going along with the man’s intentions and pushing down the abrupt burst of ire coolly. “Yet, I don’t understand the point of you coming all the way up here to act incredulously arrogant about it.”
Kazuha watched the Harbinger rolling his eyes as his haughty expression faded away before turning his back and combining his hands at his waist, strolling through the ward. He frowned deeper and walked until he was blocked by the bars. His head was spinning with all the thoughts running around in his mind after becoming accustomed to apathy. His heart pounding fast and his breath catching, he held the bars as the Harbinger inhaled theatrically.
“The thing you don’t understand is not it . But let me explain it to you in return for your pleasant company.”
The man stopped to absentmindedly observe his nails and Kazuha wished to be at the other side of the bars, but could only listen.
“I am not the mastermind of this operation, contrary to your blatant presumptions. As the Balladeer, I am merely one of the aides to Her Excellency, the Tsaritsa. My job is to serve her, do as she wishes just like the other aides, and I happened to be appointed to this mission. And to fulfill her wish,” he turned his back and gave a wide, fake, forced smile, just enough to irritate Kazuha, “you and your fellow soldiers had to be there at that exact moment. It may be personal and crucial for you, but it is just politics. For the greater good, some goes ignored.”
The dots connecting swiftly in his mind, “The gnosis,” Kazuha breathed with dread.
The Harbinger hummed, amused.
“Yes. See? Now you do get it.”
Kazuha gaped at him for a few seconds, before he huffed and let his hands fall. Balladeer looked at him questioningly.
“I believe I do,” Kazuha nodded in agreement and folded his arms. This adiaphora was obviously not what the Balladeer expected of him, and his expression quickly turned into an annoyed one. Kazuha ignored it with a small smile. “I, of all people, know better than to not question an Archon’s wish.”
“You should’ve known sooner,” the Balladeer shrugged, before gesturing and raising a challenging glance. “Then maybe you wouldn’t be locked up in here now, and would be able to fight alongside your comrades.”
“Perhaps.” Kazuha tilted his head and shrugged, as if agreeing with the statement. “Maybe then I would go ignored, too. Unnoticed.” With the confidence of composing himself, he curled his lips upwards. “Wouldn’t I?”
“What is that supposed to mean?” the Balladeer spat, narrowing his eyes.
“I must ask you the same, Balladeer.” Kazuha stepped closer. “What is this meeting supposed to mean? Surely the reason you are here is not just to brag about the Fatui’s feat thanks to the sacrifices we had made. No. It would be quite pointless, even with your arrogance and cruelty. I can only guess you are here for your own personal gain, and, rather than being a pawn, you are now the mastermind playing a game,”
The Balladeer remained silent, looking right at his eyes with a blank expression. But Kazuha was positive that his boldness was not what the Harbinger expected. He chuckled. “Would you mind enlightening me if I am supposed to be playing this game of yours too?”
“If you are done …with your disclosure,” the Balladeer gestured nonchalantly, waiting for a response. Although, Kazuha could tell that the Harbinger was blatantly annoyed by his ramblings.
“You are correct,” the Balladeer answered after a few seconds of silence, and scoffed. “Your intellect and frankness has my respect, and in return I, too, shall be frank.” Kazuha observed his stagnant expression that had soon been cracked by a knowing grin. “I am here to present an offer.”
“Is that so?” Kazuha impassively raised an eyebrow.
“It is,” the Balladeer confirmed. “I am here for my personal reasons only, so you can trust me when I say that the Fatui’s intentions have nothing to do with my words here.” He waited for a moment, expecting Kazuha to interrupt him. But it was no surprise that Kazuha, veritably to his intel, was as perceptive as to know when to listen. The Balladeer lifted an eyebrow. “They say, thanks to your well known discerning nature, you can hear the sounds and smell the scents an ordinary person cannot. And with that gift of yours, you can also tell if one is lying or not.” The Balladeer stepped closer to the cell, slightly leaning against the bars while Kazuha remained impassive. A cunning smile formed in his face. “Would you mind telling me what exactly you think I am doing here? Telling the truth, or lying?”
Although the Harbinger was very successful at getting on one’s nerves and manipulating them according to his wishes, he hadn’t told a single lie since he had set foot on the ward. Not to Kazuha, at least.
“You are telling the truth.” Kazuha confided. The Balladeer nodded as he straightened up his back and repositioned his kakugasa.
“Then I shall continue.” He hummed thoughtfully. “As I explained, the Watatsumi Army had to be at Tenshukaku at that moment for us to obtain the Electro Gnosis. The exchange, however, went more swiftly than expected, and afterward I happened to pass by the pandemonium when you confronted the Shogun and, somehow, managed to survive,” the Balladeer whispered with an unsettling smile, words laced with sadistic glee. Kazuha blinked in confusion, then frowned.
“Where are you going with that, Balladeer?” He asked cautiously. The Harbinger let out a laugh and looked back at Kazuha incredulously.
“You are very interesting , are you aware of that? It has been eons since the last time I have been intrigued by a mortal, but you unintentionally deemed yourself worthy of my attention. And, this brings us to the topic at hand.” The Balladeer settled for a brief chuckle this time, and Kazuha felt his stomach twisting with perturbation. The more the Harbinger looked like he was enjoying himself, the more uneasy Kazuha felt.
“Your offer,” Kazuha answered, muffled. His curiosities became ravenous as the Harbinger lifted his eyebrows, confirming, and slowly fished something out of his pocket with a wide grin on his lips. Something at the back of Kazuha’s mind whispered to him with a cold breath that, whatever the object the Balladeer was about to showcase, he already had a tangible guess of what it was. His breath caught momentarily when the Balladeer’s stare rested on his.
“You are also very ambitious,” The Balladeer stated matter-of-factly, running down from his high spirit a moment ago. Kazuha’s throat went dry at the other’s change of demeanor, leaving him no choice but to listen to him. “Bold, calculating. I even daresay what restrains you from becoming an impeccable warrior is this sickening compassion of yours. Although from what I’ve heard, you’ve been rather lucky up until now regardless. But it’s not always going to go this way, and you surely share this sentiment.”
Kazuha remained silent for a few seconds, watching the Harbinger as he refused to avert his gaze either. Narrowing his eyes at the Harbinger’s blank expression, he wetted his lips before muttering idly. “I believe my thoughts regarding this sentiment are purposeless for the sake of this conversation.”
The Balladeer scoffed. “I believe not." Shrugging before he looked at Kazuha’s eyes pointedly. “And I think you will feel the same now.” He stretched his hand closer to Kazuha and slowly opened his palm.
Something inside Kazuha twisted at the sight of his embodied ambitions: the blessing of the Anemo Archon. His still beating desire for freedom within the distance of a single reach out. Not in the color of ash, still very well alive.
“You are very well aware of the power I possess, as well as I am of yours,” the Balladeer stated as his flickering eyelids lingered on the Vision. “I am here to offer you your life, in exchange for your loyal devotion to me. Say the word, and have your life back.” He lifted his gaze up to Kazuha’s and watched the blood draining from his face as he swung the vision before Kazuha's eyes.
It was an undeniably magnetic offer, and Kazuha was at a loss for words, lips parted slightly with bemusement and trepidation.
His life, his ambitions, his ideals: offered right before his very eyes in exchange for him to devote those very things to another person. A Harbinger, and therefore, the Fatui. The Fatui that put his friends in misery, left them with incurable wounds, took precious lives without batting an eye. The Fatui that had fronted the entire world and left nothing but destruction wherever they had set foot on.
The Fatui was nowhere near to be trusted, especially after everything they had done to his comrades. It was a ridiculous offer, and it was even more ridiculous if the Harbinger really believed Kazuha would be naïve enough to accept being another pawn to Fatui.
Even though he believed his ideals served right for his homeland, Kazuha didn't think it was unwarranted for him to be imprisoned. He never had malicious intentions, but it didn't mean his blade hadn't slain the innocent for the sake of his own safety. It didn't mean that he hadn't inflicted some incurable wounds either. He might have been captured for different reasons, but from his own perspective, the punishment fit the crime. Even though he had lost all his possessions, he still held his dignity highly, and his dignity was crossing the line between spending what was left of his solitude in a small cell and working for a Harbinger just to regain his pointless life.
He was used to not having a roof over his head, yet he knew the endless wilderness as his home. But now, even if he escaped, those lands would be nothing but another prison for him. He didn’t see any difference between being locked up and being free . Especially not when he had lost the person who had made him feel at home whenever they had wandered and offered him a future. Without that person by his side, Kazuha valued the will to reach out the immense skies too little anyway. The burden of failing to save them was too heavy to carry on his shoulders to hold him back from looking up already.
Not to mention, being saved by a Harbinger was a whole different burden to carry. His crimes might have seemed similar to the Fatui's in the eyes of the public, but never could he justify working for evil after witnessing the atrocities they had done to his fellow soldiers. He wasn't willing to let go of what was left of his integrity either. Not yet.
At the absurdity of the offer, Kazuha had to fight down a scoff but was greatly unsuccessful. He let out a snicker, which turned into a laugh not so long after. His laughter echoed through the walls, shattering the still atmosphere, taking on the ideal fixity of Eternity. He laughed and laughed his heart out until his stomach was hurting and his eyes were flooding with tears. He wasn't blissful, nor was he feeling any sorrow. His brain was numb, and his consciousness deprived of any emotion. Contemplating was grotesque, and all he could have managed to think was that it all lacked meaning.
He gasped for air, soft chuckles still leaving from his lips. Languidly coming back to his senses, he could feel the Balladeer's gaze sending daggers. Kazuha simply brushed it off and lazily rubbed his eyes, drying them as he let out one last airy chuckle.
"What is so funny?" he heard Balladeer ask, annoyance discernable in his tone.
"Life." Kazuha inhaled, averting his gaze back at the Harbinger as he finally managed to collect himself. "It is quite ridiculous and insignificant at the same time that I could do nothing but laugh at this absurdity," he muttered with a smile. “And considering my current status, I’ve found your offer rather comedic. I am a man of nothingness, you see. On the contrary to your intel about the power and dexterity I once, allegedly, possessed, I hold none of them anymore. I have nothing but my rectitude, Harbinger, and I am not eager to hand it over to your dirty hands.” The smile on his lips faltering, Kazuha’s eyes darkened with detestation simultaneously and he spoke for the last time. “I believe this is where this conversation is concluded, and you leave empty-handed.”
He expected the man to lose his cool. He expected him to attack, or to shatter his Vision before his eyes. To torture him, and maybe leave him to die slowly but surely afterward. Or to simply walk out as if nothing happened.
But what he hadn’t anticipated was for the Balladeer to snicker, dip his head in a rather pleased motion, shaking it slowly to choke his laughter back. It was Kazuha’s turn to grow annoyed, observing the mess before his eyes. Although, The Harbinger was far more successful at collecting himself than Kazuha that after a few short seconds he inhaled theatrically and dropped his kakugasa entirely as he approached Kazuha once again. Kazuha could only take a breather as the uneasy feeling became more intense.
“Oh, but these dirty hands of mine were never empty to begin with!” There was a newly lit spark in his eyes. Devious, cunning, dangerous. It was as if he had found out how he could get his way, the right string he needed to pull to actually conclude the bargain with his wishes fulfilled, and Kazuha dreaded finding out.
“I must apologize for how long this discussion has been lasting. I should've played this card earlier, and it would be convenient for both of our precious times. But I must say, your effort to outwit me was enjoyable and informative. I believe I learned a lot about you.” Balladeer regaled with curled lips and Kazuha's breath caught up when the Harbinger reached out for his pocket once again that meeting.
“How dare you-” was his immediate response as he marched towards the rails and grabbed them forcefully when he saw the Vision with dark clouds roaming inside of it.
“It is such a pity that you were unsuccessful at the end.” Balladeer cut him nonchalantly, observing the Masterless Vision inside his palm. “Don’t be too miserable, though. It’s always a hazardous gamble playing against me.” He scoffed as he shot a glance towards Kazuha and shook the Vision. “This changes your mind?”
The fury was intolerable. His heart was pounding so hard against his chest as if to break free, it was hurting. His undying grief, sorrow, and shame were forming into a single hideous feeling that was foreign to him. It was so destructive and intense that even without his blade, his Vision, and regardless of the Harbinger obviously being an immortal, Kazuha felt like he could kill him in that instant even with the bars keeping him restrained.
A shout escaped from his lips as he swayed a punch, which the Harbinger dodged swiftly. A groan, another punch that was dodged once again. A kick, and as the Harbinger simply moved aside, Kazuha reached out to grab his collar and yanked him forwards until his body hit the bars. His other hand grabbed the Harbinger’s neck, and his wrist was held tightly by the Harbinger instantly. The Harbinger scoffed, his breath washed over Kazuha’s face and something felt wrong.
“That won’t be necessary,” Balladeer stated as he pushed Kazuha’s hand down and stepped back, although the overwhelming proximity was still present. “If you think you can choke me, an immortal, to death, you are sorely mistaken.”
“Why don’t we find out?” Kazuha tightened his fist on the Harbinger’s collar, panting and steaming off with fury.
“How sensitive,” Balladeer cooed, tilting his head. “You humans are so predictable, it almost takes the whole fun out.” Kazuha narrowed his eyes, not down from his anger in the slightest, seeking out a way to make the man regret crossing the line.
The Harbinger shook the Vision before his face, barely inches away, and Kazuha couldn’t help but reach out. Balladeer laughed as he pulled back the Vision and put it back in his pocket.
“After seeing you in Tenshukaku, I should’ve known better that the way to inflame you entirely was to simply give you a glimpse of the past. You noble mortals hold others’ lives and ambitions higher than your own.” He cupped Kazuha’s jaw and Kazuha froze. As he lifted Kazuha’s head to force him to look directly into his eyes, he sensed the other’s body tensing up below him. “That being said, I advise you to listen to me closely.”
“I am not going to stand here and listen to your ravings anymore, Balladeer. You have lost your concession when you brought up my deceased friend.” Kazuha spat as he looked at the Harbinger intensely for a few seconds before tearing his hand out of the other’s hold. Although before he could take any steps back, the Harbinger pulled him back by his jaw, clenching his hand tightly. Kazuha hissed as he hit the bars.
“But you will,” Balladeer declared, his voice naked from his previous antics. His aura was dangerous and apathetic now, like a predator sneaking up to his prey. Kazuha refused to look away when the Balladeer's cold hand descended to grip his throat, squeezing it just enough to block him from breathing sufficiently, leading him to a slow, agonizing death with minimum effort.
“I am officially out of duty. My mission in Inazuma has been brought to a conclusion, and if I were to do anything now, no one would question my actions. Not even a single soul would know of them. The Tsaritsa wants us to be as peaceful as possible under her commands, and you saw everything that had happened in the Resistance first hand, did you not?” Kazuha looked at him incredulously. Balladeer scoffed while tightening his grasp and drawing circles around Kazuha’s skin with his thumb. “Now riddle me this, Kaedehara. Quoting your own words, I am no longer the pawn, but the mastermind playing my own game. I can do whatever I want in my time in Inazuma. I don’t have to hold back, I don’t have to ignore. My men might be burning down the Resistance camp at this very moment, who knows? If it were to happen, only one word of yours would stop it in that instant. Or even before that let's say, I just walk out of here as if this conversation never happened. Surely it won't be long after for the shift change, and the guards' bodies to be found. What do you say they will think? Will they believe you when you tell them about this encounter, or will they think your comrades tried to bust you out, but were greatly unsuccessful. Hm?" Kazuha gasped with terror and tried to yank himself out of the hold. The Harbinger grabbed his long white locks and drew him forwards, making his face crash against the bars once more. He leaned his face, his lips before Kazuha’s ears. Kazuha tried to inhale more air, but the hold around his neck was tightened immediately, making him begin to panic; every possible scenario running amok his mind.
“Not only that, but if you say the word, I can also guarantee your friends’ safety, since it is undeniably at stake, and my underlings’ support until we decide to discuss this matter once again. There will be no more tricks, no more loopholes since this offer is not from the Tsaritsa, but me. And you will be free to check whenever you wish. Think logically here.”
Kazuha gasped for air as his neck was finally freed from the Harbinger’s hold. He leaned against the wall, panting and coughing as the words that were whispered to his ear echoed through his mind. He despised this, despised him. Under ideal circumstances, he would easily ignore the offer. He wouldn’t mind angering the Harbinger and dying in his hands. But with the way he played, the way he twisted his words just enough to irritate Kazuha, manipulated him into considering his offer by bringing up his friends; surely there was something more he held hidden up in his sleeves that Kazuha didn’t know of. Otherwise, why would a Harbinger personally put that amount of effort just to recruit someone as insignificant as Kazuha?
“You told me you would be frank,” Thus Kazuha muttered without lifting his head between his breath. “But you’re not.”
“You can’t possibly expect me to spill every single thing.”
“Which I don’t.” He cracked his eyes open and looked at the Balladeer. The man was now standing with his arms folded, and looking rather composed. “But I believe I deserve to know your motive behind all this scheme. Surely, I can’t be the most useful asset to your divine plans?”
The Harbinger remained silent for a few seconds, then raised an eyebrow as he scoffed. “But the thing is, you are. Although, don't expect me to entertain you with my motives right now. Perhaps that is for another night. Don’t worry your head over that just yet, and take my word for it for the time being.”
Kazuha was aware that the Balladeer knew he was unsatisfied, but he didn’t seem bothered by that. It was no surprise to Kazuha when he twisted his words yet again, and pulled the right strings once more.
“On the other hand, those divine plans you just mentioned, these are not in my knowledge. I have no idea what Her Excellency is planning for Inazuma’s political climate for the sake of her own desires.” Kazuha straightened up his back and frowned. The Balladeer curled his lips upwards before he continued. “I wouldn’t know how Her Excellency is planning to use the Resistance. So far it’s rather relentless, you must agree.”
Kazuha opted to remain silent. Despite being devious, the offer was also conceivable once interpreted as helping out his friends. The Harbinger might be manipulating him, and he would be betraying everything he had stood for, but for the sake of his loved ones' safety, and the prospect of a humane future for his beloved homeland…
“Am I to think this current state of Inazuma is also against your own motives, and not only the Tsaritsa’s?” he asked after a minute of silence, looking at the Balladeer’s eyes. He could see the man taking his time to form an answer, letting Kazuha know that his intentions were far more complicated than some internal affairs, but also that he was not entirely wrong.
“If you must know, I, too, want the Shogun gone,” he then confessed bluntly. But a part of this sentiment was buried much deeper than what could be discerned, and to his own bemusement, Kazuha found himself intrigued. The Harbinger’s expression was vaguely darkened, but Kazuha was quick to catch up on it. Though his demeanor and aura largely felt the same as before, Kazuha could confide that something was different, although he couldn’t put his finger on it. Something that made the Balladeer seem more intriguing, formidable, and human . Something that made Kazuha want to articulate this conversation further regardless of its infuriating nature, until he could comprehend his motives and intentions entirely.
“It would be such a pity if something happened to the only regular army that publicly goes against the Shogun, don’t you think? The folk would surely settle on living low and repressed. All sacrifices would be for nothing. All those lost loved ones, all those lives…”
Kazuha watched while the Balladeer imperceptibly composed himself before showcasing the Masterless Vision once again. He walked towards the cell and stretched his hand, palm open. The moonlight reflected through the Vision’s shell and Kazuha’s throat went dry.
He lifted his eyes to meet the Balladeer’s indigo ones, and as he approached closer, he could almost feel the obscure sizzling of Electro running through his blood once again. The Balladeer gave him an encouraging nod as he reached out the Vision, not daring to wrench his eyes off of the Balladeer’s, not when they almost seemed like they were sparkling with vivid lightning.
Kazuha reached out, and grabbed the Masterless Vision without any hesitation. He hissed when the Vision burnt his hand once again, but before he could react, his whole body was thunderstruck the instant his hand brushed over the Balladeer’s.
And suddenly, he understood.