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It had been late at night when the sky seemingly began to fall, and Celestia along with it. The island that defied the laws of gravity crumbling as it’s structure began to comply and fall into the sea, swallowed by the depths unlike the kind that defied it’s rule. And as the false sky faded away, the brightest of lights shone and flickered. Countless stars shining in the sky, like sun on the waves.
As soon as the skies fell into the sea, a faint aura of eternity would shine within every vision bearer in Inazuma. A reminder that with the Heavenly Principles vanquished it would be up to them to keep their land eternal in it’s prosperity.
Kamisato Ayaka would remember this as she gazed into the eternal night sky, twinkling as she searched for a particular star... but as stars shot through the sky hope waned. Everyday she stood in wait for her, by a window overlooking the estates front gate, strolling through the garden expecting her to hop over the fence. Donning a disguise of old to sneak out into Ritou, awaiting the merchant ships to see a head of gold. Yet was the days went by her hope wound turn to sorrow.
Kamisato Ayaka despite the many suitors that visited, was forever lonely. Anyone outside of the immediate Kamisato Family would recognize so and be eager to fill that void, those close to the family would understand and sympathize with her, and her dearest brother and housekeeper daily witnesses to her heartache.
Inside of their closed doors they were one of few witnesses to the affair between the Shiseragi Himegimi and the Traveller of Fallen Stars. An affair that yearned to be eternal, to prosper with no fears until the very edge. But as the story went she had to leave, for a chance to return and stay until eternity had failed. The goodbye they shared as a precaution was indeed a goodbye.
The last time she had returned from her room was to watch the stars, before retreating to mourn what she had and what could she have had. When she wasn’t crying she was reflecting on the memories they shared together, picturing what could have happened if the stars didn’t take her home.
Only ever coming out for her duties, where everyone could see parts of her usual self missing.
Her brother and housekeeper managed to talk her into a good mood every so often, getting her to become her usual self if only for a while. But try as they might she could never shake off her unspoken loneliness, understanding it herself before wishing she could stop being this way.
Yet everywhere she went faint reminders of her would flicker in her mind, the beaches underneath her home, the living room of her own home, the paths throughout Chinju Forest, the many shops in Inazuma City even in Ritou, including Amakane Island where it hurt the most to go to.
She was walking atop the path to the highest peak, reminiscing on the times they would come here either in time for the festivals or to sneak out and make out. A bitter smile on her lips as she reached the peak-
“Oh...” Upon seeing a familiar ponytail flowing in the wind she’d decide to continue on.
“Yoimiya?” she asked.
“Oh uh watcha doing here? Me I’m just uh resting after a long walk what about you?” Yoimiya explained. “I’d say the same” she couldn’t disagree before sitting down beside her.
Yoimiya sighed and threw the sparkler away. “Alright you got me, I’m not actually here to rest”
“You miss her too, don’t you?” she asked.
“A lot actually, more than I thought I would” Yoimiya admitted. “I mean I knew she’d leave one day, and you’d think you would be prepared for that. You know?”
“It hurts more than you think it would” Ayaka finished her thought.
“Yeah...”
“I... actually liked her too” she admitted.
“What?” Ayaka asked in shock.
Yoimiya looked a little ashamed at her truth. “You’re not mad about that are you?”
“I’m... aware of the fact Lumine has... a lot of admirers” Ayaka chuckled a little. “If I was to slight everyone of them I don’t think I’d ever come home again” she jested.
Which made Yoimiya laugh. “Yeah...”
“This is more or less my way of saying goodbye” she started.
Yoimiya had finished setting up a firework. “Sometimes I’d find myself thinking about what if she liked me back, heck I was jealous of you two from time to time”
“But it’s high time I dwell on that no longer”
But in the end she had to let it go, no matter how it hurt. It’s okay to be sad, to mourn a departed one. At some point the sun will shine again and it’s call must be heeded because much like a flower, you can’t live in the dark all the time. Ayaka would understand as after a strong hug that firework would shoot up in the sky, blowing up as it’s petals fell and evaporated.
Ever since that day on Amakane, the two of them had become a lot more closer than ever. The way how Yoimiya had figuratively let go of the past struck a chord, for if someone as bright as her could not only have those same sad thoughts yet could let go of them: it inspired her to try as much.
“Whenever you’re ready Ayaka”
She thought long and hard about this, how this day was going to happen one day. That despite the heartache they knew would come they still went through with it, because as how fickle it is; that’s how love works”
So with as much love she could muster, she let go. Letting those memories of her be remembered like firey petals in the sky.
With a sigh she would look herself in the mirror, dressed akin like her preferred outfit but without the armor or freedom of effective body movement. Though her hair would be tied as normal.
“Stunning as always your grace” Thoma spoke with a clap.
“I could do without the flattery” She had replied with a small smile, continuing with her makeup as she always preferred to dress herself. “Besides would you be saying that if I was dressed any lesser?”
“Well I mean I would be indifferent to that, but...” Thoma tried to reply.
“So if I was to show up in my absolute favorite dress to this meeting, because I heeded your affirmations it would be ok?” She smiled.
“We-Well I uh...” Thoma blurted in an amused stutter.
“Now now...” he spoke, also amused.
“As much as you love that dress it wouldn’t be appropriate to show up like so to a meeting of this caliber” Ayato spoke, crossing his arms.
“I’m just jesting” Ayaka replied.
Ayato chuckled knowingly. “If you have this time to jest then I’d assume you’re all set?”
“Yes brother” Ayaka spoke.
“Alright, the entourage should be arriving shortly then we shall depart for Tenshekaku, Thoma shall notify you when” Ayato spoke.
“On it” Thoma spoke as the two left, leaving Ayaka with some breathing room.
She had retreated down into the courtyard to gaze at the night sky, a momentary relief as a meeting in the night that required most of the clans wasn’t something to brush off so easily.
As she looked across the night sky a thought she had so long ago came back:
“A sky full of the brightest stars in history, eternal in their reach what if this was a parting gift?”
That thought brought a smile, even though she was gone she had left behind something for her to remember, truly the best last gift she could ever receive.
And as a bright stars twinkled in the sky, she left under guard.
It was quick to assume they were just bits of rock falling from the skies, but the Shogunate knew better. There indeed was signs of impact across Inazuma yet no rocks in sight. Capable hands were already hard at work to uncover who exactly was collecting these items, for correspondents from the land of freedom had a similar situation.
But where the hands of the shogun roamed, the paws of the familiar creeped around.
“So how was the trip up atop to here?” Yae asked.
“Certainly no hurdle, that is certain” Ayaka replied.
“Hm, no doubt you’ve heard of our investigations across Inazuma through the grapevine haven’t you?” Yae began as they began to walk into the shrine. “I indeed have, it is certain that people have been collecting debris from the sky?”
“Indeed they have, I doubt you’ve been privy to this little tidbit but these little bits of the stars are quite dangerous. Who knows where they’ve been, they could either turn you comatose or outright warp your body into a monstrous form”
Ayaka paused. “Are they really that dangerous?”
Yae chuckled. “Well a lot of that might be embezzled greatly but we don’t know for certain”
“Lady Yae forgive my bold claim, but telling me all this sensitive information must mean you want something from me?” Ayaka had asked.
A smirk had been caught. “Have you heard of a little something called an Intertwined Fate?”
“I beg your pardon?” Ayaka asked.
“A small little stone that has the power to bring a hearts wishes to life, be it organic or material. Mythical in the sense that they are difficult to obtain and manufacture by ordinary means as they are not of this world but from beyond our own...” She explained.
“You could say they’re plucked from the stars themselves”
“So... whoever’s out there is manufacturing these... Intertwined Fates?” Ayaka deduced.
“Well more like trying to, I doubt anyone would be able to successfully recreate such a mythical item without extensive knowledge from beyond” Yae corrected. “How do you even know about all this?”
“Well... my little eyes spied a little gathering of ruffians out by the mountainside...”
“Work harder it’s almost loose!” he demanded. The man beneath him slaving away with a pick attempting to dislodge a rock from the side of the mountain. With one last swing it crumbled to the ground, picking it up to jab a knife into it’s side before a crystalline form popped free.
“Hah, should be enough”
“So boss how we going to turn a profit with this?” A lackey asked. He turned to place the crystal into a pouch full of similar gems. “Simple, we spread the word of a competition, charge a fee for admission and viewership, and use a fallen star as a prize”
“... Looking to make a heap of quick mora” Yae finished.
“And how do I fit into this?” Ayaka asked.
“Well we could let the Shogunate eventually find this underground competition, and make off with a piece of the stars. Or... we could do a little investigating ourselves and find out the legitimacy of this supposed item?” She proposed.
“Lady Yae...”
“You’re asking me to meddle in Shogunate affairs, all to prove the existence of a tall story?”
“Well I’m not outright asking, just putting the thought into your head” she answered. “You wouldn’t pass up a chance to potentially fulfill your hearts desires now would you?”
“I’m sorry Lady Yae but my answer is no!” Ayaka affirmed. To which she bowed with a nod.
“Very well, you may see yourself out miss Kamisato. A pleasure meeting with you”
Seeing herself out she rounded the steps across the mountain.
“A hearts desires brought to life, how preposterous...”
Navigating cracked and crackling ground with repeated ease.
“How can a piece of the stars grant such a wish...”
“What would I even wish for...”
Frozen water slid upon, as if it wasn’t frozen. All a part of an elegant dance, fans twirling cold amidst warm air. Flakes dancing in the wind before evaporating, crackling amidst claps...
Claps that were no longer there.
“So a stone that could grant a wish?” Yoimiya mused over a bowl of ramen.
“If I was any other person I’d say that’s not real, but I’ve had my fair share of living fantasies”
“So could it be real?” Ayaka asked nursing chazuke.
Yoimiya paused making a “bleh” at the dango milk before pushing it away. “Well could be but if they are it feels like it’d be a real challenge to even get one of those”
“So you’re saying this place could be dangerous?”
“Well yeah for you but there’s no way I’m letting you go there alone” Yoimiya grasped her shoulders.
“H-Huh who said I’d be-”
‘Yaka I can see the look in your eyes, there’s something you need and I’m gonna help you get it”
Ayaka looked away in thought, though their position kind of had a part in it. “You’re sure about this...?”
Yoimiya nodded. “For you, anything”
“T-Thank you” she remarked with a blush.
(smooch) “I’ll see you there” she smiled handing a paper before scuttling off embarrassed.
Meanwhile Yoimiya sat there, touching her cheek with a cheery open smile.
“I’ll be in my room, going over some papers” she said with ill practiced ease.
“Very well I shall see in you in the morning, I love you Ayaka” Ayato spoke.
“I love you too” she repeated, a crack in her voice.
The forest of Chinju was silent as ever, minus the odd tanuki strolling through. Plants glowing almost supernaturally yet a natural occurence across Inazuma. A dirt path muddled by time and the feet and wheels of humanity, grass unable to grow for a long time.
It’s here in this forest that a figure walked through, not too often did they take this path yet were familiar to the tanuki as they watched a fox walk by. It never talked or made a sound, didn’t chase them away like the regular foxes atop the mountain but simply just minded it’s own business as it walked the same path it always took until they could no longer see it past the tree-line.
Atop his porch an old man of Ronda village watched a nameless vagrant carefully as they harmlessly passed through the village, this vagrant never strolled by often always walking by late at night just passing through. But he had always questioned what this unnamed figure was going to.
And once again the urban legend of Ritou had returned, a nameless figure in a fox mask. Garbed in a hood and blackened armor devoid of any markings, who always stood by the docks late at night awaiting something to happen. But tonight that very figure came and went, foregoing the docks to walk along the beach.
Shoes crunching along the sand as they approached a shifty set of sailors. Who eyed them suspiciously, before their harsh gazes eased down upon a hefty pouch of mora was set onto a crate.
“Alright get on” he gestured to a portly man atop a boat.
Together they set sail across the sea, foregoing the small islands on the northwest of the island to further north. “So what brings a man like you to a fight scene like this?” he asked.
Reaching into their pouch they pulled out a sheet and wrote, tearing it off and handing it over.
“I was curious as to the contents of the grand prize” he read the writing. Looking back to the hooded masked person, before shrugging as this wasn’t the weirdest thing he saw. “Eh if you ask me sounds kinda' bogus to me, sounds more like a way to drum up more mora” he mused.
“We’ll find out soon enough”
Soon an island was in sight, adorned with fixtures akin to an arena albeit grafted into the side of a small mountain. As soon as they were anchored they were released onto a makeshift dock alongside their opponents, led to a large room to prepare. Seated atop stone they inspected their blade, a masterwork who’s origins could be deduced by eagle eyed onlookers. But all they had to do was be swift and no one would be none the wiser.
An armored form clutched the grip of his blade, surveying his masked opponent carefully. Garbed in a soot-black coat that had seen better days, armed with a pair of arm length blades. Ss the bell rung, he approached slowly swinging his blades as sparks flew about much like flint against roc-
Before he knew it he had exploded into a plume of flames, leaving behind nothing. On his guard he watched his surrounding-
The shifting of dirt met his ears to which he met with a heavy swing of his blade, cutting through a firey afterimage that exploded into flames and knocking him unbalanced. Shaking his head he turned around once more to find a blade’s edge in front of him.
(CLANG)
The cut of metal rang through the arena...
His helmet crashing to the dirt below...
Growling his revealed face he shoved him away, before throwing a heavy slash that cut into the ground. Twirling the blade and heaving it upwards, before using it’s momentum to swing behind himself.
Suddenly grunting as flames spitted against his side, allowing for a set of sharp jabs to nearly piece through his chest armor. To which he shrugged off to perform a headbutt, grabbing his shoulders to slam against the rock behind him and dragging across before throwing him to the dirt below.
He watched as he slammed atop the dirt before digging his blades inside, a tumble turning to a drag as he knelt his leg and shot forward. Feet smashing into the ground as he ran, arching his arm in front of him before throwing them one by one-
Two clangs echoed as he deflected each of them before pivoting his blade inside and dashing forward.
Letting out a strong piercing thrust, aimed right at his heart-
Only to watch him explode into flames, the audience getting a good view of his opponent sliding beneath him, reclaiming his knives and finally thrusting both into the warrior’s shoulder blades.
Pulling them out with a heavy kick to the back.
“Winner!” the ringmaster yelled, the crowd yelling back.
With no regard he swiftly took his leave, sheathing stained blades...
The battlefield was almost like a dancefield at times, carefully watching your opponents moves and acting accordingly, moving out of their dance area only to encroach upon theirs, and vice versa with them. Now it wasn’t always and treating it as such can be dangerous, in these kind of battles there can only be one winner.
With swift strikes they slashed against white steel, unrelenting in their assault. Their opponent standing strong and unmoving, waiting for just the perfect opening-
Yelping as he jumped back as their sword attempted to slice at his kneecaps, receiving only a nick in their armor. Retaliating swiftly with a strong sweep of his sword-
A loud clang rang out as his sword was knocked out of his hand. “Well looks like this is it...”
Before being knocked to the ground. The crowd cheering as his masked opponent sheathed their blade, before offering their hand which he gladly took and shook as a sign of sportsmanship.
“Well don’t know what I was expecting going against this countries swordsmen, but it was a great time nonetheless” he spoke. His opponent giving an understanding nod.
“Not that talkative huh? So be it, nonetheless I hope your future fights bid you well” he spoke with a bow, recieving one in return. “Don’t understand how someone can be both rude and respectful”
Taking a seat they counted their total victories so far, about three. This made sense as to the time of night, but they kept pushing on. But even then their reasons for pursuing this endeavor could barely be made sensible or reasonable. Why put yourself through a gauntlet of battle for a prize that probably can’t make dreams come true, what all of this was for nothing?
But there was no time to dwell on that anymore, they made it this far and past the point of return.
Heeding the call they returned to the battlefield once more, to settle this rumor once and for all.
“Welcome everyone to the semi-finals of the tourney, we’ve had quite the explosive night but now the end draws near so place your bets now as to who comes out on top. And without further ado in this corner we have a mysterious swordsman who has cut their way through the rankings”
A crowd of cheers rose as the swordsman strode into the arena masked.
“And in this corner we have an unmoving mountain who insisted we name him as... the Oni King”
A large figure of a man fitting that description sauntered in to mixed cheers as he waved the crowd.
However underneath that mask she grew exasperated.
“Oh hey! You’re the Vagrant of Ritou I’ve heard about!” Itto yelled as he pointed them out. “Haha! Never thought I’d meet you outside of the town, much less in a fight” The swordsman stood unmoving.
“Now ready yourselves for a fierce fight!” the announcer yelled with a ding.
“Well you heard the man, and I’m for sure going to impress you!” He spoke brandishing a kanabo.
Giving a nod they sheathed their sword.
Ducking underneath his heavy swing she launched a flurry of slashes that struck at his body, golden sparks flittering as they cut. Yet he didn’t stumble as he grabbed their hood and shoved them before swinging into their side and launching them. Catching their fall they skidded across the floor in a trail of frost, which he responded as he swung his kanabo down to violently bonk them.
In a split second they reappeared to block the full frontal smash awaiting atop of them, blade meeting rough metal as the impact rocked their core and held steady. Itto momentarily was jostled but quickly resumed his attack by going for another slam-
“Eyah!” he yelled as a blast of cryo shot into his face, sputtering as frost splintered off of him. Before yelping as dozens of slices landed against his back before he was suddenly caught in a storm of ice.
With a cheeky growl he sharply grinned. “Oho you want some, well you got it!” he spoke with a dangerous glint in his eyes. They could feel the geo energy in the air as he re brandished a larger weapon. Pushing through the storm he smashed the ground apart, sending jagged geo to the surface.
Locking onto them he swung wildly, his attacks suddenly now much faster and more powerful.
Even then they navigated fine throughout the onslaught even if they could parry the blows with ease they were not taking the chances of potentially shattering their blade if what was said about Itto was true.
“Just stand there and take the hit man!” he taunted. However that didn’t stop his opponent from ducking underneath or pulling disappearing acts again and again, so having enough of this he gripped his hilt tight and slammed it into the ground and sending jutting stalagmites upwards.
Jumping out of their way-
The crowd watched in amazement at what happened next...
They jumped into the air in order to dodge those stalagmites, only to be smacked in the face... by a small cow? “Attaboy!” he yelled as he ran up and sent them flying across the battleground.
Tumbling and rolling as their mask clunked to the floor, and blade clattering.
Soon enough the crowd went wild with a small cacophony of cheers, followed by a larger majority of outcries as the winner was apparent.
Itto laughed in cheer as he showboated with his bull Ushi atop his shoulder, both in cheeky happiness and surprise. “What do you expect from the Almighty Arataki Itto, the one and Oni King?”
He grabbed a comb and straightened his wild hair before going over to his fallen opponent.
“Man that was a great time, I’m glad I got to meet you, we should hang out sometime!” He knelt down and extended his hand out.
...
“You uh... doing okay?” he asked.
Quickly receiving hoarse breaths and coughs. “Y-Yes...”
“Wow I really did a number on you, man I-I’m sorry” Itto spoke upset. “Here let me help you up there bud” he then hoisted them up. Unbothered by the audiences cries he helped them over to the resting-
“IT’S THE TENRYOU COMMISSION!”
“Geh huh?” Itto asked turning around to see... well...
“HALT! You are to cease your illegal actions across Inazuman soil and relinquish your goods and surrender to the Shogunate!” She commanded, bow at the ready and dozens of soldiers by her side.
“Aw crud” Itto spoke.
With that the entire place went into pandemonium, the commission engaging with the organizers and competitors alike. While they took advantage of the chaos to search for what they came here for.
“So wait you snuck into here for the prize?” Itto asked as they scoured the place.
“Y-Yes under direction of the Lady Guuji” Ayaka answered, the need for disguise long passed.
“Wow! To think the esteemed uh... uhm uh... drawing a blank on that”
“Kamisato Ayaka” she answered. “Kamisato Ayaka! Yeah you’re Ayato’s sister!” he grinned.
... “I uh... you’re not gonna tell him I smacked you in the stomach real hard right?”
She shook her head. “Such is the price of battle” “Yeah you understand it!”
“Stop!” Ayaka spoke smacking his shoulder. “Huh what for-” she smacked his mouth as she nudged them to the wall, just as a troop of soldiers rushed by. “Oh yeah one glimpse and it’s all over for us”
She nodded as they turned the corner-
“Yoimiya?” she asked incredulously.
Said girl looked at them dressed like she just came home from vacation. “Uh hey you found Ayaka...” she nervously grinned. Itto looked at the two of them. “You two know each other?” he asked.
They proceeded to the uppermost area, careful of the roaming guards rounding up any stragglers.
“Well this is the only place we have left” Itto spoke. “Yes, after this we can find out if this is true”
They opened the door to that seemingly connected to the speaker’s box. “So if this whole wish thing is true what do you wanna wish for?” Yoimiya asked. Ayaka remained silent. “I get it, a wish can’t come true if you say it loud-” “Itto”
“that’s my name” he replied. “Itto” Confused he looked-
“O-Oh... crap...”
The scene was gruesome...
Dozens of bodies lied across the floor, each covered in cauterized wounds, laying in boiled blood caked to the ground. “O-Oh gods” Yoimiya choked, barely stopping herself from heaving “This was the work of pyro...” she deduced. “No kidding” Itto spoke uneasy and nauseous.
Cautiously they proceeded forward, weapons readied as they explored the room. Only when they reached the end did they pause...
“How does this work?” he asked aggressively. “J-Just uh-uh... take it in-in your palm... and... and make a wish simple as that” the announcer answered. “Huh so the rumors were true” he spoke ignoring his pleas for help. “Snezhnaya thanks you for your sacrifice to it’s revival” he spoke before plunging his blade into his chest and twisting. Chocked cries amidst gurgles and bubbling flesh echo across.
“No!” Itto yelled and ran forth, smashing the ground where the agent stood. Readying her bow she nocked a gunpowder tipped arrow and fired, barely nicking the guy who vaulted off the wall and once he landed began his escape. “After him!” Ayaka yelled as they gave chase.
Running across scaffolding they dodged and weaved countless objects and bystanders, the chase catching the attention of the invading army. “Soldiers after them!” Kujou Sara commanded before drawing her bow and readying a notch aimed especially at the one lagging behind in the chase...
Ayaka soon heard a yelp and crashing as she briefly looked behind to see Itto fall to the floor. “Don’t worry I’ll distract the guards Ayaka!” he yelled...
“Wait... Kamisato Ayaka!?” Sara yelled across the grounds. “Uh... just bluffing!” Itto yelled back.
Shaking her head she had no choice but to abandon her post.
Ayaka in a need to focus ignored it all and continued the pursuit on the agent in front of her.
“Halt!” Two guards yelled drawing their spears. “Wait!” Ayaka yelled. “Lady Aya-”
Launching into the air the agent proceeded to cleave through those very guards, ignoring his attack to climb up further. Ayaka though had to stop to access their wounds. “A-Are you okay!?”
“G-Augh” he groaned holding a cauterized wound that pierced his armor. “I-I’ll be fine, y-you need to get to safety my lady...” he paused to breath. She sighed. “I’m afraid I can’t do that” she spoke before continuing the pursuit. Yoimiya was poised to follow, stuck between helping her friend or getting these two to safety. But with Ayaka nearly long gone she sighed and stayed behind. “Come on let’s get you guys to safety” she spoke and hoisted them up. “Please be careful Ayaka...”
“What were you thinking dragging Lady Ayaka here!?” She interrogated him.
“H-Hey no I didn’t she snuck here on her own, I only knew it was her after our fight!” he argued.
Kujou Sara had a visible vein present on her head specifically for him. “You even assaulted the Shiseragi Himegime?” she spoke scarily calm. “Well I only knew her as the Ritou Vagrant, so how could I have known besides she took a swing to the gut like a cham-”
Itto soon let out a pained hoarse cry as her fist met his gut, before passing out.
The chase climbed atop the highest point that they could go, their game of cat and mouse ending atop a spire slowly licked by flames..
(pant) “Nowhere to run” Ayaka spoke sword at the ready. “Surrender now and your trial will be fair”
He scoffed. “Last time one of our own got a trial she was swiftly met with execution” he turned over to her. “Am I right Lady Kamisato?”
“La Signora had committed crimes atop Inazuman soil, as well as treason against the shogun herself”
“The punishments for our harbingers are to be dealt with by our own people, not outsiders”
“And how is that fair? If a person on our soil be they foreign or not commits a crime it’s our right to pass judgement, by we say fit” Ayaka spoke.
“Passing judgement huh? Was that whole Vision Hunt Decree of yours passing judgement?”
Ayaka paused.
“What we and our harbingers did was for the greater good of our world, to sever the chains that bound us to the heavens above. Some bargains were fair others we had to use forceful negotiations to procure them, but in the end we barely left lasting impact upon the nations”
“While your little Vision Hunt ruined countless lives of your own people, stealing their hopes and dreams to achieve a sick idea of eternity. Leaving them to take drastic measures against the violation of their beings, be it fleeing the country or having their lives taken”
Before they knew it a steady lick of flames began to envelop the area, soldier alike navigating the shrinking grounds to herd everyone out. A few standing by to assist in the evacuation of two missing persons.
“I know many were hurt by the Vision Hunt Decree, the wars waged, and the many who lost themselves. Many members were opposed to the decree, we tried to fight it but there was little we could do!” Ayaka had her sword poised.
“Easy for someone of your authority to say” He spoke, arm blades at the ready.
“Unlike the many of us who have had our vision’s stolen from us you had your own, which you’ve used to take countless others!” he shouted. “You’ve never known what it was like to have your sense of hope taken from you... many people were left broken and there was nothing they could do about it”
“And when I got my vision back, I felt hollow. My wildest dreams were just that, dreams”
“And I was no different from when I first lost it” Flames reignited across his blades.
Ayaka sighed and readied her blade. “To this day I’m still sorry for what happened” “to little too late”
Flames burned around as they fought, cryo that licked the edge of a sword melting against burning blades. Scratches old and new all across her blade as she deflected a flurry of burning slashes, changing her defense as she vanished into a trail of ice arcing behind him and slashi-
Only to have him retaliate by hooking her blades edge through his knives curvature and throwing her aside and sweeping at her head.
Watching the knives burning edge nearly miss slicing her head open was a frightful sight, enhanced upon watching several singed hairs fall from her brow...
Brought back to reality as she was sent skidding across the heated floor before colliding with a wall.
Just as she was ready to move she narrowly avoided a blade to her head, followed by another, and another before she kicked him away from her. Growling he launched from a fiery explosion to meet her halfway, ducking as she narrowly avoided a spinning top splash aimed at her neck.
She leant her blade to meet his own, infusing it’s edge with cryo as she blocked heated slash after slash aimed at her. Until one slash resulted in a fiery explosion sending her reeling before her blade on instinct met an attack from behind-
A clang ringing as it was knocked aside, disappearing into a cold mist she chased after it and grabbed it’s hilt just as it careened over the edge. Seeking his chance he raced towards her to launch a killing blow only for her to roll as she thrusted her blades tip at his own, causing it to jostle out of his grip and onto the fiery floors below. Furious he went to slash at her-
(creak)
The floor gave way with a sickening snap as they fell to the floor below, each groaning as they slowly got up at varying speeds. Just as she got up he ran at her with reckless abandon to which she spun and slashed at hi-
Shrieking in shocked pain as a fiery explosion suddenly met her point blank. Looking beside her he was now suddenly right on top of her blades at the ready, and responding quickly she readied her art and let loose a shockwave of freezing cryo. She gave no time to react as she launched a flurry of slashes at his careening body, sending him to the floor. Digging his blades in to steady himself he got up only to be met with a blistering storm of frost heading his way, so channeling as much pryo delusion he could he slashed at the storm resulting in a heavy mist enveloping the area.
She looked around trying to figure out where he was in this mist, only when she saw a pattern of pyro red did she slash at him again, only to meet dissipating flames-
Then a slash quickly met her face, stinging hot pain across her cheek. Before long she was assaulted by dozens of fiery slashes across her body, before being kicked in the gut and sent crashing into a wall...
She held her chest as she drew pained breaths, covered in dozens of singed scars. Elegant clothing singed and cut in places. A nasty cut on her cheek, and her blue hair uneven and singed.
Looking up at her attacker he too was worse for wear yet still standing, blood staining the bottom of his mask, frostbitten wounds and his blades melting into molten metal. And approaching.
He grabbed her by the throat and slammed her against the wall. Her already strained breath struggling for air, as her pinprick pupils met the cold red of his masks eyes. “I was thinking that I’d kill you after this was over, to repay the unjust debt upon our nation...” he pressed his thumb across her neck before letting go. “But then again you are right, we’d do the same to traitors back home... I was wrong to think that...”
“But instead, I’ll just be taking this”
His arm reached behind her, knife tearing cloth before returning with her vision. “To even your debt with the lost, to experience the anguish that your people have suffered” he finished before standing up and walking away. “May we never meet again”
He moved to walk awa-
Before a sickening crack broke the air as his leg fell through the floor, taking him with it. Panicking he reached out his hand to latch onto the stable flooring... but his hand caught onto a dropped vision, slipping off the pristine material to let him fall.
Ayaka could do nothing but watch it happen, hearing him shout as he fell before going silent. She hoisted herself up, walking across creaking flooring to retrieve her vision. Peering over the hole to find a burning pile of rubble below...
With a heavy sigh she limpidly retreated, with an experience she’ll never forget.
“Lady Ayaka!” Kujou Sara yelled relieved as she rushed forward to catch her. “Stay still we’ll get you immediate medical attention, men! Lady Ayaka is wounded fetch the field doctor immediately!”
Ayaka sat down as commanded, wincing as she got treatment for the time being all the while reprimanded for her foolish actions tonight. But throughout it all she was silent, trying to drum up a reason and an answer for why she was here.
She saw him fall into the fires alongside the very item she and everyone was here for. She saw the lengths he went to find and procure it’s potential powers, she defied her authority to chase this.
She acted like a child chasing something impossible, a far cry to what that man acted as...
But then again maybe she understood, he lost something that gave him purpose and when faced with the opportunity to potentially return what was lost he took it... was she any different?
“General Kujou, we recovered a body”
Breaking from her thoughts she looked up. “Any idea who it belongs to?”
“No clue but based on the attire we can confirm it was an ex-fatui assassin. And based on a lengthy number of bodies with pyro inflicted wounds we can reasonably assume it was this person who inflicted so”
“Have them dig out the body so we can confirm”
Ayaka considered it but left it as so-
“And you two sit here so I can keep an eye on you three” Sara spoke as she forcefully sat Itto down beside her. While Yoimiya eagerly or worriedly crashed into her side and hugging tight. “You’re okay!”
Itto looked over at the scene with a smug smile before looking to meet the general “Uh so how much trouble are we in?” Itto asked. Sara glared at him, and glanced at the Himegimi and Firework Girl currently in a tender moment. “Very much, you’ll be lucky if there isn’t a trial” she spoke before turning away to convene over the pending investigation.
“Ugh” Itto groaned. “Guess this whole trip was a nothing burger huh?” he spoke.
“I... guess so, it was foolish of me really to chase a child's dream” Ayaka spoke.
“So uh did the whole wish thing not work out or...?” Yoimiya asked.
“No it’s gone, destroyed with no one to fulfill anything” Ayaka answered.
“Dang was looking forward to seeing some magic happening” Itto frowned.
“but... if it makes you feel any better at least we showed off our fighting magic huh?” he nudged her.
Ayaka looked at him with a neutral glare, showing off her battle scars. “What? That’s what happens in a real fight, none of that whole sparring stuff. Yeah sure you get hurt and potentially risk your life in fight’s like these, but when you come out as the victor that shows how strong and tough you are!”
“Yeah and I’m supposed to be a symbol of beauty back home, what would the people think? What would my brother think?” Ayaka held her hands in her face.
“I mean shouldn’t they be glad you’re at least alright and home?” Itto spoke.
“Like yeah sure you’re not exactly in one piece or well you’re still whole just a little banged up, as long as you come home shouldn’t it be alright? Cause even if I’m all banged up or just got out of jail, Grandma Oni’s happy just as long as I visit once in a while to show that I’m not dead”
“Yeah even if our adventures might result in us a little messed up, it’s alright if we manage to come back home in one piece. Like there was this time I tested a really big firework I was working on and it blew up in my face” Yoimiya laughed a little. “Next thing I knew I was in the infirmary and my dad was super worried about me... while we had to close up for a while and I got chewed out a little he was just glad I was alright after all that”
Ayaka sighed. “Thank you everyone...” “Really?” Itto asked.
“Yes, it’s... going to be tough explaining all this but at least I’ll be home again... not exactly in one piece”
Itto laughed. “Yeah that’s what I’m talking about!” he cheered before forcibly taking them both into his arms. “Welcome to the ruffian life, where rules are broken and our battle scars are worn proudly!” All three of them chuckled. Even though it brought back painful memories she felt... proud. Proud for heading her words, and doing things Ayaka wanted to do rather than what people want Kamisato Ayaka to do.
“Can I tell you all something?” Ayaka asked.
“I’m all horns- e-ears” he corrected himself, which Yoimiya chuckled at and nodded along.
“You see if the wish was real, what I truly wanted was to see someone again...” She explained. “Oh... wow...” Itto spoke actually understanding for once. “No I totally understand, everyone misses her”
Yoimiya could only nod in understanding, the same went for her.
Ayaka wiped stray tears from her eyes.
Pulling out the singed corpse they surveyed any key details before coming to the conclusion. “This indeed proves our assumption correct” he spoke reaching for a stick to prod at a cracked stone. “A delusion...” Sara noted. “I don’t suppose this man has any remaining family do they?”
“All Fatui soldiers are raised orphan, their families are either long gone or dead”
“Then send it to the infirmary back in the city, they’ll know what do do”
“Yes ma’am...” he replied before uneagerly hoisting the charred corpse up, not noticing a shiny item dropping out of his pocket.
However nothing escapes the eye of Kujou Sara who picked up the mysterious contraband item and held it in her hand. “What in Teyvat is this?” she asked.
Ayaka looked over in interest-
“H-Hey Ayaka isn’t that the wish!?” Itto spoke hushed. “What wish?” Sara asked.
“Aw crud uh new plan!” Itto yelled. “Huh?” The other three asked.
Before they had time to figure out what he was talking about Itto charged forward, headbutting his sharp head into Kujou Sara’s gut. “Itto-ough!” she yelled. “Grab it and run Ayaka!” he yelled.
Panicking she did as told and grabbed it from mid-air and booked it, running past confused guards as she tried to find a secluded spot to even attempt this ritual.
Growling Sara grabbed his head and kneed it as hard as she could before running after her, to which Itto had nothing but a stupid grin as he went pseudo-comatose.
Panting she looked around not even knowing how this works or what she had to do, all the while an angry general and her guards were giving chase. “Lady Ayaka stop before we have to charge you with obstructing justice!” Sara yelled.
Hiding behind a stack of crates she let out panicked breaths all the while repeatedly asking herself what she was doing, why she went along with all this, why she was risking potentially everything...
Yet here it was a dreamlike object in her hands, focusing on it she calmed down taking in it’s shape. Like a tiny star trapped inside an array of circles, frozen in time. All of a sudden yet slowly staring at this little bauble that fit into her palms perfectly, it seemed as though she understood what to do...
So trapping it in her hands, in the shape of prayer... she made a wish...
“I’m so happy to see you again...”
She held onto her hands, holding her down like an anchor as she threatened to return to the sky.
“Please don’t go...”
“I promise you... I’ll see you again, whatever it takes...”
Ayaka woke up, looking around expecting to see someone, or hear them. “Lady Ayaka, please come back now!” She sighed, remembering why she was even here. The bauble in her hands long been cast away. Maybe she ran in fear of punishment, or simply did so because of Itto’s demands... but regardless she had to face the consequences of her actio-
She tried to move but she couldn’t, like as if something was blocking her from moving. So looking down and moving her arms she quickly stopped with a gasp.
There she was, laid asleep on her lap. Lying as if she was here the whole time, her hair still golden and smooth. Breathing softly, heart beating just like her own. Skin unmarred and smooth... and unlike when she supposedly first arrived here, completely naked.
But that didn’t matter to her, as she could only ask. “Lu-Lumine...?”
She opened her eyes, marveling at the star dotted sky before she moved to-
Pausing as she was suddenly wrapped in a tight hug, slowly moving her head to meet a frayed lock of light blue hair... “Ayaka...?”
“It’s me Lumine... I’m here...” she croaked, whimpering as she wrapped her arms around her. “I-I mi-missed you” Ayaka whimpered.
“Don’t worry... I’m here, I’m here” Lumine answered as she buried her face in her neck. “I’m here” she reassured, letting her cry her heart out alongside an amount of her own.
“Lady Ayaka I assure you the punishments won’t be too sever-” Kujou Sara trolled up ready to lay down the law as calmly as possible before gasping in shock. And not because a naked lady was atop Kamisato Ayaka, she only connected that after the fact.
“I can’t believe you’re here...” Ayaka croaked, unmoving from their embrace.
“Well believe me when I say I can’t either...” Lumine admitted.
“Then... where were you? I thought... I thought you said you’d be leaving... this world” Ayaka asked.
“... that’s what I believed too...”
Screaming she slashed at the Heavenly Sustainer with a sword sparking with golden light. “This world was never your own, and not something you could just control!”
“These artifacts are proof of that” Dainsleif added, as the gnosi twirled around himself. Resonating in a way that Pierro failed to replicate. “And this world can do fine without your guidance”
In a scene hidden away from the onlookers below the sustainer screamed in pain as her very own power was returned to her, brimming with too much energy that her body failed to contain resulting in her slowly fading away. The world around them mirroring herself as the pristine halls and pillars began to crumble and fall. “Go to them now! I can handle everything from here!” he commanded.
Lumine nodding as she flew across crumbling stones and pillars before-
“Lumine!” he yelled, she saw them. Aether and Paimon smiling as they waved for her to come to them.
But... it hurt to even think about what she’d say... that she couldn’t-
“LUMINE!” Aether screamed.
Yelping as she was suddenly dragged back by jagged rock. “You think you can defy the gods themselves!?” she asked. “Your arrogance has cost this world greatly, what good is a world without a protector against it’s enemies!?”
“Please you’re more of a tyrant than a ruler!” Lumine broke free, sending cubes flying. Only for more to assault her, each strike making her weaker and weaker as she trudged along.
“I’ve seen this worlds people myself, countless nations doing just fine without divine intervention. Only when did push come to shove did they step in, and yes some turned against the gods even their own. But throughout them all did they agree...” Lumine broke through another, with a radiant blade. “You were the problem, let me fix the problem now!”
She struck the sustainer once and finally, imbuing her with her power which truthfully was too much to handle... resulting in a storm of golden flakes. “Wow... that’s pretty” she thought before collapsing.
“It’s okay Aether... I’m happy with this. I’m sorry I have to leave you, but as long as Paimon’s with you you’ll never be alone” She painfully turned her head over to him. “I love you-”
That would be when the heavens crumbled to pieces, Paimon holding Aether as he screamed in anguish she too would be crying. The pieces of heaven fell to the sea below, sinking to the depths unlike the one above. The white sky slowly faded to reveal a night sky of lights, countless lights.
And amidst it all a lone body fell from the sky, limply flailing before exploding into dust as soon as it touched the water...
“And before I knew it all I could see was blurs of color and distorted garbling. It was only until now I heard and saw clearly... and I’m glad it was you”
“Are you... as you are when you first came here?” Ayaka asked.
“Honestly I don’t know...” she looked at herself. “But as long as I get to spend whatever time I have left here with you, I’ll gladly stay” Lumine answered, holding their hands together.
“M-Me too...”
“What’s going on he-”
The looked over in sudden remembrance of where they were as they had an audience.
“Lumine!” Yoimiya screamed before lunging at them.
Making said girl laugh as they crashed together. “I missed you too Yoimiya!” she hugged her back.
“Ahem” Kujou Sara demanded their attention. “As touching this reunion is, there are more pressing matters that require your attention”
“R-Right” Ayaka noted, swiftly removing her cloak to drape it over the girl.
“Nice to see you again Sara” Lumine joked as they followed along.
“So what happened while I was gone?”
Ayaka and Yoimiya looked at each other. “A-A lot actually” she guiltily admitted.