[Inazuma – Mt. Yougou]
Beneath the Grand Narukami Shrine.
A thread of white light pierced through time from a distant past, crossing the layers of consciousness and slipping quietly into the present world without disturbing a soul.
It drifted, faint and steady, until it reached deep within the mountain.
"Ah…"
A soft sigh echoed.
The white radiance flashed once—and vanished.
At that exact moment, deep inside the mountain, the puppet known as the Raiden Shogun stood motionless.
Her violet eyes were filled with quiet sorrow.
After a brief stillness, her solemn lips parted to whisper a name—
"Istaroth."
In that instant, the mental duel she had waged endlessly inside her own inner realm abruptly ended.
A higher-dimensional force had exiled her puppet self—the "Shogun"—far, far away in time.
That gave Ei full control of her own body once more.
No more inner struggle. No more tug-of-war over divine authority.
It should have been a cause for relief.
No one could stop her from saving her sister now.
But instead, she felt no joy at all.
Someone who could so casually banish her puppet…
could just as easily obliterate her entirely.
A Celestial Archon intervening at such a time—
was it aid?
Or a warning?
"…"
She hesitated only three seconds.
Then discarded every thought at once.
Her hand moved.
Musou no Hitotachi.
A soft, perfect cut.
She drew out the fragment of consciousness that truly belonged to her—
and fused it into Makoto's dream, her sister's One Heart.
Then, in the next breath, she turned to lightning.
A violet bolt split the clouds above Mt. Yougou.
She no longer wished to wait a single second longer.
Patience—she had none left.
"Five hundred years have passed; can't you wait a little longer?" they said.
No. She could not. Not another heartbeat.
Purple lightning streaked across Inazuma, leapt the waves of Guyun Stone Forest, and shot straight toward Liyue.
In an instant, she sensed Morax's aura—
and descended in a flash toward the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor.
"…"
At a small courtyard, Zhongli was drinking tea with Azhdaha.
Both felt the sky ripple.
"She's coming," Zhongli murmured.
Azhdaha frowned. "That lightning dancer again?"
Azhdaha's tone was half wary, half weary.
Was she here to fight again—or for something else?
Zhongli's gaze drifted skyward.
He could already feel her consciousness brushing his own realm of stone.
Inside Ei's mindscape, she stood with eyes closed, motionless,
when a deep voice resonated.
"She was cast away… to a time long after this era."
Zhongli's calm baritone broke the silence.
Ei's eyes opened.
She met his gaze, expression unreadable, then offered a faint, cool nod of thanks.
"Morax. Where is Mr. Taro?"
The fox priestess's aura was faintly traceable in Liyue,
but the kitsune was unreliable.
Better to find the man himself.
"Apologies," Zhongli said evenly, shaking his head.
"I do not know. My friend is a free soul—he could be anywhere."
He could have used the geo veins to pinpoint Taro's location—
but he refused.
He wouldn't.
Not anymore.
Once, when they barely knew each other, caution had been necessary.
Now, they were true friends—mutual trust and open hearts.
Taro had repaid Liyue countless times over.
To spy on him now would be shameful.
If he truly needed to meet someone, he would reach out himself.
Otherwise, it was best to leave him be.
"…"
Ei was silent for two seconds, then asked flatly:
"You can find him, though, can't you?"
Technically, yes.
But as an outsider in Liyue, to extend her divine power uninvited would be disrespectful.
She had come seeking a favor—so she would not overstep.
"I can," Zhongli admitted.
"Good." Ei's eyes gleamed. "Then I'll trouble you once."
"To find Mr. Taro?"
"Yes. Tell him the 'offer' is prepared. I've come to trade."
"Understood. A moment, please."
Zhongli raised one hand.
Before Azhdaha's curious stare, he touched the jade earring on his ear, channeling a pulse of geo resonance.
"Brother Taro, do you have time now?"
"Plenty. What's up?"
"The Thunder Archon of Inazuma has arrived. Payment prepared. She seeks trade."
"Got it. Send her over—I'm at Yaoguang Shoal."
"Understood."
The resonance faded.
Zhongli lowered his hand. "It seems she intends to revive the late Makoto."
"This visit means she's gathered all the needed offerings."
The twin gods of Inazuma—
both Zhongli and Azhdaha knew them well.
They had met before the Archon War,
and again after, when a certain wine-loving bard from Mond had broken the silence of centuries.
That reunion of the Seven—
hosted by Morax himself—
was a rare and joyous time.
They had exchanged insights, debated governance, and shared laughter.
Now…
of those seven old friends, only Morax remained.
Perhaps soon, one more would return.
"I understand," Azhdaha said quietly.
"This one's yours to handle. I won't meddle."
It was obvious: Taro wasn't in Liyue Harbor.
So she had come straight to Morax instead.
As Azhdaha finished speaking, a violet flash burst in the courtyard—
Raiden Ei appeared, her form descending with quiet thunder.
No sign of Taro yet.
Her aura pulsed once as she sensed the lingering trace of his geo energy.
"I spoke with him," Zhongli said calmly. "He's in Yaoguang Shoal, awaiting you."
"Thank you."
Before he could add another word, Ei vanished again—
a streak of purple lightning cutting through the clouds toward the southern coast.
"Still the same as ever," Azhdaha muttered.
"She hasn't changed a bit."
"How many centuries has it been, and she's still like this?"
"More stable than before," Zhongli replied with a faint smile.
He knew her temperament well.
Impetuous, but sincere.
Her bond with her sister ran deep.
He could understand her impatience.
At least now, she didn't draw her blade on sight.
Back then she'd brandished her naginata first, and asked questions later.
He sipped his tea slowly. "At least she's learned to greet before challenging."
Azhdaha chuckled. "True enough."
Lightning flickered once more, then was gone beyond the horizon.
(End of Chapter)
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