Yashiori Mountain Narukami Grand Shrine
As on any ordinary day, Luo Li idled leisurely within the shrine.
Moments like these were growing fewer, and he cherished every quiet day he spent in Inazuma. Over the span of a year, the little girl from a remote fishing village had transformed tremendously. The shy, rustic Asase Hibiki of the past was nowhere to be seen.
After growing close with Mitsudai and understanding Luo Li's temperament,
the once timid shrine maiden gradually became bolder.
During their free time, she often flew out with Mitsudai aboard the tengu clan's treasure the Thousand-Gate Void Vessel skimming across the sea, defeating pirates, rogue samurai, and hunting monsters.
After helping people, the pair always slipped away anonymously.
Rumors began spreading in parts of Inazuma about a heroic duo
a tengu and a shrine maiden
even enough to inspire storytellers.
Leaning on the sakura-laden branch shading the shrine's roof,
Luo Li admired the endless blue sea and drifting clouds, preparing for a nap. "Those two rascals ran off again today. A little boring." But only a few seconds after closing his eyes, Luo Li suddenly opened them. From the corner of his vision, beneath the sakura tree, Raiden Makoto stood holding a parasol
smiling, beckoning him over.
The Lady Shogun, framed by falling cherry blossoms, was beautiful as always.
But something was different today. In her other hand, she held a sword. The black-and-red hilt was lined with gold filigree. The guard bore the unmistakable triple tomoe of the Electro. The blade three shaku and nine sun long shimmered purple beneath its ornate scabbard.
A sword born from Makoto's divine power. A symbol of authority.
Never sharpened, never drawn for battle a ceremonial embodiment of her gentleness. Its name: [Musou Isshin] — Dreams of One Heart. It was normally enshrined within Tenshukaku, representing the unwavering mandate of the Electro Archon. But now, Makoto held it personally. With that single sight, Luo Li understood everything. Raising himself from the branch, he casually asked: "Did you say goodbye to Ei?" Makoto shook her head, smiling gently completely at ease despite the looming life-and-death battle.
"No. Ei went out to clear the rising number of monsters. I sent Miko away as well.
Rather than risk saying something that might arouse suspicion… it's better to leave quietly." If they hadn't discussed this in advance Makoto would surely have departed alone already. Glancing at the cloudless sky, Luo Li murmured: "What an unfittingly peaceful day."
As he dropped from the tree and approached her, Makoto tilted her head playfully. "Not going to say goodbye to your little disciples?" She had completely relaxed.
Emotions she usually hid were now freely visible. "No need." They would meet again
though he didn't voice that part. Makoto, misunderstanding, thought he was preparing for the worst.
"You don't have to follow me.
Wouldn't it be better to spend your days with Ei?"
"I refuse to repeat past regrets."
Seeing Makoto's figure brought to mind Guizhong.
Another gentle god with frail martial strength,
another who sacrificed herself.
He would not endure such an ending again.
He would not shoulder the burden of reviving anyone ever again.
Makoto did not understand his meaning,
but she did not need to
only the resolve behind it.
"So be it," she murmured.
"If this journey ends in failure…
at least spending the final moments beside you fulfills one of my wishes."
To her, Inazuma was precious
but Ei, and the few people dear to her, were just as important.
If she had to choose,
she could not.
But Luo Li had made the decision for her.
He accepted her parasol with a faint smile.
"Ready to go?"
Makoto closed her eyes for a moment,
taking in the wind, the sky, the scent of sakura.
"No…
let me look at Inazuma once more."
The longing and reluctance in her eyes were unmistakable.
After a full quarter-hour,
she whispered:
"…Alright. Let's go."
A breeze rustled the blossoms
and the two disappeared from beneath the sakura tree.
Khaenri'ah — The Ancient Nation
Rumors flooded the streets.
Cursed monsters multiplied.
People lost trust in the court.
Yet the high officials remained indifferent,
as though blind to the unfolding catastrophe.
Little did the citizens know
this was merely the prelude.
Far from prying eyes,
the seven most exalted beings of this world
had already descended upon Khaenri'ah.
"The decree from Celestia has been issued.
Since we are all gathered, let us begin."
The one who spoke first was Morax,
his gaze as wise and steady as always
but now tinged with a complexity rarely seen.
When his eyes passed over Raiden Makoto and Luo Li,
a flicker of surprise crossed his expression.
Then, the Pyro Archon casual and direct asked the obvious question:
"Why is it not Ei who came?"
Makoto smiled softly.
"Since Celestia commands us
we, the Seven, must act personally."
All present understood the truth:
Makoto did not want her sister touched by this calamity.
But Luo Li's presence…
that was unexpected.
While the others whispered,
Luo Li observed the Seven Archons
though only a year had passed,
none had changed.
Gods seldom did.
Several were accompanied by their retainers.
For example, behind the Hydro Archon stood a pure water sprite
a winged humanoid with a fish-tail silhouette.
"Lotteia…?" Luo Li mused.
"The same spirit who appears in Qingce Village centuries later.
She looks almost identical…"
Lotteia, strongest of the Hydro Archon's familiars,
later hunted by assassins,
carrying fragments of her dead god across rivers
to spread her deity's compassion.
Unaware of Luo Li's scrutiny,
she stood silently behind her master.
Other gods also brought attendants.
Only Morax stood alone,
holding his jade spear
solemn, dignified, and solitary.
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