prologue
An innumerable amount of weapons have collided on fields tainted by crimson red, seldom fracas of dignity and pride, and more of the catastrophic events. The Cataclysm was a bygone war that began a domino effect for the people of today suffering the consequences. Those who fought bravely died their heroic deaths while its tribulation tormented those who had endured the pitch-black clouds.
Since then, Teyvat has been in a state of peace, relatively speaking. No longer are there blood-shedding wars to prove one’s superiority with the presence of the Seven, the archons that represent their strength in their respective kingdoms. Though the Heavenly servants maintain civil relations amongst its people, they share a different sentiment — fuelled by selfish desires and greedy lust, the hubris of which is dated since time immemorial.
The atmosphere, however, seems to resonate with darker weather in the land of the Almighty Raiden Shogun, the incarnation of lightning. Whilst the Shogun seals herself away in the Tenshukaku, a raging storm is bound for their direction as hinted by the Shogun’s most loyal servant. She, the Head Priestess of the Grand Narukami Shrine, stands before the tree that takes a fox-like shape, engrossed in the possible outcome.
Yae Miko has read many light novels in the account of her position as the editor-in-chief at the Yae Publishing House and even fictitious events can mock reality when things that are merely an imagination come into a threatening form.
The shrine is quieter than usual, with the shrine maidens off to perform their duties and help the people, leaving Yae Miko to her temporary solitude. Her ears twitch at the sound of crunching pebbles behind and her sharp senses are keen enough to detect a rather familiar presence.
She tilts her head for visibility of the cloaked figure, who has a rigid posture and comes with a hostile air. Yae Miko squints her eyes, humming, “May I help you?”
“Have you forgotten who I am?” The individual cracks an arrogant smirk. “I wouldn’t be surprised. After all, you’ve abandoned me, just like I was a disposable puppet. Pathetic,” The figure pulls down the hood to reveal a face she hasn’t forgotten.
Yae Miko exhales rather indifferently. “It’s no surprise that the Fatui have made themselves home in Inazuma, but to see you? I don’t know whether I should invite you in for a cup of tea or simply cast you out for eternity,”
“And do you believe eternity is achievable?”
Yae Miko maintains her composure with silence, studying the puppet before her that has taken a new mantle and an identity where he is the sixth harbinger of the Fatui, dubbed the Balladeer.
“Whether I believe or not is nothing of concern to your audience currently. You seek something, don’t you? Something that does not belong to you,” Yae Miko says monotonously.
The Balladeer claps his hands enthusiastically though mocking her at the same time. “The cunning maiden has done it again! My oh my, am I that easy to read? I suppose I am good for source material, no?” He scrunches his face in utmost disgust, taking a step further. “Everyone is a pawn to you. You use them in your twisted games, making their pain and agony immortalised, and will you do the same when you suffer?”
“Be my guest if you seek to challenge the Shogun, but we both know who won’t make it out alive,” Yae Miko shakes her head in disbelief.
“No, of course not,” The Balladeer smirks. “But even you, the Head Priestess of this very shrine, the most loyal friend to eternity, the one who had seen my birth,” He pulls up the hood of his cloak, seducing his facial features with mysterious darkness as he is about to take his leave. “You, too, have a weakness. Once that weakness awakes in search for truth, I will kill her,”
The Balladeer makes his memorable exit, leaving Yae Miko speechless. Her fingers clench into fists and her knuckles whiten. She faces the tree with a heavy heart, drawn back into her strategic thoughts where it concludes one thing.
