A Decade of Peace
(Ei's POV)
Almost a decade has passed since the unification of Narukami Island. Makoto and the others have been busy during this time. Orihime went back to Mt. Yougou and built the Grand Narukami Shrine. Sasayuri got tasked to be the leader at Kannazuka. While Chiyo came back home to Yashiori Island, gathering the onis to unite the few villages in the name of the Raiden Shogun.
I helped my sister stabilize Narukami Island while continuing to sharpen my skills, sparring from time to time with each of them. Though Orihime wasn't able to handle it, and sparred with Makoto instead. Sasayuri and Chiyo were left behind with me, the oni being the more lively one, while I never gave that bastard a choice.
Makoto said before that she decided to unite the islands for peace, but I knew it wasn't that simple. The main reason for it is The Archon War that still hasn't ended even now, we were born during it, yet it still hasn't ended. After conquering the three islands, we talked with the people of Sangonomiya next to Yashiori Island that is led by the Snake God Orobashi.
Orobashi is a weakened god after getting defeated in the earlier times of The Archon War. He fled from the chaotic battle, and accidentally made it to what is now known as The Sangonomiya Island. Then there was Kanna Kapatcir, The Great Thunder Bird. A prideful deity who didn't participate in The Archon War, and only watched over the people of Seirai and Tsurumi Island.
Makoto succeeded in forming an alliance with the two deities, giving birth to what is now called The Inazuma Archipelago. An isolated archipelago in the ocean consisting of six islands, ruled by three gods, four if I include myself. My sister decided to hide my existence as we cannot fully trust the two deities, because for them this is nothing but an alliance, not subservience.
The Archon War is something that happened after Celestia announced to give Seven Heavenly Seats to the Seven Archons to rule Teyvat. The condition to become an archon is strength, territory, and achievements or recognition of the Celestia. Once given a position as an archon, they are to defend it until the end of The Archon War. It still hasn't ended as the final seat has yet to be taken.
Makoto doesn't plan on being an archon since she is skeptical about the actions of Celestia. We told the others about the situation one year after our first tea party, so the others have been busy protecting our peace. Of course, we didn't forget to get into contact with each other as Makoto continued the tea party, gathering every three months or so. I am currently on the way to the usual place for the said gathering.
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"Now then, can you actually tell me the reason the tengus left Mt. Yougou Sasayuri? That was the only reason I became the Kitsune Saiguu after all. I still feel bitter about that after almost two decades now." said an angry Orihime while looking at that insect.
"I already told you a long time ago.I wanted us tengus to spread our wings and because of that I encountered Makoto, making me believe that was one of the best decisions I made in my entire life!" proclaimed a sweating Sasayuri with passion.
"Are you sure? Are you really sure that is the only reason?" questioning Sasayuri again, while looking at him with inquisitive eyes and a spark of electro in her hands. Orihime clearly not buying his bullsht for the tenth time, as he always dodged the question.Sasayuri sighed and kneeled in resignation.
"Alright, I give in. I knew about you from the reports of my subordinates and believed that you are more suited than me to lead Mt. Yougou. I trusted that with your leadership, the yokais will band together peacefully even without the tengus." said an embarrassed Sasayuri, not trying to look her in the eyes. Orihime hid her blushing face before looking at him again.
"Then why did you keep ignoring me in our early gatherings?" asked a saddened kitsune.
"I felt guilty, leaving a young girl like you with that heavy responsibility. I'm sorry." answered Sasayuri with an apologetic tone that I didn't know he could have.
"I forgive you." said the kitsune to the tengu with a weak voice.
"Why are you entering such a heavy topic this early in the morning?" interrupted Chiyo, clearly not liking the solemn atmosphere.
"Did you see the latest fireworks show that happened in Yashiori Island Sasayuri?" asked the energetic oni, immediately changing the topic.
"Yes, it was definitely splendid! I can see and hear it all the way from Kannazuka!" responded Sasayuri, with a cheerful voice just below Chiyo's energy.
I can't help but smile seeing my companions getting along with each other, although I also felt a bit annoyed.
"You should make your move Ei-chan. I don't know before, but right now they are definitely getting a bit too close for comfort." teased Makoto after seeing my annoyance, with her usual mischievous grin, which I quickly ignored.
"Well if nothing happened then its fine. As supernaturals we have a lot of time anyway, time is definitely something we do not lack." continued my sister, before signaling to them to pay attention.
"Well, we should probably talk about the reason for this emergency meeting." said Makoto with a serious tone, while me and the others quickly donned ours. I already know the reason, but I just waited for my sister to finish.
"The Celestia declared Orobashi and Watatsumi as a whole, guilty for unknown reasons." continued Makoto, shocking the three leaders.
"What is the current situation, Sasayuri? Chiyo?" questioned a worried Makoto.
"Everything is normal on my end, my lord." answered Chiyo as she is the closest to Watatsumi Island. Yashiori is in between Watatsumi and Kannazuka.
"Do we have any ideas for the sudden verdict, my lord?" asked Sasayuri with seriousness.
"None." said Makoto, creating a heavy atmosphere.
"Maximize the security around Yashiori Island Chiyo. Sasayuri, follow Chiyo to Yashiori Island and try to figure out what they did for this to occur." Ordered Makoto as the Raiden Shogun of Inazuma, while the two nodded in response.
"I should go with them, sister!" I finally talked after watching the exchange of words happening in front of me.
"Not for now Ei, the other two gods will remain vigilant of their surroundings since I'm sure they arent excepted from the message of Celestia. We need you to remain hidden until they moved." rejected Makoto. Sighing in disappointment, I reminded myself to just be ready for what was to come.
"Then we will go first, my lord." said Sasayuri before looking at Chiyo for confirmation.
"I will leave Yoshitsune to manage Kannazuka while I'm gone." continued Sasayuri , standing up while waiting for Chiyo.
"If something happened, I will fire a firework, close enough to be seen in Inazuma City. Wait for my signal, and we will deliver a report at least once everyday so do not worry too much Ei. This might also be the first official battle for us to work together, so I'm excited for it!" said Chiyo with a cheerful smile, trying to reassure me before leaving with Sasayuri.
"Then I will leave too to prepare the yokais, just in case of a battle breaking out." Orihime added before quietly leaving.
"Do not worry too much Ei-chan. You trained with them a lot after all, so you should know their strength. Believe in them, wait and be ready." said the worried Makoto. I only smiled in response before leaving to continue my training. My sister following me for her skills to not get rusty.