Chương 533: Volume 5 – Chapter 147(Mary Skelter: Nightmares(Part 19))
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Author Note:
[ ] = When Twilight is speaking.
{ } = When talking through Telepathy.
' ' = When thinking in your mind.
<< >> = When talking with your Pokémon or Tamed Beast.
--- --- = When describing a certain period OR Another place.
** ** = Point Of View, i.e., POV
/// /// = In Call
" " = System and when talking to it.
「 」 = Thoughts being heard
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---Genshin Impact, Inazuma---
Two beings could be seen hovering in the scorching golden-flame-covered sky. One looked like a human with only one arm intact, while the other was an enormous reptile-like creature.
The human-like being was emitting purple thunder, and the reptile-like creature was emitting golden flames.
Even if someone stood far away, they could still feel the immense pressure of these God-like beings.
Ei: *HUFF* *HUFF*
The purple-haired woman was panting heavily. She was clenching the handle of her glowing thunderblade while glaring at the creature before her.
The Creature was also looking menacingly at her. It had never expected its prey to resist this much. It really was the most challenging prey it had encountered so far. This also made the creature want to devour this prey even more. And the dragon could also tell that it would be soon as its prey was at its limit.
Yes. Ei was really at the end of her ropes. She could feel her strength rapidly declining with each passing second now. She was feeling quite depressed for not being able to give Bahamut at least one serious injury even after burning away her life force.
True. During their battle, she successfully landed many blows on the dragon. Hence, now Bahamut had many wounds on its body. Yet, none of them were severe or life-threatening.
'Ei: Even this was not enough. Huh.'
Letting out a sigh of regret, she readied herself to unleash one last attack that would contain all her remaining strength. But just when she raised her sword, she narrowed her eyes as her vision turned blur before she found herself being pulled somewhere.
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---Plane of Euthymia---
Looking at her familiar and unfamiliar mindscape, Ei had nothing to say.
The place where she spent centuries to mediate had utterly lost its former image. No matter where she saw, right, left, up, or down, there was nothing but an empty space.
Sighing again, she muttered.
Ei: So, I am already on the verge of death.
???: Yes, you're.
Hearing this voice, she turned to the side and saw an identical person.
Ei: You are "The Shogun."
The Shogun: It's been a long time since we met face to face.
Ei: …Yeah. Over 400 years.
"The Shogun" sensed something in Ei's tone and spoke.
The Shogun: Hmm? You seem surprised to see me.
Ei: I do. I knew that the reason I could keep fighting with Bahamut for so long was also because you were lending me your strength. Otherwise, I would have lost long ago.
The Shogun: So, now that you are at your limit, you thought I was already gone.
Ei: Um.
The Shogun: Well, you are not wrong completely. I am also at my end. However, I can still lend my strength for one last blow.
'Ei: Strength for one last blow? How? Unless…'
Ei: You don't mean…
The Shogun: Yes. If I burn away my last godly essence, body, and consciousness, I can give you enough boost to unleash a devastating blow.
Ei: ...
Seeing that Ei had turned silent, "The Shogun" spoke.
The Shogun: Don't get cold feet now thinking, "Even if she is the puppet I created, she is a different person, and I can't ask her more than I already do."
This made Ei swallow her words. "The Shogun" was right. If she had died already, Ei wouldn't have thought about it. But now that she was still alive, Ei was thinking of a way for her to survive somehow.
The Shogun: Don't forget, Ei. You created me to look after Inazuma. And I have done so for centuries. Hence, one or another, I am also the ruler of Inazuma, like you. So, I have the right to fight for it until my last breath.
???: You are not the only one.
Suddenly, the space wrapped, and another person came. Seeing her, Ei widened her eyes.
Ei: Makoto, what are you doing here?
Looking at her twin sister, the first electro-archon smiled.
Makoto: I left you before and forced you to carry the heavy burden of Inazuma on your shoulder. Now that I have returned, do you really think I will let you shoulder it alone again?
Ei: Makoto…
Makoto: Ei, we three are the Ruler of Inazuma, the Electro Archon. Hence, it's normal for us to share this burden rather than having one person take it all.
Ei: …
Makoto: Ei, let me fight alongside you one last time.
Realizing what she meant, Ei widened her eyes in shock.
Ei: Makoto, you are not planning to!
Makoto: While the " Shogun" sacrifice might give you the power to unleash a move that can be dangerous to Bahamut, there is still no guarantee that it will be enough to kill him. However, if we add my power, it's possible.
Ei: I decline!
The current Electro Archon shouted and refused to listen to her sister's advice. Her eyes were full of desperation.
It was due to a miracle that she was able to see her sister again. Yet, now she would be gone again. There was no way she could accept that.
Makoto: Ei…
Ei: No!
Makoto: Listen to me…
Ei: No!
Suddenly, Makoto stepped forward and hugged her.
Ei: !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Makoto: Ei… we promised, didn't we? When I took the throne of Electro Archon, and you became my "Shadow Warrior," we promised to look after Inazuma. A place that we both made together and called our home.
Ei: ...
Makoto: But now, Inazuma is gone… We failed to protect our home and our people. While their souls have now entered the "Cycle of Reincarnation" that our Lord created, it still didn't change the fact that they died and we couldn't save them.
Ei: ...
Makoto: We failed to protect them… But we can take revenge for them, even for once. So… don't hesitate. I won't leave you alone this time and will be by your side till the end.
Ei's shoulders started shivering before she reluctantly nodded.
A while later, she raised her head. Her eyes were filled with tears as they streaked down her cheeks. But she didn't bother to wipe them. Her eyes were also resolute and full of determination.
Ei: But even if we have the strength to kill that creature, we will only get one shot. What even it sensed the danger and ran away. Or what if our attack misses? Won't this all be pointless?
Makoto: That's…
The first electro archon was lost for words at this. She can't deny that. They can't afford any misstep or mishap at this point.
The Shogun: Indeed. However, there is a way to ensure it won't happen.
Makoto: Oh. How?
Instead of replying, Shogun looked at Ei.
The Shogun: You remembered the notebook the "Witch of Greed" gave you.
Ei realized this and hurriedly took out the notebook. The notebook only contained one page, which had…
Ei: The Law of Thunder.
The Shogun: Um.
Ei: But the "Witch of Greed" clearly mentioned that I am not yet strong enough to comprehend it.
The Shogun: We don't need to comprehend it entirely. After all, we don't need the might of Law of the Thunder, but only its speed.
Makoto: I see. The speed of our strike should be so fast that it would land on Bahamut before it could even react.
Ei: And that can be attained using the Law of the Thunder.
The Shogun: Yes.
Ei: Even if it drastically decreases the task's difficulty, it will still take time. Time, which we don't have.
The Shogun: True. However, are you forgetting something? It's not one but three of us.
Makoto: Together, we will be able to gasp a little. Which will be enough to put an end to the monster.
Taking a deep breath, Ei nodded.
Ei: Um. Let's do it.
The notebook then opened and floated in the center of the encirclement of three rulers of Inazuma.
Before long, their heads started hurting as their eyes remained on the Law of the Thunder. Yet, they ignored it and continued.
The time in this mindscape moved faster than outside. And soon, they succeeded.
SHINE!!
SHINE!!
Purple light started coming out of "The Shogun" and Makoto. They both looked at Ei and nodded.
The Shogun & Makoto: The rest is up to you.
Understanding what that light meant, Ei tried to hold back the urge to cry again and nodded.
Ei: Yes… I will win.
Hearing this, they both smiled.
The Shogun & Makoto: We know… Now, show that Dragon the true might of Electro Archon.
Ei: Um.
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--- Genshin Impact, Inazuma ---
Bahamut was flying in the sky while looking at Ei, who had come to a standstill for some time. It thought that she wanted it to come closer, so she was pretending to be unconscious. Even a corner rat will bite, let alone a prey like Ei, who can injure it severely if given a chance.
Hence, it decided to remain on its spot and wait, as only the silver of life was left in Ei, which could be extinguished at any moment. And that was also its biggest mistake.
When Ei's last breath of life was about to disappear, boundless power suddenly burst out of her.
BOOOM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
That power formed an enormous pillar of light that spread through hundreds of kilometers of area.
Not only that, it also dispersed the scorching golden flames that had covered the sky like a blanket.
RUMBLE!!!
RUMBLE!!!
RUMBLE!!!
...
…
Now, the entire Inazuma was engulfed in a thunderstorm.
Looking at the sparks of thunder in the sky can make any mortal or God shiver in fear. They were like the Judgment thunder, waiting for the order "Lord of the Thunder" to strike like a catastrophe.
The Sea roared as many hurricanes, cyclones, and tornados started forming all over Inazuma.
Finally, the pillar of light disappeared, and Ei stepped forward.
STEP!!
STEP!!
STEP!!
…..
…
The whole nation was engulfed in a natural disaster, yet her steps resounded everywhere in Inazuma.
Bahamut eyes constricted, and a chill went down its spine, followed by boundless fear and dread as it looked at Ei's new form.
All the limbs that it had severed had regrown. All the injuries that it had inflicted had been healed.
She had grown taller. She was no longer wearing her purple yukata but a new white and purple one. Finally, she had a golden crown on her head.
As the dragon was horrified about how she suddenly became this strong, it saw three shadows behind her.
All three were identical, like triplets.
The one in the middle was the one it was fighting as she held her signature purple sword. The one on the left also looked the same, but she had a purple spear instead of a sword. Finally, the one at right was wearing a white yukata with a parasol in her hand.
Bahamut realized what was going on. It was no longer fighting a single person but three as one.
The person who came out was neither Ei nor Makoto nor The Shogun.
She was THE ELECTRO ARCHON.
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Pic: THE ELECTRO ARCHON
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Covered in thunder, THE ELECTRO ARCHON stepped forward and looked down on the dragon responsible for the destruction of her nation. She really wanted to give it the most painful and terrible death it can ever imagine.
But it was too bad that she could only make one move with the time she had left. Hence, she decided to release everything in one go.
She raised her hand high in the sky.
RUMBLE!!
RUMBLE!!
ROAR!!!
...
…
The Thunder roared before it converged into one point and fell in her hand.
BOOOM!!!
Holding the might of the lightning in her hand, which, if released, can wipe out this whole continent of Teyvat, she turned to Bahamut.
The Dragon no longer had its usual arrogance and pride on its face like before. Right now, it was trembling in fear.
Throughout its life, Bahamut had done nothing more than destroy and feast on its prey. It loved to see prey wailing in despair, begging, and praying for it to spare them. This gave it a sense of pride and accomplishment, letting it know it stood at the top of the food chain.
But today, the one who the creature always thought of nothing more than its food now held the power to end it. It was like a Nightmare.
THE ELECTRO ARCHON remained cold and indifferent to the dragon's behavior. She knew this creature would have never thought of sparing her or her people, even if given a choice. Hence, it should also forget about asking for mercy either.
Letting out a deep breath, THE ELECTRO ARCHON held the lightning as if she was holding a sword.
Witnessing this, Bahamut realized that she had no intention of sparing it. Hence, it gathered all its power in its mouth and shot a massive fireball.
The fireball was so big that THE ELECTRO ARCHON looked like an ant in front of it.
SWOOSH!!
Still, without confirming whether its attack did anything, the Dragon turned, spread its wings, and escaped.
SWOOSH!!
THE ELECTRO ARCHON didn't seem surprised as she had expected this.
Turning a blind eye at the upcoming fireball, she held the lightning like a sword and swung towards the fleeing Bahamut.
THE ELECTRO ARCHON: Disappear.
SHIN!!
A massive slash of lightning was released from her hand. That slash cut the coming fireball in two, and as it made its way toward the dragon, it also split the sea and sky the same. The slash also left trails of lightning in the way.
On the other hand, when Bahamut was about to leave the vicinity of Inazuma, its instincts started screaming about the incoming danger. This made the dragon look back, which was its mistake.
SHIN!!
The moment it turned, the slash cut it in two. From head to tail.
The dragon came to a standstill on its spot. And a second later, it split into two and fell.
This was not the end, though. The Lightning trails left behind by the slash exploded in a brilliant light. That light engulfed the Bahamut and erased its split body into nothing.
Putting an end to the evil dragon.
After some time, the light disappeared. Along with it, the dark clouds over Inazuma dispersed, and the cyclones, hurricanes, and tornados that had formed over the sea started to settle down.
Then, the first ray of sunlight fell on THE ELECTRO ARCHON, flying in the sky, making a beautiful picturesque scene.
With this, Phase 2 of Inazuma was finally completed.
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Looking at THE ELECTRO ARCHON bathing in the sunlight, Primis remained silent.
After all that hardship, they finally succeed in taking down Bahamut. Though, Inazuma was no more.
Lowering his gaze, he saw only the endless sea, with not even a single piece of land in sight. With this, one of the seven nations of Teyvat had utterly disappeared from the map.
While they were not showing on their faces, Primis knew that Ei, Makoto, and The Shogun were feeling very remorseful. Even the death of the creature didn't bring them any happiness.
If Primis wanted, he could restore Inazuma to its former state with his thoughts. But he won't, as there would be no point. He already told Ei that Phase 2 was not the end. There were also Phases 3, 4, and 5. In some cases, there were even Phases 6 and 7.
Anyway, the point was that Phase 2 was only on a national level. Phase 3 will at least reach a continental scale, let alone the next ones beyond.
Shaking his head, Primis decided to put those thoughts away and check something else.
He willed, and suddenly, many metallic spheres with the "Fleet of Fog" insignia appeared before him.
They were none other than the Union cores—the heart of "Fleet of Fog" vessels.
When Bahamut destroyed the fleets, Primis took away all these cores. There were over tens of thousands.
He then extended his hand, and one of the cores flew toward him. Grabbing it, he started caressing it gently.
He then turned his head and looked at the horizon.
'Primis: Three things remain. Time to get them.'
Next, his gaze penetrated through all the obstacles and looked past the world barrier.
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---Arpeggio of Blue Steel---
It was a lightly futuristic world in the mid-21st century, in which humanity had lost much of the Earth's landmass due to rising sea levels caused by global warming. Almost as a response to Nature, mysterious battleships that resembled reincarnations of WWII vessels started appearing worldwide, always surrounded by fog.
In 2038, the ships of the so-called "Fleet of Fog" started to appear frequently, and in the very first battle between these battleships and human naval forces, a good portion of the Russian navy was annihilated. This battle shows that the "Fleet of Fog" possesses weapons far beyond what humans had in their arsenal and that the "Fog" battleships were surrounded by defensive shields that make any conventional weapons useless against them.
By the end of 2038, the "Fleet of Fog" began attacking human navies and soon drove humanity entirely out of the seas. Since then, the "Fog" has taken a rather passive role and only maintained naval blockades, occasionally destroying some brave fools who tried to set sails in the open seas.
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---Arpeggio of Blue Steel, Yokosuka, Marine Technical Academy---
An academy that trained students to be future Navy soldiers. They were being taught all the navy drills, and the "Fleet of Fog" information was also profoundly engraved in their mind here.
A blue submarine could be seen in one of the secret warehouses of the Academy. This submarine was one of the fleets of "Fleet of Fog," I-401.
After the Great Naval Battle, this submarine appeared in this harbor with all its weapons locked. This allowed humans to seize it without any resistance. However, even after years of research, humans failed to reap any results. They couldn't even take it apart, as it remained unyielding.
Primis gaze, which penetrated through the world barrier, fell on this submarine. With a single glance, this vessel's truth lay bare in front of his eyes.
Right away, he knew that only the one who carried Shouzou Chihaya's bloodline could activate it—the main protagonist of this world. Gunzou Chihaya.
Nevertheless, for a being like Primis, it was hardly an issue. A glint passed through his eyes, and the whole submarine was soon erased from existence. The only thing left behind was a union core, which turned into a lay of light and shot out before disappearing.
WOOO!!!
Suddenly, sirens resounded throughout the military base, panicking people and soldiers and causing commotion.
Ignoring this, Primis moved his gaze in another direction.
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---Arpeggio of Blue Steel, Fortress Port of Yokosuka---
This time, his gaze was on a vast mansion far from the settlement area. This area seemed to be locked by the military, preventing unauthorized access.
A small ten-year-old girl with light-brown hair could be seen sleeping in one of the mansion's rooms. She was asleep while holding a plush toy.
A glint passed in Primis's eyes, and that girl disappeared, too.
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---Genshin Impact, Inazuma---
The space wrapped, and the union core of I-401 shot out and landed gently on Primis's hand.
He moved his thumb over its center as if cutting the core in two. Instead of splitting into two, the core radiated, and a transparent silhouette of two people appeared.
One was a woman wearing a white dress, long white gloves, and a white bow in her hair. Her eyes were deep blue, and her hair was black. Another was a girl in her late pre-teens with long, white, blue-tinted hair, pale skin, and green eyes.
Looking at the white-dressed woman, the Union core in Primis's other hand started shivering. Not surprising by his behavior, Primis created a new Union Core out of thin air.
Next, he moved the girl from this union core to a new core. The new union core shone briefly before dying down, indicating that it suited the girl. It then floated back and stood alongside the other cores.
Primis then turned his attention back to the white-dressed woman, who retreated into her core again. He let go of the core he was holding in his other hand. The core fell in front of him and stood side-by-side with the core of the white-dressed woman.
'Primis: Super Battleship Musashi and Super Battleship Yamato.'
Yes. The white-dressed woman was another Super Battleship on par with Musashi, Yamato. And that girl in her late pre-teens was the original I-401.
With this, Primis now had a whole "Fleet of Fog" in his arsenal.
He then waved his hand and put the cores away.
'Primis: Two things are done. One more to go.'
The moment he thought about that, the space wrapped again, and that brown-haired ten-year-old girl appeared before him.
Primis looked at this girl more attentively than even the "Fleet of Fog."
'Primis: Design Child, Osakabe Makie.'
Yes, this girl was not exactly human. She was a Design Child. A child who was genetically engineered humans with superhuman abilities in a particular area of expertise, ranging from weapon creation to politics.
In other words, an artificial child, created by humans in order to develop a weapon that would allow humanity to fight back against the "Fleet of Fog."
This girl, Osakabe Makie, had completed her mission and developed the "Vibration Warhead Torpedo, " a weapon capable of harming even the "Fleet of Fog." But now that she had done that, the government would soon get rid of her as she had no further use. Hence, Primis decided to take her for himself.
'Primis: 'We' already have 15,000 daughters. Adding one more won't change anything.'
Thinking, he sent the girl into his pocket world.
Next, he let out a sigh and muttered.
Primis: It's time.
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---Pets---
A warm light seeped out of the sky and fell on the beautiful face of the purple-haired woman lying in the middle of a flower field.
Feeling the irritation, her eyes fluttered open.
Looking at the two moons, she knew where she was.
???: Good Morning.
Hearing this voice, the woman turned her head to the side and saw a person sitting beside her with one arm resting on his knees.
Even if she had seen him many times, looking at his face still caused her to fall into a trance.
Seeing her silent, his face turned gentle, and he asked.
Primis: Is something the matter?
Snapping out of her thoughts, the woman shook her head before replying.
Ei: No. I am just glad to see you right after waking up.
This made Primis raise one of his brows.
Primis: When do you start talking this smoothly?
Chuckling, the purple-haired answered.
Ei: What do you mean by that? You know I don't like beating around the bush and am always straightforward with my thoughts.
Primis: Indeed. That's just like you.
Smiling, the woman moved her eyes and realized this was a field of red spider lilies.
Ei: Lycoris. Huh.
Primis: Um. That's 'Our' favorite flower.
Ei: Well, it also represents you. Eternal Netherworld Emperor.
Primis: Yeah. You don't like them?
Ei: No. I love them because looking at them reminds me of you.
Primis: Is that so.
They turned silent and just kept looking at each other. Endless love, longing, and affection could be seen in Ei's eyes as she looked at Primis.
Ei: Erste. Can I ask for one selfish request?
Primis: Hmm? Where did it come from all of a sudden?
Ei: Well, I have a feeling that no matter how excessively I ask this time, you might agree with them.
Primis: Girl, when did you start scheming?
He shook his hand at her words. Though he wasn't angry, his expressions were still as kind as before.
Primis: Yes. Ask anything you want. 'We' will fulfill it.
Ei: Then… when we meet again, will you marry us?
Primis: Us?
Ei: Well, even though compared to Makoto, I don't have much knowledge regarding politics, as sisters, I can still see her hidden feelings. However, seeing how we spent more time together, she decided to step back and bury those feelings to avoid between.
Primis: ....
Ei: That's why I said us. Me and Makoto. Just like she didn't want me to sacrifice my happiness, I also don't want her to do the same. So…
Looking at him, she asked. Her eyes were full of anticipation.
Primis also didn't make her wait. Extending his hand, he gently touched her face and caressed her cheeks.
Primis: Um. 'We' promise. When we meet, 'We' will marry you both.
Hearing his confirmation, Ei's eyes turned moist before she closed them in contentment. She seemed to be at peace as if all the burden had been lifted off her shoulders.
Ei: Erste…
She spoke softly.
Primis: What is it?
He also asked gently.
Before he could hear her, she turned transparent and then slowly disintegrated into light particles.
As those particles flew past him, he heard her.
Ei: …I love you.
Now, only Primis was left in the middle of this flower field.
He slowly raised his head.
In the distance, he could see two sisters, one in white and the other in purple, walking away hand in hand. Then, as if sensing his gaze, they looked back at him and smiled beautifully before continuing.
Primis: Farewell. Ei. Makoto...…. And love you too, Ei.
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*A/N: Please throw some power stones.
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