Swaying her hips with each of her steps, the shrine maiden made her way toward the palace entrance. The guards made their way as she dazzled through the corridors. Once inside, the tall woman slowed down her pace, waiting for just a moment before taking a turn to the right. Her heels made noise at every step she took while humming a small melody. The maidens and guards bowed to her whenever she walked past them, whilst she held her head high and her movements always so elegant.
Upon arriving at the south wing of the palace, the maidens appraised her arrival, moving away from the front of the chambers and opening the door wide for her entrance.
—Divine Shrine Maiden, Guuji Yae —The main maiden makes her way to the divine priestess. Bowing deeply before continuing. —, we're blessed to have crossed by yours' presence. Please, make way to the royal chambers, Her Excellency has been yearning for yours' arrival.
—Her Excellency's been waiting for me? —The kitsune seemed amused, although she didn't stop going forward, focused on visiting her "friend". As she kept walking deeper into the palace, the maidens were long gone now, no one was allowed inside the Raiden Shogun's chambers upon her arrival. Right before opening the door that separated her from the Shogunate's presence, she took a moment to sigh and mutter something that came out as a whisper. —One would've thought she'd already left me behind, just like she left everything else before going to her Plane of Euthymia.
And just like she abandoned Makoto too.
And with that as her final thought, she stepped inside the royal chambers. Coming face to face with the Raiden Shogun herself, resting on top of her royal bed that was beautifully made and adorned with the finest of silks. Maintaining eye contact, the sly kitsune grinned, as she slowly made her way to Her Excellency's bed.
—Miko, you came...
—Oh I did come back, however, that doesn't mean I've come to speak with you. —Her tongue was sharp, her tone demanding and her posture intimidating, but the grin on her face never left. —Make way, I want to speak with Ei.
—Ei does not wish to see you. She's commanded me to-
—Do I look like I care about the Shogun's orders? —She interrupted with a laugh. — I am her lover, —Her face became stern, although she deep inside regretted her words in front of the puppet. Beelzebul's eyes darkened, as their face lost all emotion at once, waiting for Miko's words until it was its turn to speak. Although it wanted to point out the status Yaemiko would forever hold with the Raiden Shogun, that one being of a concubine, the puppet knew better than to indirectly upset their sister Ei. —she's just mad because she can't keep me on a leash whilst on her Plane.
—Miko, her orders were clear. I am designed to follow-
—Do I always have to repeat myself? —The frustrated voice of Miko said it all, this was not a matter she was willing to discuss, no matter how hard the puppet could try to persuade her otherwise. —Take me inside the Plane of Euthymia, Beelzebul. I need to speak with Ei.
The puppet's face finally showed some compassion for itself, letting out a sigh as it took Yaemiko's hands into their own. Looking at Yae's eyes, the puppet made way for her to enter the plane. Gripping tight at their hands together, the puppet looked down at their feet, closing its eyes tightly. Lighting surrounded them, the electro energy engulfing them completely before it slowly started to dissipate Yaemiko's presence in front of the Shogun puppet. Beelzebul didn't want her to leave, they didn't want Miko to keep hanging around their sister. Didn't want to keep having to witness their sister's rage and how she'd always take it out on Miko. They didn't want to keep being on the sidelines, only being a witness to the toxic relationship unfold without being able to do anything. As Yaemiko was about to leave the physical world, to come face to face with Ei, the puppet opened its eyes and whispered as she made eye contact with the pink-haired kitsune in front of them.
—I'm so sorry, Miko...
Yaemiko's face relaxed, letting go of the puppet's hands to now holding its cheeks. She caressed both sides gently before replying in a soft tone.
—I'll be fine, it will never be your fault Makoto.
Hearing that name, the puppet's eyes widened, but before they could open their mouth, Yae had already vanished and entered the Plane of Euthymia. With a deep sigh, the puppet couldn't hold itself up together and sat back down at the edge of the luxurious bed. Wondering and worrying about what their sister Ei could do to Miko once inside the Plane of Euthymia. It had seen it before, the intense fury of its sister whenever it came down to Miko disobeying her orders. And they wished they could interfere, help save Miko from Ei and keep her far away, but that would mean, they too, would have to say goodbye forever to Yaemiko.
As the kitsune brought her hands back down to her sides, she sighed and finally faced the entity now standing behind her. With a sharp gaze and an intensely suffocating presence, the new entity kept her watch on every single move Yae made.
—Makoto? Really? —The intimidating woman asked, with a very noticeable mocking tone and scorn. To which Yae only rolled her eyes and held her hands in front of her chest, similar to a self-hug. —What have I told you about forgetting about my sister? She's no longer Makoto, she doesn't have a say in anything, she's a puppet now. So just forget about her already, would you? I am the only one you're allowed to have contact with now. And were in the ever abyss were you? I've called all my army to look for you.
—Trust me, honey, I'd love to forget about her, although I can't guarantee you we're talking about the same twin here. —Yae replied with scorn too. Holding her head high, and not willing to have this conversation again. She never lets anyone get away with talking about her, and no matter if the Raiden Shogun herself has told her to, she'll never stay silent when she can still use her sharp tongue to reply back. Sometimes though, she slightly wishes she could control that urge so that maybe she wouldn't get into situations with Ei.
—Yae. —She warned.
—What? You always tell me to be honest. —Yae, on the other hand, didn't mind her warnings, as she'd keep disregarding her commands to make way to her true thoughts. Perhaps it was such an attitude that made her such a great Chief Editor over at Yae Publishing house, however, in this scenario that didn't help her much.
As she began to tune out the intense scolding directed towards her by Ei, she began to think to herself about the kind of situation she got herself in. She could've easily avoided that, and stayed hidden from everyone, perhaps even move to a different nation, but that'd mean having to leave the twins to fend for themselves. And that truth was too much to fight against.
As one who is thrown into the sea. Though he fights back desperately against his predicament, it does nothing to prevent his descent into the depths.
Her thoughts had to be cut short though as she heard Ei's voice lose a bit of that intimating tone that was so natural in her. Finally paying attention to what the other was saying, Yae remained still, only clenching her teeth tighter.
—And just where were you? I've sent all of my guards to look for you but you disappeared from this world for more than a month!
—My business is none of your business "Your Excellency", so unless you're my thong, don't be all up my ass. —Yae couldn't help but snap back, Ei's intrusiveness into her private life had always been a problem, even when her sister was around.
She had almost forgotten how possessive Ei had become, always demanding to know her location at all times. Sending guards to stay on the Shrine at all times just to keep an eye on her. When Makoto was around, she'd have huge fights with her younger sister about letting Miko be. But that never mattered to her, Ei didn't care about her sister's words then, why should she suddenly do it now?
Yae always wished she could go back, if only she hadn't met Ei, things would be so much easier. She'd probably be living her life and going into the Chinju Forest just to attack the birds around. But then again, meeting Ei was what made her able to meet Makoto, the love of her life. Although much had changed over the last 500 years, Yae was sure that the only thing that would never change, was her love and admiration for Makoto. Despite everything her sister had done to her, Makoto had always been willing to give her little sister another chance. But ever since that day, Ei had changed, and her intense habits only became more of an obsession.
That day, during the Archon War, the twins had emerged victorious, with Ei finally having satisfied some of her needs to take out her anger towards her sister on something else than a wooden dummy. But as days passed, her fights with Makoto only made those urges come back once more and now with a much greater force.
That day, the twins had their last fight.
That day, Yae had been looking forward to Makoto's confession.
That day, Ei had finally released her hatred towards her older sister.
And that day, Yae witnessed Ei kill Makoto with her own sword.
For forty days after that single moment, Inazuma had faced the strongest of storms in all of history. Those forty days the islands became a silent place where only thunder could be heard. But inside of Ei's mind, the only thing she'd hear over and over again were her sister's cries to stop. That day, Makoto had wielded her sword against Ei's polearm, striking endlessly before her sister, in an attempt to make her realize the severity of her intents. But with Ei's immovable will and hatred, it had nothing to care about when her sister pleaded for mercy. Not when she'd finally get her revenge, get the throne, inherit her power, and finally, take Yae for herself.
Her hands didn't shake when she finally stabbed her sister's sword into her chest, right into her heart. Her eyes didn't show any emotion as her sister cried her final tears and her posture never faltered as she heard her sister's last sobs. But most importantly, her will never faltered as she stood up, facing Miko directly as the other shook violently, having witnessed her lover's last moments of life; nor as she walked right past her, both sword and polearm in hands.
Years later, the twin showed no regrets, but the country needed stability, the stability her sister had always been able to keep while the two coexisted. With the demands of her people finally having trespassed her limit of patience, she took it to herself to rebuild a substitute for her sister. A puppet to hold her conscience and to keep it under her control. Yae disappeared for years, having officially left Inazuma to hide under the Sangonomiya Shrine. Right where the Raiden Shogun had no permission to be in. Makoto's death hadn't only marked a before and after for her, but the substance in which Inazuma stands. Years of suffering on her own, surviving by herself and keeping to her books, when she finally decided to reach back to Inazuma city. Word was in the air by one of the Kamisato Clan's Shuumatsuban that the Raiden Shogun had brought back Makoto's conscience into a doll of her own creation. For Yae this could only mean a new chance or a new storm, but if it meant having back Makoto, she was willing to risk everything.
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