The morning sunlight fell upon the girl's tightly shut eyes. Darkness gave way to a faint crimson glow. Slowly, she opened her drowsy eyes, still not fully awake.
A familiar ceiling… That was her first thought.
Am I in the castle? she asked herself, mind hazy from just waking. After a pause, she realized the truth.
"The second day already…"
Memories of yesterday surged back. The Holy Grail War… had ended. Today marked the first day after its conclusion.
A warm bed, fresh sunlight, and a familiar bedroom—nothing seemed to have changed.
No… not unchanged.
She shifted lazily beneath the covers, then gently pulled them aside, sitting up. Something came to mind… she moved the blanket away, revealing her legs beneath the nightgown.
"…Things have already changed."
She whispered softly, her hands brushing over her legs that now carried sensation. The feeling was wondrous. For most people it was something natural from birth, yet for her, now, it felt precious beyond words.
Of course… there was a price. She was no longer a magus, but only an ordinary girl. At the thought, she felt a faint sense of daze.
Right… what about her?
Suddenly recalling someone, she looked about the room in a fluster—until she spotted a figure by the window. That violet silhouette knelt quietly before the floor-to-ceiling window.
Facing away from her, the woman sat before the rising sun. Its warm radiance cloaked her in a veil of gold. Her violet hair shimmered dreamily in the light, the long sleeves and hem of her kimono trailing smoothly upon the floor, ethereal as a celestial maiden.
"Hah…"
Fiore exhaled in relief. She had feared the woman had left quietly while she slept, departing without even a final farewell.
Staring at the beautiful figure bathed in sunlight, she carefully left the bed. Almost instinctively she reached for a wheelchair, before chiding herself. Sitting at the bed's edge, she placed her feet on the carpet and, unsteady but determined, stepped slowly toward the other's side.
She drew closer, tucking in her legs to sit beside her. Gazing intently, she admired the delicate profile of the woman's face, eyes gently closed.
Such flawless skin… soft and radiant. Fiore did not know her true age, but as a god, she must be old beyond imagining. Yet here she appeared no more than twenty, like a big sister. Fiore herself had just turned nineteen.
Though she seemed young, at times she carried a suppressive majesty. Perhaps that was true charm.
"…Won't you sleep a little longer?"
The woman suddenly spoke, eyes still closed, as though she had known all along that Fiore had sat beside her. The calm tone was reassuring.
"Mm… if I slept longer… I might miss my chance to see you, Shogun."
Fiore half-jested.
"Only the lift of an eye separates us. Why speak of missing me?"
"…Just now, I thought you were already gone. My heart felt empty in that instant… so helpless."
At her quiet words, the Shogun finally opened her eyes. Violet pupils reflected the glow outside as she turned to look at the girl hugging her knees beside her.
"Are you truly so reluctant to part with me?"
The words sounded strange, but from the Shogun's lips, they seemed natural, almost as if seeking some answer.
"Of course… I can't bear it. But… this is something that must happen, isn't it? You must return."
Her lips trembled as she spoke, as if barely holding back sobs.
"Do not grieve. Do you remember what I once told you? All banquets must end. What matters is the bond and memories we share."
"Mm… sob… I… I'm not grieving…"
Her tears only welled more at those words.
"…You're crying again. When we first met… I never knew you were such a little crybaby."
The Shogun's words carried a gentle fondness, like an older sister's affection. In front of others, Fiore forced herself to be strong, yet before her, she revealed all her weaknesses without concealment.
"Sob… When I was a child, whenever a pet of mine died in front of me, I would cry all night, crying until I fell asleep."
The girl spoke while wiping her tears, a small smile on her face as she recalled her past. The Shogun sat quietly beside her, simply listening.
"Shogun…"
"Mm?"
"You… you're not a Heroic Spirit… are you?"
The girl still hadn't completely calmed down. Her voice carried a cute, nasal tone, her eyes still red. She had realized this truth long ago.
"How rude… This vessel is still in the prime of youth. How could it be called a Heroic Spirit?"
The Shogun turned her head, looking at the girl with a hint of puzzlement. Heroic Spirits were those already deceased—was the girl calling her dead?
"Because… all Servants summoned by the Grail are once-dead heroes or famous figures."
Fiore gave a bitter smile, explaining to her.
"I see… I am not a Heroic Spirit. I was simply drawn here by your chant at that time. The moment I opened my eyes, the first thing I saw was you."
That was how she explained it—a more pleasant version of the truth. She couldn't exactly say that she and Ei had been testing a new use of Musou Isshin, accidentally opened a rift, and got lost here.
"Hehe…"
The girl covered her mouth and laughed, like the sound of silver bells, quietly reaching the Shogun's ears.
"Is that funny?"
The Shogun asked, puzzled.
"No… I just think… it's so very much your style, Shogun… hah…"
My style…? Even she herself didn't know what her style was.
"…" ×2
Once again, the two fell silent in the morning light. Yet the silence was not awkward in the slightest.
"What are your plans for the future?"
The Shogun broke the silence with a question.
"Eh? The future? Mm… maybe just… becoming a simple… young lady."
Caules would inherit the family headship. Having lost her magic circuits, Fiore would have to leave the world of magecraft and return to a normal life. Perhaps she would even go to university?
"That suits you…"
The Shogun answered.
"Mm~ Shogun, are you teasing me?"
The girl puffed out her cheeks adorably, leaning closer to sit directly in front of her, speaking with a slightly pouty tone.
"No… why would you think so?"
The Shogun shook her head.
"I just feel… if things really became like that, people might say I'm spoiled… especially in college."
Fiore seemed troubled. She had truly changed. Speaking with the Shogun like this, openly and freely, gave her the lively air of someone her own age.
"Do such worries trouble you? I've never attended school, so I may not give you a reliable answer. But… why care about others' eyes? By then, you'll already be used to your new life. Perhaps you'll even find a lifelong partner."
"...Mm."
Hearing these words, Fiore felt a strange ache in her heart. A partner… With the Shogun, she needed no one else. But the Shogun could not stay by her forever. In the future she would have to walk her path alone. Yet recalling these words might give her strength.
These were the Shogun's heartfelt words to Fiore, meant to help her grow. The road ahead would be for the girl to explore herself. Meeting her had been a stroke of fortune.
"Hah… This vessel must now take its leave."
The Shogun rose, informing her softly.
"!"
Fiore's head snapped up at the words. Flustered, she tried to stand, but her legs were still weak, and she collapsed back down.
Quick as lightning, the Shogun caught her.
"Your legs are still unsteady. Rest more."
She supported her as she spoke.
Fiore suppressed the sour ache rising in her heart. Instead, she threw her arms around the Shogun's waist, pressing her head into her embrace with longing, as if not wanting her to leave. Yet her hands dared not hold tightly, caught between desire and restraint.
The Shogun let her be, looking down at the girl slightly shorter than herself. Her hand hovered above the girl's head for a moment, hesitating. Then, as if realizing something, she resumed the motion, gently stroking the soft hair in comfort.
"You… would you be willing to become this vessel's subject?"
At last she asked the question she had long pondered, her tone soft and warm.
Nestled in her arms, the girl gave a muffled nod, lifting her tear-streaked face that looked like a little cat's. She nodded again.
"I'm willing… I'm willing!"
"In that case… Fiore, you have become this vessel's subject. You will forever receive the protection of the God of Eternity."
At that moment, she raised her hand, gathering particles of thunderlight in her palm, shaping them into something.
"I have witnessed your longing for a wish. Today, I shall grant you this, as a token of our parting."
She opened her hand. Resting upon her palm was a brand-new Electro Vision—a delicate violet gem, gleaming like a pendant, set in a mysterious golden frame. She extended it toward the girl.
"This is…?"
Fiore cupped the Vision carefully in both hands, studying it with confusion.
"A Vision. In Teyvat… only those acknowledged by the gaze of the gods may receive such a gift. I saw your form as you pursued your wish. Today, I grant this to you as my gift."
"A gift from you, Shogun… I will treasure it dearly. Thank you."
Fiore held the Vision against her chest like a precious treasure, answering with sincerity.
"Good. When the Vision shines, it will have recognized you. Then you shall wield elemental power. But remember—never use it recklessly, lest you bring calamity upon yourself."
The Shogun warned for her safety. This was not Teyvat. Here, elemental power should not be revealed before others.
"I understand… I won't misuse it. I will always keep your words in my heart."
Hearing her promise, the Shogun nodded in relief. She then drew Musou Isshin, pressing its blade lightly against the air. The void in the room split open, revealing a narrow rift just large enough for one to pass through, just like before.
"Shogun… could you… close your eyes? I also have something important… to give you///."
Fiore's face flushed scarlet, yet she gathered her courage to speak to the gentle goddess before her. Perhaps the other would be angry, but she no longer cared.
"…Only to close my eyes?"
The Shogun obediently shut her eyes.
Seeing this, Fiore tiptoed forward until she stood right before her. Leaning up, she pressed a gentle kiss to her lips.
[!]
Even Ei, watching from within, could not hold back—What?! She actually kissed her?!
After a pause, she calmed her faint jealousy.
Forget it… just a single kiss. Hardly worth fussing over. Though she would never let some pig steal her cabbage… if the other girl was also a cabbage, then perhaps it was barely acceptable.
"!"
The Shogun felt warmth on her lips, eyes snapping open as she froze, staring at the girl whose face was flushed red. Had she… been kissed?
She was not angry. Instead, she was a little dazed, her expression soft and blank, almost endearing.
"You… this is…"
She asked hesitantly.
"This is… my gift to you. Don't you like it, Shogun?"
Fiore's voice was timid, shy, like a kitten.
"Hah… Why would I dislike it? It is only… the first time I've received such a gift, so I am unaccustomed. But your heart—I accept it."
The Shogun shook her head gently, then glanced toward the rift.
"Then… today we part ways. Until we meet again, my subject."
Fiore had now become her subject, sheltered beneath her protection. That meant Inazuma was her second home. When the time came, she would bring her back—whether to live in Inazuma forever or only to visit, it mattered not. But that would be for the future.
"Mm… Shogun… please take care on your journey."
Though reluctant, Fiore accepted it. This day was always bound to come. Now, she would see her off with her most beautiful smile, sending away the one dearest to her heart.
The Shogun gave a faint nod. Her body gradually dissolved into violet motes of light, drifting into the rift. In the next moment, the gap sealed completely, leaving only the girl behind, clutching the Vision.
In the silence… the Vision she held so dearly began to glow faintly with violet light, revealing the mark of Electro.