The imperial summons arrived at the Grand Narukami Shrine on a lacquered tray, delivered by a high-ranking, but visibly nervous, Tenryou Commission officer. It was not a request; it was a formal, undeniable command, sealed with the Shogun's personal insignia.
Ganyu read the invitation, and her face went pale, a fresh wave of anxiety washing over her. "A meeting? With a Fatui Harbinger? Why… why would she want Ren to be there? It's a diplomatic meeting of the highest, and most dangerous, order!"
Yae Miko took the scroll, her violet eyes scanning the elegant, forceful script. A single, perfectly sculpted eyebrow rose in a gesture of profound, foxy curiosity. "Now this," she murmured, more to herself than to the others, "is interesting. Very interesting."
She was, to put it mildly, confused. She knew Ei, the friend, was now deeply, personally invested in the boy. But for Ei to command his presence at a formal, high-stakes meeting with a foreign power… that was a move of political strategy, not of personal affection. It was a move that felt more like the cold, calculating logic of the Shogun puppet. But for the puppet to actively seek out the "anomaly," the "variable," and place him at the very center of a sensitive diplomatic encounter… that too was a deviation from its usual, predictable programming.
It was a move that was, in its own way, completely out of character for both of them.
"You should go," Miko said finally, her gaze settling on Ren, her expression a complex mixture of curiosity, amusement, and a subtle, almost hidden, layer of concern. "It seems our dear, reclusive Shogun has decided you are a necessary piece in her grand, eternal game. To refuse would be… unwise."
Ganyu looked torn, her protective instincts at war with the undeniable command of a god. But Ren simply nodded, his face a mask of calm, quiet acceptance. He knew this was the next scene in the play. He was no longer an observer; he was now an official actor, and he had been given his cue.
As he was preparing to leave the next morning, dressed once more in his formal Inazuman attire, his Shogun's pendant displayed prominently, Yae Miko stopped him at the grand torii gate of the shrine.
"A moment, little one," she said, her voice a soft, gentle purr. She held out a small, beautifully crafted object. It was an omamori, a traditional Inazuman good luck charm, made of fine, embroidered silk and tied with a delicate, purple cord.
"For good luck," she said, a playful, teasing smile on her face as she tucked it securely into a fold of his tunic. "One can never have too much luck when dealing with the Fatui. Or with our dear, unpredictable Shogun, for that matter."
Ren took the charm, its surface cool and smooth to the touch. But he felt something more. He felt a faint, almost imperceptible, hum of power within it, a tiny, dormant spark of Electro energy that was tied directly to the immense, ancient power of the woman standing before him.
He knew exactly what this was. It was not just a good luck charm. It was a beacon. It was a lifeline. It was Miko's own, subtle, foxy, and deeply caring way of saying, I cannot go with you, but a part of me will be there. And should the worst happen, should you truly be in danger, I will know. And I will come.
He looked up at the beautiful, cunning, and surprisingly worried shrine maiden, and a warm, genuine smile touched his lips. He didn't say anything. He didn't need to. He simply gave a small, grateful nod.
He had come to Inazuma with one fiercely protective sister. Now, as he walked down the mountain path towards a meeting with a god and a devil, he knew he had another, a sly, powerful, and equally caring fox, watching his back from the shadows.