Several minutes later—
At last, the group descended the mountain and arrived at the hidden cavern concealed at the foot of Mt. Yougou. Along the way, Ayaka and Pandora had taken the lead to clear the path, while Kokomi supported Ei, guiding her weakened body forward step by step. It had truly been a winding journey.
No matter what, since Ei had said she had a way to undo this, they placed all their hope in her. Or rather, they always had. After all... when the words came from a god, they instinctively felt reassured. She was, in many ways, their only pillar of support.
The moment they laid eyes on the cavern, they sensed something unusual. Dreamlike violet fireflies drifted through the air. Aquatic plants glowing with deep, ethereal light sprouted from the ground, twisting along the stone walls like creeping vines. Deeper inside stood an abandoned shrine altar. Though long forsaken, candles still burned upon it, casting a faint warmth into the dim space.
"This is the place..."
Ayaka frowned instinctively at the sight, raising her folding fan to partially conceal her face.
"Haa... we're finally here. The entrance is right here..."
Supported by Kokomi, Ei gazed upon the familiar place, a complex light flickering in her eyes.
"Lady Ei..."
Kokomi looked at the woman in her arms, concern flashing through her eyes.
"Kokomi... I'm fine now. I can walk on my own. You may let go."
Regaining her senses, Ei turned to the girl beside her with a gentle expression and reassured her softly.
"All right... please be careful."
Kokomi obediently released her grip, allowing the purple-haired beauty to stand on her own.
"Haa..."
Ei staggered slightly as she straightened. Kokomi, still worried, instinctively caught her hand again, steadying her body.
"..."
Feeling the coolness of the hand holding hers, Ei glanced at the girl beside her. A tenderness like flowing water shimmered in her eyes.
This child... haa... it seems she will be able to take good care of the Shogun in the future. She treats even me with such care.
Bzzzt~
In the next instant, a dense violet glow suddenly appeared near the shrine altar ahead. Like enchanted mist, it gathered and condensed.
"Protect Lady Ei!"
Without hesitation, Ayaka reacted as if by instinct. She leapt back a step and positioned herself in front of Ei and Kokomi.
Clack!
Her slender hands gripped both the hilt and sheath of Snowswept Sakura at her waist. Lowering her stance, she assumed a poised position to draw her blade. In that instant, her ice-blue eyes were sharp as frozen spears. The once graceful and captivating face transformed into one of heroic resolve. Her soft lips pressed together slightly, as though she would cut down anything that dared move.
"!"
Kokomi instinctively shielded Ei as well. A soft azure glow radiated from her body. Pandora floated upward into the air. She was not a combatant and could only remain behind them.
"Haa... it's nothing. You're all too tense, Ayaka."
After a brief pause, Ei let out a helpless laugh and patted Ayaka's shoulder. She raised her hand, letting her own power connect with the violet mist. With a resonant hum—
Bzzzt~
The mist gradually parted, transforming into a rift resembling a portal.
"Eh? Ah... I see. My apologies... I was too nervous."
Ayaka straightened awkwardly and returned her partially drawn blade to its sheath.
Clack~
The guard gave a crisp sound as it settled back into place.
"It's fine... I understand. 'Her' aura is rather oppressive. It's only natural you would be tense. There's no danger now."
After gently patting Ayaka's shoulder in reassurance, Ei stepped forward.
"Haa..."
Ayaka gave a faint nod and stood silently behind her. Her hand, still gripping the hilt, trembled slightly. A thin sheen of sweat lined her forehead. She had yet to fully recover.
"Are you all right?"
Kokomi asked with concern.
"...(shakes head)"
She silently shook her head. When the light had first appeared, that overwhelming pressure had swept through her body, nearly forcing her to her knees. She had only managed to suppress her fear and rush forward to shield Ei.
"...Here. Wipe your forehead."
Noticing the damp silver bangs clinging to Ayaka's brow, Kokomi offered her handkerchief.
"...Thank you."
Ayaka pressed it lightly against her forehead. Seeing the faint trace of sweat left behind, her eyes flickered.
"I'll wash it and return it to you."
She looked at the girl beside her as she spoke.
"That won't be necessary... you may keep it."
Kokomi shook her head generously.
"...Don't ask me for it back later, Miss Sangonomiya."
Ayaka glanced at the blue, faintly fragrant handkerchief in her hand, then at the girl before her. After composing herself, she offered a teasing smile.
"I am not that impoverished."
Kokomi shrugged in reply.
"You... have you ever given Shogun-sama a handkerchief as well?"
Ayaka asked suddenly.
"No..."
Kokomi shook her head.
"Is that so—"
"I've given her something far more important than this."
Kokomi interrupted, countering smoothly.
"...Is that so? How impressive of you, Miss Sangonomiya~?"
Ayaka's eye twitched faintly. Then she lifted her gaze and smiled lightly in return before stepping ahead toward Ei. The moment she turned her back, her smile vanished, replaced by a faintly petulant coldness. She subtly cast a sideways glance at Kokomi behind her—so slight it was almost imperceptible.
"...Pfft."
Watching the ice-toned girl's retreating figure, Kokomi felt a small spark of satisfaction and followed after her.
Bzzzt~
The portal, adorned with drifting violet sakura petals like something from a dream, opened beside the shrine altar. Within it stood a crimson torii gate, as though awaiting their entrance.
"This is...?"
Pandora, unfamiliar with such structures, looked confused.
"A torii gate."
Ei informed her, one hand pressing lightly against her forehead as waves of dull pain pulsed intermittently. A faint violet glow shimmered in her eyes.
"Lady Ei, are you all right?"
Ayaka hurried closer, worry evident.
"The symptoms have worsened... but the timing is perfect."
"Perfect timing...?"
"Yes. Perfect timing to end this as quickly as possible."
For her, ending this was simple—eliminate 'her,' bring the Shogun back. Straightforward. Direct. In line with her usual methods.
"This was once sealed by my own hands... the entrance to Raiden Makoto's consciousness space."
She looked at the gate before her and explained.
"Raiden... Makoto...?" ×N
"She was my sister... and the source that allowed the Shogun's existence in this world. The reason the Shogun can freely enter this Pure Land is because of that. In the past, in order to devote myself wholly to pursuing eternity, I embedded a safeguard within the Shogun's system—something akin to insurance."
"That safeguard was—"
"...to pursue eternity at any cost."
Now, merely speaking those words sent a chill through her. It was difficult to imagine how obsessive she had once been. Even she felt lingering fear.
"At any... cost..."
Ayaka's voice trembled.
"Yes... I programmed her so that—if I, the one who created that directive, were ever to abandon the pursuit of eternity for any reason, it would automatically activate. Its priority surpasses everything. Above the Shogun's own will. Even... above me."
"And now, the time has come. 'She' has begun executing the order. The program has taken over the Shogun's primary consciousness. That is why she has become what she is now."
Silence fell over them.
"..." ×N
"I know you must resent me right now. But... I will fix this. I swear it. I will bring her back—bring her back unharmed. Back to your side. Back to mine. Please... grant me, Raiden Ei, this chance."
Ei turned to face them, guilt heavy in her heart. Her voice trembled faintly as she pressed a hand over her chest and pleaded.
"What are you saying, Lady Ei..."
"...? Ayaka?"
Ei blinked, confused by the girl's helpless smile.
"Besides... the one suffering most through all this is clearly you, is it not? I know how you endured these past years. Yes, what you did was wrong—but... we will not resent you for it. You have suffered as well."
"Mm... and just as you once told me... it's already in the past. To recognize one's mistake and seek to correct it—that is what matters. When one errs, one must atone and make amends, not remain trapped in regret forever. Is that not so, Lady Ei?"
Kokomi added gently.
"Kokomi..."
Ei instinctively looked toward Pandora.
"Mother, let us bring the Shogun back together."
Pandora encouraged her directly.
"You all... haa... I understand. Then without further delay—let us depart."
"Mm!" ×3
Bzzzt~!
The moment they stepped through the rift, a pitch-black tunnel filled their vision. In the next instant, starlike brilliance shimmered into existence around them. The light fragmented into countless particles, gradually forming the texture of space itself. The surroundings expanded and unfolded outward, until this otherworldly realm took shape.
From the center, smooth stone flooring spread outward like a whirlpool, extending across the entire expanse. Before their eyes stretched a boundless world bathed in a faint, dreamlike azure glow. There was nothing here but heaven and earth—endless and unobstructed.
In the distance lay a vast cerulean sea, its waters meeting the horizon. Upon its surface, a whirlpool formed of rippling currents rose like the upper half of a rising sun. Sakura petals drifted down from the sky like scattered snow, carpeting the ground in soft crimson.
Kokomi had entered the Plane of Euthymia before and thus was not overly astonished. Ayaka and Pandora, however, revealed looks of surprise and curiosity, their gazes instinctively sweeping across the unfamiliar realm.
"..."
Ei said nothing. Her eyes were fixed upon the figure kneeling at the center of the Pure Land. It had only been a single day since they last met, yet to her, it felt like far longer.
Her daughter.
The Raiden Shogun.
"..."
The other woman knelt quietly with her eyes closed, as if immersed in meditation.
"...Shogun-sama."
At the sight of her, Ayaka's eyes nearly welled with tears. Her lips trembled before she pressed them together, restraining her emotions.
"Shogun..."
Pandora was not as visibly emotional as Ayaka, yet her feelings were no less intense.
"..."
Kokomi watched silently. Her eyes did not redden, but her heart ached. That familiar, delicate face now bore unfamiliar exhaustion and pallor. The sight shattered her.
"Come... let's bring her home."
Without turning around, Ei spoke in a low voice and stepped forward. The others followed immediately.
Tap, tap~ ×4
Their footsteps overlapped softly. Being women, their strides were light and unobtrusive.
"...?"
Hearing the approaching sound, the kneeling Shogun slowly opened her hazy violet eyes. Four blurred figures stood before her. They seemed familiar. She steadied her awareness, allowing her vision to clear, then lifted her gaze again.
"Ei... why have you... all come here...?"
When her eyes fell upon the girl at Ei's side, she paused faintly.
"Kokomi...? You... why are you here as well...?"
Her voice was terribly weak. Breath outweighed sound, and tremors laced her tone. The pain behind it made everyone's hearts clench. Perhaps she was still enduring the torment of being controlled by the program.
"Shogun-sama... are you... in pain?"
Ayaka's voice was already choked with emotion.
"I... am not in pain... It's all right, Ayaka."
Seeing Ayaka's expression, the Shogun forced a gentle smile and shook her head in reassurance—a kind lie.
"..."
Ei's lips tightened as she looked at the child who still thought of others even now. Her gaze fell upon those once-brilliant eyes. They were dim, drained of their former radiance.
"Ei... why did you bring them here?"
Her frail voice carried faint reproach.
"Why... involve them?"
"...Perhaps you should ask yourself why you chose to leave."
Ei countered.
"I... I only—"
"Only what? Only to avoid danger? To avoid yourself?"
She pressed.
"...You know why."
The Shogun averted her gaze awkwardly.
"Haa... Enough. We'll speak of that later. For now, I want you to come back with me."
Suppressing the anger rising in her chest, Ei spoke coldly.
"..."
The Shogun remained silent.
"Come back with me. Did you not hear me?"
Ei's eyes hardened.
"...No."
The refusal was immediate, stubborn as a child disobeying her mother.
"Raiden Shogun, did you not hear clearly?! I want you to come back with me. I am not negotiating!"
Her voice dropped to a frigid command.
"...!"
The Shogun's body trembled. She was afraid—but in the next second, her stubbornness returned.
"...I'm not going back..."
"!"
Without another word, Ei stepped forward.
"Lady Ei! Please don't—please! Do not raise your hand against her. I beg you!"
Seeing Ei on the verge of acting, Ayaka rushed forward and wrapped her arms around her, as though ready to kneel if necessary.
"..."
The Shogun lifted her gaze. Seeing Ei's reddened eyes—not red from anger, but from heartache—her own heart twisted. But she could not go. She absolutely could not. She would not allow Inazuma to be destroyed by her own existence.
As she had seen, Ei's eyes were indeed crimson. Not with rage—but with pain.
"Shogun-sama... please come home with us! Lady Ei has searched for you all day—we all have. Let's go home. Whatever it is, we can face it together. Why isolate yourself here?"
Ayaka turned and pleaded.
"Shogun-sama... have you forgotten your promise to me? You said you would visit Watatsumi Island sometimes... stay by my side... encourage me. Watatsumi Island—yes, Watatsumi Island! You promised we would protect it together... So please... don't leave me like this."
Kokomi stepped forward as well, her voice trembling as she spoke.
"Shogun... please don't abandon Pandora... all right? You are Pandora's only pillar. Do you remember that? Without you, I would have long since faded from this world. You bought this pendant for me—I treasure it dearly. So please... give me the chance to repay you."
Pandora lifted the azure gem encased within her pendant as she pleaded.
"..."
A tear slipped from the Shogun's eye. Then another. Soon her composure broke, her breathing hitching as emotion overwhelmed her.
"Do you hear them, Shogun? Everyone needs you. I need you too. I am your mother... can you truly abandon me? Abandon us?"
Ei asked softly.
"I... I don't want to..."
The Shogun shook her head as tears streamed down her face.
"Then come here... come. Take my hand. Step by step. We're right here before you. All you have to do is reach out."
Ei extended her hand and stepped forward slightly, her tone gentle.
The others fell silent, tears brimming as they watched anxiously.
"...Your hand... everyone... I... this body..."
The Shogun looked at them—at Ei's outstretched hand—while chaos and pain churned inside her mind. Instinctively, she wanted to confess her fears. To lean on them. The warmth and love before her were overwhelmingly tempting.
She let that longing fill her thoughts.
Slowly, she rose to her feet. She lifted her hand, stepping forward, reaching for Ei's.
"!" ×N
Hope flared in their eyes—
But—
Bzzzt~
"Ugh—!"
A far more violent pain exploded through her mind. She clutched her head with a cry, her outstretched hand falling. Her knees buckled as she collapsed, bent over in agony.
"Shogun-sama!" ×N
They rushed forward instinctively—only for Ei to yank them back.
"Careful! Stay back!"
The Shogun's dim eyes flared into divine brilliance. Violent energy erupted from her body. A shockwave burst outward from the center. Just before it struck Kokomi and Ayaka, Ei pulled them behind her, shielding them.
Boom!
She took the impact head-on, her body sliding backward across the stone. The force dragged Ayaka and the others along, sending them tumbling to the ground.
"...So you've finally come out?"
Before them stood the Raiden Shogun once more—her expression icy, devoid of warmth.
Ei's eyes turned equally cold, danger lacing her voice.
She had waited long enough.