[Yashiori Island – The Serpent's Head]
Centuries ago, Raiden Ei and Orobashi had a pact of non-aggression. For years, Narukami and Watatsumi lived in peace.
But one day, Orobashi marched his army east.
When Ei arrived on the battlefield, she intended to negotiate. But Orobashi refused to speak. He rampaged across Yashiori Island, slaughtering countless samurai.
Then, tragedy struck.
Sasayuri, Ei's beloved Tengu General and cherished friend, was killed by the Serpent God while defending the line.
Witnessing her friend's death, Ei's patience shattered.
She drew the Musou Isshin.
One slash.
That single strike not only decapitated the god but also cleaved the island itself in two, creating the Musoujin Gorge. The remnant Electro energy from that attack still crackled in the air today, a testament to the terrifying gap between an Archon and a lesser god.
Orobashi had sought death. Ei had sought peace. But in the end, blood was spilled, and a friend was lost.
"The resentment here is thick," Hanachirusato (Saiguu) noted, looking at the gloomy sky. Perpetual rain and lightning plagued this island—the physical manifestation of Orobashi's lingering hatred. "No wonder the people here get sick. The Tatarigami has infected the Ley Lines."
The explosion at the Mikage Furnace had weakened the wards, allowing the curse to flare up. To fix it, they had to repair the seals at the Head, the Heart, and the Tail.
"I'll scout the perimeter for the ward stones," Saiguu said. "You two... talk. I can feel the tension from here."
She summoned a small fox spirit to guide her and vanished into the rain.
Left alone with the massive skull of the serpent, Raiden Ei turned to Su Han.
"Su Han. You know the truth, don't you?" Her violet eyes were clouded with old pain. "Why did he do it?"
"It's a simple but tragic story," Su Han sighed, looking at the bleached bone. "After losing the Archon War, Orobashi fled to the Dark Sea and found the people of Enkanomiya. He became their god, their savior."
"But during his time there, he uncovered a forbidden truth. He learned secrets about Celestia that no god was allowed to know."
Raiden Ei's eyes widened.
"Celestia found out. He was given a choice: Die, and his people live. Or resist, and they all perish. He chose to sacrifice himself."
Su Han looked at her. "You felt it too, didn't you? During the battle. He had killing intent, but it wasn't aimed at you."
"I... suspected," Ei admitted softly. "He attacked, but his movements were... desperate. Like a man running onto a blade."
"But," her gaze hardened, "he killed Sasayuri. Even if he had a noble reason, he took my friend from me. I cannot forgive that."
"And you don't have to," Su Han said gently. "Understanding him doesn't mean forgiving him. But now, at least you know it wasn't a betrayal of your friendship. It was a tragedy."
The rain seemed to lighten slightly, as if the Archon's heart had eased.
"Ahem!"
A cough interrupted the moment. Saiguu walked back out of the bushes, hands on her hips.
"I leave you alone for five minutes to work, and you start flirting?"
"I was explaining the lore," Su Han defended.
"Sure, sure," Saiguu rolled her eyes. "Anyway, I need your help. The corruption is too strong for my fox fire alone. I need something purer."
"My power isn't enough?" Ei frowned.
"Your power is destruction," Saiguu deadpanned. "If you try to purify the ward, you'll just blow up the island again. We need cleansing, not nuking."
She turned to Su Han. "You have the Water Spirit Pearl, right? That thing is the bane of all evil miasma. Use it."
"Got it."
Su Han retrieved the glowing blue orb. The Water Spirit Pearl (from Chinese Paladin) pulsed with gentle, purifying energy.
They arrived at the first seal: The Serpent's Head.
The ground here was stained black. Hilichurls wandering nearby had been mutated by the Tatarigami, their bodies twisting with dark energy.
"Go."
Su Han tossed the pearl into the air.
Hum.
A brilliant blue light pierced the gloom. It was like dropping a bucket of clear water into a muddy pond. The black mist hissed and evaporated. The corrupted soil regained its color.
"Amazing," Saiguu clapped. "The combination of the Pearl and your pure Yang energy is potent. My turn!"
She formed a series of hand seals.
"Hakushin Secret Art: Nine-Star Soul Bind!"
Golden runes etched themselves into the rock, locking the purified energy in place. The sky above the Serpent's Head cleared instantly.
[The Underground Cave – The Serpent's Heart]
The second seal was deep underground, near the spinal column. This area was close to the Mikage Furnace.
Here, the corruption was even worse. Shadowy samurai—manifestations of the curse—roamed the darkness.
"Why is it so bad here?" Ei asked, drawing her sword.
"Because of the Mikage Furnace," Su Han explained. "The Shogunate harvested Orobashi's Crystal Marrow to forge weapons. Imagine if someone dug up your corpse to make batteries. You'd be angry too."
"The Tatarigami isn't Orobashi's consciousness," he added. "It's just his lingering resentment. It has no reason, only anger."
"I see." Ei nodded. "Then we shall put it to rest."
Flash.
Her blade cut through the shadow samurai, while Su Han unleashed the Water Spirit Pearl.
Purification Complete.
Saiguu slapped a triple-layered seal on the ward. "Anyone who tries to mess with this one will have their soul eaten by my familiars. That should keep the Fatui out."
[The Serpent's Tail – Jakotsu Mine]
The final seal was on the coast.
With the first two purified, this one was easy.
As the final rune locked into place, a miraculous change occurred.
The perpetual thunderstorm that had shrouded Yashiori Island for years... stopped.
The clouds broke. Sunlight streamed down, illuminating the massive skeleton. The oppressive weight in the air vanished.
Soldiers stationed at the nearby Higi Village looked up in wonder, dropping their spears.
"The rain... stopped?"
"The curse is lifted!"
On the cliff, Saiguu wiped sweat from her forehead.
"It is done. And now..." She looked at the giant bones with a greedy glint in her eye. "With the curse gone, this skeleton is just a massive pile of high-grade crafting material. Imagine the weapons we can make!"
Su Han chuckled. "Always thinking about profit."
"Of course! We have an army to equip!"
Inazuma was healing, one island at a time.
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