Son of Thunder ✓

Chapter 18

The archons are all gathered up in Zhongli's place. The adepti serving them with some osmanthus wine and some dishes.

"Why did you all gather us, Kusanali? I was busy getting my weapons ready." Murata stubbornly said while placing her chin on her hand.

"This must be really important for you to disturb us from our own stuff." The Hydro Archon mumbles while taking a sip from her cup.

"Listen, this is very important, I swear. So, Belial visited me and all is well, but then later on that night, the sages reported that he fainted so we got him to the treatment area. I found this horn clipped in his hair." After that, Kusanali takes out the horn from the protective bubble she placed it in.

The archons examines the relic while making notes in their heads, trying to think about a logical explanation to what it is. Until Zhongli speaks...

"That is Baal's horn. Not the same Baal that we first met, but the Baal that molded the foundation for Inazuma. Legends told that she was slain by the Heavenly Principles and she dropped that horn in the depths of Enkanomiya." He explains. The Tsaritsa then stood up to get a closer look at the crimson horn.

"This thing is full of radioactive energy. Maybe that explains why Kosuke fainted. He's been absorbing the radiation." She speculated. Venti sighs as he quietly sips his wine.

Zhongli noticed the bard's reaction to their speculations, so he asked him what he has to say.

"Barbatos, what can you say?"

"All I can say is Kosuke will be a very different Raiden if we give him some time to develop." He simply said before taking out his lyre and started playing for them.

Back in Tenshukaku, Scaramouche paced back and forth as he waits for reports from his Fatui minions. He wants to know the status of the vessel so he knows how much to prepare.

Suddenly, a masked man came in with some of his minions behind him. Scaramouche sighs before approaching his general.

"Status. Report." Scaramouche quickly said.

"My Lord, there is currently no signs of the archon in both Mondstadt and Liyue. The people I dispatched to Sumeru also reported that he was not there." The Fatui agent said. Scaramouche gritted his teeth before summoning his scythe.

"My Lord, where are you going?" The agent asked. Scaramouche stops in his tracks before looking at him from his shoulder.

"I'm gonna find and capture him myself." He said before leaving the palace.

Back in Sumeru, Kosuke had just woken up from his nap. He feels normal again and a little stronger. Endo handed him the food the sages made for him.

"Shogun, are you feeling alright now?" Endo asked while sitting right next to him.

Kosuke nods as he eats a spoonful of porridge. Suddenly, the pendant hanging from Kosuke's waist started glowing and a mischievous fox envoy appeared out of the thin air. Both Endo and Kosuke were shocked.

"Don't be surprised, I can transfer my consciousness into objects and I'm merely just an illusion." Yae Miko said as she looks outside the window.

"Guuji Yae, I'm glad you're still alive!" The general said while smiling brightly at the priestess.

Miko lets out a giggle before approaching Kosuke, brushing the strand of hair away from his face.

"Inazuma is not the same anymore, Kosuke. Ever since the Balladeer sat on your throne, the people started worshipping me instead. And I don't like that, cause I don't consider myself a god much like you." Miko explained as he gives him a smile.

"What can I do, Lady Miko? My powers are only a portion of what I got when I was brought into this world." Kosuke mumbles while putting the bowl down.

"But that doesn't change the fact that you are the real Electro Archon. The Balladeer is just a portion of Ei's ambition and just a byproduct of the first Shogun puppet. You are more powerful, Kosuke. Channel your power and strength to the fate and the natural elements around you." Miko said as she continues the comforting towards Kosuke.

The Shogun looks down at his hands, trying to get what the priestess is saying. But somehow, it is not clear for him.

"Anyways, I came here to tell you that the Balladeer is on his way here in Sumeru with a bunch of his men. I suggest that you test your strength against him. It's not here," Miko said while pointing at his head. "but here." And then pointed at his heart.

When he looks up, the priestess was already gone. He looks at Endo who is wide eyed as he was confused too.

"The horn. Endo, tell Kusanali everything Lady Miko said about Scaramouche and his fleet. And tell her I need that horn." And with that, Endo hurriedly went to the temple to tell and relay everything the priestess said.